More and more bead shops are stocking these beads as well as the bracelets to go with it, but I wonder what is the attraction for the jewellery maker? There is nothing to ''make'', just buy the beads and put them on the bracelet. I guess it could be a quick addition to a range of jewellery for sale, as it's always good to have a few items that are quick to make.

I may have to give in and stock some too but I just wondered what you thought about them?

I suppose you can inter-change the beads every day, etc. I'll probably end up wearing one!

I have one bracelet (the thick wire with screw ball ends) with silvercore beads/big hole silver beads on it. £70

I personally own 1 dolly bead and 1 big silvercore from RedHotSal. I haven't yet found a way to wear them that I like so I don't wear them very often

I can see the attraction of having the plated versions - get the look (not really but from a distance (LOL) at a fraction of the cost. I've wondered about having some of these available but even these cost quite a bit and if someone is going to balk at paying £30 for necklace paying £30 for a faux troll bracelet set is also going to be left on the table at the end of the day.

I'm with you Bea. I think the attraction for the buyer is that they can choose and add beads as they like. I suppose we are in the enviable position of being able to do that anyway when we make something - at least choose the beads in the beginning.

I have a friend who has a very trendy daughter (also very spoilt!) and she loves them, but I think it is the trend at the moment.

I thought of stocking them, but I would have to have quite a stock to give the client the choice and they are eye-wateringly expensive to buy - especially the sterling silver core ones.

The lampworkers amongst us can use the trend to their advantage, but I am not sure what is in it for jewellery designers

best regards
catherine-emma

I wanted to buy a Pandora anchor for a friend the other day..............£82! Silver with 14k gold. I don't think she'll be getting many more!

I bought a Troll bracelet a few years back when the beads were really hard to come by. As well as the glass beads, you can also buy sterling charm beads which are also really nice. I now have a mixture of 'proper' Troll and Pandora beads (glass & silver) and a few cheaper plated glass beads - mainly because they were a nice colour.
I mix & match according to my mood - sometimes just wearing all the silver charms & sometimes a mish mash of the lot!
To be honest, if I had only just bought the bracelet, I'd prefer to buy the non-Troll silver versions, simply because I think it's much nicer knowing who's made them.

I don't think I'll stock the sterling silver version at all, way too expensive indeed. That's why silver plated is there, to make it available to those who don't want to (or can't) fork out for a sterling silver version. There's a market for everyone.

Troll, Pandora, the names are so confusing. I hadn't realised they were actually ''brands''. I hadn't really looked into it that much.

How many beads can you actually fit on a bracelet?

I like them, although I don't think I would ever have one myself.

I like the flexibility of buying pretty beads and doing the mix n match thing, but I am the sort of person that puts a necklace together before I go out.

It takes me an hour to get ready to go to the pub, not because I apply layer upon layer of make-up, not because I have to painstakingly straighten my hair...... it's because I am making something to go with my outfit!

So I already have the troll/Pandora interchangeability, only at a more individual level!

Funny you should post this Bea, i made a post about where to find them the other day lol.

The only reason i was asking about them is because i was asked by a friend if i could find the bracelet the beads go on, and some of the beads, but she didnt want to pay out too much, i have looked at the sites the girls here gave me, but they are a little to much money for what she wants to pay.

Personally i wouldnt find a challenge in any way shape or form in making one up, but it is nice to be able to find stuff people ask me for, afterall they may buy something off me too hehe.

I didnt know pandora, troll etc were brand names either, i thought they were just called that by people lol.

If it wont cost you too much, maybe you could just order a few bits and pieces in and give them a try to see if they sell.

Carol XXX

Hi Carol

I keep seeing them at the whoelsalers and the manufacturers, they're everywhere. I wodnered whether I was missing something but I just don't know how it can really appeal to bona fide jewellery makers because of the little creativity that goes in them.

Maybe it appeals to another type of customers altogether, those who want to make jewellery but want it simple, straightforward and quick?

I love mine but i did make my bracelet by doing a jens pind rather than buying them.

Also as a lampwork artist i like the fact i can collect other artists silver cores and wear them onn my bracelet as well as a few of my own so from that point of view i love mine but i can see why it's limiting for jewellery makers

Yes I must admit that would be appealing. It would be lovely to build up collection of one's favourite designs from lampworkers on this forum. Hmmmm . . . no I can't - I must stop spending money - stop giving me ideas you naughty people!

best regards
catherine-emma

They really are a big trend at the moment but I agree the basic prices are too high to sell on and make any decent profit.
I just bought some cheap SP Chinese made ones for 50p each, I am not keen on sp chain though as I am worried it won't last long, so I was thinking of putting them on thick cord so you have the look but not the expense. I may try some necklaces and bracelets at the farmers market on sunday. I'll let you know what happens.

Melanie

ah i don't buy the proper troll spacer beads, dreambell sells some very nice ones much cheaper

A lot of the fine silver/ceramic beads I sell fit as well so they can make good spacers. This is my bracelet using lampies from Mike Poole - Tillerman beads and silver ceramic beads.

As Andrea just asked the question in the Help forum about the difference between Troll and Pandora bracelets, I googled both last night. Now I get it - same idea, different details - and incredibly expensive - WOW.

My son's girlfriend's Mother got one for Christmas a few years ago from the father and now that's all he ever gets her for every occassion!! I don't really think she's that hooked on them and I would find that gets old really fast. Great for a guy who can't be creative with gift giving for a few years I guess! Otherwise, just a trend that will end up sitting in the drawer before too long.