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Monday, February 28, 2011

Other themed beads have been made with specific ideas in mind.

From Trollbeads to Troll beads to giant sized California Trollbead,Since the company’s relatively small beginnings in 1976, Trollbeads have taken on many different forms, made from a variety of different materials such as gold, Murano glass and semi precious and precious stone as well as the original material the first beads were crafted from –silver.
The unique interchangeability and quirkiness of Troll beads has since led them to experience something of a revival, mainly due to the popular trend for personalised items of clothing and jewellery which began during the late 1990s. Since incorporating the removable locking mechanism into the bracelet during the eighties, the bracelet has become a kind of modern day charm bracelet, allowing the wearer to interchange beads to her (Or his, as the designs are also worn by men) heart’s desire.
Of course, the spectrum of different colours means that the bracelets can be either beautifully co-ordinated with the wearer’s outfit or mixed together for a pick and mix sweetshop effect of lovely, kooky randomness. The charm of the Trollbead has been recognized by many as a major selling point –not only are they purely decorative, but they also tell a story, too. The original designer, Søren Nielsen, cites “Trolls, stories, mythology and other cultures” as his main inspirations, but the versatility of the simple gold or silver Trollbead can lend itself to a plethora of other images as well pertaining to all kinds of subjects, interests and passions.
It is this aspect that makes Troll beads so highly personal to the wearer. If she or he is interested in science, there is a planetary themed bead. If the wearer is passionate about horticulture, there is a bouquet of floral Trollbeads out there to choose from. And should the wearer take an interest in mythology originating from the company’s native country of the Netherlands, you can be assured there are a variety of beads which will fit the bill perfectly for the wearer!
Other themed beads have been made with specific ideas in mind. In the last few months, the company has toured the world, designing themed beads related to each country. So German beads featured famous images including buildings and cars manufactured in Germany, while the Italian collection featured a Trollbead designed in the country’s flag colours of green, white and red. The Netherlands collection featured of course, a tiny windmill and a sunflower bead –a nod of recognition to another home-grown talent, Vincent Van Gogh.
It is suggested that each bead on a Trollbeads bracelet tells a story about the wearer –and this is true –by building up a collection of themed beads, one can almost see a timeline of the wearer’s life marked out not only by interests and hobbies, but also landmark occasions such as Troll beads relating to graduations, birthdays, new births, even special beads known only to the wearer, making each bracelet as individual and personal as a tattoo.

Soon customers realised the cult potential of Troll beads.

From Trollbeads to Troll beads to giant sized California Trollbead,Taking the world of jewellery making by storm, Trollbeads emerged in 1976 in a small jewellers shop in Copenhagen, and have since become one of the most covetable, collectable and ubiquitously worn items of jewellery ever to be made. The first Trollbead was designed by silversmith Søren Nielsen, which consisted of a small silver bead with six faces, each with a different expression. Because of the “troll-like” features of the face (Trolls frequently also appear in Danish Folklore), the beads became known as Troll beads. The beads have since become immensely popular due in part to their versatility (The beads can be interchanged on the bracelet they are strung onto), but Nielsen was quick to discover just how many possibilities Trollbeads had to offer: “Their intention was to tell a story and facilitate communication between people. More than 30 years have passed since I began and new Trollbeads keep coming. Trolls, stories, mythology and other cultures are often my inspiration." The Nielsen-Aagaard family still work closely together to produce Troll beads even to this day –Lise Aagaard, Søren Nielsen’s sister, is in charge of shipping and distribution. In 1987, it was Lise who opened a sister store in Lyngby, and who later began shipping the beads to buyers the world over. The following year, Aagaard introduced the use of Murano glass into the making of the beads, which were originally made by glass blown in an 800 degree flame.
The eighties also saw a change in the design of the bracelet which would revolutionise jewellery making as a whole –the introduction of a removable lock, like many aspects of the company, was a seemingly minor alteration in design which produced huge changes for the company. Soon customers realised the cult potential of Troll beads –they were no longer quirky, funny little pieces of jewellery made in the Netherlands –they were changing the way people wore jewellery forever. In addition, a stopper or spacer Trollbead could be placed between beads on the bracelet to stop larger beads from falling off and to add a neater effect to bracelets containing one or two beads.
Since the company’s inception in the seventies, beads have been made in a variety of different materials. Apart from the silver and Murano glass versions, there have also been beads made from gold, precious and semi precious stones. The silver and gold versions continue to be highly popular, largely due to their potential to be formed into an endless variety of different shapes, colours and sizes. In a similar sense to traditional charm bracelets then, a Trollbead could be given to the wearer signifying a special occasion such as an anniversary, a birthday, or a bead could be given denoting a particular passion or hobby the wearer might have.
Over the past three decades, the company has spearheaded new concepts in design and jewellery making, demonstrating again and again how tiny design ideas really can blossom into something extraordinary –not unlike the first bead created, back in 1976.

Trollbeads quickly became the ideal gift to give to loved ones.

From Trollbeads to Troll beads to giant sized California Trollbead,In 1976, a young silversmith, Søren Nielsen, crafted the first ever silver Trollbead. “The Mask”, so called because it had six different faces all with different expressions, was the starting point for a family legacy for Nielsen (Every family member later took on a role in the business, including Nielsen’s sister, Lise Aagaard, who later became in charge of distribution and export.) Originally only sold in their father’s small Copenhagen –based jewelers, the tiny silver beads became incredibly popular quickly, and it was not long before beads of all different shapes sizes and designs were being requested by customers.
The Nielsen-Aagard family responded to these requests over the next three decades, producing Troll beads made from all kinds of materials, including precious and semi-precious stones, gold and Murano glass. The main construct of the bracelet, which was originally made from leather, was made available in both gold and silver.
As well as being purely decorative, it was soon discovered that Troll beads could tell a story, too. As well as folklore characters such as the trolls which gave the beads their unique name, beads could be made in the style of charms found on a charm bracelet, alluding to everything from science to music, to art and everything in between.
Because of this, and because of their highly versatile nature (The bracelets later incorporated a locking mechanism, meaning beads could be added, taken away and interchanged) Trollbeads quickly became the ideal gift to give to loved ones, particularly for their collectable qualities, meaning that the wearer could collect an almost limitless number of Trollbeads, switching them and removing them as they chose.
After a brief hiatus out of the limelight, Trollbeads became more popular than ever before towards the late nineteen nineties as the trend for personalization took off. With bracelets being seen on celebrities everywhere from Emma Watson, to Jennifer Love Hewitt to Jessica Simpson, the humble Trollbead was garnering not only the public attention but that of the stars, too.
The unique design of a Trollbead lends itself to all kinds of fashions, tastes and designs, is compatible with a spectrum of differently coloured outfit and can be personalised according to the wearer’s interests and hobbies. As well as being highly collectable and covetable, the beads have also a timeless quality about them to match even traditional charm bracelets.
With this in mind, the longevity of the company comes as no surprise –and it’s still going strong, even to this day. Trollbeads have almost certainly earned their place in history as one of the most groundbreaking inventions in jewellery making ever to be designed, from “The Mask” made by a Danish silversmith, to an empire of sorts which eventually took the world by storm with their tiny, charming beads.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

flowers are also often given to represent our emotions.

From Flowers to Valentines Flowers to giant sized California Mothers Day Flowers, Mothering Sunday traditionally falls on the second Sunday in May each year, and is often used as the opportunity to tell mothers everywhere how much their children appreciate all their hard work and dedication. In addition to many gifts traditionally given such as cakes and other presents related to Mother’s Day, flowers are also often given, particularly as May is a time of year when they are often in bloom and many varieties can be found online or at a local florists.
Ordering Mothers Day flowers is now often done online due to convenience and ease of delivery. Choosing which blooms to include in a bouquet of Mothers Day flowers can be confusing, however aside from the traditional blooms which are given (Pink carnations), there are many other varieties which signify pride, strength of character and motherly love, which can often be found on websites referencing Victorian floral symbolism. The use of carnations as Mothers Day flowers comes from Anna Jarvis, who founded the first Mother’s Working Day in the United States to celebrate motherhood, a day which later developed into Mother’s Day as we know it now. Along with bouquets, many gifts are also given including soft toys and cards.
Another notable festival where flowers are given is Saint Valentines Day. Although traditionally red roses are given as a token of romantic affection, again there are many other varieties which can be used traditionally to symbolise a whole range of different loves –unrequited love, secret love –even platonic love, however roses are generally the most popular. White roses signify unending devotion to someone, lilac roses are used to symbolise love at first sight, red roses of course signify passionate romance, and yellow is used to represent friendship.
Saint Valentines Day has become one of the major days of business for florists, confectionary companies and greetings card manufacturers, many of which exist mainly due to the rush of consumer interest which takes place on the 14th February.
Choose carefully which Valentines flowers to give and that alone might make enough of a statement, as flowers are traditionally given as tokens of love and adoration. Valentines flowers can come in many forms; a huge bouquet, for example, or a single traditional bloom. Mixing and matching the flowers which send the message you wish to convey is the perfect way to send a truly romantic gift and to really make a statement.
Of course, Valentines flowers are not the only gifts which can be given on Saint Valentines Day. There are many other options including chocolates or stuffed toys which are also traditionally given, but if you already know your Valentine’s favourite flowers, then regardless of their meaning, your choice of bouquet is bound to leave you smelling of roses, or orchids, or lilies, or chrysanthemums…

Flowers have been offered for many different reasons.

From Flowers to Valentines Flowers > to giant sized California Mothers Day Flowers, Traditionally, flowers have been offered for many different reasons, denoting a wealth of human emotion such as love, friendship and apology. Offering bloomsas symbolic tokens is an ancient tradition, which was popularised in Britain in Medieval times when lovers could not display their affection for one another publicly. In strict Victorian times, this was given further significance, with many books being written on the topic.


Saint Valentine’s Day and Mothers Day are two notable festivals where floral gifts are given, with carnations usually given as Mothers Day Flowers and red roses being the traditional Valentines flowers we see in shop windows each year.
For something a little different this year however, why not consider taking some inspiration from the Victorians and giving your loved one your own specially “coded” bouquet?
Valentines flowers are pretty much restricted to bunches of a dozen roses by tradition, but why not add a twist to this? Alstromerias signify devotion, while anemones mean unfading love. For an unrequited valentine, offering a dahlia denotes love which may not be returned by the person who receives the flowers, but acknowledges it nonetheless. Similarly, gardenias are used to signify a secret love. If your Valentine is a little more on the platonic side however, you can still show them you care by sending a bunch of roses –that is to say, yellow roses, which are used to signify friendship.
Mothers Day flowers are given in all kinds of forms. Perhaps you want to tell your mum how proud of her you are? Then amaryllises are the perfect flowers to give. Gerbera Regard Gladioli are a way of telling someone that they are generous and strong in character, a perfect sentiment for Mothers Day,while poinsettias, traditionally offered as Christmas flowers, mean good cheer.


The act of giving flowers has been used traditionally for many thousands of years, and each culture attributes different meanings to certain blooms, so while carnations may well be the original Mothers Day flowers, in Mexico they mean something quite different –in fact they are used to celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones in the Day of the Dead!
Valentines flowers are traditionally sent to the object of the lover’s affections in secret, without the recipient knowing who has sent them. However, the actual gifting has changed over the years, with bouquets being sent directly to the house or place of work, or even given to the person’s Valentine in person. Another popular method of gifting has come in the form of singing telegrams, which were made popular in post war America. This unusual method of greeting your Valentine and wishing them a happy Valentines Day involves someone who will be sent to your loved one with a personalised song who can then offer them the bouquet.

Emotional connections people have made to flowers throughout history.


From Flowers to Valentines Flowers to giant sized California Mothers Day Flowers,The practise of giving flowers as gifts has a long established history. Offering floral gifts has come to be associated with a wide range of messages –they are traditionally given as tokens of love in romantic relationships, particularly as Valentines flowers, as Mothers Day flowers for Mothering Sunday, to friends and family when they are taken ill, as floral tributes to mark the passing of a loved one, and for many other reasons besides.
Nearly every country has some form of floral gifting in its culture, and not unlike most traditions, the beginning of floral gifts was quite different from what we see today.
In prehistoric times, different herbal and medicinal properties were often attributed to various types of flowers. As well as this, they had emotional implications too, even for our ancestors. Remnants of petals have been discovered in several grave sites by archaeologists, which suggests that offering floral tributes to the dead is a one of the oldest living traditions there is.
Several thousands of years after this, there is evidence of floral gifting seen in Chinese writings and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, as well as in Roman and Greek mythology, and by the Middle Ages, floral gifts provided lovers with a medium of showing affection towards one another in public when strict guidelines were in place which meant even holding hands could be reported to the church. Certain blooms had different meanings attached to them, meaning that couples could exchange romantic messages in coding.

In a sense then, these were the first examples of anything similar to the Valentines flowers given today.
It is not well known how Valentines flowers came to be associated with St. Valentines day, however there is much romantic mythology surrounding the bloom which is predominantly associated with it; the red rose. One myth from Greek and Roman mythology stems from the myth of Aphrodite and Adonis, respectively the goddess of beauty and the god of love. When Adonis was slain, Aphrodite rushed to her lover, scratching herself on a rosebush and turning it red.
The gifting of Mothers Day flowers stemmed from the founder of Mothering Sunday, Anna Jarvis, who made carnations the first type of bloom to be offered to mothers, as these were her own mother’s favourites. Jarvis organised the first Mother’s Work Days in 1858 to aid the improvement of community standards. This was also an integral part in the early stages of feminist activism, and in 1872, Julia Ward Howe devoted a special day for mothers which centred on the central themes of happiness and peace.
Since then, both Mothers Day flowers and blooms offered on Valentines Day have become widely commercialised, but it is interesting to see nonetheless the emotional connections people have made to flowers throughout history.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Introduction: The flower is God's finest workmanship in the world. It is his finest gift to the mankind.

Kinds:

We have seen the flowers of many kinds and to many colors. In India we see the flowers like lily, lotus, rose, marigold, jasmine and Champlain. Daffodils are common in the European countries. Every fruit or seed is preceded by a kind of flower. The mono blossoms in India are seen in summer. The mustard flowers are yellow and beautiful in winter. The violets grow on the moss.

Beauty:

Flowers are really very soft and beautiful. They appear in thousands of colors and of mixed colors. They look very beautiful and attract our sights. There are many people who are lovers of flowers and have raised gardens of flowers. The poets sings the praise of these flowers. People compare the beautiful faces and palms with flowers. Hence, flowers are really beautiful.

Usefulness:

Flowers are very useful too. They beautiful our garden, our courtyard and the front and back of our houses. They beautify the sides of our houses. Bees collect honey from the flowers and store it in their hives. We get this honey from the bee-hives. We make garlands of flowers for the deities and from our honorable guests. We offer flowers to our deities. We put flowers on the flower-vase to beautiful the table in the meetings. Scents are drawn from flowers and are sold for thousands of rupees. A flower or a flower-garden gives us sweet smell. Poets write about the flowers and enrich our literature.

Harmfulness:

If we smell a flower we, of course, get sweet smell, but there are some worms that get into our nostrils and do harm to us. So, we should not hold a flower very close to our nose.

Conclusion:

Flowers are very beautiful objects. They give much pleasure to our mind. We should enjoy them from a distance as they dance upon the creepers.
The practise of giving flowers as gifts has a long established history. Offering floral gifts has come to be associated with a wide range of messages –they are traditionally given as tokens of love in romantic relationships, particularly as Valentines flowers, as Mothers Day flowers for Mothering Sunday, to friends and family when they are taken ill, as floral tributes to mark the passing of a loved one, and for many other reasons besides.
Nearly every country has some form of floral gifting in its culture, and not unlike most traditions, the beginning of floral gifts was quite different from what we see today.
In prehistoric times, different herbal and medicinal properties were often attributed to various types of flowers. As well as this, they had emotional implications too, even for our ancestors. Remnants of petals have been discovered in several grave sites by archaeologists, which suggests that offering floral tributes to the dead is a one of the oldest living traditions there is.
Several thousands of years after this, there is evidence of floral gifting seen in Chinese writings and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, as well as in Roman and Greek mythology, and by the Middle Ages, floral gifts provided lovers with a medium of showing affection towards one another in public when strict guidelines were in place which meant even holding hands could be reported to the church. Certain blooms had different meanings attached to them, meaning that couples could exchange romantic messages in coding. In a sense then, these were the first examples of anything similar to the Valentines flowers given today.