Memories of Japan [no WT beads]

This is a bracelet I've been planning from the very beginning of my Troll story. I finally got the last two beads to finish it.

Way back in the Dark Ages when Lund was the US distributor for Trollbeads, they had a US website with a bracelet builder. Playing with the bracelet builders for Trollbeads, 'dora, and 'milia pushed me into Troll land. There are just so many more design possibilities with Trollbeads.
And the selection of Oriental beads was a clincher for Trollbeads.

This bracelet is to remind me of our fabulous first trip to Japan, back in 1985. It was a dream come true for me. I have been fascinated with Japan ever since grade school, when I heard that Japan celebrated Girls' Day (dolls) and Boys' Day (kites) holidays!
The Swan lock is for the black swans that swim in the moat around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Origami, Black Silk, Pearl, and Green Jade represent the arts and design in Japanese culture. Add Buddha, Two Sides, and Three Monkeys for philosophy, and lots of beads to reference nature and gardens.









(The only deviation from plan is that I used silver stoppers instead of $$gold. )

All Trollbeads: Swan lock, Bird, Origami, stopper, Lotus, Two Sides to Everything, Black Flower Mosaic, Moon Ocean, Black Silk, Buddha, Green Jade, Three Monkeys, White Flower, Butterflies, Pink Bud, stopper, White Pearl, Neither Fish Nor Bird.

Interesting to note: this was obviously before I knew how much beads could vary from their stock photos. One of my design considerations had been balancing the size of Green Jade with the big Black Silk. IRL, I used the biggest Black Silk I could get and it's still not as big as the stock photo on the bracelet builder showed.

Wow.
I think you've captured what Trollbeads is supposed to be all about. You should send your story to them. Your bracelet is so beautiful, elegant, and intensely personal. And that you took your time to put it together, that is very Eastern (definitely not Western). Can I assume that you have been to the beautiful country of Japan more times since that first visit?
(=^.^=)

It's a true beauty!

I'm hoping to build my own Japanese themed bracelet using the kimono beads.

Wonderful!

Great bracelet, love seeing bracelets with memories

I like them

Thanks, all.

@Trollcat: yes, I've been back to Japan a few times since then, but much shorter visits. Just to Tokyo, really. And on my trip to Disneyland this summer, I spent an inordinate amount of time at the Japanese pavilion at Epcot!

I love your combo, LindaJo, the beads you chose are just beautiful. I hope to visit Japan someday, it is a fascinating culture. TFS!

Artemis wrote:Great bracelet, love seeing bracelets with memories

Agree and this is one of the reasons that I love Trollbeads!

hi Linda,
your bracelet is truly beautiful, every single bead with a meaning, not just put together, but assembled with great care and thought, which clearly shows!


but what is the meaning of the needle-type instrument?
don't poke Robert with that thing!

This is beautiful...

it's really lovely

Brilliant choice,beautiful combo! LindaJo
I'm glad you have many good memories of Japan.and hope you will add more wonderful memories in Japan soon

Catsworld wrote:hi Linda,
your bracelet is truly beautiful, every single bead with a meaning, not just put together, but assembled with great care and thought, which clearly shows!


but what is the meaning of the needle-type instrument?
don't poke Robert with that thing!

Thanks, Catsworld.
The needle-type thing is a tube turner. It's a sewing tool. But wonderful for stringing beads onto your bracelet chain.



@Hisae: Only a month away!

Oh, LindaJo, lucky you. Where are you going in Japan and for how long?
You're bracelet is fabulous and with no specifically themed Japanese beads. I like that.

Beautiful together,, I love it...

Thank you LindaJo for the "tube-turner"
I googled the instrument and it is even available here in Switzerland, I will order a couple, I find them very useful, also for storing a bracelet, there was even a blog with a video that showed how it functions, great thing and not expensive!