Every story has a bead. The story behind the Malawi Universal Uniques collection is a heart-warming one that involves a joint venture between Lise Aagaard, the founder of Trollbeads, and artisans around the world. The Trollbeads Workshop concept originated out of Lise Aagaard’s vision of infusing commerce, hope and new life into communities that would not otherwise have had the opportunity. In 2005 when Lise Aagaard started the first self-sustainable project she said: “I am now in a position to help others. I believe the best way to do so, is to help them create an existence for themselves – providing help for self-help is close to my heart.”
In 2010 the Malawi Trollbeads Workshop was established with an unemployed group of challenged young people. Some had health issues and some had lost most of their family to AIDS. Using the same overall formula as with a similar project in India, Trollbeads gave a group of young men and women the opportunity to learn the artistry of making glass beads over an open flame. Besides providing financial backing for the project, Trollbeads also trained the staff in all aspects of running a successful jewellery business, including supply-chain management, production, design, and marketing. Today their localoperation employs around 12 people and is on the way to becoming completely self-sustainable. “I am so excited and thrilled that you can feel the different cultures in every single bead. My wish is that the charity projects we choose are as varied as possible. For everything we do, is all about the people,” says Lise Aagaard.
The first Trollbeads Workshop originated on a family trip to Dharamsala, India where Lise Aagaard taught a group of unemployed Tibetan refugees how to make glass beads. The Aagaard family further helped this group of Tibetan refugees to start production and sale of these glass beads. Trollbeads provided financial support with an agreement that if things worked out, the loan would be repaid. And if things didn’t work out, they would not be obliged to pay the loan. The loan was repaid within the year and the Tibetans had already begun designing beautiful, unique glass beads with designs that were not part of the Trollbeads standard collection. The success kept growing, and today Uniques and Universal Uniques are made by Trollbeads artisans from other parts of the world as well.
As artists, we seek to express beauty through all that is magical, mystical and whimsical in the world around us… so that others may find self-expression and enjoyment through our work.As craftsmen, we seek to create jewelry from nature’s finest and most durable materials, constructed of the highest quality…so that our work is considered the standard of excellence. As an enterprise, we seek to engage with those who share our vision, our passion and ideals, and to transact honestly with all… so that we are known as a company with a soul. Trollbeads Mantra
Trollbeads Universal Uniques are designed with a larger hole to allow for compatibility with other bracelets in the market. Universal Uniques offers the opportunity for more customers to try and experience the beautiful craftsmanship and high-quality jewelleries from Trollbeads. Universally adored, every one of these glass bead kits is distinct and can be worn on other major brand bracelets.
Preview the Trollbeads Malawi YouTube Video
Connect with Trollbeads USA
About Lise Aagaard Copenhagen: The Company behind Trollbeads USA is Lise Aagaard Copenhagen. The mission is to create beautiful, imaginative jewelry and also to involve and touch people all over the world. Each piece in the Trollbeads collection has its own history, taking its inspiration from mythology, astrology, fairy tales, fauna, flora, cultural diversity, and last but certainly not least, in the familiar things of everyday living. Trollbeads products include beads on bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and accessories. www.Trollbeadsuniverse.com 
Robyn Hawk
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