Trollbeads: Netherlands World Tour Collection

Welcome to todays World Tour Trollbeads' collection, the Netherlands, which is known for quite a few things. Some of what they are known for are being the land of windmills and clogs, as well as being the home for the renowned painter, Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh painted the ever famous Sunflower painting. Also in the Netherlands, the favored color of the Dutch is "Orange" believe it or not.

Watch as Trollbeads introduce the World Tour Netherlands collection in this short film and answer this question, "In the Netherlands we find a bride with a difficult decision. Which bead does the bride select first?"

As stated earlier, the Netherlands was indeed the home to Vincent van Gogh, the famous painter. In the artist circle, he is well known for his paintings of Sunflowers. But he painted, two series on these famous Sunflowers and is considered one of the greatest painters of the 19th century. It is sad but true though that he only sold one painting while he was alive and didn't get full recognition for his work until after his death.

This silver charm, with beautiful sunflowers all over it, reminds me of my youth. I truly loved art when I was growing up and took many art classes during my high school years. I fell in love with his paintings that I bought a reprint of his "Sunflowers" and hung it in my bedroom at that time of my life. So for me, this charm represents my high school years and that period of time. For others, this charm could represent that of a budding artist or quite simply be purchased, because one loves flowers. Whatever reason that one purchases and wears this charm, it is a beautiful charm and is a must have in this collection.

Growing up my grandmother had a memento from one of her trips and it was a little pair of wooden clogs. I remember staring at that pair of clogs and wondering why she had them and what they meant. I asked one day and she told me quite simply she loved them when she saw them on vacation at the time and just had to have them. They was no real meaning for her purchase other than she thought they were cute and a must have.

Well years later, I found out that clogs originated in the Netherlands and are popular footwear for garden and farm workers in this part of the world. Even though many people assume that everyone in the Netherlands wear them, this is simply not true.

For me, I saw this silver charm and immediately thought of my grandmother, who is since no longer with us and wanted it as a reminder of her. For others, it could mean that they are avid gardeners or quite simply like my grandmother stated they just had to have it, because they liked it and thought it was cute. Again, whatever the reason for owning this silver charm, it is another keeper in this collection.

When first looking at this collection, I saw this charm and again was reminded of my past. As a child my great-grandfather had a painting in his home of a windmill, that pumped a wave of water into a stream. My great-grandfather lived to be 103 years old. He past away when I was 13 years old. Most people are not lucky enough to know their great-parents even for a day let alone 13 years. I have many memories from his home growing up and this is just one of those many memories I do have and treasure.

From that painting that I mentioned, I always assumed that windmill's purely pumped water. However, I recently learned that a mill can be used in a variety of industries, such as to manufacture flour, oil and paint, to saw wood or to pump water (which was the one I did know about). Also, I learned that a mill can be operated by wind, water, electricity, or manually by animals or humans. The reason for it being apart of this collection is that the windmill has a great historical and cultural value to the Dutch people. And they are thought to bring nature, industry, and architecture together.

Again, when looking at this collection and specifically this silver charm of the Windmill, I think of my past and therefore this one represents my great-grandfather and the time that I was lucky enough to spend with him in my youth. For other's it could symbolize as the Dutch, nature, industry of architecture. Again, whatever one's reason for obtaining this charm, from my experience it is another charm that should be had.

The reason for This glass charm being apart of the Netherlands collection is that "Orange" is the one color truly synonymous with the Netherlands. The love of the color dates back to the "father of the nation" or the founder of the modern state, William of Orange. The other places I have heard that Orange is found in this country is on their national football team and during the "Queen's Day" celebration, where everyone has "orange fever". It is truly just the color of the nation, like we in the United States, know nothing but the "Red, White and Blue", the Dutch know nothing, but the color "Orange" too.

The only glass charm in this collection, but it is stunning in Orange with gold glitter running through it. I see this one as being a must have just because of its beauty, whether you are a native of this country or not. I am a huge fan of the glitter glass Trollbead charms and this one definitely doesn't disappoint!

It has been my absolute pleasure to tour the Netherlnads today in Trollbeads World Tour. If you watched the video, you should have the answer to the original question. I will not give it away here however. Join us for the next hub, when we tour the next country in the Trollbeads World Tour and as the Dutch say, dag or goodbye!!