In 2006, Lise Aagard (CEO of the Trollbeads company) ran a project in Tibet, teaching refugees to make glass Trollbeads as part of a Self Sustainable Business Project.  

The beads produced in Tibet were purchased and later sold as a set – you can read more about the project here.

I have been lucky enough to collect five of the six beads – Green/Lilac Armadillo, Ornament , Kyang, Takma and and an OOAK Cappuccino.  I don’t wear these beads as often as I should, but I recently purchased the Summer Rose Debut Bracelet and they make a nice addition as a spring/summer bracelet:

Clockwise from silver Flower Lock:  Tibet Kyang, OOAK Tibet Cappuccino, Lions, Rose, Fur Animal, Forget-Me-Not, Silver Trace - Pink, Green/Lilac Armadillo, Wisdom, Green/Lilac Armadillo, LE Valentines Agate, Koala, Grey Wolf, Tibet Takma, LE Tulip, OOAK, Tibet Ornament, Smiley.

Sadly the Tibet set is now retired, but sometimes they pop up in stores when you least expect it!  All of mine were bought in UK stores from 2008-2009 apart from one of the dillos, which was kindly sent to me by a fellow collector.  If anyone knows where I could get hold of the actual ‘Tibet’ bead to complete my set, please get in touch!!