Eve's Addiction Bracelets with Toggle Clasp

I bought a bracelet from http://www.evesaddiction.com with a toggle clasp. I actually really liked the bracelet, but it didn't end up working out for me. I think if you want a low cost bracelet, this isn't a bad way to go.

Pros:

• toggle clasp is easy to get on and off
• can add beads to either side of the bracelet instead of only one side like trollbead's
• thin chain so any beads will fit

Cons:

• plating wears off toggle clasp quickly if wearing every day.
• beads with larger openings get caught up on the clasp (they won't come off, but it takes significant force to remove them.) I actually didn't have much of a problem with this except when I let my toddler wear it.
  

Plug for Cherrylane Keepsakes

(I am not affiliated with this company.) I really like Cherrylane Keepsakes in Provo, Utah. The staff there has been amazingly helpful (and tolerant the time I brought in my 3 wiggly children). I haven't used their online site, but if it is anything like their store, it should be a good experience.

I bought a Trollbeads bracelet

So I broke down and bought a Trollbead's bracelet and small flower clasp. Trollbeads's bracelets have one side you can add beads and one side to attach the clasp. I promptly discovered that I had to make sure I was opening the correct side of the clasp or all my beads would fall off. I added an off-brand spacer bead to try and prevent the waterfall of beads if it happened again. (I actually like the design of my Eve's Addiction bracelet clasp better, no chance of the beads coming off, but the sliver plating wore off that clasp in a few weeks.)

I also got the antique flower bead (even more awesome in person). It matches my other beads perfectly, too.

Wish list

Here's my current list of charms and glass beads I want:

• flower clasp
• Treasure
• Rose
• Dog
  

Glass

• Antique flower
• White bubbles / diamond bead, white
• Clear blue bubbles
  

Which bracelet to buy

A few weeks ago, I bought an off brand bracelet that is slowly turning bronze. I'm thinking of upgrading to a new bracelet. I am stuck between Trollbeads and Chamilia. Chamilia would be significantly less expensive up front because I don't have to buy a clasp. But unfortunately, I like some of Trollbeads beads, which don't fit on Chamilia. Looks like Trollbeads it is.

Of course, I will continue to worry about it for a few more days. The bracelet I have now does work, the clasp is just starting to look funny. I tried painting it with silver nail polish, but it isn't going to be long before that wears off too. It's just a lot of my discretionary funds I'd like to spend elsewhere.

How to save money on your European bracelet / bead obsession

Here are some money saving ideas to make your money go further. After all, frugality means more beads :) Fortunately I am not blessed/cursed with brand loyalty, so I just pick what works and looks cute.

• Necklaces - go off brand.
  
• If you need a longer necklace, attach a cheap bracelet to the back of the necklace. This will make the necklace longer without having to pay more for the longer chain. Your collar or hair will hid the deception.
  
• Check ebay for glass beads. You can get a nice assortment of murano glass beads from China for $10. This will give you some initial choices for colors and designs. It also gives you a few of the less beautiful beads to let your kids pick through and wear.
• Silver nail polish - I've been using it to hid slight flaws in some of the cheaper beads. Seems to work OK so far. (Don't do this on any bead you might want to return.)
• Clear nail polish - I slathered this over a bead I bought from Ebay. I forgot to check which metal it was made out of, still don't know. I religated that bead to my necklace (which my kids don't play with) and coated it in case it was lead-based.
  

Again, I suggest not going cheap on the bracelet itself if you plan to wear it all the time.

My bracelet

This bracelet is made up charms from Eve's addiction and ebay. I especially love the lampwork frog, he just makes me laugh.