Have you heard of Pandora? Most people know the mythological story of Pandora and the box.In Greek mythology, Pandora (meaning ‘all gifts’) was the epitome of a perfect, beautiful woman, and according to which version you’ve heard regarding her creation it was either Zeus, who wanted revenge on the god Prometheus (after he stole fire from the gods and gave it to man) or Hephaestus, on Zeus’ orders, who created Pandora out of earth and water, making the other gods spoil her to entice humans.
Pandora was sent to earth by Hermes (or, Mercury … again depending upon which mythological tale tells the story) and presented to Epimetheus as his wife, and given gifts from all the gods.
Athena, the goddess of wisdom, gave her clothes, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, gave her beauty and Charites, the goddess of charm gave her necklaces created by Hephaestus.
The container (said to be either a box or a jar) which housed all of the evils was believed to be a possession of both Pandora and Epimetheus, and upon her opening it thereby released all evils upon mankind, leaving only HOPE behind in the vessel.
PANDORA is also the name of a jewellery company based out of Copenhagen, Denmark, created in 1982 by Per and Winnie Enevoldsen, who use as they say just like the myth, ‘hope as the basis for their jewellery’. The most popular products that they manufacture are specialized charm bracelets and necklaces that are unique to the wearer, as the charms (or beads) can be switched out to create a new look and ‘tell their own story’ according to the history and imagination of the wearer.
“1999 saw the launch of PANDORA’s ever-popular charm bracelet on the Danish market. Consumers quickly embraced the concept, and PANDORA grew hand in hand with the increase in demand. In foreign markets, interest in selling PANDORA jewellery has been in high demand, turning PANDORA into a global brand that is currently sold in 18 countries. PANDORA has gone from a two-man business 25 years ago, to a team of 35 at its head office in Copenhagen, a team of over 100 employees servicing North America, and 1,000 workers at PANDORA Productions, its factory in Thailand.” {Excerpt from The History of Pandora, Pandora-jewellery.com.}
Worldwide, there are Pandora clubs, fan pages and groups as many fine jewellery stores carry their line and feed the wearer’s addiction {!}
There are so many beads to choose from in either gold, silver, or silver and gold, murano glass, and different sizes and styles of bracelets and necklaces available. They also offer other pieces of jewellery as well, such as rings and earrings.
I started collecting this jewellery when I was given a copy of their catalogue to look at, and saw one of their bracelets on display at a local store, then I was hooked. Lisa, a friend, gave me one of her catalogues, and I had a look through it and was intrigued, but it wasn't until I saw the gold beads on display on a bracelet that I was hooked, LOL... Needless to say the next time I saw Lisa I told her I was officially obsessed!
Somewhere on line, somebody referred to Pandora as 'wrist crack' which pretty much sums it up :P
Online, I've seen a lot of different bracelet/necklace pics of the endless combinations that can be made, and that to me is extremely appealing, and unique to the person creating the statement.
{White murano beads in the above photo courtesy of Angie on Multiply, who so very kindly acted as courier and mailed them to me from Australia!}
HOPE being the basis for their jewellery has turned out to be very true for me as this obsession leaves me hoping I don’t break the bank trying to create new looks for my bracelet… :P
5 comments:
Those are some lovely bracelets, GG! Gimme!
I'll have to look into this some more, but I have to admit that I am too lazy to build my own jewelry. That, or too rushed to stop and fiddle with it. But still, it looks like you don't *have* to change out the beads and stuff, so yay!
Honestly Fuzzy,
When I first saw these beads in the catalogue, my impression was, "very pretty, I guess", but it wasn't until I saw them in person on a bracelet that I thought that I wanted one for myself!
The odd thing is, I'm not normally one to go all out and drool over girlie-type things like this {or at least it's been a couple of decades since I did :P} When I talk to other people who collect Pandora, I keep hearing the same thing over and over, "I'm addicted!" "It's my new obsession", etc.
The best comment I read online was in reference to the bracelet itself as 'wrist crack'... LOLOL... which pretty much sums it up. :D
I had heard of Pandora jewellery but have never seen it, I can see why it could turn into an obsession ;)
Apparently there are a *lot* of Pandora girls down under - Gillett's does quite a bit of business it seems, and most recently when the spring beads were released Australia was one of the first places to have them available for sale.
Seeing the jewellery in person makes all the difference in the world. :)
Heyas GG, nothing new to say about this gorgeous jewelry, just wanted to stop by and say "hey" and wave at you enthusiastically and with love :)
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