When Duchess from ArtBeads contacted me about the next Beads for Bloggers challenge, I was intending to make a Winter themed bracelet. To me, Winter is all about snow, ice and sparkle. Keeping this in mind, I ordered some gorgeous 8mm Crystal AB Swarovski Graphic Cube beads, 6mm crackled druk beads, 8mm S cut Sterling Silver Stardust beads, 3mm Sterling Silver Stardust rondell beads, Sterling Silver Earwires, and a beautiful Sterling Silver Snowflake Toggle clasp. When my order arrived, I took a close look at the Snowflake Clasp and knew it was far too pretty to be used as a closure at the back of the neck where no one would see it! I decided the clasp wouldn't be a clasp at all, but would become the focal piece of a necklace instead! I added in some aqua fire polish beads in 2 different sizes and finishes from my bead stash, some white AB seed beads, as well as some Sterling Silver wire to create a wire wrapped necklace and earring set. I am completely in love with the Swarovski Graphic Cube beads with all their sparkling facets. This is the first time I have used them in a design, and will not be my last! They are perfection. The S-Cut Stardust beads are some of the prettiest beads I have ever seen. They are so sparkly and the S cut adds a lovely touch to the bead. They remind me of a pattern Jack Frost would leave on your window! The little Stardust rondell beads add a nice look to the graphic cubes. They are really uniform and pretty. The snowflake clasp is my favorite part of the necklace. If used as an actual clasp, the toggle bar is a little ski pole! So adorable, it is stamped .925 on the back. All in all, I am extremely happy with everything I ordered from ArtBeads.
*Please note, I have received the Swarovski Graphic cube beads, the 3mm and 6mm Stardust beads, Sterling Snowflake clasp, sterling Earwires free of charge for my honest opinion of these products. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to these products.
