What comes first...The Bracelet or the Earrings?

After making this pair of earrings a few minutes ago, I was thinking that I usually make a bracelet or necklace first and then create a pair of quick earrings to go with them if I have beads leftover.

This pair was made BEFORE creating the bracelet or necklace with the beads I received from Artbeads.com today. (Can I just say a quick "yay!" about receiving beads from Artbeads.com!?)

The beads I selected are for the Artbeads winter design challenge. As you can see, I had ice and snow on the brain when I selected them.

I remember thinking that I want/need to embrace the weather in order to move past it!! As long as you aren't commuting in it or having to figure out a way to let your pets out in it, IT IS BEAUTIFUL!

I wanted to keep the beads simple and straight-forward. Winter is winter and in Ohio, it is icy and snowy!

I did, however want to use a bead that might not typically be used in bracelets or necklaces. The other reason I selected this graduated link bead is because I had used one of these in pink to make my Mom a pair of earrings last spring and she's been wearing them all winter!

According to her, not a day goes by, when wearing them, that she does not receive a compliment about the sparkliness of them. People stop and admire them wherever she might be.

They truly sparkle like diamonds and if I saw someone wearing these, I WOULD COMMENT TOO! :)

I hope you are all staying warm!! :)

FTC compliance disclosure: the graduated crystal in this post from Artbeads.com was provided as a promotional gift as part of their bead blogger program for review or design purposes.