Step 1 – round 1 & 2
Thread a needle with an armspan of thread and string 18 x size 11 seed beads to go around your rivoli. Add a ‘stop bead’ first if you wish. Sew through the first bead strung and position the ring 20cm from the thread end.
Step 2 – round 3
Pick up a size 11 bead, skip the next bead on the ring and sew through the next – it’s up to you whether you work clockwise or anticlockwise. Continue adding beads in this way until you have one bead left to add. With the smaller rivoli you’ll probably want to keep the beadwork relatively flat to prevent twisting.
Step 3 - ‘Stepping up’
Pick up the final size 11 bead, sew through the last bead on the ring and the first bead you added to round 3. Exit the beads in the inner part of the ring.
Step 4 – back - round 4
Pick up a size 15 bead and sew through the next bead – you’re filling a gap between the beads placed in the previous round. Repeat all the way around until you have one bead left to add.
Step 5
Pick up the final size 15 bead, sew through the next size 11 bead and ‘step up’ by sewing through the first bead added in this current round.
Step 6 – back - round 5
This round is the same as the previous round again using size 15 beads. Repeat to the end. Pull every few beads to ensure you get a nice round shape.
Step 7 – the front
Weave through the beadwork and exit through a size 11 bead on the other side.
Step 8
Pick up a size 15 bead and sew through the next size 11 bead. Repeat all the way around. Pop the rivoli into the cup shape so that it is centred as shown in the photograph. Then pull the thread firmly so that the rivoli is held in place. If you’re happy with the general tension and that the rivoli is held securely, sew through all the size 15 beads again – do not expect to pull the size 15 beads tightly together, then skip to step 10.
Step 9
If you’re not happy with the tension and that the rivoli is held in place you can add an additional round of size 15 just as you did on the back. Sew through all the beads in this final round.
Step 10
Weave the thread to the middle round of the size 11 beads.
Step 11 – Picot embellishment
Pick up 2 size 11 beads and sew through the next size 11 bead. Give the pair of beads a tweak so that they sit side by side. Repeat until you’ve one more bead to add.
Step 12
Pick up the final size 11 bead and sew through the next size 11 as normal. Then sew through the first bead of the pair added at the beginning of the round so that you’ve stepped up ready to finish the picot. You may be able to do this in one motion.
Step 13
Pick up 1 size 11 seed bead and sew down through the second bead of the pair then up through the first bead of the next pair. Repeat till
the end of the round. Pull your thread snug and sew securely into your work.
Repeat these steps for your 2 other sizes of rivoli. For your 10.5mm crystal you will require 22 x size 11 seed beads, and for your 12mm crystal you will need 26 x size 11 seed beads to start.
Step 14
When you have finished your 3 bezels, connect them together using 2 x size 11 seeds, 1 x 4mm bicone and 2 x size 11.
Step 15
To create the beaded chain, attach a new piece of thread to one of the points on the bezel. Then add the beads in the following sequence 2 x size 11, 1 x 4mm bicone, 2 x size 11, 1 x 6mm bicone. Continue this sequence to the end. Repeat this on the other side of the necklace.
Step 16
For the clasp, at one end add a 6mm bicone and a size 11 seed bead. Go back through the bicone and tighten. Knot the thread and then thread back through the beads, knotting in several places to secure. For the loop add 17 x size 11 seed beads. Go back though the first 2 x size 11 seeds to form a loop. Thread back into your necklace chain, knotting along the way to secure.
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