Purple Passion - Beaded Bezels and Swarovski Rivolis

Working up a beaded bezel is a quick and rewarding way to create earrings with great visual impact. The bezels picture here were created using even count peyote stitch, worked in the round. Using 14 mm Swarovski undrilled rivolis, size 11 delicas, size 15 rocailles and whatever style of earring hook you prefer, you can create a pair of earrings in an evening.

I always work with Nymo thread when creating beaded bezels. For the 14 mm rivolis, a base row of 34 delicas works perfectly. I always run the thread twice through the base row of delicas for added strength. You just need to add two rows of tubular peyote stitch in the size 11 beads, to create a small ring shape for the main body of the beaded bezel. On each end of this base ring, work in two more rows of size 15 rocailles - you want to cinch in the front and back so that your rivoli fits snugly in the bezel. I always do the  two cinching in rows on the back first and then set my rivoli into the bezel. Then I add the two rows of size 15 rocailles on the front. I always work my thread twice through the last row of beads on both the back and the front for added strength.

Then you can add any manner of picot stitch or fringe around the outer edge to dress up your bezel if desired. I like to also weave in a small soldered jump ring through which I thread the earring hook. If you prefer, you can create a beaded loop with more of the size 15 rocailles and use the loop to hang your earring from the ear hook.

You can use this same technique for creating beaded bezels around beads, buttons, or whatever strikes your fancy. You just need to figure out how many delicas you need for the base row, and make sure your base row contains an even number of beads.

I love working with Swarovski rivolis - they are some of the prettiest, most sparkly crystals you can find. Photographing my finished product has proven to be a challenge though. I have had the best results on an overcast day in natural light, but find accurately showing the color of the crystals to be tricky. The deep purple rivolis flash blue depending on the angle, but always end up looking blue in the photographs.