How to make rivoli earrings - step by step jewellery making tutorial

Cut your thread approximately 1.40m long - it can be more but not less. Thread 28 toho beads size 11/0 onto the thread. Tie a doulbe knot in the thread and pass the needle through a few beads to hide the knot.

Now thread on a Toho size 11/0 bead and go through the 11/0 bead from our loop, skipping one bead as shown in the photo.

We take another Toho 11/0 and again we poke into our loop bypassing one bead. Repeat this process all the way around the loop. We must remember to enter the next higher level with the last bead in this row, so we go through the needle through two Toho beads from our loop. This way we are starting a new row.

Now we fill in the "gaps" with Toho 11/0 beads. Thread on a Toho 11/0 and go through the protruding bead next to it. Continue closing the gap all the way around the loop. 

As before, to start the next row we have to go through the "current" bead in a row and then the bead from a higher row.

We are already making the last round with Toho 11/0 beads. As before, we fill in the "gaps" with beads. Threading the Toho 11/0 needle and sticking to the adjacent bead. We can pull the threads to make our work tighter.

At the end of the row, of course, we go up a level. 

Our piece should look like this from the side:

Now we will "close" our rivoli. To do this thread on a size 15 toho, as before, stick into the adjacent bead (11/0), filling the gap. Repeat the process until you have completed the loop with your Toho 15/0s. Once completed, go around this row with a thread to stiffen and shape. We do it the way I have shown in the pictures - we go through the needle at an angle, simultaneously through the beads 11/0 and 15/0.

It should now look like this :)

At this point, we need to thread the thread to the other side to close the bottom. So we go with the needle at an angle downwards until we reach the other edge and our thread will come out of the protruding outer bead.

You can now secure the tail thread in place. Thread diagonally through the beads 11/0 up and down at least once. 

Now place the 12mm rivoli into its case. 

To encase the rivoli use size 15/0 to close up the design. Thread on a 15/0 bead andgo through the neighboring bead 11/0 to fill the gaps. Pull the thread to tighten your design. 

Next pass again through the size 15/0 to tighten your work. 

Our thread should come out of the 15/0 bead.

Now we thread 5 beads size 15/0 on to the thread and pass through the third bead 15/0 in turn, omitting one 15/0 on the way, as shown in the picture. 

We now have something like this:

Thread the next 5 beads 15/0 and in the same way,  we pass through the 15/0 beads but skipping one. And we do the same all the way around until there are a total of 7 triangles from Toho 15/0.

Now with seven triangles we have to get to the top of one of them (middle bead).  

Once we have reached the first vertex, we will now connect them all together by passing a thread through the third, middle, bead of each of them.

Reinforce the circle. 

Time for the "petals" of our forest flower. :) For this we need to get to the side of our dressed rivoli.

The Rivoli case have three and two 11/0 beads in a row, viewed from above. We want the thread to come out in a row with three beads. It will be easier for you to understand from the picture :)

Now we thread the two 11/0 beads and get into the next row with three Toho beads. We stick to the middle bead in this row. We repeat the action around.

We must now get to the top of the first petal.

 We thread two 11/0 beads and stick into the second, adjacent bead of our petal.

And we convert up again.

With two Toho 11/0 on the thread, we pierce the adjacent bead.

Last time we go up.

We thread 3 Toho 15/0 and "close" the petal, thread into the adjacent bead.

We create another petal. For this we have to get to the next vertex.

We take 2 Toho 11/0 and pierce into the adjacent bead from our petal.

And just like when creating the first one, we must get to the top to add another row. We create the next petals in the same way. Everyone should have 3 rows of Toho 11/0 and end with Toho 15/0.

After all that hard work, we have a beautiful flower. Wait for the end with the arrangement of the petals, because we can still twist them a bit :)

At this point, we need to get to the top of one of the petals in order to make a loop at the top of the flower Photos will show you how easy it is to get there.

Thread 5 beads 15/0 onto our thread and tap into the top of the next petal. We have a beautiful eye. I would advise to go down the thread again, then up through this loop and down again to strengthen it. Cross diagonally through several rows from rivoli base and only then cut the thread. You will be sure that nothing will fall apart.

To finish, place the rondelle onto an eyepin, trim and create a loop at the end, then attach onto your flower. Glue in place a small rivoli into the earring base and attach the earring base to your eyepin. 

Now you have a beautiful pair of earrings. I hope you like the forest flower as much as I do, and even though it takes time to create it, don't stop at one pair. :)

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