Swarovski Crystal Collection Bracelet – FREE Project

Adding sparkle to your outfit can change a grey day to bright and sunny, easily. Recently, I injected sunshine into my world in the form of Swarovski crystal rivolis. I’ve wanted to make use of these fancy stones for some time. The time finally came and the bracelet is the net result.

There is nothing unique about the techniques in this design but the layout and use of open space is what makes this a new favorite. And I really like how the new buttercup, lilac, and lime Crystal Lacquer PRO Effect colors work set against the dark purple beads. I’m happy to share this bead-weaving project with you and hope, whether you need some sunshine or just want to make a new bracelet to wear, you enjoy making this design as much as I did.

Materials
9 Swarovski crystal 14mm rivoli, LacquerPRO Effect
—3 buttercup
—3 lilac
—3 lime
2 amethyst Swarovski crystal 4mm bicone beads
6 g size 11/0 Japanese seed beads
4 g size 11 Japanese cylinder beads
3 g size 15/0 Japanese seed beads
Thread (I used FireLine, 6 lb in crystal)

Tools
Wire cutters or thread burner
Size 11 and 12 beading needles
Beading awl (optional)

Stitch the Open Beaded Circle Components

Step 1.Use tubular peyote to stitch a form that has two sides. The two sides will be seamed together to form a hollow core.

Use 4’ of thread to string 26 seed beads, leaving a 6” tail. Use the working and tail thread to tie a square knot, leaving about a bead’s width space between the knot and the last bead.

2. Peyote stitch around the circle of beads. Repeat around one more time.

3. Peyote around the circle using size 11/0 seed beads, keeping the tension light; the lighter tension will keep the beadwork flat.

Peyote around again with light tension.

Peyote around again for two more passes, using tighter tension, which will cause the sides to curve upward.

4. Weave the thread to exit an “up” bead in the first row of beads. Peyote a round of 11/0 beads along this row.

5. Weave 2 more rows of peyote. It will be awkward but take your time to make sure the beads are placed correctly and it will work!

Seam the two beaded halves by “zipping” the two edges together.

Repeat to create 4 (or more) open circle components.

Repeat to create a toggle ring, starting with 36 beads for your first row.

Create the Swarovski Crystal Rivoli Components

6. Use tubular peyote to stitch bezels for the rivolis.

Use 4’ of thread to string 36 seed beads, leaving a 6” tail. Use the working and tail thread to tie a square knot, leaving about a bead’s width space between the knot and the last bead.

Peyote around the circle using even tension.

Peyote around two more times.

Peyote around twice using size 15/0 seed beads and a little tighter tension. The form will begin to curve.

7. Weave the thread to exit an up bead from the first row. Insert the rivoli, face up. Flip the beadwork over. Peyote around two times using 15/0 seed beads.

Repeat to create 9 beaded bezeled rivolis.

Form the Toggle Bar

Step 8. Use flat peyote to create the toggle bar.
Weave a peyote swatch 14 rows wide by 12 rows high.

Fold the ends toward each other and zip the sides together to form the tube.

Optional

Step 9. With your needle exiting the end of one bead along one edge, add a 3-bead (using 15/0 seed beads) picot edging.

Step 10: Pass your needle so it exits one end from within the tube. Thread on a bicone and a size 15/0 seed bead. Pass your needle back through the bicone and exit the other end of the tube. Pull tight and seat the bicone within the picots.

Repeat Step 9 then Step 10 to finish the second end of the toggle bar. Exit the beadwork from a bead in the center of the bar. Pick up a size 11/0 seed bead then pass the needle into the bead 2 rows over. Pick up a bead and pass back through the bead previously added. Now pick up another bead and pass through the bead previously added.

Repeat to create a 2-bead “chain” 13 rows long. Fold the beaded “chain” in half and anchor the last two beads to the toggle bar, right next to the first 2 beads.

Assembling the Bracelet

You’re ready to assemble the components. Create a pleasing layout and take a picture!

Step 11. Each type of component is stitched together using a different method. Use whatever method you find works for you.

Stitch one rivoli component to the folded end of the toggle bar beaded “chain.” Here, I added two beads between the toggle bar beads and the rivoli component, then wove the beads to look like they were part of the toggle bar “chain.”

Join 2 rivoli components together using 2 size 11/0 seed beads for a secure connection. I used the same stitching method as was used to create the base of the toggle bar beaded “chain.” You may find you need to switch to a size 12 needle.

Circle components not only break up the flow of the design, they work well to anchor other components together. When working with the circles, I found I could use the existing 11/0 seed beads to connect the rivoli components. You can use additional seed beads if you prefer.

Repeat to join all components together. Weave in all tail threads then trim close to the beadwork.

Tip: I used white thread as it worked well with the size 15/0 seed beads. It was also a good choice for sharing progress as it contrasts well with the darker beads. In the end, it became a bit of an eyesore, so I colored it with a permanent marker.

Check out a fun “recorded live” video on this great crystal collection. It includes all the Swarovski live along with a bit of a behind the scenes on the making of this bracelet (and me sideways!).

Watch it below or from our Facebook page, which includes comments and answers to questions.

Tammy