Murphy's Beads - A Rainbow of Beaded Creations by Sabina Anderson

All images are clickable for a larger view.

***********************************************

Flowered Donut Pendant

Materials:
1 Donut 45mm -55mm
1 Swarovski Rivoli 14mm
Size 11/0 Japanese seed beads
Size 15/0 Japanese seed beads
Delicas
True Cut (Charlottes) 15/0, or Czech 15/0 (You can substitute these with Japanese 15/0s, just pick up the thinner ones).
Czech Fire Polished beads 3mm.
I used Nymo D thread from the large cones (which is thicker and stronger than Nymo D from the small bobbins) and a size 13 beading needle.
Flat Nose Pliers to pull the needle.

IMG 1

Cut 2 and 1/2 arm spans of thread (an arm span is the distance between your middle fingers when your arms are stretched sideways) and pick up enough beads to encircle the donut.
Your beads will have to be an even number and if you wish to finish the edges with a scalloped design, like I did in the sample, these beads will need to be a multiple of 6.
Push the beads to the middle of your thread and pass the needle back through the first bead strung to form a circle. (IMG.1)

IMG.2

The donut I used is 45mm and I started the bezel with 102 beads, which seemed to be ok for the first few rows, but ended up being too large, so I did it again with 96 beads.
Since the width and thickness of donuts varies a lot, these numbers are just indicative.
In IMG.2 you can see how much extra thread I left to space the beads in the starting ring.

IMG.3

For this Lapis donut, which is rather thick, I beaded 11 rows of peyote with size 11/0 seed beads. (IMG.3)
The width of this strip depends on the thickness of the donut.

IMG.4

To bezel my first donut, which was larger (55mm), but thinner, I only needed to bead 8 rows of 11/0s. (IMG.4)

IMG.5

Switch to size 15/0 seed beads and add 2 more peyote rows. Keep a tight tension.
Place the donut inside the peyote strip and hope that you began with the right number of beads! This is when I found out that mine was too large the first time. ;-)
(IMG.5 & IMG.6)

IMG.6

IMG.7

Add the first row of 15/0s to the other side of the strip and place the donut inside, before tightening the second row. (IMG.7).

IMG.8

To make the scalloped edges you will need to add a 3rd and a 4th row of 15/0s to each side.
Make sure to keep the strip well centered as you keep adding the beads. Keep a firm tension, but don't tighten up too much.
Third row: *add 2 beads, pass the thread through the next 2 beads, repeat from * until you finish the row.
Add a third row to the other side in the same way.
Fourth and last row: *add 1 bead, pass the thread through the next 4 beads, repeat from * until you finish the row.
Add a fourth row to the other side in the same way.
At this point I pass through all the beads of the last row a second time for security, but I'm a little bit paranoid about reinforcing my beadwork. ;-)
IMG.8

IMG.9

Cut 1 and 1/2 arm spans of thread (I know, I know, but it's faster than measuring, he he he).
Pick up 36 Delicas, push them to the middle of your thread and pass back through the first bead strung to form a circle.
Add one row of Delicas (18 beads).
For the back side of the Rivoli:
Switch to size 15/0 seed beads.
Work rows 1 an 2 adding one bead in every space.
Third row: * add 2 beads, pass the thread through the next 2 beads, repeat from *. (12 beads).
(IMG.9)

IMG.10

Fourth row: add 1 bead in every space (12 beads). (IMG.10)

IMG.11

Fifth row: * add 1 bead, pass the thread through the next 2 beads, repeat from *. (6 beads)
Remember to always step up at the end of each row. (IMG.11)

IMG.12

Sixth row: add 1 bead in every space (6 beads).
Seventh row: * add 1 bead, pass the thread through the next 2 beads, repeat from * (3 beads).
Eighth row: add 1 bead in every space (3 beads).
Pass the thread through the last 3 beads added. Don't cut the thread, you will need it later. (IMG.12)

IMG.13

Thread a needle to the other side of the thread to bead the front side of the Rivoli.
Add a first row of 15/0s and place the Rivoli inside. (IMG.13)

IMG.14

Add one more row of 15/0s and 1 last row of True Cut 15/0s (Charlottes 15/0). Pass through all the beads of the last two rows again for security. Don't cut the thread. (IMG.14)

IMG.15

Turn the Rivoli with the back face up and place the donut on top of it. Keeping the tip of the Rivoli centered, see where you need to start the peyote tube that will go inside the hole. (IMG.15)

IMG.16

You will need to add 12 base beads to start the peyote tube.
Thread the needle to the back thread and work your way back to the third, or fourth (depending on the size of the donut's hole) row of 15/0s, counting from the Delicas. As you can see from the pictures, I started mine on the fourth row, but it was too small and loose inside the hole, so I had to move one row back and start it again from the third row.
Since the beads are stitched very tightly and there's not much space for movement, use your pliers to pull the needle straight out of the hole of the beads. If you're not using the pliers, there's a good chance to break both, beads and needle. (IMG.16 & IMG.17)

IMG.17

IMG.18

The peyote tube will have to fit as tightly as possible inside the hole.
When checking for the size, keep in mind that the base row will tighten up a little after adding the next row of peyote. (IMG.18 & IMG.19)

IMG.19

IMG.20

Ideally the Rivoli should hold up on its own already, after the base and the first row of the tube have been added. It makes like a "pop" sound when it locks inside, very similar to the Delicas locking sound. (IMG.20)

IMG.21

Since I used white thread and I din't like it to show up, I dyed the exposed parts. ;-) (IMG.21)

IMG.22

Continue working in tubular peyote until you reach the edge of the back side of the donut's hole.
Add 2 rows of Delicas. You have 12 beads. (IMG.22)

IMG.23

Add the first 2 rows of 11/0 seed beads (12 beads).
Third row of 11/0s: increase every other space (1 - 2 - 1 - 2...), (18 beads).
Hold the donut tightly and keep pushing the beads down with your thumb as you go. Make sure the Rivoli is well locked inside. (IMG.23)

IMG.24

Fourth row: add 1 bead in every space (18 beads).
Switch to size 15/0 seed beads.
First row of 15/0s: increase every other space (1 - 2 - 1 - 2...), (27 beads). (IMG.24)

IMG.25

Second row of 15/0s: add 1 bead in every space (27 beads). (IMG.25)

IMG.26

Third row: *add 2, pass the thread through the next 2 beads, repeat from * (IMG.26)

IMG.27

Fourth row: *add 1 bead, pass the thread through the next 4 beads, repeat from *.
Go through all the beads of this last row again. Secure the thread and cut. (IMG.27)
If done correctly, the Rivoli will not move up and down.
The only movement will be a rotatory one, but it should be easy to apply a tiny bit af glue to stop it, if it's bothering.

IMG.28

At this point you might just decide to leave the front without further embellishments and just weave in the thread, secure it and cut it. (IMG.28)
It is much easier and faster to add the embellishments before attaching the Rivoli to the donut, especially if you're planning to add beaded petals to it!
I've done it this way only for this tuto because I thought the pictures of the different stages of embellishment would have been clearer (Wishful thinking!).

IMG.29

The Rivoli's bezel can be embellished in many different ways. This is just a sample, but different beads and different stitches can be easily substituted.

Thread the needle to the front thread and weave your way back to the first row of 15/0s, counting from the Delicas.
Pick up 1 size 15/0, 1 Firepolished 3mm and 3 size 15/0; go back through the Firepolished and the first 15/0 you picked up. Go through the next 15 of the bezel and repeat all around the row. (IMG.29)

IMG.30

Enough already? Do you really hate that poor donut and want to keep covering it? (IMG.30)

IMG.31

Step down one row and exit from a Delica bead.
Again, there are many ways to make beaded petals and different ways to start them from the bezel.
One way (the one I used in this case), is to add a base for all the petals at once.
*Pick up 2 size 11/0 seed beads and go through the next Delica in the same row. Adjust the beads with the holes face up. Skip one place by going through the next Delica of the row below and the next one up again on the first row. Repeat from * to set the base for 9 petals.

IMG.32

Step down one row and go through the next Delica; step up again and go through the Delica you started the row from and up through the first 11/0 seed bead of the first couple of beads added.
This base will work for a variety of petals in brick stitch, herringbone or peyote.
Since I didn't have much space left on this donut, I switched to size 15/0 seed beads to make the petals.
* Pick up 11 size 15/0 seed beads, go down through the second 11/0 bead of the base and up again through the first 11/0 to form a loop. Go through the next 15/0, pick up 1 bead, skip one bead and go through the next one; pick up 2 beads, skip one bead and go through the next; pick up 2 beads, skip one bead and go through the next; pick up 2 beads, skip one bead and go through the next; pick up 1 bead, skip one bead and go through the next 15/0 and the second 11/0 of the base.
Go up again through the first 11/0 of the base and the next 2 15/0s; continue in peyote stitch adding one bead in each space (7 beads). Go down through the last 15/0 of the loop, the 11/0 and the Delica below it. Weave to the next pair of base beads and repeat from *. Continue until you have all 9 petals. Weave in your thread, secure it and cut it. (IMG.32 & IMG.33)

IMG.33

Continue untill you have all 9 petals. Weave in your thread, secure it and cut it. (IMG.33)
Add a bail of your choice to the center rows of the outer edge of the donut and your Flowered Donut Pendant is done! :-)

I "borrowed" and adapted these petals to the Rivoli, from a flower which is included in the book 'The Beader's Floral' by Liz Thornton & Jill Devon.
If you like small beaded flowers, this book is a real treasure trove! It's full of beautiful flowers, each of them with several variations and it's easy to adapt the petals to the Rivolis and create different designs.
I love it! :-)

If you have comments, questions, or need help, please post on my Blog (I reply to the comments directly there), or Contact Me.

PDF version (4.67 MB)

Click to download -----> Flowered Donut Pendant

Happy Beading! :-)

All photography and text (unless otherwise noted) are the sole property of
Sabina Anderson and may not be reproduced without written permission of the owner.
Copyright © 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Sabina Anderson