5 Top Tips For How To Make A Beaded Bezel

Making a beaded bezel for your jewelry can be challenging for some beaders. These five tips will make it much easier to create them.

Creating a beaded bezel presents a problem for lots of people. Their finished beadwork is too slack, too tight or lopsided.

It might take a few tries before you get it right so don’t feel like you’re the only one. I can assure you that you’re not.

Below you’ll find some tips that should help when making a bezel.

What Is A Beaded Bezel?

First of all, let me answer the question that’s probably bouncing around in your mind — What is a bezel?

A bezel is a ring that holds a cabochon (polished gemstone that’s not faceted) or crystal, without a hole, in place. You can create these using seed beads or other types of beads.

5 Tips for Making A Bezel

1. Cull Your Beads

There are different techniques for making beaded bezels. The most popular is Peyote Stitch but you can also create Netting Stitch and Right Angle Weave bezels. In fact, in my online course, From Zero To Expert: Right-Angle Weave, I show you how to make beaded bezels with this technique.

Whenever you’re making a bezel, sort through your beads and pick out ones that don’t have a consistent size and shape. This is especially important when using Peyote Stitch. The more uniform your beads are, the better the bezel will turn out.

2. Use Different Colors

I highly recommend that you use different color beads for each row in your beaded bezel. You can alternate between two colors, if you like.

This is a great way to easily see the pattern you’re following. And, once you understand the technique, switch to one color.

3. Keep The Beadwork Flat

When using Peyote Stitch, let the beads lie flat when you create the first row or two of beadwork for your bezel. Trying to force the beads into a tube too quickly can throw off your tension.

4. Watch Your Thread Tension

Figuring out the perfect thread tension is something that comes with practice. When you first begin making the bezel, apply medium tension.

Once you’ve added the cabochon or crystal to the ring of beads, then you should pull tight to secure the beads in the bezel around the component.

5. Count Your Beads

When making a Peyote Stitch bezel, it’s easy to miscount as you’re adding beads. One simple way to avoid this is to count out the number of beads you need for each row ahead of time. Doing this extra step will save you having to rip out stitches later.

Beading with cabachons or Swarovski rivolis takes a little practice. Once you’ve mastered round bezels, move on to ones with different shapes and try another stitch.

Check out these Beaded Bezel Patterns from The Bead Club Lounge