Soutache (pronounced -
so͞o-tăsh′) is a narrow flat decorative braid. It's been used for trimming clothing and particularly military uniforms for centuries. But it wasn't used in jewelry until an innovative designer, Dori Csengeri experimented with it in the 1980's. The rest, as they say, is history. The elegant style definitely shouts "statement"!
I recently received this book
Sensational Soutache Jewelry Making for review from Interweave/F+W Media. The Hungarian designer
Csilla Papp started with beadweaving and bead embroidery before falling for soutache jewelry making - Dori Csengeri is one of her favorite designers! The author developed her own design style.
The book consists of 15 projects which vary from simple to more challenging designs. Overall the designs are distinctive but not too showy. The designer has a wonderful sense of color and placement. Of note is her use of other materials such as bugle and metal beads,chains, braided leather in her pieces. Shown here are some of my favorites from the book.
The basic techniques section is very well covered. The author shows how to prepare flat back cabochons as well as the pointed ones like rivoli crystals. Creating different shapes around bead clusters was most inspirational.
The undulating back part of the
Angeline necklace is lovely.
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| Angeline Necklace |
It is indeed possible to integrate metal beads in a soutache design as shown in the
Sophia earrings below :
The braid itself can also be used as the "chain".Soutache jewelry - with the exception of earrings are ideal for those who are metal allergic! The Apollo pendant necklace also features a very clear use of braided leather in the design.
The colorful
America bracelet design features green cathedral beads - an underrated style of beads.
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| America Bracelet |
This mandala part of the India Choker below is made up of chains and beads sandwiched between the soutache braids!!
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| India Choker |
This is a wonderfully clear instructional and inspirational book which should help out soutache jewelry making novices get started. What is more, you are allowed to follow her instructions and sell the resulting pieces at craft shows etc!
GiveawayIf you'd like to win a copy of
Sensational Soutache Jewelry Making, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is international. If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book. Otherwise it will be an eBook.Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at
6 pm EST Monday, June 6 , 2016 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
DisclosureI receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
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