SOUTACHE EMBROIDERY is an ancient embroidery technique, which was initially used for making decorative elements sewn on clothes. The name comes from the French 'soutache'(pronounced soo - tash), which is a braid used to decorate fabric. Soutache has been around for a long time, especially in the world of fashion. From military uniforms to haute couture creations, soutache creates amazing texture and design and has relatively recently made a splash in the world of jewellery with the renewed interest in adornments embroidered from beads and braid.
Soutache is a flat braid with a groove down its center, made of two rows of cording. It is added to designs stacked in layers - the edges of the braids are what are visible in the design and they are often sewn on around beads or cabochons.
They are all sewn together with fine threads and since soutache embroidery is very laborious and demanding technique and it requires precision. Jewellery made with this method is very definitely one of a kind.
Soutache is a flat braid with a groove down its center, made of two rows of cording. It is added to designs stacked in layers - the edges of the braids are what are visible in the design and they are often sewn on around beads or cabochons.
They are all sewn together with fine threads and since soutache embroidery is very laborious and demanding technique and it requires precision. Jewellery made with this method is very definitely one of a kind.
Sunset Boulevard
The pendant ( 4" x 5") is made of three solar quartz cabochons encircled with beadwork, soutache and fringing. A few Keishi pearls and garnets are placed over one of the cabochons, like a flower embellishing the cabochon even further. Czech and Japanese seed beads are used in this beadwork and they shine beautifully. The drama of the piece is heightened by a necklace of amethyst slabs, interspersed by little amethyst and green onyx beads to echo the colours in the pendant. The necklace is simple enough, yet adds more excitement to the piece. It has been made long, at 26" and has a toggle clasp for closure. Are you a secret drama queen?? If so, this one is definitely for you!!
£
95.00
|
|
Rainforest
This is a necklace born from my imagination - a butterfly with wire antennae was the starting point, and the piece just grew from there. I made a flower surrounding a druzy cabochon with soutache and beadwork that was so exotic, it could only have come from the Amazonian jungle, with vines and creepers surrounding it, and an asymmetrical lush tassel of silver lined seed beads, Czech glass leaves and blue teardrops to signify rain - or perhaps a waterfall? The pendant is carried on three strands of crystal teardrop beads, the shortest strand is 18" long so that the necklace sits close to the neck. An abalone box clasp finishes the necklace off to a T.
You'd have to want to be visible when you wear this necklace, this isn't one for a wallflower. It will be a conversation stopper - or starter, and you will be asked repeatedly about it, I'm very sure of that. Worn with a simple dress with a close neckline, this is the only piece of jewellery you will need to leave a lasting impact.
You'd have to want to be visible when you wear this necklace, this isn't one for a wallflower. It will be a conversation stopper - or starter, and you will be asked repeatedly about it, I'm very sure of that. Worn with a simple dress with a close neckline, this is the only piece of jewellery you will need to leave a lasting impact.
£
95.00
|
|
Kalinka
22" of creamy, sumptuous freshwater Biwa pearls and Czech fire polished beads carry a handworked pendant with a little ammoite fossil, surrounded by japanese deed beads, jade and soutache. The tassel is suede in an emerald green to go with the soutache braids and crystals. The pendant is backed with ultrasuede to protect against wear and tear. A box clasp to close securely. This necklace bridges the gap between day and evening wear for those evenings that aren't entirely formal but still special.
£
68.00
|
|
|
|
Messenger of Love
A bumble bee jasper focal, embroidered and embellished by soutache braiding and bead embroidery with tiny Czech glass beads and yellow jade. The focal piece is backed by ultrasuede to keep it clean and tidy and it has three strings of faceted onyx beads and tiny cream seed pearls. The necklace is 22" long and held together by a box clasp flower made of shell. A one of a kind statement necklace in bright, eye catching colours
£
75.00
|
|
Caribbean Queen
An asymmetrical, colourful soutache embroidered pendant around a dyed howlite donut, set with a Biwa pearl in its centre, surrounded by beadwork and braiding, embellished with crystals, Japanese seed beads, and blue jade, hung on two rows of green and silver crystals with a toggle clasp. The necklace is 23" long, and the pendant, 5" long. A vibrant and interesting piece for the belle of the ball.
£
55.00
|
|
Fandango
A joyous necklace with the flamboyance of a Fandango. Baroque pearls in a 21" necklace that sits fairly close to the neck carry a black and emerald green two piece soutache pendant. The top half has beadwork around a jewellery beetle wing and the second, lower half of the pendant has soutache and beadwork around a dichroic glass cabochon. A beautiful fringe of green and silver beads with silver teardrops of Czech glass finishes off this beautiful pendant. The whole pendant is six inches long and backed with Ultrasuede. A party piece which will make you visible and the talk of the party.
£
65.00
|
|
Soutache torque necklace (1)
A little pendant made from an agate druzy cabochon, surrounded by tiny Japanese seed beads, freshwater pearls and soutache braid in many colours, hung on a non tarnish copper wire torque necklace which has been shaped, hammered and spiralled into an easy to wear fun necklace. The colours are bright and a little green jade teardrop dangles from the 2" long pendant. The torque can be adjusted to suit your neckline. Does it look like a peacock feather to you?
£
45.00
|
|
Soutache Torque Necklace (2)
A little pendant made from an agate druzy cabochon, surrounded by tiny Japanese seed beads, freshwater pearls and soutache braid in many colours, hung on a non tarnish copper wire torque necklace which has been shaped, hammered and spiralled into an easy to wear fun necklace. The colours are bright and a little green jade teardrop dangles from the 2" long pendant. The torque can be adjusted to suit your neckline.
£
45.00
|
|
Copacabana
Bead embroidery and Soutache braiding surround the two pieces of blue solar quartz in this asymmetrical pendant - the pendant is 5" long, with a blue agate tear drop dangle and is embellished gaily with blue and yellow braiding and beads. Czech seed beads are embroidered around the cabochons and the whole is backed with ultrasuede with an invisible bail.
Blue quartz needles make up the 23" long necklace with toggle clasp closure.
Blue quartz needles make up the 23" long necklace with toggle clasp closure.
£
75.00
|
|
Steel Magnolias
23" long, the necklace with agate nugget beads electroplated with titanium vapour and blue jade, carries a little soutache pillow pendant in coordinating blue and greys, studded with blue agate beads and dangling a blue jade teardrop. A toggle clasp for secure closure. A statement? Most definitely! For someone who likes to be noticed.
£
70.00
|
|
Soutache Bracelet (cuff) blue leather
Blue leather cuff with soutache and beadwork, carrying an ammonite fossil, 7.5" in diameter, 2.2" broad, lined with lime green ultrasuede with a central aluminium core to keep the bracelet flexible, light and shaped around the wrist.
£
35.00
Soutache bracelet (cuff) burgundy leather
Burgundy leather cuff with soutache and beadwork, carrying an ammonite fossil, 7.5" in diameter, 2.2" broad, lined with lime green ultrasuede with a central aluminium core to keep the bracelet flexible, light and shaped around the wrist.
£
35.00
|
|
