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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.
Putting on the Ritz
Putting on the Ritz is a labour of love. It took me four weeks to embroider and weave the beads that have created the magic in this Art Deco inspired piece of jewellery. The central pendant is made of a strip of turquoise cabochons held in place by bezels of black seed beads, and is surrounded by tubes of beads on two sides. The seed beads are all imported from Japan. Five red jade teardrops dangle from the pendant. The pendant is attached seamlessly to a necklace made of thousands of seed beads wrapped around a form to givea stiff torque-like effect to the necklace. The pendant is 4" long, plus the dangles, and the necklace is 22", with a handmade wire clasp.
All the elements in this piece are handmade and I will probably never make another like it.
It is on the Caprilicious Blog here and you can read all about it.
£
110.00
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Seascape
This is a very special necklace. The pendant is embroidered with beads into a seascape, taking as its datum the stunning intarsia focal stone at its centre. The pendant has fronds of beadwork 'coral' in three colours dangling from it, with loads of texture, colour and visual/tactile interest. It is hung on a necklace of dark sea urchin spines which are interspersed with turquoise beads. Box clasp closure. The spines tinkle gently when they move as they are hollow - a necklace full of wonderment and wow factor, it will draw attention and compliments when you wear it. A necklace for a special occasion, for a special person! One of a kind and will never be repeated, so you're the only lucky lady who will have one.
£
98.00
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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
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Arctic Spring
A necklace of colour enhanced quartz needles tinged in pale pink and green, separated by AB coated crystals, 18" long with crystal beads at the back for comfort, finished with a ruby box clasp.
The pendant was made inhouse at Caprilicious, inspired b the work of KBonitz, with silver electroplated tiny seed beads and Czech dagger beads which have a beautiful moonstone finish. Three marguerite flower beads embellish the bail of the pendant. All the beads in the pendant are imported from the Czech Republic.
This necklace needs to be worn close to the neck for maximum effect, and will be resized to your measurements. The pendant is 2.8" long.
£
55.00
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Supernova
The Supernova is a luscious pendant made of a shiny slab of black agate surrounded by beadwork and AB coated crystals in black, gold. The pendant is 4" long and carried by a beaded bail.
The necklace is made of gold electroplated quartz nuggets and faceted black onyx beads finished by a toggle clasp.
This is evening wear at it's finest. Every bead has been sewn in twice and the pendant is lined by ultrasuede in deep maroon. All eyes will be drawn to this piece of jewellery and you will love wearing it.
£
88.00
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Glacial Glamour
Six strands of milky opalite glass teardrop beads on a strong toggle clasp, 22" long carry a beautiful pale slab nugget of almost translucent agate, surrounded by a bezel of tiny Czech beads as well as Swarovski pearls and crystals. A necklace that is perfect for winter, or indeed any season. Bling with aplomb!
£
70.00
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Chequerboard Charisma
This piece has proved very difficult to photograph - the pendant is long - about 6" long, on a dull gold beaded necklace. Each little square has at its centre a hand carved piece of labradorite from Jaipur that flashes green every time it catches the light. A butterfly has been carved into each stone. The gemstones are held in by a bezel of little Czech seed beads and surrounded by more matte black glass beads as well as square beads in a matte silver and gold. The squares are connected by faceted sardonyx beads.
Are you a lady who lunches? This might be the perfect piece for you - the muted colours in this otherwise extravagantly embroidered piece will look great with a simple linen dress. However, the piece is so versatile, it will take to any evening soiree with the greatest aplomb.
Although it comes with the beaded necklace, which is in my opinion, the best fit ( I would think that, wouldn't I?), the pendant can be slipped off and worn with other chains, should you wish to do this.
There are earrings to match on the website - they are simple and will not detract from the necklace - take a look at them here.
£
75.00
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Fleur De Lys
Fleur De Lys is a hand beaded pendant, 4.5 x 3.5 " long, with a rose quartz cabochon at the centre, a fleur de lys hand carved into it. The cabochon is surrounded by a multitude of tiny Czech beads that I recently acquired in Prague with a fringe of silvery seed beads and little faceted teardrops of prehnite, that I got on a visit to Jaipur a number of years ago and have been dying to use.
The pendant is strung on silvery baroque pearls, with little pink seed beads in between to echo the fleur and finished with a box clasp set with a peridot. The necklace is 22" long, and the pendant adds 4.5" to it's length. Pretty powerful, would you agree?
£
65.00
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Jezebel
Bold and eye catching - and ready to party!
That is the message this necklace gives with the large, shiny purple and amber coloured crystals in the pendant, surrounded by tiny matte black beads and square metallic Czech beads. The pendant is 3 x 3" and is carried by druzy that has been coated with a titanium vapour to give a purple/ gold finish. The druzy beads are separated by colour enhanced purple jade beads and end in a toggle clasp in the shape of a leaf. The necklace is 22" long.
£
58.00
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Shiny Shibori Earrings
2.2" long, inverted triangles that frame your face, with silvertone studs in the ear. The earrings are embroidered with lashings of crystals and seed beads as well as a strip of pale pink/green Shibori ribbon. The earrings are edged in a vibrant purple/pink to bring out the colours in the ribbon. The crystals attract light to your face and are suitable for an evening out on the town. The back is covered with fawn coloured ultrasuede. The earrings are light and you will forget that you're wearing them.
£
25.00
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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.
£
48.00
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Moonshine
The pendant is handmade with a peach dyed druzy, surrounded by beadwork with tiny seed beads in a dull gold, and flat peach moonstone beads and a peachy cream baroque pearl, about 1cm long dangles from the pendant. It is backed with ultrasuede and is on a necklace of baroque pearls interspersed with little peach dyed seed beads. A lobster clasp, studded with micro pave' diamante in a rose gold tone finishes this one off, sumptuous piece.
I take great pride that the entire piece is handmade by me, excluding the clasp, of course.
£
70.00
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Perfectly Paisley
A colourful paisley shape. beaded in silver lined beads with blues, green, peach and orange all merging into one another, studded with two beautiful blue labradorite cabochons that flash vibrantly when in the light changing for a pale grey into a vibrant blue in a second - an almost unbelievable transformation . Citrine nuggets dangle from the piece which is finished off by beaded straps in green and orange. It is surrounded by pink and blue soutache braiding to pick up on the pink and blue thread work necklace it hangs from. The necklace is a piece of art in itself and can be worn without the pendant for an African vibe. The pendant is 5.5" x 4" approx and is a piece of art around your neck that will be the envy of the room.
This piece is so difficult to describe, but the wearer will certainly draw attention anywhere she goes. Perfect for the festive season!
£
85.00
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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.
£
50.00
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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
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Carnelian FLower and beadwork bracelet
Hand carved carnelian flowers, fluorite flowers and tiny little gemstone nuggets embroidered onto leather in a fully adjustable bracelet, around 7.5" in diameter. The inside of the bracelet is lined with ultrasuede, and there is an aluminium support to the bracelet sandwiched between the leather and ultrasuede to hold the bracelets shape. Very pretty, you will wear it everywhere!
£
45.00
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The Social Butterfly
The Social Butterfly is a beautiful, extravagantly hand embroidered and beaded pendant with hand carved rose quartz cabochons, amethyst beads, Czech glass and soutache braiding in shades of pink and green. It is carried on an 19" long faux lariat necklace of faceted, beautifully marked, spring fresh green agates and silvery seed beads with an onyx toggle clasp to close. A large rose quartz clasp dangles from one end of the necklace.
Wear with your LBD and feel fabulous when the compliments roll in. There will only be one of these ever made, and it will be yours. A lot of painstaking work for many hours has gone into this beautiful piece, which is sure to become a cherished piece in your wardrobe.
£
90.00
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Cupid Shibori Earrings
3" long earrings, with a Shibori silk inset, beadwork and Czech pressed glass leaves. Pale green shading to pink, with a bright green crystal and clam shell studs, inset with little diamante. A beautiful pair of earrings, and light too - only 14 gms each which makes them perfect for a special occasion. Backed with ultrasuede to keep them clean and tidy.
£
28.00
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Pearl River Shibori earrings
Orange/Yellow Shibori silk rectangles with peach potato freshwater pearls, crystals and seed bead embroidery backed with ultrasuede and with stud findings. 3" long and 8.5 gms each, light and easy to wear, a real showpiece!
£
25.00
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Bring me Sunshine
Orange/Yellow Shibori silk rectangles with blue seed beads, copper flowers, a teardrop shaped 'gemstone' crystal and seed bead embroidery backed with ultrasuede and with diamante hoopfindings. 3" long and 8.5 gms each, light and easy to wear, a real showpiece!
£
25.00
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Arriba
Swarovski Rivolis in various sizes are at the centre of this colourful and fun piece. Each rivoli is beaded into a little circle, surrounded by little tiny beads, each one in different colours and patterns, like Catherine wheels in a Mexican firework display. The circles are edged with beads, and lined with ultrasuede with felt sandwiched between the beading and the suede to give the necklace body. The focal piece is hung on a handmade chain of teardrop shaped crystals in tarnish resistant copper wire, adjustable to suit the neckline with a handmade hook for closure.
A lot of work has gone into this necklace and the person who eventually owns it will feel the joy and the excitement in this vibrant piece that can be worn day and night.
£
80.00
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The Corsage Necklace
This is a beautiful statement piece, fit to be worn on any red carpet. Six strands of AB coated teardrop shaped crystals carry a large asymmetrical focal piece with soutache and beadwork, embroidery and crystals all incorporated into it. The box clasp is set with an oval onyx. Wear it with a skinny strap or strapless evening dress for maximum effect.
£
110.00
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Mucha Inspired Art Nouveau Earrings
Mucha Earrings 1
Art Nouveau Mucha inspired earrings with a whisper of pleated JapaneseShibori silk in green and pale pink, lavishly embroidered with little Czech beads and Swarovski crystals and a little teardrop dangling from the tip. At the top is an Art Nouveau flower imported from the USA in vintage brass. The earrings are as light as a feather and backed with ultrasuede. They dangle from ear studs to give further support to your ear lobes.
3.2" long including the little crystal dangle.
£
28.00
Mucha earrings 2
Art Nouveau Mucha inspired earrings with a whisper of pleated Japanese Shibori silk in orangeand pink, lavishly embroidered with little Czech beads and Swarovski crystals and a little teardrop dangling from the tip. At the top is an Art Nouveau flower imported from the USA in vintage brass. The earrings are as light as a feather and backed with ultrasuede. They dangle from ear studs to give further support to your ear lobes.
3.5" long including the little crystal dangle.
£
28.00
Mucha Earrings 3
Art Nouveau Mucha inspired earrings with a whisper of pleated Japanese Shibori silk in teal blue and steel grey, lavishly embroidered with little Czech beads, pearls and Swarovski crystals and a little blue leaf dangling from the tip. At the top is an Art Nouveau flower imported from the USA in vintage brass. The earrings are as light as a feather and backed with ultrasuede. They dangle from ear studs to give further support to your ear lobes.
3.2" long including the little crystal leaf.
£
28.00
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