The theme for this week in our Year of Jewelry is "Grace". My interpretation of grace involves flowing lines and graceful curves and I tried to emulate that in this piece using a combination of bead embroidery and Soutache to surround a cameo.
This is my second attempt at using Soutache. I am definitely still in the learning stages, but I felt more confident with this piece than my first one. If you are not familiar with Soutache, it's a very small woven trim (about 1/8" wide) used to adorn draperies and clothing - particularly military uniforms.
For this piece, I attached my cameo to a piece of backing and added a row of seed beads using bead embroidery. I curved three layers of Soutache around that and added some beads at the corners and pulled the Soutache back around them. I like the curves, but I'm not thrilled that my thread shows in the beads. Note to self: work on that. In order to give the piece some length, I added a Swarovski teardrop shape at either end and more Soutache around those.
I thought it still needed a little something, so I went back and added another row of seed beads along the long curves - this time on their sides along the Soutache. I added a piece of suede to the back to cover all my stitching and the ends of the Soutache and then attached it to a barrette.
I'm getting the feel for Soutache. It wants to be graceful and flowing - I just have to learn how to get it to go where I want it to without interrupting it's flow!
I think it's beautiful! I would love to try using Soutache. Is there a book you'd recommend?
ReplyDeleteI don't have a book. I looked all over online and found this one to be the easiest for me: http://beejang.livejournal.com/227607.html Check back here tomorrow, too - I've written a "tips" post for using soutache. Some lessons I learned while learning LOL
DeleteOooh - epitome of grace - I think you have succeeded in your goal, beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGorgeous! Saw that on FB and I loved it. Gotta try my hand in soutache in 2013.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I'm still trying to make up my mind if I want to try this or not ...
ReplyDeleteYou should try it! It seems to be getting more popular - several online bead stores are carrying it now and I see Beadsmith even has a new line of soutache out in all kinds of fun colors!
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