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How To Make
Beautiful Braid-and-Bead Embroidered Jewellery and Accessories
Donatella Ciotti
Search Press
20 April 2017/ ISBN 9781782214809
How-To Books/Craft
Reviewed
by Rachel A Hyde
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The
subtitle says it all – use a particular type of braid
to make some stunning jewelry and accessories. This is a surprisingly
easy to master craft that yields some very professional and
high-end appearing results while not costing much money. A winning
combination!
It is fun to do as well, the ideal thing to do while relaxing
in front of the TV once you have the basics right. I learned
from another book as this one was not available, but out of
the books around this is the best one for beginners. All the
basic skills are in here with some clear photographic steps
and plenty of captions. As with many crafts, some of the techniques
would not be easy to understand if there were not enough steps,
but in here no vital stages are omitted. Learn how to prepare
the cord, use glue, add beads, sew around a cabochon, make different
shapes like leaves and spirals, and even use ribbon. There are
plenty of projects to tackle, from simple buttons through to
bracelets, rings and earrings. I was pleased to see my own favorite
projects to make are well represented, hair decorations such
as headbands and combs. There is even a hat brooch and a lampshade
decoration, showing how versatile soutache can be. As well as
beads and stones, the author also uses some more unusual materials,
such as brightly colored rubber tubing. The amazing jewelry
made with this are my favorite items in the book. Some projects
are shown in more than one colorway, and at the back is a gallery
of more advanced work to whet the appetite and show what soutache
is capable of once you get more proficient. My only complaint
is that in a book squarely aimed at the beginner, there is a
very complex and advanced piece of work on the cover which is
not featured as a project. I would dearly love to see instructions
for this, but they are not there -- a beginner would just be
overwhelmed. But maybe it is there to showcase the immense possibilities
that this inexpensive and enjoyable craft has for anybody who
masters it.
If you cannot find a good range of jewelry materials locally
visit www.searchpress.com for a list of suppliers.
Large range of soutache cord plus other supplies available at
www.spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk
And https://maxbeads.co.uk
Rubber tubing available from www.chrystalrosedesigncrafts.com
And www.beadaddict.co.uk |
UK Reviewer: Rachel
Hyde's work can be found in The Bead Magazine, Making Jewellery
and Craftsuprint. |
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