If you've ever had the slightest interest in how soutache jewelry is made, this is the book for you! It's full of clearly written and photographed step-by-step instruction that will have you eagerly reaching for supplies to start stitching right away. Starting with the basic set of techniques, moving to the exact steps to make each exquisite project, and including the important details of creating a finely finished and professional backing, you won't be left wondering what's next as you work along. There are a wide range of projects, from quick and small-scale to large and dramatic - truly something for every taste. Anneta Valious is clearly a master of the technique and a perfect guide to this delightful and colorful soutache land, as well as an inspiring artist whose work will leave you eager to find your own soutache voice. Excuse me...I need to go work on my soutache project now...
I've always loved soutache, but had no idea how to go about making it. Although I have yet to make any of the projects in this book, one of the first things I do when I get a new jewelry book is sit down and pore through, noting how easy (or not!) the instructions seem. I did the same thing with this book -- and was thrilled to see how clearly everything is laid out!
The book begins with some background history on soutache, and then moves into a section about the tools you need.
The author emphasizes how important it is to get really high-quality soutache in order to have high-quality photos.
As I mentioned in the title of my review, one of the things I love about this book (and about all Lark books) is that the instructions are very detailed and contain close-up photos of almost every step in each project. This will make this book so much easier to use.
The only downside is that I wish there were some recommendations as to brands or suppliers of the materials. She mentions in the book that there are resources listed on her website and the publisher's website, but I've been unable to locate them.
Overall, though, this is an amazing book -- and I want to make every piece in it! Soutache is such a gorgeous technique, and this book is a wonderful one to add to your beading library!
This appears to be the first book on the topic of Soutache. The pictures are great, the instructions look great, and together, they make one want to run right out and start learning Soutache. For us beginners, the author provides "resources" sections. The alternative color-ways are good.
This is a beautiful book.
-It has a tremendous number of high quality pictures showing step-by-step instructions.
-The instructions are clear and concise.
-The author did a great job of explaining different terms used in creating the jewelry.
-It was easy to follow the instructions to make pieces that look amazingly intricate when you first see them.
Overall, I am very happy with this purchase. I would not have thought that putting together jewelry that looks quite daunting would be so easy. The author did a wonderful job of making that happen for me.
The pictures, detailed how-to, and the beautiful projects (and these are not beginner-looking projects) are wonderful. I feel confident that Ms. Valious' instructions are thorough, detailed, and clear, and after reading, and by following just her instructions in this book, I can successfully make this jewelry. The author inspires her readers to make the jewelry their own, with suggestions on personalizing the projects with our own colors shapes, lengths and sizes, while also giving the specifics (at her or Lark Books' web sites, so as to keep more current) for those who do wish to know what specific materials are used. Thank you for such a lovely, thoughtful book.
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Excellent Book for Learning Soutache Techniques. At first I felt this was a bit condescending as I am an experienced jewelry designer and maker, however I was quickly given an attitude adjustment as I realized this author is absolutely at the top of her field in this genre. This is not easy work to do, and she gives an outstanding set of very tasteful projects and instructions, that should be carefully followed as they build your skills to the point you feel like a bird ready to fly from the nest, and create your own designs using this beautiful technique with so much history. I purchased another book on the subject from another publisher and was most disappointed as the colors and creations I found in poor taste and this author and artist has exquisite talent in her use of color and materials and of course technique. A must for every jewelry artists library!!
Book was wonderful, pictures awesome. What I was a little dissatisfied with is lack of more information. As a newbie, I need to know everything. Like what thread to use, what size of thread to buy, brand name of industrial strength glue etc. The author assumed that whoever is trying to make jewelry with soutache would know all these things. Until last month, I have never even heard the word soutache but just loved what people did with it and want to try my hand at it.
Other than that, I am very happy with my book and even though some information is missing, I will find it on my own.
Thank you for a fabulous book and thank you Amazon.
I was curious about Soutache and had done some research on line before a friend recommended this book. I am an avid beader and an accomplished seamstress, but I found most other references really missed the mark even for someone with some skills in the area already. When this book arrived, I thumbed through quickly and was quite impressed by the designs and samples shown. I am still thumbing through it and continue to enjoy the workmanship and the artistry of the pieces pictured. In addition, I'm actually learning a great deal about the craft - including materials and how-to's. Whether you want to try Soutache or just drool over the great designs, this is a great choice.
I bead, but have never delved into bead embroidery because it looks very difficult - intimidating. This book masterfully presents the What and How of Soutache from the very basic to more advanced techniques followed by a beautiful gallery of finished pieces that are inspirational. Others have mentioned the lack of soutache brand which I too would have liked to see, but its absence doesn't reduce my star rating. This book has me feeling confident; I'm no longer intimidated by bead embroidery.
This book is the only one I have found that has nothing else in it besides Soutache designs. When I first saw the art of Soutache bead embroidery, I decided I had to learn how to do it. After researching on Etsy, I saw a lot of designs and kits, but not much in the way of instructions on how to do it. I watched a few You Tube demonstrations, and found one example in a very old Beading magazine. When I saw this book advertised on a pre-publication basis, I decided that I had to have it, so I ordered it right away. So glad I did! Each step of the 30 designs in this book are shown in separate pictures. It is amazing to see the techniques spelled out so well. If you want to learn this craft, Soutache: 30 Gorgeous Bead Embroidery Designs is the book to buy!
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