Soutache Earrings by designer Sarah @ Artemitsa

I love these soutache earrings as the colours remind me of peacock feathers. You can either buy the products (replacements will be used if items are out of stock) for the Peacock Soutache Earrings Kit from I-Beads and make them yourself at home or get a pair of earrings commissioned by Artemitsa. You can choose any coordinating colours from a cabochon, or these stunning Swarovski Element 14mm rivolis in Vitrail. The soutache colours are Forest Green and Dark Lilac. I've found that a couple of basic circle templates are my best friend when making soutache. Here I've used the round one. Firstly, with a pointy backed stone like a rivoli, it helps to cut a smaller circle in the backing material, so that the edges of the stone sit flush with the backing. Here I've cut a 10mm hole, and it helps to stop the seed beads disappearing under the edge of the rivoli. Once the glue is dry, turn over the backing and make some compass marks with a fine felt pen. This helps you keep stitches even, and to know when you've reached the mid point at the top (12 o’clock). I’ve surrounded my centre stone with 2.2 mm Toho beads in metallic iris purple. Then I have added the soutache, each side at a time. For the ‘swirls’ at the top, I've used 6mm Czech fire polished beads in iris purple. At this stage I’ve used my circle template again, this time to draw neat circle around my stitches on the reverse of the backing. This allows me to trim the excess backing off neatly. It’s also worth investing in some good curved embroidery scissors. I then embellished the outside with 4mm Swarovski xilion bicones in Crystal AB, each topped with a Toho Charlotte, again in metallic iris purple. The centre dangle is an 11mm Swarovski faceted drop pendant in Crystal AB, I’ve used a few Charlottes either side to make a ‘bail.’ The circle template resting on some spare ultra suede also helps keeps your Charlottes under control!! At the top is a single 4mm bicone, with a reverse of the colour order for the soutache. Again the bail for the earring findings is made from a few Charlottes. I like to use findings that have a closed loop, like these silver plated lever backs, as the Fireline is very fine, and escapes quite easily from an open attachment. Finally use your circle template to cut a neat circle of ultra suede to glue to the back. You could use cheaper crystals, but the opulent finish of these earrings is really enhanced by using the Swarovskis. I took these out with me to work on at the weekend, as it’s a great portable technique, and I picked up another couple of commissions! Soutache Tip: Although tempting, don’t use sterling silver findings, as any tarnish will potentially stain the fabric. See more from Artemitsa on Facebook www.facebook.com/artemitsa. Click here to create your own Soutache earrings or get a customised pair commissioned by Artemitsa, contact artemitsadesign@gmail.com.