Handbags & Gladrags...

My obsession with beaded bags started a long time ago and were one of the very first vintage items that I started to collect and I don't think that I will ever tire of them. I love the detailed designs and the fact that they were lovingly hand~worked. I love to imagine who would have owned them and used them and the occasions and dresses they matched. The faded lipstick stains inside, or a tiny cracked mirror in the pocket only adds to the mystery...

A few lost beads or a faded patch with loose stitching is part of the history of the bag and unless absolutely necessary, I don't repair or try and hide these little imperfections. Most of all, I love the scale of them, petite and lady~like; the complete opposite of what I require in a functional handbag now! My collection changes quite frequently ~ I sell some then buy a few more! They are mostly displayed on a wall at home on pretty decorative hooks, then a few more on bed knobs, drawer pulls etc.

My favourite type of beaded bag to collect are the ones with decorative metal frames...

Nearly all of the bags that I collect are in soft colours of beige, cream, duck egg and white...

With the exception of this one, which has the most wonderful amethyst and pale pink beads and has to be my favourite!

My collection of bags has been a source of inspiration for the items I make ~ this is one of the larger lavender filled pillows I make in the shape of a handbag. It is made from a vintage French rustic white linen and trimmed with the corner of an old embroidered whitework and lace edged handkerchief. The finishing touches are a gorgeous early 20th century paste button and a length of 1920's glass flapper bead fringing in a tarnished silver colour.

I use the original bags I have to copy the shapes and also have some excellent source books of designs to use as well (the pages that you see above are from Dover Books ~ and are copyright free so you can use the images for lots of different purposes). The little bags above are all made with vintage linen and lace handkerchiefs or collars with old trims and filled with lavender. The cream kid leather long gloves are c. 1930.

Illustrated sourcebook from Dover Books (you can also get the images on CD Rom)

A wonderful reference book 'The Handbag' by Caroline Cox.

This large sized handbag shaped hanging pillow is my latest creation ~ a vintage fine cream linen textile bought from Vintage to Victorian, overlaid with the palest pink lace collar. I have trimmed it with old glass beads in pale pink with a faux pearl and real shell bead drop. The ribbon is a vintage French grosgrain. On the back is a 1930's pink pure silk satin. As the fabrics are delicate, I have fully lined it before filling with French lavender.

These old handbag frames are just waiting for me to start a new project ~ the woven cream silk fabric in the background is French c.1900 and is going to be perfect for restoring them. I think they would be lovely as wedding bags when finished.

I rarely buy new handbags now, mostly because the ones I really want are way out of my price range. My little luxuries in life are Cath Kidston 'mummy sized' bags, that are reminiscent of a Mary Poppins bag as you can just get so much in them ~ essential kit with a little one...

My favourite Cath Kidston bag with a little raggedy vintage fabric corsage made by me. The shawl is a 1920's silk georgette.

Until next time,
Ali
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