Purses from books

Wonderful idea for all those beautiful old books beyond repair. I have a list to add to my library!


 

Exquisite Beaded Purses : The Collection of Barbara Jones

    I have been collecting these beauties for many years now. Some I won on Ebay, (including Germany and France Ebay), and others I found in antique shops. Most of them needed some type of repair and I was lucky enough to have a best friend who was an antique purse restorer. I fell in love with purses during the many times I would be visiting in her home as she was opening large boxes received from Big League purse collectors, that had been sent to her for restoration. She was a great teacher and helped me understand all the fine nuances of each individual purse, the repairs needed, the resale value, as well as how important the frames are when it came to complementing the purse as well as adding value to it.


    I will never forget this phenomenal purse I was so fortunate to see. It had been sent to her from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC for repair (she was THAT good!), and displayed the major players signing The Declaration of Independence, all done in beads the size of grains of sand!! That purse was insured for (at that time), $5,000.00 I can assure you it would be worth much more today. Some items never decrease in value! Unfortunately, my friend developed arthritis in her thumbs and within several years was out of the restoration business. Consequently, my collecting has been limited somewhat,  to those that need only minor repair. I possess many more purses which have not been shown, some in various need of repair, and yes, I do have referral names and info. if anyone should need them.


    Looking back I really believe it was the jeweled purse frames, that created my fascination with “jewels” and catapulted me into the world of VCJ, and I must admit I never looked back.  I went through a period of high drama and glitz (think D&E), and some years later began drifting towards those truly creative masterpieces which came from Czechoslovakia (more of that to come)!!


    In the meantime, I wish to thank Judi and her helpers for all the work they do and for asking me to be featured for this particular JR Fashion category… Now, let’s bring on the hats!!!!!!

    Barbara Jones
    http://www.rubylane.com/shop/myfinestthings
    & Private Collector

Many thanks to Barbara for sharing her collection and it's history with us. Here a few more examples:

Flowers, Bees and Beehive antique beaded purse. Barbara Jones Collection

A gift from a friend in Germany - Reticule purse. Barbara Jones Collection

Antique Asian theme micro-beaded purse with jeweled, raised clasp. 

Barbara Jones Collection.

Micro beaded bird w/grapes motif. Notice the ends of the frame are also of similar theme.
Barbara Jones Collection

Lovely micro bead, bird purse. Barbara Jones Collection.

Micro bead scenic reticule, altered to fit the frame.
Barbara Jones Collection

Antique micro bead floral. My largest purse at 14 1/2 inches!
Barbara Jones Collection

A Collector's History - Pat Seal

The first purse, rich in family history, Whiting & Davis

It all began many years ago in the 1960's when I received my Mother's Whiting and Davis enamel bag. I thought that it was so lovely and it meant a great deal to me because it was my Mother's purse and one that she carried and used about 1927. It now belongs to my only daughter, Dianne.

 I then began to notice others while I was out searching for vintage jewelry which I buy and sell and they just sort of clung to me and whispered to me until I adopted them and took them home. What else could I do?

I have about 100 purses in my collection including several that I bought new from the 1960's into the 1980's but I do not have pictures of them at this time.  

I consider them to be "works of art" deserving of preservation for coming generations of collectors.

Fabulous Enameled
Mesh with Exotic Bird Design, Whiting & Davis

Art Nouveau Silver
Plated Frame on a
Cut Steel Suede Leather
Purse, ca.1895

Enameled Mesh Mandalian Purse - note the detail on the fringe.

Unmarked Mandalian Mesh purse.

Rare Beadlite Purse by Whiting & Davis

Very Fine Beaded
Bag Marked "CALVAIRE"
Made In France---Also
Contains Original Owner's
Calling Cards---

Lovely Beaded Bag
W/Butterflies and Flowers
Marked CAROLEE

Cathedral Top
Mesh Bag Marked
Sterling, R.Blackington

Many thanks to Pat Seal, Collector of Antique & Vintage Purses for sharing her history and beautiful collection. She is also a Collector and Dealer of Antique & Vintage Jewelry. Visit Pat's Collection of Vintage Jewelry.

See more of Pat's and our members purse collections at our Vintage Purses Pinterest Board

Have Purse, Will Travel (by Jet)

Vintage 1950's purses, video by Vidcat

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It's In The Bag!

Mandalian Purse

The Jewelry Ring Fashion Blog is thrilled to announce its inaugural subject:

Vintage Purses

Call it a purse, a handbag or a pocketbook (or maybe even your man-purse), most of us consider this item to be an indispensable part of everyday life.  Whether you’ve had the same old standby since the beginning of time, or a wardrobe of bags to match every outfit, chances are, there’s at least one vintage purse hanging out in your closet.

Making a first appearance during the mid-1800s, this essential fashion accessory is definitely here to stay. Whether in leather or pleather or plastic, made with fabric, sequins, straw or beads, we LOVE our bags.  And now, the Jewelry Ring fashionistas are excited to share their vintage purses!

Contributed by Mary Ann Docktor-Smith of Mary Ann, Mary Ann Designs and Anna's Vintage Jewelry