Check it out! THRIFT ME DEADLY, my ebook about a vintage clothes-loving serial killer, is once again available for purchase on Smashwords. Warning: Extreme language and violent situations. Other than that, it’s just swell. Like the part where she kills someone over a vintage purse. I mean, seriously, wouldn’t you? http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4474

Wicker Fish Purse. 1950s. Maker: Midas of Miami. I thought for sure I’d posted this treasure before, but I did a search of my blog, and found that I hadn’t yet shared her. She’s decorated on one side with green and gold glitter, colored faux gems, black velvet ribbon and tiny shells. Her lips are outlined in pink glitter. I read somewhere that Joanne Woodward carried a fish purse like this in an old film, but I’ve never seen the evidence.

Midas of Miami is my favorite purse manufacturer. I wish I knew more about the company. You’d think the information would be out there, considering the quantity and diverse selection of these gorgeous purses for sale on the Internet and at vintage shows, but I’ve never heard from anyone who glued those shiny gems and sprinkled all that fabulous glitter. If you know a former Midas of Miami employee, please e-mail me at wdager(at)sbcglobal(dot)net. I’d love to get the scoop!

Important note: Thanks to my buddy and fellow vintage aficionado Maxine, who pointed out that are a few Midas fakes floating around. Caveat emptor!

My article about vintage sweaters and photos of sweaters from my personal collection appear in the June issue of Antiques & Collectibles Magazine. Check it out! http://www.acmagazine.com/issues/june2010.php

Special thanks to my beautiful models, Missie Miller, Katey Dager and Rachel Dager Blackard (below, in "Darlene" 1950s vintage sweater).

Pair of Raffia House Purses. Early 1970s. Maker: Gary Gail Dallas, according to the sticker on the bottom of each purse. (Note: This designer was sometimes known as Gary Gails, plural. I don’t know why he used different names on his bags.) One house is green and natural wicker or raffia (there was some argument in my own house about which material it was; thank you, adult daughters who can’t ever let me be right), and the other in red and wicker/raffia (or whatever). They both have fabric windows, doors and chimneys, and are lined in satin with contrasting rickrack. Each also has an oval mirror glued to the inside of the flap. They close with elastic latches over plastic buttons.

I have several house-shaped purses and I love the motif. Definitely a conversation piece. (Just don’t bother to converse about whether or not they are wicker. Or raffia.)