Woven Totes with Three-Dimensional Flowers. 1960s. Maker: JR Florida, USA. Fraternal twins from famous maker JR (Julius Resnick) Florida, both are woven, burlap-type fabric bags. Both are tote-style with kiss-lock inner pockets large enough to hold a wallet. And both, delightfully, have 3-D velveteen flowers and leaves, and a whimsical faux gem bug fluttering above.

While the JR company created numerous styles of purses, this style of bag is one you’ll find a lot of, with varying designs on the front, including some with needlework. Regular followers of this blog know I have a weird passion for 3-D stuff, so my favorites are the purses with embellishments like these.

HEY! If you're in the Los Angeles area this Sunday, October 2, come see me at the West Hollywood Book Fair. I'll be in booth C6 with other Zumaya Publications' authors and signing copies of my novel I MURDERED THE PTA.

Wicker Purse with Strawberries. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. White-painted wicker picnic-style basket bag adorned with faux strawberries and leaves. Lined with gold felt. Simple elastic band closure.

When I found this purse, I thought it was a little pricey, considering its condition. The wicker is a bit shabby and the strawberries have seen better days—probably somewhere around the year of my birth—but I LOVE FRUIT PURSES. I don’t know why I love them so much. Perhaps because they’re campy and fabulous. I love camp. And fabulousness. I have a vintage glass fruit necklace and fruit basket earrings, too. Of course. Who doesn’t?

Bonus: You all know how much I love Midas of Miami purses. I wrote an article in 2009 about mid-century vintage handbags for Antiques & Collecting magazine. The cover featured a shot I took of my wicker Midas elephant purse, one of the biggest treasures in my collection.

Last night I found a link to someone selling a Midas purse. Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the description. The seller is including a copy of my article! I wonder if I should offer to autograph it for her...

Speaking of which, if you're going to be in the Los Angeles area October 2, visit the Zumaya authors' booth at the West Hollywood Book Fair. I'll be signing copies of my novel I MURDERED THE PTA. Stop by, say hi and show me your vintage purse!