Capricorn General Crafts Kit Purse

Capricorn Kit Purse. 1960s. Maker: A crafter (housewife), probably from a General Crafts JewelTone Kit. Tote-style linen-look kit purse featuring the astrological goat-fish zodiac sign of Capricorn. It also has numerous sequins, faux gems, beads, gold trim, and a moon-shaped emblem that says “December 22-January 20 CAPRICORN.” Two inner pockets, with one that zips.

Regular followers of this blog know that I have a HUGE collection of these kit purses. I was so excited to acquire a Capricorn, because it’s my astrological sign. Not that I’m a believer—I just thought it was cool. I had no idea that the kit came with the moon-shaped emblem, as I already have a Taurus kit purse, which did not have an emblem, possibly because it fell off sometime in the last forty-something years. (I’m over forty. Things fall off. Or, in my case, down.) Here’s the Taurus: http://vintagepurse.blogspot.com/2011/02/bejeweled-taurus-kit-purse.html

And, if you want to have a little “awwwww, how cute” moment, I’ll tell you that I’m a Capricorn and my husband’s a Taurus. Ready? "AWWWW! How cute!"

Not that he carries a purse.

Three Cats Kit Purse. 1960s. Maker: Unknown, possibly a General Crafts kit purse, made by a crafter way back when. Black linen-like tote-style bag with adorable scene featuring three gold-painted cats with sequins, gold trim and faux gems in blue, green, pink, white and purple.

I am so excited about this one. I’ve been wanting the kitty kit (HA!) purse for a very long time and was really glad to be able to find it at a fairly reasonable price. I’m a little sad that these kit bags aren’t going for $5 and $10 like they used to—and don’t get me started on the cost of shipping—but, sometimes, you just have to go for the one you love.

Cornucopia Purse. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. Large vintage tote-style purse made of tan woven fabric with a tan vinyl (or "pleather") top, bottom strip and handle. It’s very stiff and was barely used, but someone has cleverly reinforced one of the grommets in back with a nut and bolt. The design is an autumn-themed cornucopia, or “horn of plenty” with a variety of embroidered fruits and vegetables spilling out. It’s decorated with faux pearls, gems and gold rope trim, while an appliquéd bee buzzes overhead.

It possibly began as a General Crafts kit that was purchased by a ‘60s housewife who then assembled it. These kit bags are my favorite style of purse to collect and to carry. While this is a rare design in terms of what I’ve seen online and at the vintage shows, I had two of them. I gave one to a lifelong friend for whom I am very thankful.

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving, good health, great friends, and many excellent vintage finds!

Under the Sea Kit Purse. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. Possibly a General Crafts, JewelTone kit purse (although there were other kit makers), this tote style bag has a textured background and features an under-the-sea motif of real shells, faux coins, felt fish, seaweed and a treasure chest full of all kinds of kitschy gems and odds-and-ends.

This is my newest acquisition—and the latest addition to my massive collection of kit bags—and, nope, I didn’t already have one like it!

Travel Theme Kit Purse. Late 1960s. Maker: General Crafts Corp. This is another in my collection of vintage Fabulous Jewel Tone Handbag kit purses, made in the Collins style by some talented crafter in ye olde days of yore. This tote is green and features a travel motif that includes a sequined Eiffel Tower and the words “Paris,” “London” and “Rome,” along with various and sundry faux gems and dealybobs. Alas, this bag is in need of some repair as the latch cover—which I still have—has broken off. Wear and tear is common with these style bags—latches break, jewels fall off, grommets pop, etc. I’m from the ‘60s, too, and I have similar issues. My jewels and grommets burst all the time. Sometimes noisily, which would be embarrassing if I had any shame left.

Spanish Dancer Purse. Late 1960s. Made from a Jewel Tone Handbag kit produced by General Crafts Corporation. The kits originally sold for $10 to crafty housewives who would create their own “practical handbag of luxurious fabric in 3 fashionable colors—BLACK—OLIVE—NATURAL, superbly finished with harmonizing trim, genuine mahogany bottom and personal zipper pocket.” This enticing description is direct from “The New, Fabulous Jewel Tone Handbag” catalog, which was tucked inside each box, along with “exciting jewels, braids and sequins” to glue to the bare make-by-number-style purse. The Spanish Dancer is one of the rarer designs. I have two of ‘em. That is, I have tons of kit purses, but I have TWO Spanish Dancers. I’m such a handbag hog. I should be ashamed. I should be.

Birds and Flowers Kit Purse. 1960s. Here’s another of my vintage kit purses, made by a creative crafter back in the late 1960s or early ‘70s. The purse is possibly from a General Crafts Corp. kit, but there were other brands available for purchase at that time, including Tandy and Sophistikits (made by Collins). This is nicely done with jewels forming the birds’ bodies and other shiny trims and notions for the branches, leaves and flowers. It's different than most kit purses in that it's a closed bag and not the open-ended tote-style, which makes it more pickpocket-resistant. (Pickpurse-resistant?) It’s hard for me to remember what I paid for most of my purses, but this one, which I bought about five years ago, cost me ninety-nine cents, the least expensive purse in my collection. A beauty AND a bargain!

Rooster Kit Purse with Original Box - BONUS! FIDM Exhibit Info

Rooster Kit Purse with Original Box. 1960s. Maker: JewelTone/General Crafts/Some '60s Housewife. Fabulous make-by-number olive green tote-style purse with bejeweled and sequined rooster crowing at the rising sun. Comes with original box and catalog.

Regular readers of this blog know I have quite the collection of late ‘60s kit purses, which were created in the style of Enid Collins.

Yep, just a few.

I’m excited to report that some of my destination-themed vintage kit purses from The Vintage Purse Gallery will be on display at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) Museum Shop/Clever Vintage Clothing "Planes, Trains and Automobiles - Travel and Fashion" exhibit, now through July 19. For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/444010155695375/

Pretty cool, huh? If you're in the L.A. area, you should check it out!

San Francisco Cable Car Kit Purse. Late 1960s. Fabulous JewelTone General Crafts Corp. kit purse featuring a bejeweled red, gold and black #501 cable car with “Powell Mason Sts.” And “Powell and Market – Fisherman’s Wharf” and “Flower Show” signs. There are silhouette people inside the cable car and a streetlight, fence and pagoda roof on the outside. Lots of jewels, faux pearls and trim. I just realized I’m about to lose a piece of the black string “track.” You can see it dangling in the photo. Now, where’d I put that fabric glue?

Poodle Kit Purse in Original Box. 1960s. Maker: General Crafts Corp--Fabulous Jewel Tone Handbag. Another make-by-number masterpiece from my collection of late '60s kit bags; this time it’s the poodle, with its black curlicue design on the linen-look tote; black sequin trim; clear, amber and red rhinestones and jewels; and, of course, the requisite Eiffel Tower in the background. Why? Apparently because poodles hang out at the Eiffel Tower. At least, that’s what you’d think if you were an alien visiting from another planet and came across a collection of ‘60s poodle purses.

Bejeweled Taurus Kit Purse. 1960s. Maker: Unknown, but likely a General Crafts Corp. JewelTone Handbag. Linen-look tote-style purse with a Taurus the Bull motif in gold trim and sparkling faux gems and sequins, in colors of turquoise, green, purple, blue and pinkish-gold. Inside zipper pocket and wood bottom, typical of these kit purses.

This is a recent acquisition and it’s special because it’s my first zodiac sign kit purse. Regular readers of this blog know that I have—um—a few—quite a few—of these.

Today I was doing errands and a woman at my bank commented on the bag I was carrying, the pagoda kit purse. “I’ve never seen anything like that before,” she said. “Oh, I have four of these,” I said. “…just of this one design.” I really should be ashamed of myself.

Fabulous Jewel Tone Handbag Bonanza! As promised, here are photos of catalog pages from the General Crafts Corp. Jewel Tone kit purses of the late 1960s. For more detailed information about these handbags, please see my post of June 1, 2007.

I don’t have every one, but I do have a bunch—in the neighborhood of twenty-five (I'm so ashamed!)—including some duplicates (extra shameful!). The first six photos are of the fold-out catalog pages. The seventh photo is of a single-page insert that says the purses are now available in black. The eighth picture is a make-by-number pattern of their peacock model, and the last is the finished product, which I'd be too lame to do myself, but thank goodness there are crafty people out there!

Catalog Pages












Now in Black!


Peacock Pattern


Peacock Purse

Casino Kit Purse. 1960s. Maker: General Crafts Corp. This is the newest--and the coolest--addition to my extensive collection of kit purses. The very week that I commented that I was coveting a gambling-themed kit purse, I discovered this gorgeous work of art at an online auction. I’m a very lucky gal when it comes to finding treasures. I just hope this purse brings me luck next time I play poker!

Carousel Horse Purse. This is another in my collection of wild and spangly handbags made circa 1968 by someone who purchased a kit produced by General Crafts Corporation. I don’t use her too often because, even though I’ve seen a few hither and thither, the carousel horse is one of the rarer designs. However, several years ago, I did take her to a production of “Carousel” at a nearby university. My daughter, at that time in middle school, was playing one of Enoch and Carrie’s children. The kid was brilliant. And, of course, the purse was a big hit with theatre-goers.

Magic Mushroom Kit Purse. Late 1960s. Maker: Unknown, possibly a General Crafts kit, put together by someone’s mom. Textured fabric tote-style purse with matching vinyl handle and accents in the unusual color of yellow—not discoloration, but the original shade. Pattern features a delightful motif with mushrooms and flowers, all done up in 3-D using an assortment of trims, faux gems, faux pearls and other sparkly geegaws (a real word, according to yourdictionary.com).

Regular followers of this blog know that I have a ton of these kit bags, but what made me buy it was the fabulous hookah-smoking caterpillar. I’m not kidding. See close-up pic, below.

Four Seasons Kit Purse. 1960s. Maker: Some crafty ‘60s housewife. Beige textured linen bag with beads, rhinestones, faux jewels and other shiny dealybobs that come together to create individual designs representing the four seasons, Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall (all you have to do is call) paying homage to Mr. Sun. Also has wooden side panels, envelope closure with goldtone twist hardware, vinyl handle and little metal feet.

Constructed from a kit, possibly manufactured by General Crafts Corp., a popular brand of that era. I have lots (and lots) of these purses (see previous posts), but what’s really nice about this one is that it has a top for full closure, instead of just being open, tote-bag style. The top protects your vintage wallet, embroidered hanky and rhinestone-covered lipstick mirror. You DO carry those with you at all times, don’t you?