Hey there, Vintage Purse People!

I’m sorry I haven't posted for a while. You know how that goes. Life and such. I’ve been busily working at my day—and sometimes, night—job as a professional freelance writer, mostly writing articles and advertorials for a newspaper.

I have great news to share. After an 11-year journey, my comic mystery novel I MURDERED THE PTA is now available from Zumaya Publications under its Enigma imprint. I MURDERED THE PTA was a TOP FIVE finalist in Court TV's 2006/2007 Search for the Next Great Crime Writer.

To learn more about I MURDERED THE PTA, visit my website or go to the Zumaya Enigma page. (The book's main character loves to wear vintage bowling shirts!)

Now, for those of you anxiously awaiting to hear about my recent acquisitions…

“Telephone” Cord Purses. 1940s. Maker: Unknown, but possibly Plasticoil. One very large clutch style cord bag in primary colors and another in brown and white on greenish-brown fabric backing with an Asian-style motif.

I’ve mentioned this before as I have several of these wonderful bags in my collection, but these are NOT telephone cords. A story that was told to me—and I can’t validate it—was that, after World War II, plastics companies were looking for something else to create after contributing necessary items to the war effort—which was then over. So, someone decided to make these cool purses. Again, I don’t know if this information is correct.

What I love about these is that the clutch is an unusually large size, so I can actually carry ALL of my stuff in it. The other has that fabulous design. I’ve seen it before, but not in brown and white. As for pricing—these two ran the extremes. I paid way too much for the clutch—but I wanted it SO BAD. The other was very inexpensive. I’m not tellin’, but let’s just say my mojo was working for me that day.

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.

Huge Wicker Purse with Needlepoint Windmill Scene. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. Very large (14.5” high by 10” wide) and heavy wicker purse that resembles a picnic hamper, except this one’s got some seriously elaborate decorations. Someone went crazy with the gold trimmings, white beads, faux gems and rhinestones. But that’s only to complement the needlepoint scene at the front of the purse, complete with windmill, farmhouse, country road and foliage. On one side of the purse is a needlepoint lady and on the other is her gentleman. Their clothing looks circa the 17th century. The handle is wicker, wrapped in gold trim. There are two beige velvet bows on top, accented by rhinestones. Inside are shiny orangey-pink pockets that resemble hanging shoe-holders you’d find in a woman's closet, but are much smaller. Instead, they seem perfect for those tiny bottles of liquor they give you on airplanes.

Not that I’m saying you should carry around tiny bottles of liquor. But this purse is so over the top, that's what came to mind!

Special thanks to my friend and partner in vintage, Wendy, who gifted me with this fabulous find for my birthday!

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.

Crocheted Box Purse. 1940s. Maker: Unknown. Navy blue crocheted purse with wristlet handle and gorgeous glass—not Lucite or other early plastic—ball accents. Zip closure. It’s possibly handmade from a pattern and is in very good condition.

I love classic ‘40s styling, and this is an unusual piece because of its shape and design. I bought it yesterday and it set me back a whopping five bucks! How cool is that?

Hey there vintage purse people! I’m back after a month-long hiatus. Hope your holidays were as fabulous as mine!


Plastic Beaded Purse with Flex Snap Closure. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. Super cool oblong cloth purse covered entirely in tiny white plastic beads. It’s accented by three crystal-enhanced hexagons that run across the diagonal and have pink roses with green leaf pattern underneath. It’s lined and has a "Made in Hong Kong" tag and zippered interior pocket. It's also got a goldtone rope chain and a snazzy flexible closure that snaps shut.

I recently wrote some ad copy (in my other life as a freelance writer) for modern homemade purse kits that have closures made of metal measuring tapes. The new purses snap shut in the same fashion as this old one. You can check them out here. (Note: This is NOT the copy I wrote, but the manufacturer of the purse pattern.)

Plastic and Rhinestone Belt Bag with Coordinating Change Purse. 1950s. Maker: Unknown. Petite, envelope-style evening purse with giant, prong-set rhinestones and goldtone metal closure. The purse’s sides stand up to put in your stuff, like this coordinating plastic change purse, which has gold veins running through it and gold stitching at the sides. Both purses have yellowed with age, which is pretty common for 60-year-old plastic handbags from this era. The most interesting part of the evening bag, besides the wonderful garishness of the stones, is that it has a loop in the back, so you can conveniently wear it on the belt of your cocktail dress or evening gown.

I recently acquired a huge box of vintage bags for ten bucks, plus shipping cost, and these were among its contents. I’ve never seen an envelope purse quite like this, let alone one with a belt loop in the back. Pretty cool.