I know this blog is becoming Vintage Purse When I Can Get to It, so I offer my sincerest apologies. Good news, though—I’m working on setting up my very own shop at http://www.rubylane.com/, an online antique mall. I’ll let you know when the shop goes “live,” but, meanwhile, here’s an adorable white and clear plastic ‘50s purse made by the Theresa Bag Co. (which I initially read as "There's a Bag Co., damn my eyes) of Lyndhurst, NJ. It’s tiny, so it’s probably meant for a child. Which means when I have grandkids, I’m… um… hiding it. Yeah, I don't have 'em yet, but I’m already a lousy grandma.

Wicker Purse with Ocean-Motif Window. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. White painted wicker handbag with pearlized plastic handle and closure, and goldtone hardware. On the front is a “window,” behind which you can see multicolored shells, faux pearls, plastic coral and (also plastic) seahorses, all glued onto a piece of lace, covered with thick plastic, and accented by glued-on gold rickrack. These purses are very typical of those that came out of Florida in the ‘60s, making use of the natural materials that were easily available. I mean the shells. Not the plastic seahorses.

Wooden Box Bag. 1960s. Maker: Gary Gails. Small cigar box-style handbag made of wood and decorated with geometric wood shapes, then stained. What you can't see: The intricate dovetail joints. This purse was created by Gary Gails (aka Gary Gail without an "s") of Dallas, known for his many purse styles, especially those made of wood. On the inside, opposite the built-in mirror, it says “Collectors Item by Gary Gails Dallas – Decorated for You – Japan.” Isn’t that nice? He knew it would be a collector’s item. Owned by a collector. Who collects items. Prophetic!

Zigzag Tapestry Bag. 1960s. Maker: Unknown, but suspect it to be a Faye Mell. Black vinyl purse with zigzag three-dimensional upholstery-style fabric in rich autumn colors on the front. Goldtone accents, hardware and feet. I love tapestry bags and have a number of them. They’re big, they’re bulky and they feeeeeeel nice. For me, it’s all about the texture and the 3-D effect. I also have a lot of “Ribbon Lady” pictures from the ‘30s-‘60s, as well as a collection of Victorian hair jewelry, if that tells you anything—like, for instance, that I have some sort of psychological disorder.

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.

Peek-a-boo Plastic Bag with Gold Leaf Design. 1960s. Maker: Leslie of Miami. Fabulous, large cream-colored fabric bag with golden freeform beaded leaf design, covered entirely by plastic. Goldtone chain handle and goldtone closure. Silver piping at the edges. I don’t know what brilliant soul thought to preserve these bags by laminating them, but, as I’ve said before, it reminds me of grandma’s couch. For those of you too young to remember, '60s-era grandmothers always covered their orange flocked velvet couches in a thick plastic that we’d adhere to in the hot summer months, bare-legged and sweaty. Thanks, grandma, for the memories. And for the skin grafts.

Black Evening Bag with Flower Basket Motif. 1960s. Maker: Caron of Houston. Black stretch-knit fabric bag with hundreds of multi-colored beads glued on in a flower-and-basket pattern. There are also some faux jewels, and four gold-toned flowers on the basket. I have a bunch of Caron of Houston bags, many of which feature tiny, glued-on beads. You can imagine how this makes for some serious indecisiveness on semi-formal occasions. “Should I take the black one with the beads? Or the black one with the beads? Or maybe the black one with the beads?”

Ah, life's difficulties.