Category Archives: handmade

TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUMMER HANDBAG FROM ITALY

IMG_0818I’m determined to stay in a Spring and Summer mood right now.  Here’s a cute little bag that just lets me do that!  Made in Italy!!

Hand-decorated with beads and constructed with the attached-coin-purse-feature that was common in many vintage bags; plus all the fashion fun that was built in.

And, you would not have been likely to run into anyone carrying the same handbag.  If you carried it today, the chance might be one in a billion or less . . . . . . How’s that for a fashion statement!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

THE SIXTIES ROLL ON – A TREASURE TROVE OF TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE HANDBAGS

IMG_1523Discovered in Canada and the United States.  Made in Italy, Hong Kong and . . . . . . . . . . ?  Leather, patent vinyl, wood and beaded fabric.  Let’s go clock-wise from 7 p.m.

A leather box bag with hand-stitched edges.  Handmade, no doubt, and almost like the gorgeous hand-tooled bags that I sometimes find, but made elegantly simple even though it’s still quite casual.   Behind, is its sophisticated sister from Italy, with a soft leather body and polished wood frame.  Fabric lining and one inside pocket, with a metal zipper.

At noon and 1 o’clock, two smart little black patent handbags.  Inexpensive and basic but, like those black ballet flats, they went with virtually everything and always looked right.  Still do.  I took them home because they’re in fabulous condition and such perfect designs.

At 5 p.m., the best white clutch purse for a summer evening.  With the quality women came to expect from garments and accessories made in British Hong Kong, this one doesn’t disappoint.  Even though it’s casual, with  plastic ornamentation, the construction is superb. It’s also a fun find for me, because I own a classic handbag style in the same beaded material which makes it the companion accessory for day.  Isn’t it cool how the clues always fall into place . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

LAST MINUTE FINDS! HERE’S A UNIQUE TOOLED LEATHER HANDBAG, HAND-CRAFTED AND SIGNED

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Just when I think I’m thwarted, never fails!  I made a spur of the moment decision to go sleuthing once more and . . . . . Out peeked this lovely older tooled leather purse that I had to have.

The reason for that is the images – acorns and a stag on back – which I haven’t seen in a while.  It’s also very nicely done and has a shape that I particularly like.

The maker lined it in a thin, soft leather – which is unusual – of a greenish color – very unusual. Although some stones are missing from the buckle, I may or may not replace them.  So, a fitting way to be leaving Las Vegas.  My gamble paid off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER PURSE FROM CANADA

Another of my favorite things is vintage hand-tooled leather (in purses and belts, etc.). I have a ton of these, too. This one is a special example because of its unusual design.  It’s a lovely piece.

The motif here is trillium flowers. They grow in the northern U.S., parts of Europe (I think – is that right?) and are a symbol in Canada.  They are a beautiful white flower that blooms in the forest.

This purse came from Canada and, I’m sure, was made there. It doesn’t even seem to have been used.  Is it true vintage? That I can’t tell you for sure.  Some people are still quite skilled at doing this leather craft as a hobby today.

Most commonly, at least here in the U.S., we see true vintage handbags like this one with traditional motifs that were popular on Western-wear – even saddles and such.  Many are floral, but not like this.

Some tooled leather purses from Mexico made more recently (1970’s +) have ethnic symbols such as Mexican scenes and the Mayan calendar.

This is just a beautiful example of the craftsmanship in these items, though my favorites are the older ones with motifs from the Western U.S.A.  Lovely examples of tooled leather have been made in many cultures and they are always special to find.  I’ll show more great examples later . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

ANOTHER CLASSIC MID-CENTURY HANDBAG FIND!

I already have many tooled leather handbags in my collection, but it’s always open to another unique and high-quality item.  These purses are SO special, because they are hand-made, one-of-a-kind and often tell a story.  This one is beautifully-done, has older traditional motifs and a DOG(!), which always captures my heart.  It was probably a tribute to a beloved pet and is signed by the maker – no relation to me, but what a coincidence!

And, in beautiful condition – I’ll enjoy this one for a long time.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

THIS TIME I REALLY HIT THE JACKPOT! 1950’S – 1960’S CLUTCH PURSES – METALLIC, LEATHER AND BEADS

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Look at these beauties!  The convertible clutch style which lets you use the handle or not has always been so versatile and convenient.  Although some of these are very mid-quality, they all have some distinctive features that make them stand out as great true vintage finds.  Let’s start out from left to right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

The white purse at far left is a high-quality construction from the Sixties and has that shiny box hardware enclosing it on 3 sides.  It is made of leather and has a shoulder strap that can be tucked inside. Very sleek and streamlined – a great look for summer.

The 1950’s beaded evening bag in front is in perfect condition, with a silk satin lining and a beautiful clasp and box chain handle, which can be hidden inside.  This type of handbag was always hand-made, usually in Hong Kong.  Even for an expert, can you imagine the care and time it took to attach all those beads so perfectly and securely?

The other three bags have a metallic finish and are made of synthetic materials or cloth – not in quite as good shape as the first two.  But, they are nicely made and all have pretty hardware clasps – always interesting to find.  The two in the center also have box or braided chain handles, rather than the simple chain that is most often seen.  These more complex types of chain are prettier and also seemed to break less easily.

As always, they all show that care was taken to preserve and protect them, so I can enjoy them 50 or 60 years later!  The throw-away quality that we seem to be satisfied with today can’t begin to compare, but is still way over-priced!! Such  a shame – but not for this Magicvintagespy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

 

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE MID-CENTURY REPTILE CLUTCH HANDBAG – THIS TIME IN CROCODILE

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Remember the lovely lizard bag?  Well, here’s a sister from the same era, but in croc.  This one may be a bit older, due to the restrictions that were imposed on crocodile leather and other exotic skins after WWII.  As with fur, I’m not a fan of animal skins for our clothing and accessories and won’t buy any new ones;  but the true vintage examples are collectible pieces of fashion history to me.

As is the other one, this one’s a beauty.  It has a full-leather interior and several pockets.  Although there are some apparent discolorations on the outside (they might even be natural to the skin itself), it’s very clean and undamaged inside – always a delight when discovering an old handbag!

So, surprised again!  I always love that, and the surprises keep on coming . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SURPRISE FIND – GORGEOUS WALBORG BEADED HANDBAG

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Couldn’t be more elegant and beautiful.  This is one of the best of the best from the 1940’s or 1950’s.  Made in Japan, all by hand – of course.  This style is more unusual than the typical rectangular shape and it may be a bit older than many.  Of course, I had to have it for my collection.

The craftsmanship and lovely design out-do anything similar that’s been made recently.  These bags are always quite heavy for their size, which testifies to the number of  glass beads used.  And the fact that they are all sewn by hand adds an extra level of quality.  That so many have lasted for all these decades without falling apart tells the story . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

RARE 1970’S HOME-CREATED MACRAME’ HANDBAG

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What a great find!  Original macrame’ pieces from the Sixties and Seventies haven’t tended to survive well – no surprise.  This one is so intricately and tightly knotted, of heavy household twine.  Simple style with no liner, but required great skill to make and it’s not small.  Can you imagine the time put into this project?!

And, so beautifully preserved.  A wonderful blast from the past.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY SUMMER PURSE FROM THE 1960’S OR 1970’S – MADE IN THE PHILLIPINES

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This little handbag shows the best of the trademarks of it’s time.  Crocheted cover and full lining.  Handmade.  The natural bamboo frame is lovely and the medium size with inside pocket makes it very practical.

Although I have others similar, this example was special enough to make me snap it up.  One this clean and undamaged, especially with a needlework cover, is a super-rare find!  But, doesn’t surprise me – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM