Designer Spotlight: Enid Collins

Enid Collins designed whimsical purses, from 1959 to 1970 (when the company Collins of Texas was sold to Tandy Leather Corporation).
This wooden box purse is called 'Night Owls'

'For the Birds'

'Cock O' the Walk'


I'm more drawn to the wooden purses, and considering I just chose all birds themed ones, I guess I'm drawn to those too.
But there are several popular themes, including love, money, and astrological signs.

She made several cute bucket designs too.
I'm not sure of the year on this one, but from what I can tell it's called 'Cable Car'


This is a later model, Collins of Texas bag called 'Aces High'.
I like the cylindrical shape


Collins' bags included sequins, painted designs, and novelty sayings.
The bags are often dated and signed, and usually include the design name also.
According to Cool Old Stuff, bags signed with a lowercase 'ec' or 'e' were made during Enid Collins tenure.
Bags with a capital 'C', or labeled 'Collins of Texas' (without Enid's name anywhere) are less valuable as they are Tandy bags.

In the late 1960's, do-it-yourself kits were sold, called Sophistikits.
These are also not as valuable.
More info, from Sweetheartville.

The theme for this month's challenge is to refashion a readymade bag.
I've mentioned ideas including mosaic, and painting.
What a perfect time, therefore, to be inspired by Enid Collins!

Angry Chicken is a fan--she bought an original.
Then she made her own version--maybe you might want to give it a try!



Sweetheartville did a Dia De Los Muertos version


Hints for identifying authentic bags.

Good info on eBay Guide to Enid Collins

Photos on Enid Collins Purse Collector's Page.

Amazing collection of bags on Flickr, from Glumpire.

Read the book, Popular Purses: it's in the bag.

Enid Collins bags were listed as a top ten collectible by Country Home Magazine, 2007.

Sunshine City Lassie is a fan.
So is Vanessa.
California Girl at Heart.
This is not your daughter's shopping blog.

More ideas for refashioning a readymade bag

Boy, links for inspiration are tough on this challenge.
But I finally found a few.
Okay, now that's what I'm talkin' about!
Leave it to Crafty Chica to make a fabric collaged bag to die for.

And there's even a Tutorial!
She made it from scratch (the handles are embroidery hoops!), but just use the same concept to cover a readymade one.
You can do it!

What if you transfered your photographs onto fabric and collaged those?
Or you could put the paper photos under vinyl.

Collaged and stamped cigar box purse.

Re-style a wooden purse with wood-burning, from Craft Lab.

Refinishing a leather handbag.
More here.

How about giving painting a try?

When I linked the collaged purse from Violette's Folk Art, I didn't even realize how many more amazing examples she has.
The instructions for this bag are in the Spring issue of Creative Techniques.
She says, "I bought the purse for 2 dollars at the thrift store then revamped it with some of my art".
Also, "If you're not familiar with Creative Techniques i'll tell you a bit about it. Each project inside the magazine has to be created with 2 computer related techniques. I used Photoshop to work with my images as well as my Word program to type up words. It was fairly easy! If you are computer savy and would like to submit some project idea don't hesitate to contact the magazine"

Painted case, also collaged with photographs and ephemera.


Through Violette's blog I also found out about Alisa Burke, an artist who paints purses (and is coincidentally holding a class soon in my area. Hmmm...)



You can purchase some of her creations in her etsy shop.
AND, most exciting of all, she has a book coming out!
More info here.

If you're like me, and painting is a bit scary, this is the perfect opportunity to try something new.
Attempting new mediums is what this challenge thing is all about.
About stepping outside your comfort zone, and growing...
Go for it!

More ideas for the new theme

What else can you do to refashion an old purse?
Embroidery
Stencils
Screenprinting
Decals (make your own by cutting out vinyl shapes)
Duct tape?

You might want to stamp and/or bead a bag (tutorial on HGTV)

how to paint on a purse, from Stylelicious.


You can make a new cover with fabric:
Julie Ree made a new fabric cover for her mom's old Bermuda bag

Picnic hamper to purse, by So, anyway...

And, as I've already mentioned, there's decoupage:
Using decorative paper to decoupage a purse, by Veralucia on ebay

Decoupage old vinyl purse or kids purse with cut paper, by DIY Kids

decoupage suitcase by DIY Network


Here's a fun train case with collaged images
currently available on eBay by the seller Vintage Butterfly.

Decoupaged cigar box purse, nicely done by Thrift Shop Romantic, using images from old calendars.

If you've got a really nice quality vintage purse, you might want to be careful with how you go about restoring it.
Tips from Antiques off Broadway