Bridey's Main Page - Vintage Beads for Sale - Patterns - Vintage Patterns - Gallery of Loom Work - Gallery of Earrings
Vintage French Steel Beaded Purse - Make your own pattern!
Be patient, image is large!
This gorgeous purse has 4 different types of French metal beads in a size equivalent to a 15/0 seed bead. There are shiny steel octagons, which form the outlines of the pattern; round dark beads (steel? or dark brass?), round brass beads, and faceted brass beads. As you can see it needs some repair work, but I'm waiting until I have just the right beads. The purse appears to have been loomed. It's a shame the fringe is so damaged, but I love the way the bright beads form the focal point of each join. One of these days I plan to chart this pattern, and will post it online when I do. Let me know if you do a reproduction of this purse, I'd love to see a picture of your work.
Last modified 19 January 2002
Carrie E. Bodensteiner - Brideys Beads
bodenst@kichline.com