I wanna be enid.
So, in a nutshell, I was possessed again this last weekend by the discovery of the not so secret-but secret to me (because I am the last to know) vintage Enid Collins box purses. I was minding my own business on flickr when I found this group-and I was struck-STRUCK with the urge to get a box and paint my own. And I did, and another one is drying right now, with another on deck, I can't get enough!
The original Enid bags are amazing, but the potential to make my own is also so compelling and all I needed was at Michael's, the ubiquitous craft emporium. The paint, varnish, and the jewels (why do I have these?) I already had. I stained the unpainted boxes with acrylic paint with a ton of glazing liquid, then painted the design. Then I varnished with a clear oil (toxic and smelly) and then glued on the jewels with tacky glue and put the hardware back on. The purse hardware is also from Michael's as well-who knew!! I am thinking sewing boxes here, and I have a smaller one started to go inside as a lidded pin-cushion box. So excited! I am dorkin' hardcore on these!
These have taken way too much space in my brain (it could be the varnish) and Sadie thinks more jewels are needed-as do I! I will show the other one when it dries. I am experimenting with a stencil for the next one, I can't decide if this would be easier or harder. . . to be continued!
That really is envy-inducing. Gives me some ideas for the wooden cigar boxes I got at a yard sale.
Posted by: Mrs. Happy Housewife | July 23, 2006 at 08:26 PM
Only you Amy, could make Rhinestones cool............... :)
Posted by: Alison | July 23, 2006 at 08:32 PM
Too Cool! I love the idea of using these for needlework supplies, etc. Your design on your purse/box is great!
Posted by: JanetinPortland | July 23, 2006 at 09:07 PM
You enterprising woman, you!
Posted by: Lilli | July 23, 2006 at 09:26 PM
amy this is a triumph.
Posted by: lisa | July 23, 2006 at 09:46 PM
Oh, that looks wonderful and you have given me ideas for taking the boxes I decoupaged with vintage children's books illustrations to a new level!
Posted by: Donna | July 23, 2006 at 10:01 PM
Wonderful. Surprising how the blingy things actually look good with the natural-y wood and paint.
One more lovely thing to look out for!
Posted by: Strikkelise | July 23, 2006 at 10:48 PM
beautiful!
Posted by: nichola | July 23, 2006 at 10:53 PM
oh my goodness - it's fabulous! don't you want to dress in clothes to go with your bag now and go out?
Posted by: jennifer | July 23, 2006 at 11:00 PM
Oooohhhh & Aaaahhhh Amy, love your homage. I have a few of my own but they are more fabric based ... must get around to posting them one day *wink*
Posted by: Velda | July 24, 2006 at 02:11 AM
I thought it was an Enid Collins at first!Great job remember, to sign and date them inside just like Enid!.
Posted by: Kristy | July 24, 2006 at 02:17 AM
The box purse is just great and your illustration is wonderful - I love it! When you post about the other one can we see a peek of the inside and an idea of how big it is? I would love to get one! :)
Posted by: Max | July 24, 2006 at 02:31 AM
fantastic. i love the idea of a pincushion in the lid....oh--I just re-read what you wrote--a lidded pincushion box! I like that I idea too!
Posted by: molly | July 24, 2006 at 05:14 AM
Gorgeous... Sometimes you need a sort of "cut and paste" project when you focus on mainly one medium. Painting, glue-ing, varnishing... its therapeutic!
Posted by: persephone | July 24, 2006 at 05:35 AM
Wow! That is spectacular! I love the idea for a sewing box. I just might have to make a bead box...I've needed something a little more sturdy to keep tiny 4 yo hands out of my beads ;) It's a bad thing I have a Michael's within walking distance.
Posted by: Wendy | July 24, 2006 at 05:43 AM
Oh my. Oh my. What a brilliant inspired idea. And that Enid Collins flickr group is such eye-candy.
Posted by: Kelly | July 24, 2006 at 06:58 AM
You are channeling Edith! Makes me homesick for the past.
Posted by: Deborah Perkinson | July 24, 2006 at 07:04 AM
That looks so cool! And for the record, I didn't know about Enid Collins. How do you "stain" with paint? Are you thinning it with a lot of varnish? I'm curious about the process, although I could never do anything as beautiful as that purse.
Posted by: Chris Howard | July 24, 2006 at 07:06 AM
You had me fooled at first, too - thought it was really an Enid! It's amazing, really.
Posted by: marielle | July 24, 2006 at 07:06 AM
What a find, you may have started a new revolution! I love the bird, can't wait to see more. These look like the box purses all my great aunts used to carry when I was a kid. I'm picturing the twinsets they used to wear, and the black coffee they drank. Great memory of a group of gossipy, painfully stylish women.
I really love the way you just find something and jump right in Amy. Aren't you guys boiling in Portland too? I can barely get out of bed in the morning ; )
Posted by: Blair | July 24, 2006 at 07:22 AM
Fantastico. Love it.
Posted by: Alicia P. | July 24, 2006 at 07:43 AM
*DROOLDROOLDROOL* LOVE them! Enid Collins stuff is so nifty, you definitely captured the flavor. ::heads off to Michael's for no particular reason...:: ;P
Posted by: Robin Green Eye | July 24, 2006 at 07:56 AM
thanks you all!
and chris-staining with paint is really easy, you just thin the paint with a ton of glazing fluid, or some other milk carrier that will thin it and use a damp rag, paint it on and then wipe it off-works like a charm. then a lightly sand when it is all dry and you are ready to decorate. . .
Posted by: amy k. | July 24, 2006 at 08:14 AM
It looks beautiful Amy! Love the jewels and the colours!
Posted by: Veronica TM | July 24, 2006 at 09:39 AM
Very cute. There is a lady in Phoenix who makes sweet painted purses out of cigar boxes. I love them. Especially when they are simple. I think your jewel-to-purse ratio on that one looks just right!
Posted by: Kelli | July 24, 2006 at 10:38 AM
Oh Amy I just love your box purse!!! So super cool! And what a wonderful idea to use them as sewing boxes! They are perfect for that since I think I it might be kinda hard to hold on to one while chasing around my three year old son if I were using it as an actual purse. ;) LOL!
Ooo and I just thought of something...wouldn't they look cool with some handmade glass beads on memory wire as the handle? Hmmm...now I gotta go look through my beads and wire and see if I can find some that might work for that. Ooo and that would be so cool to store my jewelry making tools/supplies in. Dang it...now I got another craft project I want to try. So many projects, so little time. :)
Posted by: Paulette | July 24, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Smiling......I am waiting to see the small version for the pin box. Back in the late 60s, the gals in my college dorm who were NOT on work scholarships had the original Enid purses. I really envied them. So it is a treat to see you recreate and personalize them.
Posted by: Grammie | July 24, 2006 at 11:15 AM
Oh, you've started something. I had to search ebay for Enid after commenting this morning. Dangerous, dangerous! Now I'm glad there is a Michael's within walking distance, lol.
Posted by: Wendy | July 24, 2006 at 11:25 AM
very cool. thanks for sharing.
Posted by: lera | July 24, 2006 at 12:25 PM
*love* enid collins' purses - i have 3... is that enough to be a collection?!? your version is gorgeous (of course), and so great that all of the supplies are easy to find! thanks for the tips!
Posted by: kelly | July 24, 2006 at 02:33 PM
This is why you are famous. Wow.
Posted by: Dina Bernardin | July 24, 2006 at 06:02 PM
that is so great! what a wonderful and inspiring find for you!
Posted by: Kristin R | July 24, 2006 at 06:22 PM
wow are these fabulous! FANTASTIC project!
Posted by: Dacia | July 24, 2006 at 09:37 PM
Magnificent. (I was going to say "lovely" or "gorgeous," but those were already taken). I've had four unfinished box purses in my basement for a year, waiting for inspiration to strike... Thanks!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 24, 2006 at 10:05 PM
Okay, you and I are totally on the same crafting wavelength -- except you follow through! First the H doll kits, and then this ... I've been sitting on a bunch of supplies to do this: boxes, bamboo handles (I like your lucite ones, but I'm sort of a sucker for bamboo) and jewels, just trying to decide what theme to go with. I finally got some inspiration the other day but haven't sat down to do it yet. One of my worries/wonders was whether to gesso/prime the wood under the design, but of course glazing would be much better and give a smoother surface. Smart!
You've inspired me to get going ... maybe I'll have something to share in the next few days!
Posted by: julia m. | July 24, 2006 at 10:09 PM
wonderful work. it is amazing to look at the link to the bags. another thing to add to the list when out looking for goods at sales.
Posted by: christina | July 24, 2006 at 10:22 PM
I feel like the luckiest girl in the Angry Chicken world. I unwrapped this very box last night for MY birthday present! It is going to be delightful for little needle treasures, or knit accessories, or a small project on the go... or with a cute outfit! Thanks so much Amy, I love it! ( Dot will too when she is old enough to covet her Mamas things). And taking the cigar box purse and making it cool and for me is rad too.
Posted by: Lupine | July 24, 2006 at 11:10 PM
Wow! The box looks gorgeous. Can't wait to see what the other one will look like.
Posted by: Lina | July 25, 2006 at 02:51 AM
This is a fantastic idea! I have an Enid Collins purse that I love, and I want more, but they're getting really pricey!
Posted by: jess hutch | July 25, 2006 at 08:24 AM
No, you're not that last to find out about these wonders, I am! Oh.my.gosh. I've been infected, that's all there is to it.
Posted by: Toni | July 25, 2006 at 08:55 AM
I love this one!
Posted by: pip | July 25, 2006 at 10:30 AM
It's perfect! You have to start selling these -- undercutting original Enids by a little? -- you'll make a fortune!
Posted by: Kim | July 25, 2006 at 02:00 PM
me thinks yur a genius.
Posted by: laura r. | July 25, 2006 at 02:37 PM
Oh great, another thing I just have to make now! If I had one of those Michael's coupons on me I would have gone there for bag supplies today. Too cool.
Posted by: Sasha | July 25, 2006 at 02:42 PM
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. Reminds me of taking a case to school in the first year of primary school. So lovely.
I make bags too at http://mariabinns.wordpress.com
Cheers
Mia
Posted by: Mia | July 25, 2006 at 07:24 PM
wow! completely incredible lovely one!
Posted by: vegasandvenice.com | July 26, 2006 at 12:50 PM