I found a pattern in Piecework Magazine, March/April 1993 issue, A Knitted Silk Reticule, designed by Liza Prior Lucy, and wove the pattern in beads on my bead loom! If you have that magazine you can find an image of her finished fiber reticule on page 33 and the graph on page 34. After I had woven the pattern and taken it off the loom I put the ends together. Then I attached DMC 8 yarn to each end and crocheted a circular bottom and top; my own version of a Swiss mini purse. This graph is so nice because when you put the ends together they match. I picked seed beads that are lavender, beige and green for my pattern; a favorite combination of the late 1800's. After I had made one I couldn't stop. I had to make more. Next I made a real small one with Delica beads using Ann Benson's Book, Beadwear, the Leopard Skin Hat Band Pattern, page 122. I used the exact pattern on that page and put the ends together. I used Delica Silver beads between the leopard prints.

Next I made two flat circular sections and attached them together to make a purse that is flat but circular in shape. I used a variegated green DMC 8 and left more of the yarn to show. I used a variety of green seed beads. Onward to more experiments! Next I made a purse like those of the 1900's that is flat with fringe on the bottom and top and the purse opening is on both sides of the handle. This mini purse is about three inches long. I used a brown DMC 8 yarn and transparent amethyst seed beads with a warm highlight. I really got crazy then and made several mini purses and detachable necklaces from some of my favorite beads I had been saving for "Nice." You know "Nice," that's the things you love the most but keep holding onto to create that perfect design and never do. One of my favorites is a deep olive green. I made a necklace with large olive opaque green beads, transparent cream beads with a green cast, and tiny metallic fluted spacers. The purse includes antique glass seed beads that match and smaller opaque olive green beads. The strap of tiny beads poke through smoky topaz rondell beads that are attached to the purse. This mini purse is circular in shape and also looks like an old toy spinning top. Many a beader has tried to pry this mini purse from my beady hands. Look for my story about the Borini Bag in the myths section. I patterned this purse as one of my first Borini Bags.

I experimented with a rigid opening for a mini purse. What could I use as the rigid pieces? Why earring hoops of course. I crocheted the bottom piece and sewed one of the hoops on at the opening. The second piece was also crocheted as the lid and I sewed the other earring hoop to it. Then I made a free form crochet beaded piece and attached it to the two hoops as the back hinge area. The hinge area was still real loose so I put two jump rings from one hoop to the other where an earring hook would hang. The two rings sit inside of the purse and hold it as the purse is opened and closed. I still needed a closure for outside of the purse so I put a metal spacer bead on the bottom portion with a seed bead to hold it and a loop of seed beads attached to the top. This was my closure. It is a nifty little purse in pinks and an opal gray. Experimenting is my life!

I have created bead and fiber(yarn) woven purses on the loom, sewed the ends together and then bead crocheted the top and bottom of the purse One of these has a ceramic piece included.

All new bead crochet creations! I just finished creating a miniature miser's bag that is less than three inches long and it is really functional! I used size 22 opaque green seed beads and a blue silver silk twist. I use a size 16 crochet hook to make these tiny bags. It looks like it is 200 years old except they were not making them this tiny back then. Next I decided to crochet with bigger beads, so I pulled out a bunch of fresh water pearls and made a shell shaped purse. Wow! Working with the pearls is an experience, they all want to jump back in your way while you are working. Now I am writing directions to make many of these bags. I will let you know when they are in print. Start putting your groups of beads together for some fun. The Borini Bag will be one of the patterns.