Like most women, you probably have a great “little black dress” in your closet that can be worn for different occasions. And you have at least one pair of black shoes to go with that versatile little number. But how many times have you thrown these items on and wished you had a little something extra? Well, a beaded bag can be just the ticket. Here are some that will help your outfit go from pretty to pretty fabulous.

Beaded Handbag: The Ultimate Fashion Statement For You!

A beaded handbag can make a great accent piece to your stylish clothing. They range from small, seed bead covered clutches to handbags made of larger beads that are perhaps a carryall, so you can match your sleek party dress with a black beaded clutch, or try a larger beaded handbag for your day in skimpy spaghettis, Hawaiian shorts and flowery flip-flops at the beach.

Beaded handbags can be bought at many bag and purse stores, as well as occasionally be found at accessories stores. Or you can go hunting for one at arts & craft fairs and crafters’ stores. You could even get a fun beaded handbag custom made for you by a bead crafter. Fear duplication no more. Just choose the design and the beads that you want and you’ll be set for a unique item. Beaded handbags can be works of art, too. This gives your outfit some culture and shows off your style.

Beaded handbags, earrings, bracelets and other accessories can be fun and trendy accent pieces for anyone of any age. Use a beaded handbag to add some fun and personality to your purse collection. You’ll look trendy while exuding your own personal sense of style. And if you are quite good with your hands, why not make yours even trendier by making it yourself? You can make full use of your artistic talents in creating unique signature pieces suited to your needs. I bet you played princess when you were small. Now, you can try to make your own style of adult bead handbag with a bead loom and some beads. These make fun accessories for yourself and great, thoughtful gifts for friends.

To get started, you can get a bead loom at many bead stores, as well as picking out the beads for the project. You’ll want a lot of beads that are the same size and type – use different color patterns to make your design. Patterns and instructions on how to make your bead handbag are widely available on the internet or in subject-specific books. Your bead loom can also be used to make bead bracelets and necklaces, which you could coordinate with your handbags to make a stronger fashion statement.

Let your imagination soar with new and old pieces alike. You can take an ordinary handbag which has been sitting unused in your wardrobe and bead it for a fun beaded look. Use the beads to sew a design onto the fabric to enliven an older, boring bag. You can save lots of money and always stay in style that way.

What if you do not have the time or the patience to do things yourself? Then my advice is to delve into cyberspace for some ready-made pieces. Make sure you have lots of time to browse. If you’re like me, you can just sit there hour after hour scrolling down the screen because there are simply too many wonderful creations to choose from. There are many beaded handbag designers on the internet, with styles ranging from the cool and fun handbag for a glittering party girl to more graceful editions for more formal, professional events. You can carry a beaded handbag to a formal or semi formal event to add a bit of your personality to your solemn outfit. There are even beaded crocheted handbags available, which add another level of texture to a beaded handbag.

How To Identify a Valuable Vintage Beaded Bag

Have you ever gone to an estate sale or auction and wondered if that beaded bag that seems such a deal is really valuable? To be able to tell, first you need to know a little about the history of the beaded bag.

Handmade beaded bags originated about 200 years ago and have been one of the costliest bags ever due to the unique workmanship that had to go into each handbag. For example, around 1800, the price for a beaded bag was about $5.00. By the early 1900’s, European beaded bags cost about $100.00, which was a very large sum at the time. You can usually tell the age of a beaded bag based on certain indications such as the size of the beads (bags from the mid-1800’s are made with very small, fine beads – about 1,000 beads per square inch). The motifs of bags (their designs) have changed over the years.

Funeral scenes were common on beaded bags in the early 1800’s but from 1820 to about 1860, beautiful outdoor scenes, historical landmarks, and romantic interludes were depicted.

The major design scheme in these early bags consisted of 3 defined horizontal layers knitted into the bag. The bottom usually had a tassel in the middle unless the bottom was square, which usually meant that fringe would be used instead. The middle section (the largest) had illustrated scenes. The top had a pattern that complimented the entire design and usually closed with a drawstring or clasp. These beaded bags were cherished and passed down from generation to generation.

To sum up our criteria for a valuable beaded bag:

•Valuable bags from the 1800’s had very small beads, usually about 1,000 per square inch.

•Beaded bags from the early 1800’s usually had funeral scenes as their design but starting around 1820, outdoor scenes and romantic tryst were often used.

•Bags from the 1800’s had 3 distinct horizontal knitted layers. The largest section was the middle, which had the motif design.

•There was usually tassel or fringe at the bottom of the bag.

If you are lucky enough to have inherited one of these fabulous bags or found one at an estate sale, it may be worth a great deal of money ($500.00-$1,000.00). The intrinsic value, however, of this family heirloom goes far beyond mere finances to the core of what makes you part of a much larger human connection. Enjoy this representation of the past and tell it’s story to your own children when you continue the tradition of the beaded bag.