PURSE NEWS
We are always looking for more purse stories to add to our web site. Would you like to write an article or do you have one we can use? You can submit them all using this online form.

Reuse and Recycle – article by Barbara Catanese
Says Barbara: Even if I had been accustomed since my childhood to the idea of reusing, my wardrobe being based mostly on my cousins’ pre-worn clothes, I didn’t take much note of this process, as it was something perfectly natural to me. When I became a collector I...

Perle fur Perle II – by Sabina Schurenberg
There was a PowerPoint Presentation given at the APCS Gathering in Charleston on 10/13/23. It offers highlights from Sabina Schurenberg's soon-to-be-available book, it is her third and final venture into the history of German beaded purses. To view the Powerpoint...

Purse Drawings from 1920’s – 40’s
Our very busy Kathy Gunderson has come upon a collection of purse drawings that may interest you. Here is Kathy’s message about this project: To: APCSFr: Kathy GundersonPurse DrawingsI received a message from Lucia Clerici (APCS member) about a friend...
Plastic Purses – article by Wendy Dager
From (the always-entertaining) Wendy Dager of The Vintage Purse Museum: As promised, here's the link to the article I wrote about plastic handbags for The Vintage Purse Museum. It's very long and there were a lot of complexities (which I tried to simplify because I'm...
Beaded Bags from the Erzgebirge (Germany)
Beaded Bags from the Erzgebirge Author: Bettina LevinOriginally appeared in The Bead Society of Great Britain Journal #140Summer/Autumn 2022Posted here with their permission German APCS member Bettina Levin has written several articles for the Bead Society of Great...
The Torse Bead
Surprise treasure - the TORSE BEAD Author: Vicki Schwager So.... what is it? And, why would a purse collector want it? “Torse” is French for twist. A torse bead is a twisted metal bead, more precisely a twisted French Steel Bead. Some silver and gold ones are...
Member Profile – Frieda Piechnick
Although hers looks like a lifetime collection, Frieda Piechnick only started collecting celluloid purses 7 years ago. She makes purses for some of her purse frames, and they are works of art. This is a bit about Frieda along with some jaw-dropping photos you won't...

Member Profile – Lisbet Sjoberg
Lisbet Sjoberg found her way from Sweden to the United States in 1965, at the age of 21, with $300 to her name. Before Lisbet arrived, her sister lived in Washington D.C. and worked at the embassy. She helped Lisbet get a job at Holiday Inn in Baltimore. After...
History of a Purse Maker: Schwestern Landsberger to Marketa
A few years ago I bought a micro petit point purse that has a sterling frame with marcasites and tiny pearls, and scrolled initials on the clasp. It’s very well made. The interior tag reads: Schwestern Landsberger Wien IX. Porzellangasee No. 43. In the pocket is a...
Looking for a way to catalog your collection?
Looking for a way to keep track of the purses you have in your collection? Need a way to sort the list by type or age? Try this spreadsheet created by APCS member Kathy Gunderson