Charmingly Retro Purse

Figure A

Steps:

1. Mix 1 part textile medium, 2 parts gold iridescent paint, and 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Prepare another paint mixture in remaining spray bottle, using same measurements but substituting turquoise paint for the gold.

2. Remove existing handle from black satin purse and lay purse on covered work surface. Shake gold paint mixture well, and spray black purse overall. Repeat with turquoise paint mixture. Let dry. (figure A)

Figure B

3. Squeeze a thin 4-inch-long line of gold paint onto parchment paper. Squeeze a line of textile medium directly next to paint. Roll rubber brayer across lines to mix. Offload a little excess paint onto parchment paper, and then roll brayer down center front of purse. Lightly run brayer down the left, then right side of purse (figure B).

4. Allow purse to dry completely; then heat-set by placing clean parchment paper over purse and ironing for 2 minutes.

Figure C

5. Lay gold chain-link purse handle across top edge of painted purse. Determine chain length needed to serve as base for charms. Remove unnecessary links with jewelry pliers. Using gold metallic thread, stitch the ends of chain link to the left and right side seams of purse (figure C).

Figure D

6. Alter the silver tone of the keepsake charm to a gold/bronze tone by applying metallic wax rub-ons. Fix with matte spray sealer. Cut a rectangle from the marbled paper to fit within frame area of keepsake charm. Use clear sealer to glue paper into frame area. Cover marbled paper with an even layer of clear sealer and place iridescent face bead in center (figure D). Let dry.

Figure E

7. Open a jump ring with jewelry pliers, loop keepsake charm onto jump ring, and attach ring to center link of sewn-on chain. Continue attaching charms of choice till chain links are filled as desired (figure E).

Figure F

8. To create purse handle, thread one end of tiger tail wire from bead handle kit through two crimp beads and one lobster claw. Pinch crimp beads closed with jewelry pliers to secure. String selected large green beads, blue/green/gold beads, and spacer beads onto tiger tail wire to desired length (figure F).

Figure G

9. Finish handle by attaching remaining crimp beads and lobster claw, and pinch crimp beads closed. Trim any excess wire. Attach beaded handle to existing loops on upper corners of purse (figure G).