I used the original 1912 Irish Opera Bag to make my bags but I used a larger cochet hook
to make them a bit larger and I lined them. I make different colored bags but black
or white bags plain or with accents of different colors are my main stay.
For an example, view the images in my store by clicking the store button at the
top of this page.
The lining is satin (wedding dress satin), hand sewn in place, with
either bought fancy handmade trim or rhinestones chains or embroidery trim on the top of the LINING.
The pull handles are satin ribbon. Top of the CROCHET BAG has fancy handmade crochet trim.
The bag is a medium size bag so you can get a bit more in it then the original but not a lot.
This bag should be treated like an evening handbag. It is not meant for your daily handbag
but for special occasions like tea with your friends. This bag looks great unless you over
fill it so it no longer looks flat and it looks out of shape. This bag will last a life
time or will go through generations if you keep in mind it is fragile and that it won't
take abuse for very long.
EXAMPLE OF WHAT TO PUT IN THIS BAG
In a plastic snack bag you put your driver's license, proof of
insurance, your beer/tea money and your lipstick. You do this because it is easy
to get your items out of the bag and if the lipstick cap comes off it doesn't ruin
the inside of your bag. There are three free gifts that come with this bag. Small hankerchief,
a few handmade Victorian calling cards and a small pen. The pen was used to put contact
info on the calling cards, or the Victorian ladies would have the cards printed with contact info.
They would never leave home without a handkerchief. You can add a small comb or hand fan but
that is about it.
There are 13 hand crocheted balls, that I made or had made using
fiber or a felted wool ball for the filling on most of the bags but I did use a few
clay rhinestone balls. I used a 1.9mm crochet hook. Most of the thread/floss was DMC size 5
but I am starting to use different manufactures thread like Aunt Lidia and Golo and different
thread sizes.
If I think of more to say about these bags I will update this page. If you have
questions email me. asf0@comcast.net
I am 73 years old. I am the only one that is making these bags for sale. I do not have a warehouse
full of these bags. All the bags are hand crocheted by only me for now. (Some of my crocheting
friends have expressed interest in making them.....but we will have to see.)
Just so you know, the crochet part of these bags takes me 40 hours to complete. I charge $10.00
an hour so you can see these bags are $400.00 just in the time it takes just to make the crochet
part. It takes a few more hours to make the satin linings and other finishings. I am suppose
to charge $400 to $600 for them but I want everyone that wants one to have one so my price will
be either my regular price $299.99 or my current sale price for each bag.
I do not do repairs. I will not do custom orders..... but it would not hurt to email me and
ask anyway. If the project seems interesting I just might do it.
Due to some customers that bought my bags, used them for an event then wanted to send them back
for a full refund, I now sell my bags as "as is" and "no returns". My bags are so lovely. It is a piece
of history. Ladies on the Titanic had them. These bags were very popular among the Victorians.
I gave some of my friends a free a bag and they just loved them and so will you.
Each one of my bags comes with three free gifts. Handkerchief, a pen and a few calling cards. These
are the things the Victorian ladies really carried in these bags. Opera glasses too, but you get
those on Amazon.
Cheers,
Alice
...
...
...
...
...
....
...