Thursday, February 26, 2009

That vintage look keeps grabbin' me!









Well today was a productive day for me. I finished up two of my purses from my unofficial "vintage" collection.

Exhibit No. 1: The Singing Nun.

Okay, I just couldn't help myself on this one. Hopefully someone else out there thinks this cover is as comical and entertaining as I do. ;-) I mean that cute turquoise-colored moped and the rosary beads flying off her shoulder as she zips down the street- Love it! This record album purse is made from the actual "The Singing Nun" soundtrack album, released in 1966! One side features the cover and the other side the vinyl album -- with a great MGM center graphic. And since I don't like to waste good stuff, one side (the record) side is "lined" with the back of the album cover, in this case a scene from the movie -- young kids being given a talking to of some sort from Debbie Reynold's nun character. I WANT that moped . It goes perfectly with my blue vw bug. Ha-ha. The Singing Nun was rescued from the Goodwill. What a find.

Exhibit No. 2: Gaite Parisienne Ballet 1956 a/k/a the fab can-can girl from paris

How great is this can-can girl! This record album purse is from an album released in 1956 that is a classical music recording featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra. When I saw the cover, I knew I had to have it and make a purse out of it. So I bid on Ebay and she was mine. She should be flaunted around, don't ya think? And the little cartoon graphics surrounding it are priceless. One side features the cover and the other side the vinyl album -- with a striking black white and red center Columbia graphic. And since I don't like to waste good stuff, one side (the record) side is "lined" with the back of the album cover. This has information about the orchestra, the composers and conductor.

People ask where I find my albums. A lot of people assume the albums fall into my lap (so to speak) at the Thrift Store, etc. But I spend a lot of time looking for just the right cover or graphic center. Sometimes I do get lucky at the Thrift Store, but there are times when I spend a lot of time looking thru bin after bin at different shops only to leave empty handed. (Note to the ARC thrift store, could you please raise your shelves just a tad higher. That level is murder on the back! ;-)).

My best source is Ebay. That also involves a lot of sifting thru page after page of pictures, then the bidding and the crossing of fingers with hope that the album looks as good in person as it does in the picture. When it finally arrives in the mailbox, and if it's just as I pictured, the fun can begin. With the can-can girl, I'd say I got pretty lucky. And, you know, the Singing Nun, that could have been divine intervention (considering).

11 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! I saw one of your items on Etsy's recent listings and I've fallen in love with your record purses. I don't you if you use Flickr, but if you do...I'd like to invite you to post your purses to my "The Devil Wears Etsy" group:

    http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedevilwearsetsy/

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  2. hi brinda, im borrowing your yellow bag for my yellow collection post, i know my bestfriend would love it=) here it is if u have time: thanks

    http://theshopbug.blogspot.com/2009/04/they-were-all-yellow.html

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  3. Holy cow i am loving the vintage purses! These are going on my forever growing wish list of things i want and things i want to get other people! cute cute cute!

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  4. Very cool--I didn't realize these were made of album covers! I always see them in the used bookstore and want to put them to good use---glad you are upcycling them! love your stuff!!

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  5. Love the can-can girl!

    Can't get enough of my bag! My SRV friend loved hers! She has a great source for records that I'll send your way!!

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  6. Your purses are so lovely! I love the parisienne one... perfect for strolling the market streets with a baguette tucked under my arm ;)

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  7. If you find the album covers from thrift stores, do you have to do much cleaning before you turn them into a purse? The covers I've seen in thrift stores always look so ugly, faded and soiled...

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  8. I really love the vintage - very drawn to it myself

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  9. To addictivecreative - yup, i always have to clean the albums - usually window cleaner works well.

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albums on deck

  • Petty Girl Pinup Vintage Albums
  • Queen - JAZZ
  • Sing With the Four Roses Society (a vintage fave)