Xhale Designs

Welcome to one of my current passions. I am not and have never been a frou-frou person, but I absolutely love old beaded purses. The more beads, the better.

The purses I craft are based upon an antique 7-point star purse pattern which had no instructions for a top, finishing or attachment of handles/drawstring. They are crocheted in a continuous spiral. That means the beads have to be strung before beginning the purse, and if it uses multiple colors, I have to string them according to the pattern, but from the top down, backwards order. This technique is much more rigorous and less versatile in modification than loom weaving, peyote or similar needleweaving methods.

Blooming Flower

Based on the 8-point star pattern with an original floral design. I moved from monochrome to 6 colors with this one and it took a while to get it charted out. I thought I would have trouble with the stringing so I didn't have to go back and rework it. I can always break off extra beads with a pair of pliers, but I can't add beads without taking off those behind it - all of them. Stringing the pattern went well and I only had to remove one extra bead.

I added a design to the drawstring sheath at the top and am pleased with the results. Needless to say, this one has 50+ hours into design and production.

I was pleased to have this purse win Needlework Grand Champion at the 2008 Wyoming State Fair and Crochet Grand Champion at the 2007 Weston County Fair.

Materials:

size 20 pink Cebelia cotton crochet thread

size 10 transparent seed beads in three shades of green and three shades of purple

Measurements:

Body: 8" long x 4-1/2" across top

Main tassel: 7" long

Drawstrings & tassels (layered): 11" & 10" long undrawn

$425

Pink & Aqua

Eight(8) point star pattern with a design inspired by a vintage purse I received for my anniversary in 2004. It took me about thirty-five (35) hours to complete this one. I added zig-zag fringe below the drawstring sheath. The top is undulating, but less so than the Sunflower & Royal Purse. Tassels are untwisted. I used 5 hanks of beads on this one, which is over 16,000 beads!

I was pleased to have this purse win Judges' Choice and Grand Champion at our local county fair in 2006.

In 2007, it won 2nd place at the Wyoming State Fair.

Materials:

size 10 pink Cebelia cotton crochet thread

size 10 transparent aqua blue seed beads

Measurements:

Body: 7-1/4" long x 5" across top

Main tassel: 5-1/2" long

Drawstrings & tassels (layered): 11" & 10" long (undrawn)

$379