Ambitious WIP wire crochet beaded purse

[Kathleen]

I needed something that is small and portable, plus time consuming for the hours spent at the hospital, so I decided to make another purse.

This project takes forever, but it turns out so beautifully when its finished. Takes lots of muscle, and bandages for the tension finger, but here's what I've done so far on my newest wire crochet bead purse.

Its 30 gauge silver wire with glass beads. Size 3 steel hook. 3 beads per sc on RS only (thread hundreds of beads on the wire first, and when you run out, you thread hundreds more) --the return row doesn't have beads. I've given you a pic of the front and the back just to see what it looks like so far.

The last few purses I made, (that I didn't give away) were sold in boutiques in Los Angeles for $350 each.

Well, this is what I've done so far.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Bagpipes/112_1242.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Bagpipes/112_1243.jpg
Wrong side Right side close up


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Bagpipes/112_1238.jpg

WIP right side.

[CraftyChristine]

:faint

Wow! That most certainly is ambitious! For the price you're fetching for your bags, it definately seems worth the work, though I'd get some extra cushiony bandages for that tension finger!

Beautiful job!

[Woven N Spun]

WOW! That is a lot of work. Looks cool though.

[threeolivemartini]

very nice !

[kariholtz]

Wow Thats great!:cheer

[jaclim]

WOW!!!! I admire greatly your patience! I'd like to try wire crochet someday but only for jewelry. :-)

[viviskins]

Holy cow! You go girl!:cheer

[rebeccav]

GORGEOUS! would you be willing to do a little one for a fee???
i'm interested.... will you PM me?

[emeraldmoon]

THat is soooo cool looking...

[kat]

:eek WOW! thats nice!

[mumbles17]

thats very cool! I did a littlw wire crochet - I know what you mean- its just rips your fingers up!!!! ( but the results are worth it !!LOL)

Fiona

[Rosesandtea]

Pretty amazing!

[Julie]

Ooh Kathleen that is so beautiful!! :heart

[phatballet]

That's gorgeous. I learned how to loom bead several years ago but gave it up because I was too impatient. I can't wait to see the finished bag.

:-)
Denise

[123mama]

I think it is neat.:) I like things made with beads

[MiCountess]

Beautiful
Michelle

[lauravee]

That is certainly ambitious of you, I am really impressed! I cannot wait to see it all done.

[Tiffany]

Stunning!!! :c9 I can't wait to see it finished! It's going to be amazing!!

[crosette]

OMG....that is beautiful...I'm dying to crochet w/ wire but don't really know where to start....

[crochetingRev]

wow wow wow.....

[ZingyZoid]

That's awesome! I don't think I'm up to that kind of project yet, lol.

[MommaChelle]

Wow!! That is really great!!

[dennymare]

Very nice, I crochet with beads but not with wire I can see why the tension finger might need bandages. Great job.:cheer

mary

[mythunderbird]

kathleen, those are so beautiful:drool :drool :drool :drool man you do fantastic work. and that is so awesome that you are able to make them and sell them. they look like a lot of work, so is nice that someone appreciated the time and effort, not to mention the money,(Beads are expensive), you are awesome girl.:hug :hug :hug vicki

[Msbarjam]

Very very pretty!

[Carol]

Incredible, Kathleen! I am in total awe!

[Marine_Wife]

That is soooo pretty. I'm so impressed that you would make another one after the first.*grin*

[bythehook]

That's beautiful!

[MorMonsen]

WOW, that's beautiful! I have never seen anything like that before.

Eva

[sem464]

Wow, very impressive!:cheer

[Frangipani]

WOWSERS! That looks great. I tried to crochet with wire and beads a few weeks ago. The woman at the shop told me I needed 26 gauge wire but it's still too stiff and came out wonky.
That's great that your bags sold for that much! I think that's totally worth it for how much effort it takes.

great job!!
Bec

[Kathleen]

Thanks for all the great comments everyone. Yep, the wire tears up your tension finger, but you pad it well and keep going. The thinner the wire, the easier to crochet. I found 30 gauge is the best because it is pliable enough to work with, but strong enough to not break.

The wire is very cheap (if you buy it in the florist section of the craft store, and not the jewlery section) The beads are a little pricey at about $4 a bag, and you need about 10 bags. Its also a good idea to have a pair of jewlery pliers/wire cutters. The pointy tips are great for twisting sections where the tension went wonky (you CANNOT frog a wire project without comprimising the strength of your wire)

This is a pic of the beads I'm using:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Bagpipes/112_1236.jpg

And this is what the supplies look like before I started.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/Bagpipes/112_1231.jpg

Well, I'll post again when I get more finished.

Thanks again for all the nice comments!

[Nashville Crocheter]

Wow!!! It is beautiful. Don't think I have the patience to string all those beads.

Good work!

[nwbondlady]

Your work is great!! Very pretty. How long have you been doing that kind of crochet? It is just beautiful. How many hours does it take for one of those? I would love to try a little project to see if it is something I like. :cheer :manyheart :cheer

[rsisland]

WOW ! ! ! looks awesome

[upmom]

that is beautiful! I wish I had just an ounce of your patience! I'm glad to hear that your hard work is appreciated in the fact that you can sell it for what you deserve!

[cinfulkarmah]

:drool Terrific! How on earth do you assemble them? Do you end up lining them and putting handles and such on them?

Do you have any pictures of some of the ones you have made previously?

[msjett]

That is beautiful !!!! I'd love to learn your technique for that...although I have a feeling I would have beads EVERYWHERE! And with a three year old..that's probably NOT a good idea ! :(

Amazing work ! :manyheart

[Jocee]

All I have to say is WOW:yay I would not even know how to even start doing something like that. Do you make your chain first then put the beads on or do you put the beads on before the chain? Seems kinda confusing. But very good job. That is also a great idea for a lipstick holder to :0) Or a thing to hold your sunglasses in. Wow there are so many ideas you can do with crocheting beads, I must learn how to do that.

Okay so who is going to teach me? LOL:devil

[Kathleen]

Thanks Again everyone!

:drool Terrific! How on earth do you assemble them? Do you end up lining them and putting handles and such on them?

Do you have any pictures of some of the ones you have made previously?

I assemble them by folding it using a flap top. I crocheting along the edges adding beads with each stitch so you don't see the wire. I make a long-- short--or no handel (cluch style) I've also made removable handles, though its difficult to find the hardware for this. It all depending on the preference of the client/friend I am making it for. Most people like a long handle/shoulder strap. It is also a beaded crochet strap that is unlined. I DO line the purse with black/white or pink velvet, depending on the preference of the client/friend.

Well, I'm almost done with the body of the purse, now to assemble and make the handle.