Okay, here we go! Let’s talk about my little adventure with antique handbags and purses.
So, it all started a few weeks ago. I was cleaning out my grandma’s attic – you know, the place where lost socks and forgotten dreams go to die? – and I stumbled upon this dusty old trunk. I wrestled it open, and BOOM! A whole stash of vintage handbags and purses. They were gorgeous, but also kinda sad, all tucked away like that.
My first thought? “eBay!” But then I figured, hold on, let’s see what these things are actually worth first. So, I started digging. I mean, really digging.
The Research Begins
- I took a ton of pictures of each bag. Every angle, inside and out. Close-ups of the hardware, the lining, any labels or markings. Lighting was key – natural light is your friend!
- Then came the fun part: Google Image Search. I uploaded those pics and started hunting for matches. It was like being a detective!
- I checked out a bunch of antique purse websites and forums. There are some serious handbag nerds out there (and I mean that in the best way possible!). They know their stuff!
It was a slow process. Some bags were easy to identify – the brand was clear, or I found similar ones online pretty quickly. Others were a real mystery. Faded labels, weird designs… I spent hours poring over details.
Cleaning and Restoration (Attempted!)
Some of the bags were in rough shape. Dusty, stained, a little musty smelling. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to clean antique leather and fabric. Turns out, you gotta be REALLY careful.
I started with a soft brush and a gentle vacuum cleaner to get rid of the loose dirt. Then, for the leather bags, I used a special leather cleaner and conditioner. For the fabric ones, I tried a mild soap and water solution, spot cleaning very carefully. Emphasis on the “very carefully” part! I definitely learned my lesson on one bag where I scrubbed a little too hard and faded the color. Oops.
Pricing and Selling (Maybe?)
Okay, so I’ve identified most of the bags and given them a gentle cleaning. Now comes the tricky part: figuring out what they’re worth. I looked at completed listings on eBay, Etsy, and other online marketplaces to see what similar bags had sold for. Condition is everything! The better the condition, the higher the price.
I’m still debating whether to actually sell them online. Part of me wants to keep them! They’re like little pieces of history. But I also know that someone else might appreciate them more. So, for now, they’re carefully wrapped up and stored away, waiting for their moment to shine.
Lessons Learned
- Antique purses can be surprisingly valuable.
- Research is KEY. Don’t just assume something is junk.
- Cleaning requires patience and a light touch.
- Handbag nerds are awesome and helpful!
So, yeah, that’s my antique handbag adventure in a nutshell. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. And who knows, maybe I’ll become a handbag expert myself one day!
