1) LOOK THE PURSE OVER CAREFULLY
Aside from any obvious holes or missing fringe,
be sure to check for additional holes, old repairs,
or loose stitches. It helps to use good lighting and
even a magnifying glass. The old repairs can be the
most difficult to spot if you aren't used to looking
for them (click on the picture at right for more details)
If the purse has no liner, it will be much easier because
you can look at the backside of the beadwork and spot
any holes. You can do this by simply turning the purse
inside out to examine it. This is also the best way to spot an old repair, as you will see the little patches of fabric that were used to back the beadwork. You may also just see a "pinched" together area with a bunch of criss-cross stitches known as darning. As far as the look of the repair, it is up to you to decide what you can live with. However, it is always best to remove the sloppy repairs.
2) LOOK FOR GLUE
This is about the worst thing that can happen to a lovely beaded purse. Nothing is more heart-wrenching than finding hard glued spots throughout the beadwork. I am finding this more and more common, as some people saw no other way to contain a fraying hole. Glue is never easy to spot with the eye, as you have to feel for it. Many times it can be found in the beadwork underneath the hinges, and of course down by the fringe. It can also be found up along the frame line. Be sure to handle the purse and feel for hard spots. It will feel much different than a patch behind the beadwork, and once you feel it, you will be able to see the damage it has done. The glue penetrates the fibers of the silk, making it hard and translucent. If the area is large and obvious, I will need to cut it out and repair the hole properly.
3) CHECK THE FRINGE
I have often received purses that were described as needing just a few fringes replaced, or a small section of fringe filled in, only to find that the entire fringe is unstable and in need of replacement. The fringe is the most delicate part of the purse, which is why it is often damaged or completely missing. If you have missing fringes, take the time to test the integrity of the remaining fringe. Do not worry if you end up breaking one or two in the process since it is going to be repaired anyway. Just give a gentle tug on the rest of the fringe in random places to test its strength. If they break off easily, then it is best to have the purse re-fringed rather than have to continually send it back for more repair.
4) INCLUDE ANY BEADS FROM THE PURSE
If you have any beads that fell off of the purse, most likely from the fringe, please be sure to include these in a small sealed envelope. I have a pretty big supply of antique beads, but I cannot begin to tell you how many colors have been produced over the years. Sometimes I cannot find an exact match, so every bead is precious if it is a match to the purse.
4) REMOVE YOUR INVENTORY TAGS
Many of my clients keep little tags or notes inside their purses that have all the information of where and when they purchased the purse as well as the price. Please remember to remove these before you send the purse, keeping a note to yourself to replace it when you get the purse back. I work on many purses at a time, in a small workshop, and though I keep every client's purse catalogued and dated, I cannot keep track of the little slips of paper that fall out of them.
5) TAKE "BEFORE" PICTURES
I repair so many purses, that I do not have the time to photograph them all before I begin work. At this point, I am only photographing repairs that I intend to post on my website for reference. If you want to have a record of what your purse looked like before repair, please take several shots of it before sending it off to me.
6) PACK YOUR LITTLE DARLING WELL!
Perhaps the most important step of them all! This is
your treasured beaded purse, so it should be packaged
as such. Tissue paper and bubble wrap have been the
most common methods used thus far. The most
important thing is to insulate the purse from the edges
of the box, and to make sure it does not slide around
in transit. This is how further damage happens, as fringes
break off, and holes can be torn open. Steel beaded purses
are the most subject to damage simply due to their
construction. Many of my clients send their purses
packed flat between two cardboard sheets. They simply
place the purse between bubblewrap and then between
the cardboard and then tape the cardboard together; this
is really the best way to pack a steel beaded purse (click on the picture to right for directions on how to flat-pack your purse) When you are ready to send, always insure and add delivery confirmation.
