Artist Irene Reed ‘Queen Elizabeth’ crochet purse
Irene Reed’s Queen Elizabeth Purse
about The Purse Museum
from the private collection of artist and gallery owner: Vicki Schwager
I love to discover, preserve, and share these purses and bags of the past. Many of my favorites are handmade in the early 19th - mid 20th century, and especially from the Art Deco era.
As the collection grows there is less space . I have discovered smaller treasures from the mid 1700’s - 1840’s. You can find these detailed on my sister site: RegencyPurseMuseum.com
—click on pictures to enlarge and use arrows to scroll—
I hope you enjoy the many collections. Each piece is a new discovery.
My First Irene Reed Purse
Irene Reed Japan inspired Purse
Irene Reed Matise Inspired Purse
Chrysler Shoe Purse By Irene Reed
Irene Reed (1946 - 2012)
Artist Irene Reed holds a special place in my heart, and in my collection.
I discovered her work years ago at an Art Show Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was stopped in my tracks by her artistry, creativity, and imagination. I couldn’t leave without one. Years later I was fortunate enough to be able to carry her pieces in my contemporary craft gallery.
The Queen Elizabeth purse you see above, was one of two pieces she created for the Smithsonian Institution's Traveling Exhibition of Miniature Tapestries. That collection traveled the world : Threadworks: Miniature Textile Art (Traveling exhibition) (1988-1991).
Irene was a self-taught Hartford-based mixed media fiber artist. Her specialty was crochet, (she invented the 3-dimensional stitch).
Shoe designer Stuart Weitzman commissioned Reed to crochet 12 sculptural shoes for his Manhattan window display. She was named a ‘Master Craftsman’ by the Society of Connecticut Craftsmen.
