Mardi Gras Beads and Purses

Katherine Watson here and ready to celebrate Mardi Gras! This weekend's preview is in Langley, on Whidbey Island. It's the annual Langley Mystery Weekend. This is the 36th year of mysteries! And this year's mystery occurred during the rehearsal for the mardi gras parade! I'll be there to put my sleuthing skills to the test, and I'm certain I'll follow the clues and solve the mystery. I've already figured out which purse to carry that will best set off my mask and beads, while being very practical. It's a beaded, vintage white and floral, Lumured purse. This one is from the 1940's. Just look at this amazing beading! The company started making these purses in the 1940's, but really amped up production in the 1950's, and some in the 1960's. The amazing beading will set off my mardi gras beads.

Katherine, let me, Moonjava enlighten with a little history. Mardi Gras actually started its story in medieval Europe.  And the practice of throwing beads was inspired by Renaissance festivals that took place before Lent, where revelers would toss things into the air to celebrate before the coming fast. In New Orleans, it started groovin' 300 years ago. Throwing favors out to celebrate started in the 1840's, and it was in the 1880's that glass beads got their start. As a proud flower child, I'm happy to report that the tradition of women flashing their breasts for beads began right after the hippie sixties - one of my favorite times in history.

The traditional colors of the beads are purple, green, and gold, which represent justice, faith, and power. Originally party goers would toss the beads to people who showed the colors' qualities. So ladies, know that you don't have to show anything more than your character to receive beads.

I'll keep that in mind MJ, in the meantime just look at the intricate, detailed beading on this purse. And although it looks like a straightforward pouch style, it's actually a two sided bag. That will give me plenty of room for all I normally carry on one side, and on the other side the clues I pick up along the way. The beaded handles are strong, yet flexible and very comfortable to carry either in the palm of my hand or on my arm.

The beading on the interior panel is very tight and strong, on a metal frame.

The beads actually shine a little in the right light, and the gold colored beads form the shape of small flowers are woven into the white.

Yes Katherine, the gold beaded flowers show your power in solving mysteries! And my meditation for Mardi Gras is - Let your heart speak to other's hearts

Bags, Basie, Ellington, & All That Jazz with Katherine Watson and MJ

The morning after a Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra celebration of the Battle Royal, when Count Basie and Duke Ellington Bands performed together in 1961. A sound-sational performance.

The '60's is MJ's adopted era - yes, she found herself and her name, Moonjava, in the appeal of the sexy sixties. As Purse Museum historian she'd tell you that The Count Meets the Duke album by American pianists, composers and bandleaders Duke Ellington and Count Basie with their combined Orchestras was recorded and released in 1961. If you listen to a stereo release of the album, Basie's band is featured on the left channel and Ellington's on the right. In the early ’60s, women coveted Hermès Kelly bags, Hermès Constance bags, or Chanel 2.55 bags. In 1961 women loved to carry the long, structured clutch handbags for evening events. I'm more of a hobo bag with fringe flower child.

What a thrilling performance by SRJO

Jazz calls for the sparkles of a beaded clutch, take it from Katherine Watson, amateur sleuth and international purse designer in fiction. This beautiful, contemporary clutch gets its glittery look from plastic specs that just pick up the light in such a pretty way, along with the glow of the sleek, silvery hardware.

And a slick, glittering back to the clutch that will sparkle in the lights at the concert hall, or in the moonlight of a clear night in the last echoes of a brilliant jazz concert.

And such a roomy interior considering the clutch style, not only in width but in length. And a handy pocket for your cards that you want to have easy slip access to. A beautiful evening that ended on a high note that echoed through the holiday weekend. Thanks SRJO!

And to see a real purse museum, plan a visit to Esse in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

                                                            

Valentine Puzzle Purse - Learn Its Mystery

Happy Valentines! What are you carrying Valentines weekend? Share a picture

Take it from me, Katherine Watson, novel amateur sleuth and international purse designer of Kat Out of the Bag mystery available in April, this is a sweet, frame bag to carry on Valentines weekend. Don't you love the hearts etched into the soft fabric? The handles and trim are patent leather with three eye-catching metallic hearts on the front. So romantic!

On the back, the convenience of a zip pocket to keep items handy. I use it for quick access to my cell

Inside, two small pockets on the front panel and a nice zip pocket on the back wall, and room enough for pocket, glasses case, and some small sundries in the interior

Substantial pull on the zipper that snaps into place on the side, above the etched hearts. Love it!

Dear Katherine, let Moonjava enlighten. As the historian at your Purse-onality museum for purses and women's history, I want to share the love and passion of Valentine Puzzle Purses. This is a picture of one dated 1826 and donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by a donor named only as Mrs. Richard Riddell in 1981. These were handmade, folded Valentines with the message of love revealed as they're unfolded. It all started in Victorian England, but also was gifted by Americans. Some of your bloggers may want to give it a try. You know meditation is my thing so here's mine for today - Love, compassion and kindness are the anchors of life

And to see a real purse museum, plan a visit to Esse in Little Rock, Arkansas.