Fabulous and versatile, rigid-bodied box purses were popular in Barbie’s early years.  Mid-century vintage box purses were often made from lucite (acrylic), wood, wicker, or metal.  The variety and combination of materials were dizzying compared to today.  In this class, we will use contemporary materials to recreate a specific type of faux-basket purse popular in the 1950’s-60’s.  Unlike purses made entirely of acrylic, this type of purse mimics a basket but closes with an acrylic lid.  In vintage examples, the lids are generally white with painted decorations in a limited color palette.  Novelty patterns such as travel, nature, animals, and rococo revival were popular.  Surface decorations often included flat back rhinestones and plastic floral or faux-pearl cabochons typically found in costume jewelry of the era.