A dance movement therapist,
Babcock began Cinbags, creating per-
sonalized beaded purses on antique
frames with beaded straps. Today, she
receives about 20 commissions for
purses annually.
A Cinbags' specialty is bridal purses.
Babcock designs a purse that ties in
with the bride's dress, so if the bridal
gown has crystal rhinestones or pearls,
the purse is made with crystals or
pearls, and the thread color matches the
dress. "I love to make these as a gift to
give at the bridal shower," she says.
Mother-of-the-bride or -groom purs-
es are also popular. Winston notes that
bridal purses are very popular, and
PERSONAL
CHALLENGE
By LISA BRODY
love to knit, usually on big, fat nee-
dles with textured yarn. I also enjoy
beading, and I collect antique beaded
purses, whose straps I have beaded.
On one of my visits to Bead Works in
Franklin, a light bulb went off, and I
decided that I would knit an antique
style beaded handbag as a special
keepsake gift for my daughter's 18th
birthday in January ... January 2004.
As a very experienced knitter, and a -91
competent beader, I wasn't too con-
cerned. Over the years, I have knit ve
intricate patterns, and have done
involved needlepoint projects as well.
Purveyors of Exquisite Linens
for Bed, Bath, Table and Baby
Monday thru Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Weekends & Evenings available upon request
4036 Telegraph Road • Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302
(248) 645-5223 phone • (248) 645-5227 fax
www.atouchoflace.corn
Today, I often prefer simpler knitting
patterns that I don't have to concen
trate on, but I was up for a creative
challenge. I didn't realize what a chal-
lenge it would become.
Today, most knitters use size 7, 8, 9
or larger needles, which easily accom-
modate textured yarns. To knit a purse,
I was given a quadruple-zero needle.
Yarn? Hah. I was given cotton thread.
If I didn't need reading glasses
before, I sure did now.
Also, speed was a hindrance here,
for every stitch and every bead must
be counted and checked. I can often
knit a few inches while watching a TV
Bead Works customizes projects for
customers.
At Bead Works, beaded straps are
still popular, although the long, decora-
tive straps that initially customized
antique purses are no longer hot.
"Now, subdued wrist straps
some
beaded, some just chain — are popular,
like 100 years ago," says Winston.
For those who love the beauty of
beadina b it's all in the bag
,
.
—
Pearls Of Wisdom
Bead Works, (248) 855-5230
Cindy Babcock, (248) 543-9158 or
cindybab@ameritech.net
show. With the beaded purse, one row
could take 20 minutes of concentra-
tion. And that was before I had to rip it
out and redo it.
I got almost half-way through the
purse before I discovered errors I
couldn't fix. Bead Works was happy to
help me rip it out and fix it. After the
third time, frustration got in my way,
and I put it aside.
I'm pulling it out again, mentally
ready to conquer the beads and pres-
Big enough to service you, yet small enough to care!
ent my daughter with this beautiful
Bill Yerke, 4th generation owner of
Yerke Floors, demonstrates that
sanding with the Atomic system is a
clean and classy act. Yerke Floors is
proud to be the first retailer in the
area to offer this advanced "truck
purse.
Maybe for her 21st birthday.
mounted" dust containment system.
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JNPLATINUM • FEBRUARY 2005 • 1 I