Can these bags be fixed?

sarah-jane

sarah-jane

VFG Member
Hello all

Well, I must have 20 bags in the pile for processing now, and it's so tempting to put the ones with issues at the bottom - never to be seen again! So I'm here to try and save them from that fate.

First up, a dinky little number (60s I'm thinking) with a loose catch making it unusable - ie the pointy bit that clicks into the holey bit isn't staying clicked in. Wow, technical stuff girl.

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Is there a homespun way of fixing this? I'm looking at it and thinking that maybe a little clear nail varnish would tighten it up. I guess I could experiment and have the bag for myself to see if it holds if there isn't an answer out there.

Next, a snakeskin bag (find dating these tourist pieces so tricky - any help appreciated) with lifting scales. What should I treat it with?

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Thank you in advance - any advice most appreciated.

sarah-jane
 
On the first one, i would use a q tip or a toothpick to see if any residue is in the hole preventing it from locking in. Technically, I guess you can say anything that was put together can have parts interchanged, but unfortunately with this type of purse, there is probably padding on the other side and you won't be able to get to where this closure is unless you rip it out. The purse is not high end enough to handle any major work too it, materials wise. What about saving this one as a prop for photo or if you have a mannequin, using it as an accessory when you are displaying an outfit. Sometimes people see the "go withs" and want them too and if they ask, you can explain the issue and throw it in as a bonus or leave it up to them.

Some folks use a sparing amount of glue on a toothpick to fix lifting scales. This may not be the archivally approved method, but it makes it usable. Don't use Elmer's, but sometimes specifically for leathers, skins and fibers. Some use superglue, but I would wait for others to chime in. However, if there are only a couple lifting scales and they haven't broken off and you can only tell if you aggravate them/lift them with a finger and they aren't flopping in the breeze, I would be tempted to leave it and disclose. But wait for other opinions. Is that a leather of vinyl interior? If leather, I would try to condition the inside to see if you can get rid of the wording that is scratched inside the lining.
 
Thanks for the advice.

It hadn't occurred to me that there might be something in the opening, I'd assume that there'd been some metal ware along the line. I'll try digging around in there today. You're right about it not being high end! However, I have another with exactly the same problem, so still after solutions!

(I don't really have props - everything's for sale in the shop, and I'm not on line (yet) - hence my rubbish photos - not an art I've had to master (yet))

There are a lot of lifting scales, but they're not lifting so much that they're flapping in the breeze. It's a way away from losing any, but it does feel dry. It's a leather interior - the scratched in name is only the start, I've got an address in ballpoint pen in two places too!!
 
l use a q tip and pva glue, is washable and dries clear....l wouldnt use anything else...but be evry careful not to overdo it...

htth
 
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