LaReeca Rucker

I’ve always had a soft spot for quirky vintage treasures — especially if they sparkle. And one of my absolute favorite retro obsessions? The whimsical, jewel-studded box purses of the late, great Texas designer Enid Collins.

If you’ve never fallen down the Enid Collins rabbit hole, be warned: it’s a delightful trip. Her iconic 1960s wooden handbags — playful, hand-painted, and bedazzled with rhinestones — are tiny, portable works of art. Each design has this charming, cheerful energy that just makes you smile.

I’ve collected a few of her original purses over the years, and I’ve even dabbled in recreating my own Enid-inspired designs. But recently, my inner DIY gremlin got restless.

While wandering through a local antique store (translation: my natural habitat), I stumbled across a dusty old wooden cabinet that looked like it had been forgotten in someone’s garage since the Nixon administration. It was plain, unremarkable — and for some reason, it reminded me of one of my favorite Collins purse designs: the aptly titled “For the Birds.”

You know the one: a sweet, stylized row of graphic birds perched along a line, with bejeweled feathers and quirky charm radiating from every painted curve.

So naturally, I thought… why not turn this cabinet into a giant Enid Collins purse? A few hours of painting, and my cabinet was transformed into a cheerful, midcentury-inspired homage to one of the most iconic designers of the 1960s.

Now, every time I walk past it, it makes me ridiculously happy. It’s a little reminder that art can live on in unexpected places — even on forgotten furniture rescued from a dusty corner of an antique store.

Moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of retro inspiration and a good bird motif.

Have you ever upcycled furniture with a vintage twist? Or maybe you’re an Enid Collins fan too? Email me at the link above.