eBay Guides - Mary Frances handcrafted Purses

Mary Frances handcrafted and hand beaded handbags are a fabulous addition to anyone's handbag collection whether you are looking for a purse for a special occasion or something to make you stand out on a daily basis!

Celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson have carried these hot bags.

I will review history of the line, trends in the style, and how to ensure you know what type of bag you are buying.

WHY WE LOVE THE LINE:

Are you getting married and want a bag that stands out like you will for the ceremony or honeymoon? Do you want a fabulous party bag to hit the hot clubs? Are you going on the vacation or cruise of a lifetime and want a bag to match? Do you like having a bag that you will not see everyone at the mall or PTO meeting with? Do you collect art and want a bag that is its own piece of art? Fun and fancy free, a Mary Frances bag will set you apart from the crowd and let you express your artistic inner glam and style! Hand beading ensures a unique and stylish look that will truly make a bag which is "Beauty... to be held!!!"

HISTORY:

Mary Frances is a resident of the California Bay Area. In the 1980's she began designing handbags in her living room. In the 1990's she began her focus on handbags and created a line of bags and accessories. In the 90's she created lovely bags as well as other now hard to find accessories such as bottles, belts, and jewelry with her distinctive look.

Her original lines were broken down between the "MOTIF" line (hard sided, heavily beaded), the Purse line, also usually hard sided, possibly shaped and the Fabric Bag line, which are soft sided bags with hand beadwork.

Original hang tags were varied in color and shape and included a silver "Motif" tag, a purse shaped white tag and a long black tag.

The first bags did not all include the dust "sleeper" bag, only the Motif line did.

Some of the most unique bags were the shaped or figural bags which included favorites such as shoes, cats, butterflies, bunnies and for the Holidays, santa's and snowmen.

CURRENT LINES:

Mary Frances releases 5 lines each year - Resort/Spring, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter/Holiday. With each release, production is stopped on a number of styles, which then become highly collectible and sought after. Here are some examples of items from each of these lines over the past year. These purses are called "Rock On" and "Flamingo Paradise"

Also in 2007, Mary Frances released a new line called "Street" which has its own unique hang tag. This line was created to be a very current line to be used 24/7. These hot bags are characterized by a large size, practical heavy duty shoulder straps, and great materials such as leather and patterned beaded cotton. This bag is from the Street line and shows these characteristics:

Also the current line includes beaded purse accessories such as cosmetic mirrors, pill boxes, and business card holders as well as cell phone holders, keychains, belts and scarves, known also as My Tie's.

Here are some samples of a beaded Business Card Holder:

No matter what you are looking for, and for what occasion, Mary Frances has a purse or accessory to make the occasion special!

HOW TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING - sources of Mary Frances Handbags:

On eBay you can find three major types of Mary Frances Handbags, each coming from different sources.

Direct from Mary Frances NEW handbags- the only true "NEW" handbags on eBay, as in never used, or displayed are those from Authorized Mary Frances retailers. These retailers purchase directly from Mary Frances. Mary Frances has a limited number of sellers who act as her online retailers, and each of these is approved and monitored by Mary Frances so that her standards are represented. From these retailers, you will receive a brand new bag, usually in its original wrapping, that has never been out of the packaging except for photography. Bags purchased from Authorized Retailers have limited warranties from Mary Frances and the retailer can have bags repaired, sometimes replaced and in general Mary Frances will assist the retailer with problems. ONLY Authorized retailers have direct access to Mary Frances. This status can be proved by authorized retailers

Secondary Market handbags - these bags may or may not have tags, may or may not have been used and may or may not have damage and missing beads. While possibly less expensive, these bags are not from Mary Frances directly and may have been purchased at department store sales, or from a liquidator (who is a large company that buys damaged and returned bags from large retailers at pennies on the dollar, usually because they are used or have slight damage). The term "new" may be used, however these bags are not truly new. When purchasing these bags be sure to ask the following questions:

A) what is the source of this bag?

B) how has this bag been stored?

C) does it include all original tags including the Mary Frances logo hang tag, the metal logo tag which is on a chain link and the sleeper bag?

D) does it have any damage and are all beads intact and attached firmly?

E) what is your return policy?

F) if damage occurs after use, what is your policy?

Used and/or collectible handbags - these bags should be labelled as "used" in the category specifics section. These bags may be long retired and unique and collectible. You may be able to get a classic bag that is rarely found. You also may be able to get a great reduced price, if you are willing to accept a few flaws. As with the secondary market bags, be sure to ask the above questions. Also you should ask if this was a personal bag or is being sold by someone else, and, if important to you, if it is from a smoke free home.

FAKE or Non Frances bags - if someone uses the term "like Mary Frances" please note that this is NOT a Mary Frances handbag and should be reported to eBay as it is not allowed on eBay to use the liscensed name to attract buyers. Also if you are concerned that a bag you have purchased is NOT authentic, email an authorized retailer who can research the bag with Mary Frances for you.

How to know if the bag you purchased is a true Mary Frances:

Mary Frances hang tag - there should be a Mary Frances hang tag attached. These tags have gone through several revisions. I will do a later guide on hang tags
Mary Frances metal logo tag - all bags since approximately 2004 have metal oval hang tags attached with a metal chain.
Mary Frances logo dust cover/sleeper bag - all bags NOW include a black sleeper bag with the Mary Frances name and or logo on it in while and/or gold. The bag should fit the purse you purchased as bags come in various sizes.
Mary Frances sewn or glued in tag. This is usually a white label with the Mary Frances signature on it.
NOTE Mary Frances small purse accessories DO NOT have tags and are not marked. They should have a small black and gold tag somewhere on them which says "made in the phillipines". Also only the Cosmetic Mirrors come with Frances supplied bags (black velvet).
If you are not positive it is authentic email an Authorized Mary Frances Retailer - we can help!

Summary:

Ebay can be a GREAT place to find that special purse handbag from Mary Frances. Do your research, buy with care and soon you will be the new owner of a beautiful unique item that will bring pleasure to you and possibly become a family heirloom.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions on any Mary Frances handbag or want to know more please see my Mary Frances handbags in my store at:

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