Lometan Phyllis Poehlmann has long worked with beads and vintage-style purses. Earlier this year, she received awards for her creative work at the county, district and state levels. Phyllis Poehlmann has worked with beads since she was 13.

Her interest in the art form, coupled with her love for vintagestyle purses, enabled her to receive statewide recognition earlier this year.

The Lometa resident is a member of the Bend chapter of the San Saba County Extension Clubs.

Mrs. Poehlmann began collecting vintage purses in the 1980s after her husband's grandmother gave her a purse from the 1920s. "I started making reproductions of vintage-style purses in 1995 when it became necessary to restore some of the ones I had acquired," she said.

Last May, Mrs. Poehlmann participated in the annual meeting of the four Extension Education Clubs in San Saba.

She explains: "One of the activities at the county-, districtand state-level meetings is the Cultural Arts Exhibit Competition. [The] objective is to establish a broader understanding and awareness of arts -- to create expressions and to expand artistic abilities to the club members and others."

Participation in different forms of art gives Extension Education Club members an opportunity for personal growth, inspiration and enrichment, Mrs. Poehlmann said.

Her vintage-style purse received a blue ribbon at the county level, and a blue ribbon and best of show at the district level.

Mrs. Poehlmann's entry then advanced in September to the cultural arts event of the TEEA state convention in Corpus Christi, where it received the grand champion ribbon.

Completely handmade except for its frame, the purse contains more than 3,600 beads. The purse bodice is knitted using size 10/0 seed beads and cotton perle.

"This technique is called knit beading, which was a popular method for making beaded purses in the 19th century and into the early 20th century," Mrs. Poehlmann explained.

The fringe is composed of bugle beads and crystals, while the handle features crystals and pearls.

The frame is decorated with handmade flowers made from silver precious metal clay and overlaid with 24-karat gold and set with cubic zirconia stones. The purse is lined with satin.

Samples of Mrs. Poehlmann's work can be seen on her Web site at www.PhyllisPCreations.etsy. com and include a wedding purse with 9,600 beads.

In addition, she has researched the history of antique beaded purses and has given talks about the subject to various groups.