S9 Ep14 BAG CRAP: Amanda Marcuson, the founder of BAG CRAP, a vintage bag charm brand - on upcycling trinkets and vintage toys into one-of-a-kind handbag charms.

On today’s show, we’re chatting with Amanda Marcuson, the founder of BAG CRAP. Bag Crap is a vintage bag charm brand built on nostalgi and individuality

Amanda is a longtime vintage collector, with a love of treasure hunting that grew over the years as she spent countless weekends at estate sales, thrift stores, and flea markets searching for quirky items.  She became a luxury handbag resale expert turned designer and charm curator. She uses vintage keychains and repurposed toys to transform nostalgic items into playful one-of-a-kind bag charms that celebrate sustainability. 

Her business experienced the bag charm boom – she's been featured in several issues of VOGUE, GQ, and Nylon, and worn by style icons like Tracee Ellis Ross and Gabriella Karefa-Johnson.

But Amanda feels in her heart that her one-of-a-kind bag charms, made from trinkets found all over the world, are more than just a trend item – we get into it all! It’s a fun one, and I think you’re really gonna love it –  so let’s dive right in! 

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

• [5:43] How Amanda’s obsession with vintage handbags really began.
• [9:21] Was Beanie Baby the first resale trend craze?
• [13:04] While at FIT and in her fashion internships, Amanda was always crafting and upcycling. 
• [17:33] She learned about authentication and running a small business while working in the luxury handbag resale industry, including at The RealReal and Heritage Auctions. 
• [24:24] When the bag charm started to take off. 
• [31:51] We’re hungry for the little things that make us happy, even just a charm on your bag that communicates your individuality!

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

• @bagcrap
• Bag Crap
• “Vintage-lovers on Louis Vuitton x Murakami”
• Miu Miu kicks off the bag charm boom
• Lori Hirshleifer
• After Hours by Kiara Cooper
• Don’t Let Disco

LET’S CONNECT: 

• 📸Instagram: @emilymstochl
• 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl
• 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl
• 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/ 
• 🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

• Patty Weber
• Kathy Brand
• Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
• KT 
• Lydia Welp
• Michael A.
• Megan Morris
• Jennifer
• Alana Rivero