Kitschy minaudieres from designers like Kathrine Baumann and Timmy Woods are certainly unique but not exactly what I picture spending hard-earned cash on for this type of ornamental jewelry-like bag. Swarovski-encrusted Barbie heads and shiny Santa faces might be quirky and whimsical but aren't necessarily my style.

The debut line of luxury minaudiere ...

Timmy Woods does occasionally produce some genius bags. Lovingly constructed out of luxury materials, they are glossy and unusual and more like art than a handbag.

When not designing these purses, however, Timmy Woods has a strange fondness for novelty bags. With bags like this little Kris Kingle Christmas purse it is apparent that ...

Kathrine Baumann has gone all out to celebrate Barbie's 50th anniversary with the release of this three-dimensional minaudiere.

Kathrine Baumann's trademark Swarovski crystals help to recreate everyone's favorite plastic doll. Golden sparkling gems make up her iconic blonde mane, while blue stones give her eyes just the right sparkle.

This is a tiny ...

It sounds like a frothy concoction, but the Bubbles minaudiere from Inge Christopher is actually a sleek and chic clutch.

The misleading moniker comes from the champagne toned lambskin finish, which is every bit as luxurious as it sounds. The slightly shimmery skin is complemented by gleaming gold-toned hardware. With its structured ...

North Carolina Panthers fans can show their support with this fun purse from Kathrine Baumann.

The helmet-shaped clutch is covered in tiny Swarovski crystals. The white, blue, and black gems cleverly recreate the Panthers insignia on each side of the helmet. The luxurious look is completed with a splash of golden hardware.

The ...

With this sterling silver minaudiere, Celestina designer Tina Maristela-Ocampa shows us what her magic touch can bring to metal.

The brand is more famous for its abalone and mother-of-pearl clutches, but this gorgeous minaudiere is no less striking. In fact, by dabbling in an unexpected medium, Celestina ensures this evening purse really ...

Move over Judith Leiber; Kathrine Baumann is muscling in on your territory! Just like Judith, Kathrine creates some eye-catching, and unforgettable crystal minaudieres.

This head-turning beauty is the King Tut, modeled after the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. In rich styling befitting this rich boy king, his likeness is rendered in gorgeous gold. ...

You may not have heard of Tina Maristela-Ocampo, yet, but her Celestina clutches are quickly becoming some of the most coveted accessories in the world. The Manila-based designer uses the natural resources of her home city as inspiration and material. The purses, called "minaudières" are small, unique, and Anna Wintour included them in ...

In 2000 Kathrine Baumann launched Project Purple Heart, an initiative which looked to raise funds for the soldiers fighting so bravely for America's freedom. Nine years later the project has been revamped to pay tribute to a new generation of armed services dedicated to fighting the same fight.

These beautiful minaudieres are ...

One of my handbag ambitions is to own a Judith Leiber minaudiere. Their prohibitive prices and practical restrictions are a big stumbling block, but once I win the lottery I'm going to buy one of those gem encrusted beauties.

I'm not sure of the wearability of the eye-catching animal clutches she favors, ...

They say one man's trash is another's treasure, but it's almost certain that the person who donated a Betty Boop purse to a Goodwill store in Kettering didn't realize the rare gem they were giving up.

The jewel-encrusted minaudiere was one of only 2,500 handcrafted by Kathrine Baumann Beverly Hills. The designer ...

Some say fashion should be fabulous, frivolous, and fun. Sure there's a place for practicality, but if you want to really make a statement you need something as outrageous as this Judith Leiber minaudiere.

It's carefully crafted to look like foo dog, one of the ancient Chinese pups resembling a guardian lion. ...

When summer fails to be as hot as you had hoped, you will probably need a bit of a lift. This entertaining and novelty heart purse is just the thing to brighten your mood and bring some brand-name glitter to lazy summer evenings.

Mesh cases are guaranteed to add bling and dazzling shine to any bag, ...

Forget about wearing your heart on your sleeve. Now you can carry it in your hand, or sling it over your shoulder!

This La Regale minaudiere reminds me of Judith Leiber's cute clutch purses but it costs so much less. Sure there are no Austrian crystals here, but the luxurious satin ...

Unleash your inner goddess with this gorgeous Judith Leiber minaudiere.

Goddess by name and goddess by nature, this beautiful evening bag is encrusted with jet black baguettes. These large jewels, measuring three-quarters of an inch by a quarter of an inch, are guaranteed to turn heads.

The sides of the purse are covered in luxurious ...

Judith Leiber creates bags of unparalleled beauty, purses that are more than just fashion accessories. They're works of art. Just take a look at this proud peacock miniaudiere!

This majestic creature is made from multi-colored Austrian crystals and gemstones, painstakingly glued to create his vibrant feathers and three-dimensional body.

It opens by way of a push ...