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Looking for a fun and eco-friendly DIY project? Try making rustic and natural bracelets using plastic grocery bags! This is a great way to upcycle those bags and reduce waste. All you need are some basic tools and materials, like scissors, glue, and of course, the plastic bags. Simply cut, braid, and glue to create your own unique and stylish bracelets. With this simple yet creative project, you'll have a set of bracelets that are not only fashionable but also environmentally conscious. So why not give it a try? Enjoy making your own one-of-a-kind plastic bag bracelets!

Creating the Braid Using Plastic Grocery Bags

Instructions:

1. Prepare a plastic grocery bag by removing any stickers or labels.
2. Cut both sides of the plastic bag to make it a long rectangular shape.
3. Fold the plastic bag into thirds and cut it into three pieces.
4. Make strips: Layer the three pieces on top of each other and fold them in half. Cut them in half again.
5. Repeat the process twice more.
6. Tape the top of the strips together to secure them. Now you have a large tassel.
7. Attach the top of the strips to a clipboard, if you have one, to make braiding easier. Divide the strips into three equal sections and start braiding a 3-strand braid.
8. Braid until you reach the desired length for your bracelet (approximately 7-8 inches depending on wrist size).
9. Tape the end of the strips together and cut off any excess plastic bag strips.

Creating the Bracelet

Instructions:

1. Using fabric glue, wrap jute cord around the plastic braid.
2. Keep wrapping until it is completely covered. You will have a jute cord wrapped stick (bracelet base).
3. Take two different sized coconut shell beads and layer them. Thread hemp cord through the buttonholes.
4. Place the coconut buttons in the midpoint of the jute cord wrapped bracelet base. Wrap the hemp cord around the jute stick and tie a knot. Use fabric glue to secure it.
5. Repeat the process to attach a small coconut button to one end of the jute cord wrapped stick.
6. Create a loop closure: Cut a 36-inch hemp cord. Fold it in half three times and tie a loop knot.
7. Place the hemp cord loop on one end of the jute cord wrapped stick.
8. Using fabric glue, wrap a jute cord around the hemp cord loop to secure it.
9. Now you have a loop and button closure jute cord wrapped bracelet.

​​​Please note that any crafts or DIY projects should be attempted with caution.

Recycling Plastic Bags at Retail Stores

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 This item was born out of a need to find simple, inexpensive, and green packaging for a line of beer-based soaps.  I sought inspiration by walking around stores and checking out soap websites to get package and display ideas, but nothing felt right until that old adage “less is more” came to mind. Coffee filters were easy to work with, economical to buy, and, being fully recyclable, environmental.
  
 Packaging always poses both opportunity and problem. It sets first impressions, and speaks to the quality and value of what is inside as much as does the product itself. Yet, it can also be expensive, wasteful, and all too often anti-environmental.

This durable, food-grade, and recyclable solution strikes the balance of elegance, price, and environmental consciousness. Using coffee filters offers a green option for attractively packaging small items and gift-ideal amounts of candy.

"Coffee Filter Treat Bags" was published in GreenCraft Magazine (Spring 2014)

How To Make Coffee Filter Treat Bags

This is an easy, inexpensive and environmental way to make many small treat bags. It might be too obvious to explain how to make it, but I'll show you what materials I used and give you some tips. 

Size #4 Coffee Filters
I like this size #4 coffee filters. The size #2 is too small and the size #6 is too big for my sample size bar soap.  This is a perfect size for my small soaps. 

Materials