craftzine.com:

CRAFT Newsletter for July 27, 2007

HOW TO - Make Plastic Bag Yarn, Tips for Crocheting with Plastic Bags, Plastic Grocery Bags into Knit 1950s Outfit, Fusing Plastic Bag Tutorial, Fused Plastic Bag Tote with Octopus, Plastic Bag Jewelry by Anna Roebuck, Plastic Bag Crafts Roundup on Treehugger

Hi Crafters,

We all know how bad plastic grocery bags are for the environment. Coming this fall, the city of San Francisco will be first city in the U.S. to take a stand and ban plastic bags.

It's time we all step in and take part in this important issue. For the bags you do have in your kitchen drawer or cabinet, why not have a little fun and get crafty with them? Here's a special newsletter filled with craft projects and inspiration on the things you can make from plastic bags. Sew 'em up, cut them into strips for knitting or crochet -- the possibilities are endless!

Cheers,
Natalie Zee Drieu
Associate Editor, CRAFT Magazine
www.craftzine.com
nat@craftzine.com

From the CRAFT Blog

HOW TO - Make Plastic Bag Yarn

Helle of Gooseflesh who makes amazing crochet sea creatures has a tutorial up on how to make your own yarn from plastic bags. [ via ] Link.

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Tips for Crocheting with Plastic Bags

Purse Bag
Cindy of My Recycled Bags sells her cool crochet bags and products made from recycled plastic bags. The site is full of information and resources about crochet and other crafted recycled bags. Her tips open up your creativity to incorporate plastic bag as yarn projects for almost anything. Cindy says, "Speaking as a crochet crafter, I have found that many existing patterns can be made using recycled plastic bags as yarn. Just remember to use a large hook and check your gauge on the product. Purses, rugs, placemats, and totes are normally excellent products using plastic bags." Link.

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Plastic Grocery Bags into Knit 1950's Outift

Cathy Kasdan of Clevland, OH and I were emailing back and forth a bit yesterday afternoon regarding my post on the knitting machines. Then my jaw dropped when Cathy sent me this beautiful photo of her finished thesis project -- a handknit 1950's style ensemble made from plastic grocery bags. Cathy is currently finishing up a Master's in textiles at Kent State University and her thesis is based on consumer culture.

Cathy writes:

The dress is all hand knit from grocery bags that were the result of actual trips to the grocery store. As soon as I told people I could use their old bags for a project they brought them in by the bag full, I received thousands! The plastic grocery bag came about in the 1950's along with futuristic optimisim about America, so I made a "typical" 1950's ensemble complete with pillbox hat and purse, not pictured. I am going to have my pieces in an art show on recycled art at the School of Art Gallery in downtown Kent along with a group of other people beginning April 19th.

Cathy Kasdan doesn't have a web site yet, but recommends to check out more amazing trash turned into fashion at the website, Haute Trash. - Link.

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Fusing Plastic Bag Tutorial

Amanda at Etsy Labs has a great tutorial showing you how to fuse plastic bags so you can refashion those plastic grocery bags into cooler looking totes! Link.

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Fused Plastic Bag Tote with Octopus

This beautiful fused plastic bag tote complete with octopus design is made by Betz White who's been doing some amazing experiments with plastic grocery bag fusing. Thanks to Ansley's post I was reminded that I hadn't posted it up yet! It's been fun to see the progress Betz has been making and TreeHugger has taken notice too with a write up about her bags as well. [ via ] Link.

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Plastic Bag Jewelry by Anna Roebuck

Treehugger has a great story about artist Anna Roebuck who makes jewelry from plastic shopping bags.

From the article:

The bags and other materials are collaged together, using heat to bond them. Each piece is built up in layers, gradually creating an intricate design. They are then formed in to different shapes, using specialist tooling.

Read more in the Treehugger post here. - Link.

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