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Unique Plastic Bag Crafts
Plastic Bag Crafts Ideas and Resources
Crafts made from plastic bags are fun and easy to do yet can be so beautiful. Here you'll find examples of plastic bag crafts from mandalas to purses and shoes (yep, even shoes). I'll include photos, how-to videos, materials, resources, and valuable links.
Want to know what to do with those darn plastic bags? Well, sit back and be amazed at the creativity of these wonderful artists -- yes, I believe they are true artists in every sense of the word.
2/6/11 This lens was just awarded a Purple Star! Woot!
Photo: Mandala by Virginia Fleck
Plastic Bag Mandala
Plastic bags can be beautiful
Virginia Fleck is an artist that is creating beautiful mandalas and other items out of plastic bags. Below are a few of her mandalas. You can also see more at her website, Virginia Fleck
Plastic Bag Polar Bear
Don't think recycled plastic bags can be beautiful? Well, this wonderful Floral Necklace, created by Helle Jorgensen proves they can be.
To see more of Helle's work in plastic bags and tapestry wool and other media, check out her website at Gooseflesh
Plastic Bag Hand bags and Accessories
Purses and accessories made from plastic bags
Angsty Teenage Ego Warriors is a group that Virginia Fleck works with. They create other beautiful art and accessories like the 2 hand bags and top below. You can read more about them and their cause at Angsty Teenage Eco Warriors. To see more of their creations, click More Angsty creations on Flickr
Handbags Made From Plastic Bags - Reuse Those Plastic Bags
Check out these wonderful shoes made from plastic bags at Botas Dacca
It's amazing to me how these can be created from recycled plastic bags.
Polar bear made of plastic bags (185Queens on Flickr)
Videos: Cool ways to reuse plastic bags - Plastic Bag Craft Tips and Technique Videos
This nifty needle pad or post-it note pad is made completely from recycled plastic bags, styrofoam vegetable trays and fabric scraps taken from old clothing. What a great idea!
For complete instructions on how to create your own pads, click Art and Craft from Recycled Materials
Where to Recycle Plastic Bags
If you can't use plastic bags, recycle them
Recycled plastic bags are used in composite lumber, new bags, pallets, containers, crates and pipes.
To recycle, simply take your dry, clean plastic bags to a recycling center which are located at retail stores and government municipal recycling centers. Many retailers and grocery stores (i.e. Safeway) have bins for recycling of plastic bags.
Click her to find a drop-off location by state: Recycling centers by State look-up.How To Make Hand Bags Out of Plastic Bags - Plastic Bag Purses and Hand Bags
This is a good how-to book on making handbags out of plastic bags.
Plastic Bag Craft Books - Learn How To Create Crafts With These Books
Bag Made From Purina Cat Food Bag
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Unique Plastic Bag Crafts
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This work is covered by copyright and can not be reprinted
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Copyright 2010-2012 Frankie Kangas All rights reserved.
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What a great selection of things to make.
Wow! I'd always wondered if this were possible, but never thought the results could be so beautiful. Many thanks for creating this lens.
helle jorgensen's work is amazing! How does she do it? That's art! Thanks for sharing! I Liked your lens!
Woww beautiful plastic bag crafts, so many wonderful ideas and a way to recycle. I've seen water bottle crafts but never with bags. Awesome page :)
- Author
@jenny-archer-9: Thank you. "Got me thinking" is just the type of comment I love to get. Thanks for the visit. Bear hugs, Frankie
great idea,got me thinking.
Thanks for sharing these information.
Such a fun lens to come back to and refresh the blessing on, posted this to FaceBook for you too. :)
its great idea,...
its great idea,...
- Author
@Gr8fulGirl: Thank you for the kudos. Bear hugs, Frankie
Thanks for the great craft ideas! I just added you to my "featured lenses" list on my newest lens :o)
I never say "No" to a good craft project and this is a very interesting idea! Very creative and environmental friendly!
I think making neat things from plastic bags is so good for the environment. Thanks for sharing these ideas!
Sweet
Useful items. Thanks!
Awesome Lens; Love it, especially the mandala.
What a very very cool lens! I blessed it right off the bat. I love the idea of recycling plastic bags and had NO idea that so much fun stuff could be done with them. Very nicely done. I love your layout too.
OMG!! I watched every single video....just what I need, more projects that I think I need to try. LOL
I actually made bracelets and necklaces for each of my 3 granddaughters for their birthdays last summer. Here I thought I was being ingenious but you have a video showing them. Yep, I put beads in and all!
I have bags of bags that are already cut into strips but haven't made anything new with them for well over a year now. I don't know why, all my bags sold about as soon as I made them.
I also have uncut ones stashed under the kitchen sink. I really must try the fusing plastic things and see just how a bag will turn out!
I had to share this on facebook and pin it too.
I had never heard of people making these sorts of things from plastic bags...how clever!
This is a great lens. I love the idea of reusing plastic to create something useful and beautiful.
very cool ideas...thanks for sharing :)
I wouldn't have known some of these amazing crafts were made of plastic if you hadn't mentioned it!
Who would have thought... Some of these items look amazing, like the Polar Bear family. Nicely done, now maybe the landfills won't get so choked up with plastic bags.
I love the Polar Bear! *blessed
I really like so many of these ideas - especially the Purina pet food bag! Great job on this article and kudos on making the upcycling monsterboard!
This is really incredible what people can make out of plastic bags. WOW! :)
{{SquidHugS)
Sending you a high five for these great ideas to use plastic bags. I'm adding it to my How to celebrate Earth Day article, hope that's ok:)
So excited to find this! I'm always saying I need a way to use those bags (besides used kitty litter), and this just gave me an awesome idea. Thanks!
Great lens, I make wreaths using plastic bags.
Awesome designs from plastic bags, enjoyed this lens , and the jewelry crocheted is amazing. *Blessed
Incredible plastic bag crafts. Some of the jewelry looks crocheted!
I created a Christmas wreath for my son's school last year. I used hanger then I just added white green plastic shopping bag around around it with a touch of glitters...There so much you can do with plastics..
How cool!
Thanks for the idea. Very creative!
This is a really cool Lens, I had never thought about using plastic bags for crafts, but this have given a few ideas that I'd like to try out. Love the necklace craft!
Whether we like it or not, plastic bags are here to stay ... atleast for some more time ... and while they are around, there are many good ways to put them to use. Your lens lists some very interesting ones!
Îi,
I just wanted to say that I created some fabric by fusing plastic bags. It really is a brilliant idea!
My creation is slightly clumsy because it was the first time I did it, but the colours and the shapes are wonderful. You can do so many things with this material destined for the garbage. It can be very creative and artistic. And practical too, since you can make things of everyday use.
Thanks for the ideas.
P.S. Something that requires a little bit of attention is the temperature of the iron. Some plastic bags need a higher temperature and more time, whereas others need a lower temperature and less time. I guess this comes with experience.
Wow, filled with fun, entertaining, and interesting things here! glad I found it this morning.
I've bookmarked this for future reference. Great resource.
Very creative use of plastic bags . . love those polar bears. Good to recycle them and find other places for them other than landfills and oceans. Congrats on yet another purple star . . wow. Sincerely, Rose
Wonderful stuff but still say plastic should go. *-*Blessed*-* and featured on Blessed by Skiesgreen 2012. Hugs
Nice lens! Thanks so much :)
I have a santa made out of plastic bags that I just got out for christmas
My friend does plastic bag crafts, she calls it "plarning" - pretty cool lens!
Thanks for the video that showed me how to fuse the plastic I was afraid to try it without seeing it done now I am confident. I loved your lens lots of good ideas
Excellent lens, I love the polar bears photos! Great ideas on recycling those plastic bags.
Very nice lens!
Amazing ideas for repurposing plastic bags. Anything to keep them out of our oceans and the stomachs of wild animals. Appreciated this focus on greener living. Thank you!
great ways to recycle plastic bags ... :)
Wow the Plastic Bag Polar Bear is just too cute
Woo hoo! Love these ideas! What a creative way to keep this blasted plastic out of landfills, and worse, our oceans! Love love love the polar bears! Blessed!
Oh wow! I've never thought of these! Thank you for sharing :)
Very nice ideas!
I give it the number 100 like to this beautiful lens.
- Author
@fugeecat lm: LOL It is darn scary that not only did they have enough to make the polar bear but there are millions more plastic bags floating around.
I think the polar bear is a little creepy. Its scary that there were enough plastic bags around to create a large sculpture with.
Impressive lens, thumbs up
Amazing lens--I never would have dreamed some of these things were made from plastic bags! There would never be a shortage of material!
I have featured you in my local blog post about climate change. At least some of the plastic can be put to reuse with your ideas here. http://dazedamazed.blogspot.com/2011/09/climate-ch...
@Franksterk: http://www.squidoo.com/bottom-up-lens-refresh...it is a monster of a lens, but helps me gather and rethink lens work as I go. my blog you can access from my lensmasters page: http://hubpages.com/@rhondasuedavis
- Author
@RhondaSueDavis: What is the url of your "bottom up leans review" lens? I'll check it out. Bear hugs, Frankster
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@RhondaSueDavis: Absolutely. I'd be honored. I took that photo at our local food store (Harvest Market) which sells organic, green, vegan, gluten-free, and other healthy items. They also do a lot for the local charities.
- Author
@RhondaSueDavis: Thank you for the kudos. This is definitely a colorful and creative topic making it easier than some topics to make easy on the eyes.
- Author
@RhondaSueDavis: Thank you Rhonda Sue.
May I feature this lens link on my blog post about climate change pow wow at the pet store (dazedamazed.blogspot.com)
It fits, especially with the picture of the cat food bag.
I've linked this lens of yours to my "bottom up lens review" lens today. It is an excellent example of the quality I hope to be able to attain in time.
I appreciate your "want to link to this lens" and "are you inspired to make a lens" sections, so readers know you are happy to be featured on thiers. I do think I would like to do this one mine as well. You have a great eye for presentation, especially with color. (in my never ending but hopefully humble opinion)
I do not think I would have the patience to make these, but I really think they are incredible, especially the handbags. I have seen these made into magazine holders in waiting rooms, and into very durable door mat or kitchen rugs.
I just love creative projects like these. Some would make great Girl Scout or even Cub Scout projects. Thanks for all the ideas and great documentation!
The Company that supplies Costco short grain rice in 25 pounds went from using industrial paper bag to industrial plastic bag, like your pet food bag. Can't wait to finish the rice and make a decent bag with it.
Super great ideas to keep some of that plastic out of the landfills, love it!
This is sooooo smart and fun. Had to bless this lens!
Yeah, well I found you because I didn't list 6 lenses on my title, only 3, allowing people with similar topics to be featured!! This is a cool lens, don't know that I'd wear the shoes, but what a clever idea! By the way, you were my 900th lens I've liked!! wow I read a lot.
OMG, I love all your lenses and this one is like all the others,amazing. Always looking for things to do with the plastic bags because there is no way I would ever throw them away!
I've been saving the big bags we get our bird seed and cat food in to make totes. Love these other creative plastic bag craft ideas. Blessed by a bus-tripping Angel.
I had no idea things made of plastic bags could look this nice. Blessed! :)
Wow, this is amazing stuff. Great lens!
Love the handbags and the jewelry!
Creative and beautiful art...
What clever ideas!! Love 'em!
Are you sure those shoes are made of plastics? They are beautiful. Very nice lens. It is really useful, nice way to re-use your plastic bags.
These are great ideas! I like the boots, the shirt, the purses and all. Soo cool. Reminds me of the duck tape crafts still going strong.
beautiful.............
i looooove the video for making the messenger bag! sooo useful!
This was amazing! I was not expecting such a lovely art work from plastic bags. Thanks for sharing such innovative ideas. Great work.
.....and congratulations on that pretty purple star!
Uniquely amazing and leave it to you to find a polar bear made out of plastic bags, way cool!
wow didn't know you could do so much with plastic bags thanks for sharing
fantastic lens about using plastic bags!
fantastic lens!
Wow. As the saying goes, "one man's trash is another man's treasure," I cannot imagine the beautiful things that can be created from trash bags. Thanks for shring. You are blessed with Angel dust,
These are amazing! I have tried crocheting with plastic bags, but this stuff goes WAY beyond anything I imagined doing!
Oh my goodness! such creative crafts with plastic bags! wow!
I saw an amazing puppet show by Mind of a Snail puppet company out of Vancouver, BC, in which they used plastic bags and other plastic ephemera. I love the plastic polar bear you've shown here!
Wow! These are COOL! Thanks for sharing!!!!
fantastic, i never considered recycling plastic bags before.
Terrific ideas of ways to reuse those pesky plastic bags that appear to grow and multiply while stored in your home! :-). I like the fact that you shared creative crafters' tips and patterns for creating usable items from plastic bags. Waste not, want not... as the saying goes! And as a crafter myself, I always appreciate and enjoy new ways to be crafty!
~~SquidAngel Blessed~~
Awesome lens, love the great ideas,Fantastic selection
Wow! These are amazing. I love your intor image. Blessed! http://www.squidoo.com/horseandpony-squidangel
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