Pure Kitcsh...

I'm so thrilled that my "Ocean and Orient" purse was sold right after I posted it here!! I have a pile of material waiting to be made into purses, and will be starting that today.

In the meantime, I've been experimenting with a new trend in eco-friendly home crafting - working with recycled plastic grocery bags! There are two well known methods of re-using these ever multiplying household items. One is fusing them into a thicker material that can be sewn into clothing or accessories, and the other is to cut the bags into strips and crochet or knit with the plastic "yarn", which is also called "plarn".

I had an abundant supply of grocery bags in the house, so deciced to give the crochet method a whirl. The end result was something very different from my elegant but fun yarn handbags, but interesting. I discovered that the weight and natural tan colored grocery bags from one of our local markets worked the best. There's something about the feel and look of those that looks less "plastic" and less stiff than others.

Anyway, at first glance, one might think the finished product is woven grass or straw. And, in indoor lighting, it's really difficult to tell the difference! Naturally I couldn't just leave well enough alone, so I dressed it up with funky ribbon, jute ribbon flowers and glass beads. I even used recycled fabric for the lining, and faced it with heavy duty interfacing to give the bag body and shape retention. I even installed a magnetic closure to keep valuables safe.

Here it is, with not a serious bone in its body! It's just pure fun, "trash", "Kitsch", wild and crazy, and ready for shopping, going to the beach, or whatever....

Ultra fun embellished PLARN purse:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25961210

Etsy shop:

http://www.gladraggz.etsy.com/

Shophandmade shop:

http://www.gladraggz.shophandmade.com/

1000markets shop:

http://www.carpetbaggercreations.1000markets.com/