Recycled Plastic Bags by CraftyKathi

Retiring the crochet hook...

2011-06-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

I have been using the same crochet hook for about 90-95% of my bags. It is treated like royalty and I panic when I can not find it. I have tried to find another "back-up" one but could never find any that came close. If you read the post below, you know I have recieved some treasures from my Grammie's home. My mother also brought back some crochet hooks. As we sat around looking at them we noticed something very strange. I have actually worn out my crochet hook. Seriously!! It is no wonder I could not find another hook to match it.

Here is a photo. They are both size 9 crochet hooks. The pink one to the left is one of the hooks my mother brought. The one on the right is my treasured hook. If you look at the top towards the "head" you will see the "neck is almost worn through. I still can not believe it. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? It is a first for me. Looks like I will be retiring the old one and break in a new one.

Gifts from Grammie

2011-06-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

Over Memorial Day weekend my mother went down to Florida to help my father's siblings go through my Grammie's home. While she was there they found loads of plastic bags. My mother asked if anyone would be intgeresed in them for the bag craft that she taught so many of us. No takers. So, she offered to send it ALL to me. Saturday, two large boxes arrived at my door. One box weighed 30 pounds and the other weighed 55 pounds!! Yes, you are reading correctly. That is a total of 85 pounds of plastic bags!!!

As we were lloking over the top of the boxes, my daughter seemed to like digging into the bottom. She said, "Mom, there is something black at the bottom". To my surprise at the bottom of the boxes were my Grammie's cutting boards, rotery cutter and original directions to the bag she taught me to crochet so many years ago. I could not speak. I just held the first cutting board to my chest. It was such a treasure to have a piece of her craft.

Believe me when I say they are not the thin ones you get at the craft store either. The black board below is 13 x 22 inches and is 1/2 inch think! I am not sure I will even use them right away...I may just hang them up like artwork. :)

Think Spring!!

2011-03-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

Well, here in NH we got a couple inches of snow for the first day of Spring. This does not stop us however from dreaming about the warm, sunny days of Spring. So, in honor of Spring here is a new item now available.... Picnic Baskets!! Store your plates, napkins, plastic cutlery and even a tablecloth in this handy bag!

Gift in the Mail

2011-03-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I recieved a package in the mail. Now, I had not ordered anything recently so I was slightly puzzled. To my pleasant surprise it was a gift for a woman who had seen the article in the paper. She sent me some newspaper plastic and a lovely note of encouragment! So sweet!

How many bags....?

2011-02-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

One of the questions I get asked all the time is, "How many bags does it take?". I have bowls that are about 22 bags and much larger bags which take 80-100 bags. This is hard to picture as you are looking at a finished product. So when my son Jadon held up a very large Target bag the last time we were sorting and said, "I bet you can make a lot with this!", I had a great idea. I would document exactly how much I can make with a very large Target bag....

So, this is Jadon. He is 12 and is just under 5ft tall. I then cut the bag and strung it into a ball.

Yes, you are not seeing things. The ball was only the size of my palm. What does this make? A key fob which measures 10 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide. I them fold it in half and secure it into the ring holder. Here is the finished product (with a couple of cut pieces left over)!

Concord Monitor Article

2011-01-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

So there has been nothing new in my little world of plastic bags as of late. I have been hard at work crocheting away to get enough product for the Just Be Boutique on Main St. in Concord. Then on Tuesday of last week (during one of the 3 snow storms that week) photgrapher from the Concord Monitor, named Katie Barns came to my house to see me in action. She wanted me to "just do what I usually do". So, I strung some plastic and crocheted while homeschooling my children. I am not sure how exciting that is but we had fun chatting with her. Then during Friday's snow storm we walked to the corner store to get the Concord Monitor. I was featured right there on the front of the local section. How fun is that? If you look to the right of the picture you will see the bags I use for grocery shopping. Yes, I really use them. :)

The article says, "Kathi Rienstra crochets items from plastic bags. She sells them locally and online on Ets. "It helps with school books and fid trips," Rienstra said. She gathers plastic bags from friends, family and grocery store recycling containers.
Top: Rienstra crochets a wine bottle holder from Target bags while homeschooling her son Grant Rienstra at their kitchen table in Concord onTuesday.
Left: Rienstra's crocheted bowls and bags are displayed on a shelf in her house. The bowl on the right took about 22 plastic bags to make."

Last minute gift ideas?

2010-12-20T06:26:00.000-08:00

Looking for that last minute gift idea for the special teacher, neighbor or friend? Here are some sweet little bags that are sure to please. Fill them with goodies to eat, pencils, gift cards, lotions, jewelry, or anything you can think of to make that gift extra special. This great gift bag measures 8.5x 4in tall(with a 2 1/4 in bottom). Get one now at Just Be Boutique in Main St. Concord, NH or order one today and have it shipped to your door.

In Loving Memory

2010-10-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

Well I have had a sad couple of weeks. My wonderful Grandmother died on Oct. 6th 2010. Her name was Doris Basha. She was the wonderful woman who taught me how to crochet plastic bags. She was always crafty and LOVED to make thing with her hands. She loved learning new crafts. I have early memories of her crafting something new each time we would visit. Along with my mother, she was my craft inspiration and mentor. She was originally from Greenville, NH but moved to Florida when she and my Grandfather did not want to live in the NH winters anymore. One afternoon, in the meeting hall, someone taught her how to crochet with plastic bags. On her next trip to NH she had a bag for myself and all her other grandchildren. I was so excited about this new craft I asked her to show me. She, as most grandmothers do, took the time to come to my house and show me step by step how to cut, string and crochet the plastic bags into bags. I was so excited that I made several of those bags and then designed several other bags, bowls, baskets, water bottle holders, clutches and so much more. I will continue to keep her alive through my bags and I treasure her with all my heart. Here are some of the wonderful pictures I have of her.

The last time my Grammie was in NH

Grammie and I with a bunch of plastic bag material. :)

Plastic Bags from Ecuador!

2010-08-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is correct. I have a customer who asked me to crochet plastic bags from Equador. She wanted a large bag. I counted 99 plastic bags which I cut, strung and crocheted. Here is how the bags looked before I cut them.

It came out so beautiful (this picture may not even do it justice). My customer was so happy she could not wait to use it. She even said that she was currently using a Louis Vuitton bag and is going to switch to mine. I love happy customers!! Here is the final bag.

Hooksett Farmers Market

2010-07-29T05:38:00.000-07:00

Just spent my first Wednesday at the Hooksett Farmers market in Hooksett, NH. It was a great location (Riverside St. by Robie's Store) There was a small steady flow of traffic for the HOT Wednesday in July.

It was a bit slower for me than I had thought but I am confident that I will have more people coming back the last Wednesdays of August and September to check out my interesting bags. I even have an idea for a Farmers Market bag! Going to have to come to the market to check them out.

New products for the spring!

2010-04-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

So, I have been going through my products and wondering if I can come up with anything new to present at fairs. Also, as much as I love making the bags, I DO need to challenge myself. Although I can crochet plastic just like I would with yarn, I am thinking a plastic sweater is NOT the product that would be a big hit...and loads of time to make.

I have heard that a mat for the door, tent, camper or dog bowl would be a great idea. I have made one and will continue to work on them with different sizes.

Another product I am pretty excited about is the wine bottle bag. Take a bottle of wine to your next party in this easy to carry bag. Your hostess will not stop talking about it AND they can reuse the bag to bring another bottle of wine to the next party they go to. TALK ABOUT REUSING!! It is a perfect fit for the environmentally aware! ;)

I premiered them at my last craft fair and sold three. One of those was sold before I finished crocheting it! How fun is that? I will be hard at work making more for my next fair in Dunbarton, NH on Mothers Day Weekend!

Brownie Troop 10380 visit

2010-04-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the honor of visiting a Brownie Troop in Pembroke, NH.

The girls have been discussing ways to recycle right in their own homes. I was asked to come and share what I do. I brought some of my bags and showed them how I crochet plastic bags. It turned into a crocheting lesson which usually happens but it reminds me of myself when I was their age. Thanks for having me girls!!

New website!!

2010-03-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Okay it has been months of planning...finding the right site venue at the right price and a whole lot of learning. I have created a website for my Recycled Plastic Bags. I think it came out pretty great. If you have any feed back please send it along! Thanks!
Recycled Plastic Bags by CraftyKathi

Trying something new.

2010-01-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

I am and have always been a crafty person. I love to look at a craft and see if I can make it. Last year I watched not one but two of my friends sit at their son's sporting event knitting socks. I thought they looked very comfortable and beautiful. I REALLY wanted to give them a try. Sadly, I crochet much better than I knit. So I tried...and tried...and tried. Christmas night I was very frustrated and on the verge of giving up. I decided right then and there that these socks would not defeat me :)I would not give up.

I worked hard for the next week and am proud to now show you the lovely pair of socks I made. I am SO proud of them. I wear them as soon as I wash them and I brag to anyone who will listen. LOL

So, try something new and DON'T GIVE UP!!

Tis the season...

2009-12-14T06:22:00.000-08:00

So the family and I are settling down now from the hustle and bustle of the last few months. This is when I start to enjoy the season, the weather and the time spent with family. The Christmas cards are slowly coming in the mail. The snow has been falling and the year is coming to its end.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to be a part of my last fair of the season at Beaver Meadow School in Concord. It was a great fair and fun to attend. I caught up with a customer of mine that I had done business with at other fairs. She had purchased bags from me for her friends but never herself. With a laugh she said this time she is ordering a bag for herself. She wanted a custom bag, which of course was no problem. In fact, here is a picture!

We spoke on the phone last night to arrange a meet up to give her the bag. Well come to find out not only does she live a couple blocks away from me but her sister-in-law is my neighbor across the street.

I love when things like this happen. It really shows how small our world is sometimes. I enjoy making new connections and friends along my crafty way. It brings me so much pleasure. May your holiday season be filled with friends, family, neighbors and strangers that help you make the most of each and every day!!

CraftyKathi at KAZA

2009-10-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

Looking for a place downtown Concord to find Recycled Bags by CraftyKathi? Well go on over to Kaza at 202 S. Main Street. The owner Lisa is great and her shop is so fun to visit. She has a sample of all my sizes and colors.

Bagel Works in Concord NH!

2009-09-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

I am proud to announce that my bags were part of a window display project in downtown Concord NH. It is all part of the "laundry list". The windows displayed recycled items to encourage a more earth friendly world, you know hang up your clothes instead of drying them in a dryer. My Recycled Plastic Bags were picked to hang at Bagel Works for about a week and a half. I heard they were a great topic of several conversations. Some wanted to buy them right off the line! My friend Lisa at Kaza who helped get my bags at Bagel Works will now have them at her store (more on that later:) along with several others. Can't wait!
Here are the pictures I took of the window display. Special thanks to Cynthia, Lisa and Bagel Works!

A few updates...

2009-08-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

First I wanted to post that we did raise $100 from the bag raffle to support the Out of the Box robotics team. The winners were Julie Buteau (small bag winner) and Sarah Kiernan (large bag winner) both from right here in Concord, NH. Congrats and thank you to all who participated!!!

Second, I have added a fair to my fall line-up. I will be attending the Colby Sawyer Family Fun Day on October 10th. I have never been there before and I am excited to be a part of it.

I have started a webpage if you would like to check it out. It is pretty basic right now and I hope to do more updates soon. I am excited to use the store portion of my website. It is http://recycledplasticbagsbycraftykathi.weebly.com

New Custom bag

2009-07-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

I got a special request a few weeks ago at the Concord Arts Market. Susan at Dancing Moon Pottery (www.dancingmoonpottery.com) liked the look of my baskets. She told me she would really like a larger version of it to take grocery shopping. The bottom of this large basket measures 12.5 inches. The sides are 8.5 inches tall. It cam out great. I even put 8 ears of corn in it to see how much room it would hold. Even with all that corn there was still room for some other groceries. I hope you like it Susan. See you on July 25th!

from Concord Arts Market

2009-06-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

Oh I had such a nice time at the Concord Arts Market. My first time outside, tent and all. I enjoyed many of the people walking by and the local artists I met. What a treat! I even had a woman bring me back some plastic bags! I look forward to next weekend and doing it all again. I may even have Jadon my 10 yr old son joining me (one of my biggest fans :)

Here is a pic of my set-up. I struggled with it for a while but I think I can improve it over time.

Fundraising Raffle now in progress!

2009-06-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

For more that 10 years now I have been part of helping others in my community. I have donated time at a local non-profit helping children and families. I have walked for Breast Cancer and my children just completed our first PMC Kids Bike ride for Cancer research. I was thinking how I could help raise money for those causes and community projects that are near and dear to my heart.

So, I have created a Fundraising Raffle section on my Etsy page to help raise money. I am thinking twice a year I will post some bags and raffle them off for a great cause. I am starting with my son's First Lego League team. FLL is a great program helping kids learn about science and technology while learning about teamwork, building confidence and problem solving skills. They borrowed a robot last year and are looking to purchase one for the team. I have two bags up for raffle and 50 tickets available for just $5/ticket. Purchase as many as you would like. There will be two lucky winners. One will receive a Large Tote and the other a Medium bag. Follow this link to purchase your tickets today and thanks so much for supporting this small homeschool team!! :)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26280628
Here are the bags up for the raffle!

Getting ready for some upcoming fairs.

2009-05-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend Kim from woofpurr creations (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6050281&ga_search_query=woofpurrcreations&ga_search_type=seller_usernames). I have a new banner. She helped me create a nice banner for my etsy shop and for the fairs I have coming up in June. I also have purchased my first tent. I am very excited about this. It will be my first outdoor summer fair and I can't wait. Remember June 20th and June 27th in Concord for the Concord Arts Market!!

I will be sure to practice putting up my tent with my husband this weekend. I want to make sure I know how it goes up and work on the proper weights in case of a windy day. I will post pictures:) Should be entertaining!!

Vote for Woofpurr Creations!!

2009-04-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

PLEASE!!! vote for my friend who makes wonderful earth friendly dog/cat toys. Seriously, I bought a toy from her and it is my dog Clara's favorite toy. (Clara is NOT a toy kind of dog but she will literally lay her head on this toy even when she is not playing with it:) Please vote for her on Etsy!! Look for the Woofpurr name at the bottom of the picture.
http://www.etsy. com/voter_ list.php? ref=voter& room_id=44

Keeping busy...

2009-04-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

So lately I have been super busy..aren't we all, right?? I am helping out the local non-profit that is near and dear to my heart - The Children's Place and Parent Education Center (www.tcpnh.org) with their annual auction/celebration. I make quilts for their auction part and help out with their auction book. This year I made a quilt to celebrate their 30 years in business.

As many of you know I homeschool my kiddos and we have been working hard to finish up the year. I think we have about two more weeks (Yippeeeeeee!!). It is just starting to feel like spring this week here in New Hampshire but we have had some really cold mornings. 30 degrees would be the warm for some of the mornings we have had. Last Saturday morning the kids wanted to ride bikes but their hands were cold..of course NOBODY could find their mittens/gloves. SO I have been working on mittens for the kids this week, I figure I better do it now so at least they have a pair to start with next year if nothing else:)

Yes, they are clowns. They asked if they could do "a funny picture".

The bags have not been as productive as I would like. I have not crocheted to many bags these last few weeks:( However, I have been catching up on my sorting and cutting when I can. I think I have sorted (with the help of my loving family) and cut about 500 bags in the last week. PHEW!!!

I sort them in bags by color.

The last 2 pics are my bags in crates before I cut them:)

Now...baseball season! All three of my kiddos are playing (different teams/age levels) Hopefully I can get some crocheting done during all those games and practices I will be attending in the next month or so:) By the way, I have been thinking about a new bag...messenger bags! Stay tuned!!!

New Baskets!!

2009-03-31T04:51:00.000-07:00

I have dabbled around in them before but I think these are by far my best so far. Measuring 8in round bottoms and 5.5in sides these baskets are sure to add something really great to any decor.

Dancing and sorting plastic

2009-03-07T07:42:00.000-08:00

The hard part of my job is by far sitting around the living room, taking a couple hundred plastic bags and sorting them. I have started to enlist the kids for help to make this process easier. I also think that event though they are VERY aware how much I recycle, this is a good opportunity for them to do is as well. I only ask for half an hour and some days like today are VERY entertaining. To motivate them I put on their favorite music while they sort. My son Grant decided to show off his dance moves. I hope you enjoy this video:)

Concord Arts Market? Follow up

2009-03-06T05:36:00.000-08:00

It is official! I just got confirmation that I will be part of the Concord Arts Market June 20th and 27! I am so excited. Katy Brown (founder of the market) does such a nice job. I browsed there last fall and couldn't wait to be a part of it this year. SO come on down to 33 Capitol St Concord NH, 9AM to 3PM and check it out! Now...to get a tent....hmmmmm.

More info at http://www.concordartsmarket.com

This week in bags...

2009-02-28T07:41:00.000-08:00

Each week I work hard to make a few bags. Some weeks are of course harder than others. This week I have been working on some smaller bags. My new tote ones are fast becoming my favorites. I really like the flat bottom and clasp. Here are some of the bags I finished this week.

Grocery list - ON A PIECE OF WOOD!

2009-02-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

So this morning was my weekly trip to the grocery store. I have an extra boy in tow alone with my usual three helpers because my nephew is spending a couple days with us. As usual I bring along my reusable bags for my groceries. I went about getting the food I need for the week. I have noticed more and more people are using canvas bags when they check out which always brings a smile to my face BUT today there was something I will not soon forget. As I was choosing some apples my 10 yr. old son Jadon whispers to me, "Mom, that lady has her grocery list on a piece of wood!" I looked up to see what he could be talking about and saw that indeed a woman nearby had a small rectangular piece of wood in her hands. Of course not being the bashful one I HAD to ask. She smiled and thanked us for noticing. She said she usually has a bigger piece of wood and keeps her list for the week writing the groceries she needs to buy, some notes to herself and so on. Then at the end of the week she puts it into the wood stove. How is that for recycling, reducing and reusing?? I simply LOVE this idea and had to share this with you. How can you reuse paper for your grocery list?

Concord Arts Market?

2009-02-21T04:55:00.000-08:00

I am very excited this year to be able to do the Concord Arts Market here in Concord NH. I had several conflicts with the fall dates last year and am SO EXCITED that Katy Brown (organizer) will be doing some spring dates. I have sent in my paperwork for June 20th and 27th. It has to be juried so I am waiting to hear if I will be there...fingers crosses. I am also organizing dates for the NH Etsy Street Team to have a tent there during the spring CAM. I am looking forward to meeting up with some more of the Team:)

Concord Arts Marketp: http://concordartsmarket.com/

Etsy NH Street Team: http://nhstreetteam.blogspot.com/

Plastic bags in the news...

2009-02-16T04:39:00.000-08:00

I was browsing news articles about plastic bags and came across this one. The date says 11/02/2009 LOL, considering that hasn't happened yet I am thinking they ment to write 1/2/2009. I am always interested in articles like this. Enjoy this small article. I found it at http://margaretriver.yourguide.com.au/news/opinion/letters/general/bravo-to-cutting-out-plastic-bags/1431025.aspx

Bravo to cutting out plastic bags
LUKE PETERSEN
11/02/2009 10:31:00 AM
CONGRATULATIONS and thanks to Margaret River Riverfresh IGA for committing to reduce the use of plastic bags in our town.
IGA has shown that business and communities can make plastic bags history while our State and Federal Governments sit back and watch from the sidelines.

Responding to a survey that showed its customers would support a levy to reduce plastic bags use, the Margaret River Riverfresh IGA will charge 10 cents for plastic bags and remove them from the checkouts.

The money collected will go to local charities.

The new policy starts on February 9, and for the first seven days IGA will give away 100 reusable green bags.

In addition, manager Debbie O’Connor reports that IGA will encourage the use of its green bags (which sell for an affordable one dollar each) by donating five cents for each one sold.

IGA has taken a significant and courageous step.

Now it’s up to us to follow.

Devise a strategy for remembering your reusable bags.

If you shop by car, make the car the storage place for your bags.

Empty them and put them back in the car.

Or hang them on the door knobs so they’re handy when you leave your home.

If you need motivation, remember that once a plastic bag escapes from the supermarket, it can end up as a serial killer in the ocean.

A fish or marine mammal that ingests a plastic bag, mistaking it for a jellyfish, usually dies.

The dead animal decomposes, but the non-biodegradable bag survives and floats off, ready to kill again.

Thanks again to IGA for giving us all this chance to help protect our environment.

NH Street Team

2009-02-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

I have been a member of the NH Etsy Street Team for a couple of years now. It is a group of crafters who all have Etsy in common. We are all creative people who enjoy crafting and we post items at Etsy to sell. This is a wonderful group of crafters who for the most part have only spoken online through our yahoo group (http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/EtsyNHStreetTeam/ ). Yesterday we had a meet-up for the first time. Our hostess, Katy Brown offered her Concord studio for anyone who could make it. I have to say...I was SO excited about this meet-up. I was excited about getting together with other crafty people. We were lucky enough to have a total of 10 women show up including myself. Each brought a sample of their work...this was by far my favorite part as I am a visual person:) Ideas were shared friendships were made and I really felt energized by them. I am excited to go to future meetings and meet more of the 80 crafters in the group. Please check out the blog and support these wonderful local artists at http://nhstreetteam.blogspot.com/.

Where have I been?

2008-12-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...it has been over a month since I posted. We have been SO crazy busy that I have not had a moment to sit down and write. So here is the scoop. The last 4 weekends have been none stop action for my son Jadon and I. I have been selling my bags at various craft fairs and Jadon is on the rookie Out of the Box team for the First Lego League Robotics competition. (I am SO proud - 2nd place for the state in their research presentation:-) Bag business was good this fall season. I had a couple of fairs that were VERY slow because of the economy I think. I am still loving the reaction I get when people walk by...stop...back up after reading my signs that these bags are made from plastic bags...then come to check them out for themselves. It is fun to watch over and over again. I attending Bow High School craft fair Nov. 22nd

and the Nashua Area Artisan Market Nov. 29th and 30th.

Next weekend I will be at the Loudon craft fair Dec. 13th 8-noon. Then rest, rest, rest and enjoy Christmas with family!!!

New Bowl design!!

2008-11-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

Another new design! I thought these bowls might be great gift ideas. I have been trying to think of new items to create with the plastic. Feedback welcome! Have an idea? Please feel free to share it!!! :-)

Totes!

2008-10-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

So I have been thinking of new designs for my bags recently. I thought a larger bottom would make a better bag. So this week I created these tote bags. The bottoms measure 15.5in x5in and the sides are 13in tall.
I added a strap and closer to the top so you can keep your things a little more private. I also added an extra row to the handle so you can stuff it full and not worry about how much the handle will hold. I am very excited about these bags I can't wait to make one for myself! (Which might have to be AFTER fair season:-)

Pictures from Warner Fair!

2008-10-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you April for showing my bags at the Warner Fall Foliage Festival. Sadly, there was a lot of traffic but not a lot of customers for April OR my Recycled Plastic Bags. The good news is a friend from the NH Street Team did VERY well in the arts and crafts section (April was in the Entrepreneur section). I am thinking I will do well next year in my own booth in the arts and crafts area. So look for me next year! Here is April at her booth!! :-)

Warner Fall Foliage Festival

2008-09-28T05:02:00.000-07:00

October is around the corner and I have been very busy trying to make enough bags for the upcoming Warner Fall Foliage Festival, October 11 & 12th. I am lucky enough to have the wonderful support of April at Akasha Massage and Bodywork. They will be at the fair giving chair massages. They have offered the use of their table for some of my bags. Well, I am excited to say I have finished 34 bags. I still have 2 more to do this week but I thought I would show you the bags I have going. My large bags are about 16x16in. The large/med bags are about 13x13. Medium bags are 12x12 in. Small bags are 10x10in. and tiny bags are 8.5x5.5in.

My next deadline is to make enough bags for the Bow Craft Fair in November....got to get crocheting!!!

5 more bags this weeks!!!

2008-09-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this was a bad week. On Wednesday night I had about 3 bags started and 0 completed!!! I ran out of two colors and had NO time to string. The kids did not want to work (did I mention I homeschool three children?) and my allergies seem to be serious about giving me a continuous headache. BUT I am happy to say that after putting myself to bed at 8PM on Thursday night (right after the kids were all tucked in:-) I managed to complete 5 bags for the week. PHEW!!!! It sure is interesting that they are so bright...a contradiction to how I felt. I am thinking that it is what got me through the week. I needed the bright colors to lift my spirits!!

5 more bags!!!

2008-09-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

This weeks bags are full of stripes!! The first two are a large and a small bag. The large bag is made from Hannaford bags with white stripes. The small is a white bag with orange newspaper plastic.

The second picture shows a fun new design. It is a med/large size bag with blue newspaper and some green (from a friend in Mass.). I LOVE this bag. Wish I had more of the green.

The last photo is a large and med/large bag. The large is Shaws bags striped with white and a black and white bag. Now that Walmart has changed their bags from black and white to blue and white this pattern will be few and far between. On the bright side I will have more blue and white bags:-)

Next week...green and white! New bag color!

This weeks bags

2008-09-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here are the bags I have been working on this week (and a picture of my daughter sorting the newspaper plastic - her favorite job). I usually can only do about 4-5 bags a week. I have been working overtime the last month or so to be able to have enough bags for the upcoming fall fair season.

This week I have a new design. I have been collecting the four different newspaper plastic recently (blue, orange, yellow and even a few pink). I also just recieved a bunch of green bags from a friend in Massachusetts! I was SO excited to have all green bags for a change!! I decided to combine them and make some very colorful bags. Check them out! My husband can not stop talking about how much he likes these bags:-)

Fall Fair Schedule

2008-08-26T06:12:00.001-07:00

Well, this is my first year at craft fairs with my bags. I am very busy and hard at work making enough to have on hand for the following fairs. Hope to see you there!

Warner Fall Foliage Festival- October 11th & 12th. I will have my bags at the Akasha table. So you can get a chair massage and check out my bags all in one stop!

Bow High School PTO craft Fair, Bow, NH - November 22nd 10am-4pm

Akasha Massage and Bodywork

2008-05-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

As I continue to make custom bag orders and prepare for the fall. I have been asked where people can find my bags. I am not in any stores yet but someday hope to be. Right now I am just trying to keep up with the bag demand :-).

A good friend of mine, April, owns a wonderful place here in Concord and if you are in town you should REALLY check it out. It is called Akasha Massage & Bodywork. It is located at 114 S State Street. You will see my bags hanging on most of the door handles as she has been very generous in supporting me (she is the one who helped me get in the The Concord Insider piece back in January!). You will not be dissapointed!

Plastic Party!

2008-05-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

I have been so lucky to have recieved lots of plastic bags lately from those who do not want to throw them away! So much in fact that I have plastic bags in just about every room in my house. I thought I would enlist some friends to help out in the process. I want to say a big thank you to all my friends who came yesturday afternoon to help me string the cut plastic together. You guys did great! It was so nice to see some faces and I haven't seen in a while and hear how their families have grown!

THANKS SO VERY MUCH!!!

Made in NH

2008-04-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

The weather is turning warm in NH and the last bits of snow are finally melting...yes there are still patched around town. :-) I found out this morning that a new Feature on Etsy is some great bright and cheery items from my fellow NH Crafters. Check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=39654

Thanks to Plymouth Congregational Church

2008-04-17T05:51:00.000-07:00

I want to say a big thank you to the Plymouth Congregational Church. I got the opportunity to join them at there Environment Health Fair on Sunday. They have even been putting their plastic bags away for me to use. I got to speak with some other people who were doing there part to help the Environment. I really learned a lot!

So much fun!

2008-04-07T14:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, this morning I was trying to get the weather. I watched GMA (water cooler piece) talking about this artist in NY that saw some tape swing in the vent breeze in NY. He came up with these great plastic bag animals that come to life when the breeze blows through the vent. So much fun! Check it out on youtube!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-a607j2dOo

Going Green on Etsy!

2008-03-31T07:39:00.001-07:00

Okay so I was browsing Etsy and thought I would share some other great crafters/artists who are earth friendly and are doing some really great things!

tofunutloaf makes some hand recycled paper. I love the colors!!

In ParadiseHillDesigns's shop I found this wonderful butterfly box made from reclaimed aged pine boards and embellished with a wonderful original woodburning design of a butterfly.

Okay, as you know I am a big fan of bags and can't help admiring this bag made from jeans in disturbedpenguinpoo's shop.

I came across these cute crayons at tods...how fun!!

Now last, but certainly not least my sister is starting to make soy candles. She only has two up right now but I have personally used these candles and they are great!!
Find them at SoyCandlesbyDeb.

2008-02-27T14:40:00.001-08:00

Five children and LOADS of plastic bags...

2008-02-27T14:25:00.000-08:00

Today my three children plus my two neighbor's girls decided to help me sort bags. After an hour we sorted almost 1,000 bags! Good work guys! We put in a cd and sang songs while we sorted. They were really having a good time. Oh the fun of reusing plastic bags!!

New size which will be great for the beach!

2008-02-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a customer who saw the NH Chronicle show I have a new bag size! She contacted me asking for new beach bag. The one she was using was not big enough and she really wanted one of mine so the "sand collection" she always came home with from the beach would "filter through the bag". It took three dedicated days (not including cutting and stringing) and here it is! It came out great and I figured that this bag must take about 100 plastic bags to make. SO COOL!! The measurments are 26 inches wide and 17 inch sides. I will try to work on some more for other people to enjoy this summer (and of course make one for myself and the kids)!

NH Chronicle Update

2008-01-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

The schedule is up. CraftyKathi will be featured on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 7:30PM on Channel 9 in NH, WMUR.

Friday February 1st: She's got it in the Bag -We have them hiding in closets, kitchen drawers, all around the house. We're talking about plastic bags! A Concord woman has come up with a way to make good use out of those bags, by turning them into something useful.

Whole Foods take action

2008-01-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

Whole foods is taking action to reduce the amout of plastic bags by having people BYOB (bring your own bags) and offering recycled paper bags. How wonderful!!
Check out the article! http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/01/21/daily19.html

Featured in the Concord Insider!

2008-01-22T10:28:00.001-08:00

This week the Concord Insider featured a "green" issue discussing how to reuse, waste less energy or otherwise save the planet. They will have reader tips, what it's really like to try to live greenly for a week and a list of local resources. My friend April thought my bags would fit right in so she sent them my way. Thanks April!!

Check it out... http://www.theconcordinsider.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080122/THECONCORDINSIDER/801220404

Recycled Plastic Bags on NH's WMUR - NH Chronicle

2008-01-10T16:52:00.000-08:00

I get to be on TV on NH's WMUR's NH Chronicle!

Okay, first...HUGE sigh of relief. My segment for NH Chronicle has been taped and should air in about three weeks. The producer, Donna, said they have been off the air and they pretty much have the next two weeks all set so I do not think it will be right away. I checked the WMUR site under Chronicle (http://www.wmur.com/chronicle/index.html) and they seem to have next week already up. So, there should be some advance notice when I will be on.

I honestly was crazy nervous (stomach in the throat kind of nervous) and I have to say that they (Donna and Chris - the cameraman) were so very nice and genuine. It was very low key. We talked about my bags, recycling, how I got started...etc. Chris set up. We started taping and talked again about my bags and stuff. Then camera shots of my bags, the plastic bags I use to make my bags, some shots of me crocheting, even put my Jadon in there helping me string.

I feel so lucky to be able to be featured. I will post when I know more about when the segment will be on.

Craft Fairs

2007-11-28T04:44:00.000-08:00

I will be showing my bags on

Thursday, December 6, 2007 at Lincoln Financial in Concord, NH

Saturday, December 8 in Loudon Elementary from 8-12 during Santa's Breakfast.

Hope to see you there!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-08-29T05:34:00.001-07:00