In Loving Memory

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!

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

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!

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

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!!

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.

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!!