In October 2010 I posted about green Halloween projects including a wreath made from recycled plastic bags. This is a project I really wanted to try (especially since it's completely free!) but I never seemed to have the right color bags on hand. I have a small stash of colorful or useful bags I keep and the rest are recycled (reusable shoppings bags are great). While cleaning in the garage I found a forgotten, huge pink bag....perfect for a Valentine's Day wreath.
All that is needed for this project is lots of plastic bags, a wire hanger and scissors. I used the huge pink plastic bag used for garments, 2 Target bags, 2 Walgreen's bags and 2 orange newspaper sleeves.
Begin by bending and shaping the hanger into a circle. Other bloggers used pliers to shape it but I did not find them necessary. My hanger was a little wonky but the wreath is so fluffy when finished that no one will notice if the circle is not perfect!
Next, cut lots of strips from the plastic bags. I followed the directions in the Halloween wreath tutorial and cut strips measuring 2.5 inches x 5.5 inches (give or take!).
The last step is to tie the strips to the wire circle a gazillion times. After I tied a few on I thought that this project would take forever to complete but it went quickly (2-2.5 hours). My three year old even helped by handing me strips!
Do not tie them too tightly as the plastic will stretch and tear. Also, make sure to push the knots together to make a really full wreath (pictured above the knots have not been pushed tight).
This is very simple (repetitive, but simple) project that costs absolutely nothing and reuses plastic bags in a surprisingly beautiful way!
Even with the writing visible, this one is very nice. And I like the different colors of plastic bags. Good job.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy!
ReplyDeleteIt's really good idea~ I think you are so talented to make something new look brilliant
ReplyDeleteIt's so pretty. I think you are so talented and have brilliant ideas~
ReplyDelete