Brown Paper Bag Crafts

The December 1890 Ladies Home Journal has been a great source of creative ideas for me this week. It gives me an idea of the kinds of things women made for their homes, that were both useful and beautiful.

This is a photograph of one of the projects illustrated in this magazine. It is made from some kind of board and satin ribbon, but I made one using brown paper bag material. These projects work with the heavy grocery bags that we get in America. This craft is longer to finish, mainly due to drying time, but otherwise, it goes together quite quickly. I think the more advanced crafters could really adapt this idea into something outstanding. This is just a sample of what could be done.

There is no tutorial for this one, because I was not sure what I was doing. I just cut a side of the bag and folded it in half, leaving a bit more on the back layer. I used the crepe paper that comes in rolls for streamers, pleated and glued it between the two layers, holding it with clothespins until dry. Ordinary school glue or white liquid glue works, but if you did not have it, you could make up a paste of flour and water, in a bowl, like we did when we could not buy commercial glue. The heavy brown paper takes craft paint very well. I used Folk Art paint, and let it dry.

Then I added any clippings I could find from magazines, and stickers, with ribbon trim. It is also painted with another layer of glitter paint.I punched holes in the back layer and threaded wired ribbon through it for hanging. It looks great on the wall. Click on the photo for a more detailed view. I like this craft, because it gets the mail off the desk and leaves me a little more space to write.

This one is much, much easier. It just requires the large side of the heavy brown grocery sack, and some clear tape. Roll it into a cone and tape it in various places.

With a hole punch or a pencil, punch a hole on each side. Thread wired ribbon, curly ribbon, or any kind of thing you like through it. Even jute rope or piece of fake ivy might look good. Bring the ends of the ribbon around to the front and tie into a bow.

I added dots of silver glitter on it, to match the silver edges of this wired ribbon.

This cone holds fresh leaves and branches and would also be great for a gift. Stuff the inside with tissue gift wrap and then load it with things to eat or bath products, pencils and art materials, sewing things, or whatever would make a good gift. The mail pouch could also be a great gift holder.

These heavy paper bags can be used for many things, which I hope to illustrate some day.