Plarn and Children

I realized the importance of plarn in crafts for kids.  What better for little hands could there be than something non-toxic, forgiving and best of all, free.  They could make themselves adornments for their hair, collars for their pets, pencil and crayon cases for their other arts, bracelets to exchange with friends, and probably hundreds of other crafty ideas that aren't too complicated. 

Best of all, inspiration. 

My 16 year old doggone beagle named Zillah watching my every move.

Plarn and Longevity

Yesterday I looked at my project bags and realized that I have had them for a very long time.  I made them myself out of what is now referred to as "plarn".  Little did I know that when I made them back in 1984 that they would outlast a lot of my handbags, canvas bags, and nylon bags. 

Initially my intent was to have handy shopping totes.  My first experience in a "big box" store was one of humiliation because all eyes were on my bags just in case I tried to steal something.  So I gave up on carrying them inside gocery stores.  That was then, now they have reusable bags that have to be purchased and have the stores name imprinted on the front.  (I've never seen one used, ever.)

I have made quite a few things out of plarn, including a cellphone case for an antiquated phone and numerous other bags that I gave as gifts to all my gal pals.  I'm still cutting up bags to make items for myself when the spirit moves me.  I rejoyce when I find an interesting color or multicolor plastic bag that I can use for this art form.  The good thing is that plastic stash can be stored anywhere, it is water resistent and nothing eats it. 

So, I've been doing this for 27 years not realizing that it would take off in the recycling world, and being proud to be part of it after reading all the eco-blogs and some of the current plarn sites and videos on youtube that explain how to deal with cutting the bags and make a few things.

Here are my project bags and a cellphone cover that survived all these years.