How to Weave a Candy Purse

Recycle old candy bar wrappers into a trendy little purse.

Show the world just how recycling-savvy you can be with a custom purse made from candy wrappers. The purse is made from strips of folded candy wrappers, woven together and embellished with a ribbon shoulder strap. Make a tiny little purse just for change from a handful of candy wrappers or make a purse large enough to carry around all your necessities instead. Make the purse as colorful as you can with wrappers from every type of candy bar you can find.

Things You'll Need

• Candy wrappers (at least 100)
• Clear tape
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Unfold all of the candy wrappers, wash each one with a little bit of soap and water, and let the wrappers dry thoroughly.

2. Fold each wrapper lengthwise, then fold again until each wrapper makes a 1-inch-wide strip. Spread a little bit of glue in between each fold to make the strips lay flat.

3. Lay strips end to end to make a single strip at least 10 inches long. Make the strip longer for a larger purse. Wrap clear tape around each pair of adjoining ends to join the strips together. Repeat until you have a total of 20 strips.

4. Lay out 10 of the strips side by side. Fold a long piece of clear tape over the short ends at one end of the strips. This holds the strips together.

5. Weave one of the remaining strips through the strips on your work surface, just beneath the tape. Weave the next strip through the strips on your work surface. If you weaved the first strip over and then under, weave this strip under and then over. Repeat all the way down the length of the strips on your work surface.

6. Fold a long piece of tape over each outer edge of the woven strips.

7. Fold the woven strips in half to make a 10-inch-by-5-inch rectangle. Wrap tape all the way around the purse to create side seams and add some extra sturdiness to the purse.

8. Flip the purse right side out, cut a 30-inch-long strip of ribbon and glue the ends of the ribbon to the inner-left and right-top sides of the purse.

References

• "Craftcycle: 100+ Earth-Friendly Projects and Ideas for Everyday Living"; Heidi Boyd; 2009 p. 52