Recycled Brown Grocery Bag Tags

Ok, so I realize that there are not that many merchants who still give out brown paper sacks. (actually, the wine stores where I live still do now that I can think of it). But I still delight in the brown kraft paper look because it seems so organic and natural. Green Craft Magazine is still into having their designers make something from these items we normally toss. So with that in mind, I was inspired to make these brown grocery bag tags. Its very simple and involves minimal supplies. Here what you do.

Use Marvy Uchidas Clever Lever Tag Punch to punch tag shapes from the recycled brown grocery bag and black card stock scraps. If you do not have this punch or cannot find it locally, Scrapbook.com has a cool one made by Fiskers that punches 2 1/2" tag shapes. This is perfect for this project! Punch as many tags from the recycled brown grocery bags and card stock as you will like, in pairs, as you will be gluing them together.

Next, use a Fleur De lis punch to punch the motif in the center of the recycled brown grocery bag tag. Now, the punch I am using is an older Anna Griffin Punch, but Scrapbook.com has several to chose from that would be perfect for this project. Use their handy search tool for "fleur de lis punch."  

Next, use a Marvy Uchida Clever Lever Corner Punch to punch a decorative border on the edge of the tags. This step is optional, your tags will still look great without this step.

 Now, glue the black tag to the recycled brown grocery bag tag with a small amount of paper adhesive.

Enhance the center of your tags with self adhesive pearls or clear acrylic gem stones.

Next, cut a 1/2" x 5" strip of paper from a recycled book such as a vintage text book, dictionary, novel or encyclopedia. Knife pleat the paper as shown above. Find some inspirational words or occassional words in the book such as "you," "mother,"  "father," "Believe," and so forth. Think about how you may be using the tags. If you are going to use them on a scrapbook page, you may search for entirely different words.

Glue the pleated paper to the top of the tag and the word to the bottom uisng Aleenes Fast Grab Tacky Glue.

I am going to include my tags, all pretty and tied together with hand dyed organza ribbon, inside my little "gift of green." I am also going to tie one of them to the top.

Inside my little gift of green...all sorts of recycled pretties along with my recycled grocery bag tags.

 Such as, corrugated flowers die cut with altered brad centers... (made from a recycled cardboard box)

Rosettes made from muslin scraps, all tucked inside a small recycled coffee drink bottle...

 Birds and tags cut from recycled coffee drink sleeves....

 
 And stamped wood cut shapes, tucked inside recycled miniature jelly jars...

If you like this idea but would rather purchase the tags then make them yourself, they can be found in my etsy shop.  

What would you put inside your little gift of green? I would love to hear your ideas.

Live Life Creatively,

 

 

 


 

 

 
 
 
  
 
 

 

 

 

Comments

[kraft paper bags]

rope handle carrier bags are the most useful affordability bags you should buy throughout United kingdom.

[Izabela]

Great ideas!:) I very like your recycled things and I'm sure, that I'll used this in eco-workshops with kids:)
& thanks!:)
Greetings from Poland,
Izabela:)

[Neia Kirach]

Parabéns Pelo trabalho ecologicamente correto...Lindas Tags e flores (flowers)
Abraços

[Kathy]

These would make perfect hang tags to go along with my jewelry. Thanks for the idea...and there are a few stores around here that still ask if you would like paper bags!

[Vicki]

Yo've done it again Mel!
What lovely green ideas, the gift box is fabulous!
Vicki