D.I.Y. Repurposed Produce Bag Ideas
Hello lovelies! I don't know about you, but I have a habit of trying to find something useful or pretty in almost everything. Most of the time this is a good thing, although it does lead to a lot of stacks and piles of bits and pieces waiting to be reborn. Because of this tenancy of mine, I have been collecting up mesh produce bags for a while (I just knew they'd come in handy). These project ideas aren't technically "green," though it does feel good to reuse something that would otherwise be sent straight to the trash bin.
In any case, I wanted to show you three new usage ideas for the mesh bags that we find on most produce items these days. There are so many clever ways to repurpose these babies...I hope you'll take my basic ideas and run with them!
Idea No.1: Decorative Gift-Wrapping Band
To make this band (perfect for a stack of stationery, books, etc) I made sure that both ends of my produce bag were open (if yours is sealed shut at one end you can simply snip it open) and then I just slipped it around my gift. Scrunch up the mesh until it looks how you like, or leave is flat for a different look. Tie on a tag and you're done!
Idea No.2: Amped Up Gift Wrap
Layering a mesh produce bag over the top of a pre-wrapped gift is a great way to add a little extra interest to your present. I didn't have any solid paper on hand for the photos, but I think it would look great with this idea. This particular example looks rather feminine, but you could make it look more masculine depending on the paper underneath (maybe newspaper or kraft paper) and the color of your produce bag. To complete this look I used an old lemon bag which was already stitched closed at one end, slipped my pre-wrapped gift inside, and tied it closed with some twine I had laying around. For an extra pop of color I also tied a little ornament on top.
Idea No.3: Makeshift Stocking / Gift Bag
This one started life as a bag for shallots, but I have to say that I think it looks even better filled with these goodies! I'm sure most of us already have stockings hung by the chimney with care, but this is a great idea for last minute holiday parties and extra little gifties that won't fit inside your regular stocking. To complete this one I just removed the staples from the top of the bag and rounded the corners at the bottom (for aesthetic reasons), and filled with fun treats. It's even easy to hang (just hook the mesh onto a nail and you're set).
Taa-da! Three fun and easy ideas that I hope will come in handy for you this holiday or the next time you need a unique way to wrap up a special gift. xox Ez
15 Lovely Comments | Email Article | found in D.I.Y. + Projects, Gift Giving / Wrapping Ideas, Holiday Inspiration/Projects, Tutorials Print Article | Share This | 
| by Ez Wednesday, December 23, 2009 
Reader Comments (15)
What a nice idea. I'd love to buy those bags just to use them for produce, instead of always taking the clear plastic ones.
Just found your blog, I'm a new subscriber :-)
Ez, you're brilliant!
this is such a clever way to repurpose. i wonder how many of these i've already tossed!
You're pretty adorable.
Fantastic idea!
Ez, this is just the sweetest post. I've often thought that these kinds of bags are so pretty and it's just such a good idea to reuse them. Wanted to wish you the merriest happiest christmas--you always inspire me, so glad we are friends!
xo mary jo
thanks for a wonderful idea, Ez! I posted it up on our Etsy Trashion blog http://etsytrashion.blogspot.com/
thanks and Merry Merry!
How funny! I have developed a collection of these because they were too cute to throw away, but I didn't know what to do with them. Now I'll have some ways to use them. Thanks!
Just catching up on my blog-reading after traveling to see family...and this is wonderful! Ez, thank you for sharing. I have some mesh bags sitting in the kitchen to use in gift wrapping, but I didn't know exactly how to use them. I will definitely link here when I get to blogging about it.
YAY for fellow gift-wrapping enthusiasts! Keep up the great work and Merry Christmas!
Charissa
How cute! These mesh bags look adorable as a book ribbon. Clever!
Hi Ez - I did it! Here's the post:
www.thegiftedblog.com/2010/02/wrap-story-farm-fresh-gift-wrap.html .
Thanks for the inspiration. I had a great time with this idea!
These are such great ideas! I especially like the yellow and blue contrast for the gift wrap one :)
I've also hoarded produce mesh bags-- you can put in slivers of used-up soap bars, tying the bag, and use it to lather. Those otherwise unusable soap pieces can be used up and it's also easier for kids to grip without it slipping out of their hands. I have also used mesh bags as filling for making small stuffed animals... you can see them here.
Who makes that cute bunny? Where can I buy one?
Hi Amy! Great question! The sweet bunny was made by Manomine: http://www.manomine.bigcartel.com
I save these up to make pot scrubbers. Just scrunch a bunch together and add an elastic band (recycled from veggie bundles. Also work as bathtub scrubbers or even back scrubbers!!