Bagging it with Style

Since I first began selling my handmade soap last spring, I have spent a lot of time thinking about packaging.  (Let's not even consider how much time I have spent actually packaging the soap itself.)  I had certain criteria in mind -- simple yet pretty, affordable, do-it-myself if possible and re-using/recycling when possible.  My soap packaging has gone through a few reincarnations but the shopping bags (brown lunch bags) I used at craft shows have remained the same.  Until now.  Recently I found a tutorial  online for making gift bags from newspaper.  Let me tell you, people, I am hooked.

This was the first bag I made using the dimensions exactly as given in the tutorial.

It was teeny, tiny and perfect for a small local delivery later the same day.  But it hasn't stopped with this bag.

Shortly after I made the first bag, Mike was cleaning out the car when he found some old car maps.  He was about to throw them into the recycling bin when I saw potential and quickly snagged them from his hands.

Then there was the paper that was wrapped around a pot of tulips.

For handles, i have been using twine, ribbons and bias tape -- whatever I happen to have on hand.  The bags are fun to make and easily customized to various sizes of paper.  I dare you to make only one.

I have big plans for these bags.  I hope to make one or two each day.  I would love to have these not only for local orders but also for customers at craft shows.  What do you think?  Can I make those many bags?  I guess I'll find out.  In the meantime, I am on the hunt for paper.