Reimagining the Ordinary With Recycled Paper Bags
Or how to make a document wallet from paper shopping bags. There’s something magical about taking an everyday object and seeing it transform. For me, paper shopping bags have always felt like wasted potential. They’re sturdy, flexible, and everywhere in our lives — yet most of them end up tossed aside or recycled before their real story begins. I love finding ways to free them their original purpose of carrying groceries, giving them a second life through craft.
Examples of DIY document holders made from recycled paper shopping bags
If you’re a regular at this blog or at my workshops then you’ve seen my post on how to transform paper bags into journals. This time, I’m sharing how you can transform them into document storage wallets to store artworks, paper craft, collage materials, letters and so much more. The activity not only offers something inventive and sustainable; it’s also super satisfying — especially when you start adding personal touches that reflect your style. It might even inspire you to think…hmm what else can I create with a paper bag. I really hope you enjoy this activity that I have created through creative play and persistence. You’ll find more creative activities at my blog or youtube channel.
Crafting the Wallet: No Measuring, Just Folding
The first step is creating the basic wallet structure. In my first video tutorial, I guide you through folding a standard paper shopping bag into a practical wallet with compartments. There’s no need to measure — just respond to the bag’s size, fold in halves, and let the shape emerge.
You’ll need only a few materials:
2x paper shopping bags
Scissors
Glue sticks
Optional: pegs for holding the folds while drying
That’s it. Simple tools, simple process. And yet, when you finish, you’ll have a sturdy wallet that feels a little like something MacGyver or a craft wizard might carry — clever, resourceful, and made with your own two hands.
Decorating & Personalising: Where Creativity Comes In
The real fun begins in the second video tutorial, where I invite you to decorate and personalise your wallet. This is where the project shifts from practical recycling to pure self-expression.
You can collage with magazine cutouts, play with watercolour or acrylic paints, stitch details, or even add handmade paper beads for embellishment. It’s a chance to turn something mundane into something that reflects you.
I love how this step builds not only creativity but also confidence. There’s pride in taking scraps and leftovers and creating something beautiful and useful. Every fold and brushstroke becomes a small act of self-expression — and when you’re done, you’re left with an object that’s entirely unique.
Bonus: Recycled Paper Beads
If you want to take your decorating even further, I’ve also made a bonus tutorial on creating recycled paper beads. If you are someone who generates a lot of artworks and you are unsure what to do with them, then this is a wonderful way to transform them into something quite meaningful. These beads can become jewellery, bookmarks, flair, keyrings, or decorative accents for your document wallet project. And honestly, the repetitive nature of the activity makes it quite relaxing.
Accommodations: If you find yourself having ‘ick’ response to glue on your fingers i suggest using a glue stick or securing your beads with Washi tape instead. You can always do a coat of Mod Podge on the finished bead to help seal it and preserve it longer.
Why I Love These Projects
Crafting with recycled materials isn’t just about sustainability — it’s about perspective. When you take a paper bag or a scrap of old artwork and see its potential, you’re practicing a kind of creative alchemy. You’re proving to yourself that beauty, joy, and possibility exist in places you might normally overlook.
It’s a reminder that creativity doesn’t require perfect tools or expensive supplies. It begins with what you have, right where you are.
Try It Yourself
If you’ve been looking for a way to spark your creativity or simply relax into a mindful craft, I’d love for you to give these projects a go. Start with the basic wallet, explore decorating with mixed media, and maybe even roll a few paper beads.
You can find all my tutorials on YouTube — and if you’d like to connect more deeply, join me for a live workshop via Eventbrite.
I hope you enjoy reimagining the ordinary.
