Open those doors and windows. Dust out those cupboards and linen closets. It’s springtime, time for renewal and fresh starts! What better way to give those old linens a new start than by creating something new out of them. Instead of throwing them away to end up landfills, try creating useful objects which can be used around the house. This is a green approach to recycling what you have, and turning it into something someone else can use.

If your group or organization has a few people who know how to run a sewing machine, you can easily produce some wonderful items. First, canvas the community for materials – sheets, pillowcases, towles, and old curtains can be laundered and used as raw material for many projects! Set about making potato sacks, hanger holders and onion sacks. Your ultimate goal in creating these new purposeful items is to host a kitchen and laundry helpful items fundraiser.

Other items your group can gather include recycled buttons, lace, iron transfers, cloth paints, zippers, old hangers, etc. Make large, medium and small bags. Make handles for the onion and potato bags by braiding old rope or leather together or using straps from old backpacks or purses. You can sew wire hangers into the hanger bags so they can go on a closet rod.

Other items you can make include potholders (run a zig-zag stitch around a stack of old towel squares cut to size) or tubes with an elastic circle in one end to store plastic bags from the grocery in for reuse. People enjoy home crafted items. Reusing materials in this way help cut down the waste and needless dumping of household things which can be transformed into something else. Going green is on the mind of many consumers these days, so you can advertise the fact these bags are earth friendly!

The pricing should vary according to the size of the bag. A large bag could go for $7.00, a medium for $5.00 and a small for $3.00. Be sure to include a list of things these bags can be used for, and remember to keep an open mind! Not everyone will use them for what they were created for.  Have your craft circle put on their thinking caps to help in creating this list, and pin a copy to each bag. Sell potholders in sets of two or four.

Now marketing your items is easy. Start by hosting an in-home party. Send out invitations to your family, friends and close associates. Include in the invitation the price list for your items, and if you can get a copy shop to run up a a batch of color copies of a photo, you will be on the right track. Get a local bakery to furnish refreshments. Have demonstrations shown regarding the uses of the bags; visual demonstrations add to good sales!

Think outside the box once you’ve hosted your in home party. Hit the streets. Visit your neighborhood, local grocery stores and eateries. See if local stores will buy from you in bulk to resell to customers, or if they will sell for you on commission. You can also use online venues to market your bags. the “Green Kitchen Fundraiser” just might turn into a steady revenue stream for your group!