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Make a Bag from a Paper Envelope

When I was putting together the kits for the "Crafty Jewelry" class I'm teaching today at The Ink Pad, I decided that I wanted to put the kit elements (all small little elements) into mini paper bags.  However, I didn't have any mini paper bags.  So I did what any crafter would do, and decided to make some!  I turned an envelope into this:

Bag
This is a project (making a bag from a paper envelope) that has been around for ages.  I remember seeing it on The Carol Duvall Show years and years ago.  Of course, I've made my own adaptations.  Here's the step-by-step for you:

STEP ONE: Seal the envelope.

Sealenvelope
STEP TWO: Use a border punch to cut a decorative edge across the top.

Inpunch
Cutedge
STEP THREE: Score the bottom of the envelope and both sides about three-quarters of the way in.

Score
STEP FOUR: Fold along the score lines.

Foldedges
Foldbottomup
STEP FIVE: Put your hand in the envelope and flatten the bottom and sides of the bag until there are little triangles at the corners.

Handinenvelope
Triangles
STEP SIX: Fold the triangles to the bottom of the bag and glue in place.  (I used Glue Dots.)

Gluetriangles
And you've got a bag!

Bag
Super cute!  I filled mine with all the parts for the kit, folded the edge, and added a bit of decoration.

FinishedBags-sm
So much nicer than getting your kit in a Ziploc baggie, don't you think?

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

44 thoughts on “Make a Bag from a Paper Envelope

  • well aren’t you a clever chickie babe … brilliant idea!!!!

    Reply
  • well aren’t you a clever chickie babe … brilliant idea!!!!

    Reply
  • well aren’t you a clever chickie babe … brilliant idea!!!!

    Reply
  • well aren’t you a clever chickie babe … brilliant idea!!!!

    Reply
  • Very cool! It’s amazing what a bit of scoring and folding can do…

    Reply
  • Very cool! It’s amazing what a bit of scoring and folding can do…

    Reply
  • Very cool! It’s amazing what a bit of scoring and folding can do…

    Reply
  • Very cool! It’s amazing what a bit of scoring and folding can do…

    Reply
  • very cool. i am working on some new cool things with paper myself and this will come in handy 🙂

    Reply
  • very cool. i am working on some new cool things with paper myself and this will come in handy 🙂

    Reply
  • very cool. i am working on some new cool things with paper myself and this will come in handy 🙂

    Reply
  • very cool. i am working on some new cool things with paper myself and this will come in handy 🙂

    Reply
  • Much better than a Ziploc bag and better for the Earth as well. Have a happy class today!

    Reply
  • Much better than a Ziploc bag and better for the Earth as well. Have a happy class today!

    Reply
  • Much better than a Ziploc bag and better for the Earth as well. Have a happy class today!

    Reply
  • Much better than a Ziploc bag and better for the Earth as well. Have a happy class today!

    Reply
  • Very cute! Thanks for your colorful blog. We love your art!

    Reply
  • Very cute! Thanks for your colorful blog. We love your art!

    Reply
  • Very cute! Thanks for your colorful blog. We love your art!

    Reply
  • Very cute! Thanks for your colorful blog. We love your art!

    Reply
  • Cute, cute! And hooray for Carol Duvall! I used to watch her all the time. I have a fave box I make from an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper that I got from her show. Hope your class was a success today!

    Reply
  • Cute, cute! And hooray for Carol Duvall! I used to watch her all the time. I have a fave box I make from an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper that I got from her show. Hope your class was a success today!

    Reply
  • Cute, cute! And hooray for Carol Duvall! I used to watch her all the time. I have a fave box I make from an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper that I got from her show. Hope your class was a success today!

    Reply
  • Cute, cute! And hooray for Carol Duvall! I used to watch her all the time. I have a fave box I make from an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper that I got from her show. Hope your class was a success today!

    Reply
  • simple and effective! great idea.

    Reply
  • simple and effective! great idea.

    Reply
  • simple and effective! great idea.

    Reply
  • simple and effective! great idea.

    Reply

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