From plastic bags to bespoke pieces

WHEN Berea Mail spotted artisans from the Magic Bean Foundation in Glenmore recently, we reached out to the organisation to find out more about their work of upcycling plastic bags to create an array of bespoke products.

Founders Lorraine Parkes and Shelley Stievenart set out with a vision to mentor and empower the community to develop skills. Among the women they work with is a group of residents from Umlazi G section.

“We call them the G Magic team. They were the first group of ladies we launched this programme with. We provided them with a starter pack, which included a crochet hook, ruler and scissors, and taught them how to cut plastic bags into ‘plarn’ which is what we call our plastic yarn,” said Parkes.

Using their technique, a plastic bag is folded and cut into a long thin strip which can be used to crochet. With this in hand, the team began to crochet a range of items, generating an income while also reducing plastic pollution.

“We held a few more training sessions on different product types and colour combinations,” said Parkes. “We helped the women produce plant holders, round mats, beach bags and smaller bags, and these items have been very successful.”

The Magic Bean Foundation also secures venues for the women to sell their wares.

“We find avenues for them to sell their products from. One of our biggest sponsors at the moment is Ballito Lifestyle Centre – we are there on the last weekend of every month. The centre sponsors the ladies’ transport money as it’s quite a distance from Umlazi to Ballito,” said Parkes.

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“It’s a fully sustainable system – whoever works on the day will take a percentage of the sales. The balance of the money will go to the person who crocheted the item that was sold,” added Parkes.

One of the members of the team, Mabongie Mbatha, joined Magic Bean Foundation in 2017.

“I learnt to crochet at school, but I never knew I could earn a living from it. It’s been good working with Magic Bean Foundation.

“It opens up chances for us to sell our products, and we can put food on the table with that money. We also go out to help others to teach them how to crochet – we have visited schools and old age homes,” said Mbatha.

Donate plastic bags to the cause

The team also accepts orders for items.
“We do made-to-order items, within reason, as the colours of the items are denoted by what plastic is available,” said Parkes.

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And if you have an abundance of plastic bags piling up at home, why not donate them to the cause?

“We accept donations as long as it’s the right kind of plastic. Shopping bags from supermarkets or municipal bags are great. The bags that don’t work are the much thicker plastic bags as they are difficult to crochet,” concluded Parkes.

The Magic Bean Foundation artisans will also be selling their wares at Beachwood Mangroves when beach clean-ups take place on the last Saturday of the month. For more information, visit the Magic Bean Foundation Facebook page or email infor@magicbeanfoundation.com.

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