Among the small treats that make me happy (in no particular order): chocolate, coffee, sheets of Lokta paper, new felt tip pens and, now, flip flop bracelets! I love mixing different color palettes on my wrist with stacks of these recycled bangles, and I absolutely love the story behind them.
These bracelets are made by a group of women in Mali (West Africa), who collect worn out flip flops, melt them down and draw the plastic into colorful loops. Everyday flip flops are reborn as unique, handmade bangles. One can only guess the journey each one of these lovely trinkets has taken.
The story alone inspires gift giving, so I bundled a few of my favorites together and added a little PS style. Using a few products (listed below) and this printable tag template you too can share the story and the style of these wonderful bracelets.
Items needed:
Square Craft Box Lace Starburst
Rubber Stamp Berrylicious Color Box
Fuchsia Satin Ribbon
Strawberry Solid Paper (to print the template)
–Rebecca, store training & development
PS colors: papaya & cement
Latest fave: Zutter Bind-It-All
I’d like to know more. the concept sounds nice, but how safe is it for these women? Melted plastics/rubbers off gas seriously toxic fumes, are they suitably protected? I am all about colourful, supportive work for ALL, but only if it’s not endangering the people it’s supposed to be helping!!
Aside from that concern, cute product & nice ps packaging (though the bracelets scream more pop/modern motif for me – I’d use the dahlia stamp or the one with concentric circles & the super bright loktas)
Thanks for your feedback. Our buying team reached out to the vendor to inquire about the safety practices of this particular fair trade group. Your take on the gift box sounds fantastic – Hope to see a photo!
this is super cute.
another great use for your worn out flip flops…turn them into rubber stamps! sometimes the pattern on them will make interesting designs : )
I actually JUST bought this starburst rubber stamp last weekend! I actually used it on kraft wrapping paper (from PS as well) to dress it up a bit. But stamping on the gift box is a GREAT idea. I just LOVE that stamp!
Great idea all the way around! Are the bracelets available in the stores or just online?
I am so excited about the opportunity to be an active member of the Paper Source Family. All my life I have had a love for paper. I Even attempted to make some myself. I am a Native Chicagoan and I remember the paper Source Store there. It was exciting to shop there. Someone, such as myself, can forget about just running in to grab one item. The Paper Source will grab your attention and hold it. I love this store and look forward to loving it even more so.
I just bought these recycled flip flop bracelets in a store called Baubles in Darien, Connecticut. I was visiting her eon holidays so not sure exactly the address but it is right smack dab in the middle of town. They had tons of them with these photographs of the women wearing them (from Mali)
And a story too. I love the off white ones and layered they look amazing.
I asked about the safety of these here and on the FB page. You guys said you were looking into it, but I never got a response. Paper Source is still selling them, and I’m still concerned. It’s not such a super supportive thing to the women making them if they get lung cancer or something awful from the inhaled off-gassing of melted plastic.
See, on plastics (many flip flops are polyurethane or other plastic)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic#Toxicity
“…plastics often contain a variety of toxic additives.”
“…burning plastic can release toxic fumes. Burning the plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may create dioxin.”
http://www.polyurethane.org/s_api/bin.asp?CID=936&DID=4041&DOC=…
Rubber has it’s own hazards, if the flip-flops are of “natural” rubber:
” The strongest data available with respect to cancer come from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s study of the rubber industry.2 Strong and sufficient evidence for cancer in humans was demonstrated in a series of epidemiology studies of rubber fabrication facilities throughout the world.”
http://www.ehhi.org/reports/turf/health_effects.shtml
There are many many more links, but I think I make my point.
Hey Kelly! We wanted to follow up on our Facebook response. Our buyer did speak with the vendor after your initial inquiry and we were assured precautions are taken — the women work outdoors, on a part-time basis, and shift between various projects. We’ll relay your comments to assure the details of your concern are understood.