From ring pulls to a stylish evening bag

I recently spent an evening out with a group of girlfriends, where we were discussing what I was going to wear to the Greenest County awards that are taking place next week.  Although I'd sorted my dress, I hadn't quite got around to thinking about my bag....

Well I've got loads of bags to choose from but it was quickly obvious my Waitrose bag-for-life would be a far too big for the event and my Recycle for Suffolk bag just didn't match my shoes and I do have a Greggs bakery reduce, reuse, recycle one, but it's a bit long on account of accommodating baguettes.

So it's a good job that Fi my friendly fairy godmother waved her magic wand and pointed me in the direction of ring pulls, saying they made beautiful stylish bags.  If I had a few spare I could have thrusted a needle and cotton in her hands to get a demonstration, but she didn't have her magic wand anyway.  Instead, she popped up on Facebook the following day and sent me a link to the wonderful Bottletop site.

Bottletop is a  UK charity that helps to alleviate poverty in developing countries, including providing training and education opportunities for young people as well as trying to address health issues.  The Ring Pull project began in 2007, teaching residents in Brazil how to make beautiful products including bags, belts and purses, out of something that we take for granted and that most people dump in the bin or send for recycling.

But look what a collection of humble ring pulls can be turned into.

Yes, this is indeed my brand new bag that I ordered straight away and which arrived this morning. I  love it, and am now fully prepared for the gala event that is only a week away.

Here's a You Tube video of the Ring Pull project at work in Brazil. For more information about the great work of the Bottletop charity, visit www.bottletop.org.



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