I pondered the maxim “Irritation is the message” a long time before I got it and saw that the things that irritated me were the things I sought solutions for. Take shopping bags for example. Although I find shopping bags incredibly useful as “holding vessels” for projects waiting to be completed or are on the way in or out of my house, I won’t use one with an ugly logo or design because I can’t bear to look at it. Irritated by jarring graphics, I figured out ways to disappear them: By turning ugly bags inside out (even easy-to-tear paper ones).
My first attempt was on big, plasticky, black and gold Mood Fabrics bag with the potential to hold my bulky prototype iterations at-the-ready…
…you peel down the sides while pulling the bottom up…
…It’s a strangely satisfying process…
…It became unexpectedly chic and beautiful.
Then I tried turning a paper Whole Foods bag inside out. It took two tries to figure out how to keep it from ripping: line the outside edge with masking tape to make it sturdier.
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It’s kind of Phoenix-like: transformed into a whole other order of paper bag from its former self.
I couldn’t agree more!!! And there is something so satisfying about being able to happily keep using something so convenient. The Mood bag is a wonderful example…
I couldn’t agree more!!! And there is something so satisfying about being able to happily keep using something so convenient. The Mood bag is a wonderful example…
“Irritation is the message,” said the oyster. Thank you for this, Sally Schneider, and thank you for the many pearls found here at improvised life.
Anytime you can better a form and reuse an item is a win! Like removing ugly labels from jars and bottles, it only takes a moment of effort to achieve visual harmony.
And for mailing, I turn the grey padded mailers, the ones with Amazon logos all over them, inside out and reuse.
THANK YOU!!!! So glad to hear it’s resonating…
Ahhh, I’ve done that with FedEx envelopes but hadn’t thought to do it with Amazon’s. Thank you!
I immediately tried this idea on a bag that I’ve been avoiding using.
Yay…now be seen in public with it.
Wow, is THAT gratifying to hear!