About Mama Robin Upcycles

How It All Began

This whole idea started by watching videos of the enormous amount of plastic waste in landfills and in the oceans. Ocean wildlife slowly dying and people getting sick because of the mindless pollution. A concurrent (seemingly unrelated) thought concerned the amazing non-profit organizations within my hometown that fulfill many vital roles for the community. They rely on generous donations and sponsorships to keep going. So every time I went shopping and continued to garner more and more plastic shopping bags, I figured there had to be a better way. There had to be a constructive use for them after they filled their initial purpose... to somehow utilize the complete bag so that nothing was wasted.

Being an artist and artisan, it dawned on me to make yarn out of the plastic bags (aka "plarn") and revive an old craft of using plastic bags to crochet rugs and mats. With the by-products from the "plarn" production, I crocheted totes from the handles and broken loops which otherwise would be discarded. And the little trimmings are to be melted down to create jewelry and other notions. Rugs, mats and totes are available for sale through local events and fairs, while melted plastic (and other upcycled material) treasures will become available online once they are created.

This is where the local non-profits come in... 70% of all sales from rugs, mats and totes are donated to these charities. A good all-around deal, I think. 

Mama Robin? This was a nickname given to my mother, Betty. She was very much an upcycle and reuse kind of a lady. She crafted many types of items with fabric and yarn scraps and other things that would end up at the dump. Ma was also very kind and generous to folks in need. This endeavor is my loving tribute to her.