I made this purse in two stages: First I completed all of the fusing and sewing some months ago, but I could not find a suitable magnetic closure. Magnets from a discarded hardrive provided the solution. With the exception of the green thread, and a 1/4 long piece of fabric tape used to position the magnetic before sewing it in to place, everything used to make this purse was destined for the landfill.

Another view showing the long, slender, but very strong strap.

It's more labor intensive to make things out of repurposed items. I often wonder if this negates any environmental savings? Fusing plastic bags uses some electricity (to run an iron) collecting objects to create things takes transportation time and energy and it uses human energy which must be replenished by food.

I think it's likely a zero impact situation. The savings balance out the costs. That's better than most manufactured objects so, to my eyes, that makes it worth it.

So, maybe it's the joy one can take in giving an old object new life that attracts me to this kind of project.