How to make a paper bag

Introduction

Young adult with the paper bag

Symbiosis Foundation was established in 1999. Our aim is mainly to integrate persons living with disabilities into the labour market and society in Northern Hungary. It was expressed very clear that we want to approach problem solving in an innovative way. Our target groups are mostly mentally disabled people and people living with autism. We have been creating a complex service model through the years. We support families raising disabled persons (transportation, day care, special camps, etc.) furthermore we help the adult persons living with disabilities to live self-contained life (support service, several developing activities, day care, trainings, various sport activities, etc.)

In our small manufacture we create unique gift items made by persons with disabilities. We make special handcrafted items, such as paper bags that sold by our foundation. Handcraft activities are a good influenceon persons with disabilities/persons living with autism and are helping to develop different skills. We used Mihálykó Tamara’s pictures that were previously exhibited. sabilities to live self-contained life (support service, several developing activities, day care, trainings, various sport activities, etc.)

In our small manufacture we create unique gift items made by persons with disabilities. We make special handcrafted items, such as paper bags that sold by our foundation. Handcraft activities are a good influence

Task

Paper bag is almost finished

To make paper bag you need:

1. Paper (patterned or any of your choice)

2. Glue

3. Paintbrush

4. Rulers ( different types and colours to make it easier)

5. Strings

6. Punching machine

7. Stand

8. Scissors

Please note we use sharp tools (scissors, punching machine) during activity!

Please note that paper can easily cut your skin, so it is required to wear protective gloves during activity!

Process

· Set the paper to the right direction

· Turn over the paper from left to the right

· Put the blue ruler to the top of the paper

· Draw the lines with the blue ruler,

· Fold the paper along the ruler,then strenghten the folded paper with your fingers

· Draw the lower lines with the green ruler

· Turn the paper up along the green ruler

· Strenghten the folded paper with your fingers, and also folder the skew lines with the red ruler

· Now fold all the 6 edges

· Strenghten the folded paper edges on the other side as well

· Put glue to the upper brace stripes ( to the upper part of the first wide strip)

· Now do the same with the other wide strip

· Fold back the black part of your paper onto the brace stripes

· Now fold your paper onto half! You should see the white line on the edge

· Put some glue on the last line of the patterned part of your paper

· Fold the white line onto the glued page--push the paper with your fingers along the glued part

· Open your paper bag and put the weight to the glued surface-leave it for 5 minutes to dry

· Put the paper bag onto the stand upside down

· Put the lower brace to the top of the stand

· Fold the black bottom of the paper bag onto the top of the stand

· Put some glue on each folded side of the black part-gently push it with your fingers

· Now turn the stand upside down with the paper bag onto it-leave it for 5 minutes to dry

· Now measure and cut 2 equal part from the string

· Take the paper bag off the stand and fold out the slides of it

· Use the punching machine to make the holes on the folded slides

· Now put the strings into the holes and make a knot at the end-you should make 2 knots

· Let’s do it on the other side-put the string in one of the hole and knot the end of the string

· Put the label onto the string and knot the end of the string

· Gently strengthen the folds with your fingers

· Well Done! Your paper bag is ready !

Learning Objectives

Learning outcomes

To prepare a high quality design product
To work precisely

Knowlege acquired

Work with different raw materials
Timing

Skills acquired

Motoric skills
Use of different tools
Basic mathematics (counting and measuring)

Competences acquired

Handicraft techniques
Self confidence

Conclusion

Being able to make a high-quality product from the very beginning to the end is a very important issue of personal development process of the people. Clients take part in product design during art therapy with contemporary artists and therapists. Clients not only desing and make these paper bags but also take part in sale. Covering the whole product line gives self-esteem and enhance self confidence of people with disabilities. On the other hand it is very important to learn a process that has positive outcome both for the clients and the organization behind them. Marketable and high quality products and/or services ensures income for the organizatons so as they can pay good salary for their disabled employees.