A couple of years ago (yeah, we were that up on the trend), Brian wrote an article about Ecoist’s Candy Wrapper Handbags, a line of bags made from recycled and repurposed candy wrappers, food packages, and soft drink labels. Well, since then the whole Green Movement has really taken off and Ecoist has kept pace by expanding their popular line to include bracelets, coasters, napkin rings, and placemats.
Now I ask you, what better way to proclaim your support of sugar in public or at intimate dinner parties? It’s like the Livestrong bracelet for green candy fans. (That would be environmentally-friendly Addicts, not those of you with a penchant for a certain color M&M – though you can get in on the action, too.)
Like Brian, I have yet to identify any recognizable brands (these are 100% handmade in Mexico and Peru and my guess is that many of the wrappers are those of Latin American treats), but the origins of both the eye-popping, confetti-like palette and the chic silver line are undeniably sweet. And for the more brand-conscious amongst you, Ecoist produces equally stunning products with packaging from Coca-Cola and Diet Coke, Luna Bars, Dasani water, and a “swirl” that looks conspicuously like the Good Humor logo.
Pretty cool, if you ask me. And, apparently, if you ask Vanity Fair, Instyle, Elle, and/or The New York Times. These things are very fashionable. If I’d have known that the York Peppermint Patty and Starburst wrapper chains I laboriously fashioned over Thanksgiving break of my junior year in college could’ve fetched upwards of $168 (but bracelets can be had for as little as $12), I might’ve reconsidered my path in life. But then, of course, I wouldn’t be here, extolling the virtues of sustainable napkin rings to the candymongers of the internet. And why would I ever want to trade that?
They’re amazing. I used to read about teenagers making gum wrapper necklaces and stuff in The Babysitters club and I could never figure out how. We never really made them where I’m from.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:35 pmThat’s freaking gorgeous! I always did think that a lot of candies were more enjoyable to the eye than the mouth
May 20th, 2008 at 7:33 pm