Magic made with plastic at the Magic Bean Foundation

Next time you are about to throw your plastic shopping or bread bags into the bin, stop and think Magic Bean.

These plastic products are re-purposed and given a second life as a colourful basket, bag, slops or hat thanks to the creative ladies at Magic Bean Foundation.

The Durban-based non-profit organisation’s skilled women are currently showing off their upcycled products at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre every Friday to Sunday this month.

Magic Bean Foundation founders Lorraine Evans and Shelley Stievenart said the idea to start the organisation was sparked when they realised that they could upskill unemployed people with their shared passion – upcycling waste products.

“We enjoy crafting and creating things with our hands out of recycled products and started our first workshop with ten ladies making beach bags three years ago.

“Now, we have a group of 27 ladies making amazing products such as plant holders, yoga mats and bags,” said Stievenart.

They expanded their skills with a sewing course last year, where they were taught to cut, over-lock and flat stitch tote bags, gift bags and Christmas stockings using donated recycled fabric and upholstery fabric from Hertex.

“We would also like to develop a pattern making and a more detailed sewing course as we have received a lot of fabric off cuts which can be upcycled into commercial products.”

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Besides making pretty products, the women were also taught to do face painting and make crafts from toilet rolls, newspaper and plastic lids which they offer as a creative activity at kids’ events and parties.

Stievenart said they have already partnered with vendors around KZN who sell the ladies’ products and were excited about their first step into the Dolphin Coast through the collaboration with the Lifestyle Centre.

“We hope to soon do a planning workshop for the Dolphin Coast community. We would love to empower more disadvantaged communities through our workshops. We wish to see these beautiful upcycled products in more local shopping centres in the future as well as internationally.”

Their ultimate goal would be to go online.

“We would really like to have an online platform where our supporters can easily shop and support these communities.”

If you would like to share your upcycling skills or volunteer to be part of the workshops, send a mail to Lorraine at info@magicbeanfoundation.com

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