Can anyone help me find the name of this product?

[Paper Roses]

I have just bought a very colorful tote bag that is supposedly made of bits and pieces of recycled plastic. It is woven in multi-color material , the surface is shiny. I would bet that there are about a thousand small squares of various material. Am told that it is made in a 3rd world country to raise funds for the impoverished. I love the bag and would like to know what it is all about. I Goggled as many words as I could think of and no results.The squares are about half inch by half inch ...bits and pieces of old labels are from about a thousand products. No label of any kind. Beautifully woven, very colorful. About 18" X 6" with shoulder straps.
Anyone have any idea?

[northoftheborder]

1. Do you know what country it came from or was made?

It probably does not have a brand, and is truly a work of independent native workers; would be interesting to know how they make it. I think I've seen a reference or picture of that work somewhere. Hope you find out.

[Ineeda]

2. Could it be similar to this?

From Ten Thousand Villages: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/woven-wrapper-handbag

I googled third world artisan products and the Ten Thousand Villages site was the first to pop up. There might be other products on this site for the specific item you're looking for or other third world retail options, though.

[Paper Roses]

3. Yes, that is the same method of construction. Same use of product.

Made in the Philippines by a cooperative of artisans.
The bag pictured is smaller than the one I bought but otherwise identical.

Wonderful and unusual things on their site from all over the world. Great prices too.
Thank you so much for finding it for me!

[Mosby]

4. They are made in Mexican prisons

made out of candy wrappers and snack bags mostly.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHOPPING-TOTE-RECYLED-WRAPPER-B-W-WOVEN-HARLEQUIN-ACAPULCO-MEXICO-PRISON-ART-/290558135028

http://www.bohemian.com/northbay/handbag-highway/Content?oid=2190701