Rachel Shelton has taken trendy and eco-friendly to a whole new level with her online Etsy store, Sew Good and Trendy, where she sells fashion bags. Since 2008, Shelton has had a passion for sewing.

“I love sewing. My grandma taught me how to sew and I had a sewing machine when I was in the 1st Grade. It just seemed like a natural thing to do. I chose the eco-friendly side of this because my kids then were very young and I thought it was important to start to teach them responsible choices,” she said.

From handbags and purses to wristlets and wallets, Shelton wants to show how environmentally conscious choices can be made “without sacrificing convenience and personal style.” Shelton said she works with smaller designers for organic cotton and prints and also gets her organic canvases from Carr Textiles in St. Louis. To her, it’s important to take care of the environment.

“We only have one earth. I think if everyone made environmentally conscious choices, we could have a really big impact. It’s very easy to grab something that is quick and inexpensive and serves one purpose for the short term. If we put more thought into it, we could have better products and a lasting impact on Earth,” she said.

Shelton most commonly uses her Etsy account to sell her items, where she has had 233 sales. Prices range from $35-$75 and she also can do custom orders. On top of making handmade, eco-friendly items, however, she also likes to compost and garden.

“My first step [in being environmentally conscious] was getting rid of the throwaway grocery bags. It’s such a simple change to make. If nothing else, get the brown paper bags and compost those,” she said.

She appreciates the rising generations’ care for the environment.

“Young people have the opportunity to make small steps that will gradually lead up to a much better world,” Shelton said. 

To see more from Sew Good and Trendy, check out Shelton’s Etsy account.