An email from Russia…


Dear Teresa!
Greetings from Russia.
My name is Alina, I’m 22 y.o. student and volunteer of social organizations that helps elderly people and handicapped as well as those who are lonely or in nursing homes.
I’m living in a wonderful ancient town of Nizhny Novgorod in Nizhny Novgorod Region that is known to be the home of

1) famous Russian Matryoshka Dolls
2) Golden Hohloma ( that is kind of painting on wood)
3) And unfortunately one of the regions with the worst ecology in Russia because of lots of plants and manufactures.
I was asking myself what can I do to reduce the impact we cause and came to the conclusion that I can easily refuse from using of ecologically unfriendly materials and start from plastic bags. First, I decided to count how many plastic bags I take when shopping and I was shocked – up to 10 bags of different sizes per time! That’s unbelievable and unacceptable! Second, I decided to reduce the amount of plastic bags I use and then throw away. It was hard at first and inconvenient but then I got used to doing that. So now I use only one or 2 plastic bags and use them as long as I can. And fortunately, I found your site today and thought that was a wonderful idea to use fabric bag for shopping especially when it looks really esthetic! My first intention was just to ask you to send me your beautiful bag but then thought of making it myself with my own hands) that was a challenge for me as I have no sewing-machine and no appropriate fabric! But all in all I’m happy with a result and hope my bag will serve me for a while.
So thank you very much for your bags and for inspiration you gave to me!
Take care and have a lovely spring,
-          Alina
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Alina, this is truly wonderful, your bag looks great and we are sending you one of ours to help with your shopping too. Thank you for all your kind words and we hope that you will continue to spread the message in Russia that fabric is better than plastic for people and the planet! Thanks! Teresa

2 comments:

mommy Orkid Belle said...

This is wonderful! She did a great job making the fabric bag. Wonderful!!!! This is what I am thinking as well for my country back home in the Philippines. I was thinking maybe my mama can make some fabric bags as well to replace for plastic grocery bags that people uses to go to the market. I better call my mama and tell her about this. Such an inspiration!!!

Green Bag Lady Teresa said...

That would be great Adin, I would love for your mom to make bags in the Philippines, tell her to send me some photos!