Lauren Alexander Designs’ Eco-Friendly and Incredibly Cute Everyday Items

Columbus native Lauren Alexander describes herself as a craft artist, small business owner and sustainability advocate, using her artistic talents to develop a business with an environmentally focused mission. Her passion for sustainability originated at a young age, sparking a commitment to protecting the natural world.

“All throughout my childhood I was obsessed with animals and had a lot of animal books,” she says. “As I grew older, I recognized how many were extinct and endangered due to humans’ actions.”

Alexander’s entrepreneurial journey began by printing designs on notebooks and mugs. She later learned how to sew and incorporated that into her products as well. She ran a casual, pay-what-you-can business in her local community where she sold handmade face masks during the pandemic before launching Lauren Alexander Designs in 2021.

Since then, Alexander’s goal has been to replace everyday single-use products, such as paper towels, napkins, sponges and cotton pads, with washable, reusable items that come in fun, eye-catching prints.

“The reusable paper towels are super thin and add a cute pop of color. [They] are the perfect replacement,” Alexander says. “The washable sponges are the same size as regular sponges, mildew-resistant, super-fast drying and don’t leak microplastics into our homes and waterways.”

Each item is printed with bright colors and patterns to encourage buyers to bring some vibrancy into their space. Alexander’s products can now be found in over 40 shops and boutiques across the United States. She also sells directly to consumers at many seasonal markets held throughout Columbus, such as the Dublin Market, the German Village Makers Market and the Not Your Mamas Craft Market.

“I love color and rainbows. I love designs that remind me of my own creative adventures from when I was a kid loving colorful things,” Alexander says. “My grandma and mom have always been artists, and my family has always encouraged me. I grew up in a household where it was normal to see a canvas on the dining room table.”

For more information, visit laurenalexanderdesigns.com.

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