Rooted in the Nilgiris. Made with purpose.

Shalom Ooty brings together the heritage of Toda hand embroidery and the everyday possibilities of women’s craftsmanship. Based in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, our work connects women artisans with people who value thoughtfully made products and the hands behind them.

How our story began

Our roots go back to 1992, when Sheela Powell began working with local women to create and sell handmade household textiles. What started as a way to earn additional income grew into a shared purpose.

In 2005, women from the Toda community approached Sheela for help selling their embroidered shawls. That connection shaped Shalom Ooty’s work: opening a wider market for the artisans’ skills while helping their living craft find a place in contemporary homes and wardrobes.

A living tradition

Toda embroidery is closely connected to the Toda community of the Nilgiri Hills. Its distinctive red and black needlework on white or off-white fabric carries knowledge passed between generations. The artisans bring their own skill and judgement to the patterns they create.

At Shalom Ooty, this handwork finds expression in bags and pouches, accessories, furnishings and sarees. These pieces bring traditional craftsmanship into daily life while keeping the people who practise it at the centre of the story.

Craft that creates opportunity

Our purpose is to help women earn through their skills and connect their work with a wider audience. Behind each embroidered piece are time, care and knowledge that deserve recognition.

When you choose Shalom Ooty, you support a business built around women’s craftsmanship and the continuing story of Toda embroidery.

Discover Shalom Ooty

Explore our collection and find a piece of the Nilgiris to bring into your everyday life.