our story
About Shalom Ooty
Shalom Ooty began in 2005 as a small self-help group in Ooty, giving local women a way to earn an income without leaving their households. What started with a few sewing machines in a small room has grown into a social enterprise working with artisan women across the Nilgiris.
Each piece is hand-embroidered entirely by eye, without tracing — a skill passed down through generations and recognised in 2013 with Geographical Indication status as a heritage craft of the region.
Fair Trade, By Design
Fair, instant pay. Every artisan sets her own price and is paid on the spot — whether a piece sells in a day or sits in inventory becomes our problem, not hers.
We also cover artisans’ travel costs, so getting paid never comes at their own expense.
Heritage, preserved. Around 200 women artisans across the Nilgiris hand-embroider our pieces, keeping a centuries-old craft alive for the next generation.
Over 250 women have worked with us since we began — proof that craft and livelihood can grow together.
our mission
Empowering Artisan Women
Our mission is simple: give skilled artisan women a fair, sustainable market for their embroidery, so a traditional craft doesn’t have to disappear for a livelihood to be earned.
Today, our pieces travel from Ooty to homes across India — sold locally, through partner stores in Chennai and Coonoor, and through our own online shop.
“If we don’t keep encouraging these women, this craft will disappear within a generation.”
— Sheela Powell, Founder
— Sheela Powell, Founder
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