It all started when…

In 2010 a team of expats began to work with the people of Las Moras, an isolated village in the mountains of Mexico. The people there are subsistence farmers, and rely heavily on their corn crops to feed their family throughout the year. When a drought hit that first year, it became apparent that alternate sources of income were in dire need in the community. The team began buying some of the beaded jewelry and woven bags that the village women would make, in order to help them buy food. Eventually the supply was dramatically larger than the demand, so the team began to look for opportunities to sell to others.

A short while later, the team connected with some other expats at a popular coffee shop in Mazatlán. Motivated by a desire to help this remote community, the coffee shop began stocking jewelry from the Las Moras women, which was well-received by their patrons. Unfortunately, supply still outpaced the demand for these one-of-a-kind, dramatic, and colorful pieces. That’s when the decision was made to make the jewelry a business of its own, and Salted Palm was born. Shelley, one of the owners of the coffee shop, has always had a passion for design and creativity. Salted Palm was the perfect way for her to explore her creative design side and help the women of Las Moras. She provides the women of Las Moras with earring designs, ideal color combinations, quality control and inspiration. This allows the women to create modern pieces with their traditional techniques. Salted Palm exists to bring this beautiful unique, handmade jewelry to jewelry lovers around the world and help provide economic opportunity to women who may not have had it in the past.

Each piece of jewelry is hand-made by a real person in Las Moras, Mexico. Not only do the village women do the work, but they are involved in organizing and administering the group efforts, as well. They buy the beads, make the jewelry and set the price they sell the jewelry to Salted Palm. The funds they receive for their work help them provide for their families and have an alternate source of income to working in the drug fields that are ever-present within the region.

Thank you for supporting the cause of the women of this small village and for giving them the opportunity for a better life through your purchase.