Mela! Mela! Children run excitedly through the dusty streets announcing that the fair has come to town. Housewives and farmers, school children and shopkeepers hurry to finish their tasks and join friends and neighbors for this long-awaited celebration. Food vendors set up their stalls; toy-makers spread out their wares; farmers sit behind colorful mounds of fresh vegetables; craftsmen display pots and carpets, blankets and jewelry. Colorful sights, joyful sounds, spicy aromas; all contribute to the intoxicating mix of a traditional Indian Mela, the periodic coming together of merchants and villagers for commerce, communication and community.

MyMela is your personal introduction to the world of the Indian Mela. Through this innovative online marketplace, you can fill your life with distinctive handcrafted artwork while learning about the artisans who created them. At the same time you can forge a personal connection with these same artisans through purchases and loans that allow them the opportunity to live with dignity while ensuring that they can continue to practice their traditional crafts.

MyMela’s vision is to create a dynamic online marketplace for Indian artisans, providing them a sustainable market for their work. Together with our field partner, Asha Handicrafts, we have identified the most skilled artisans to produce a wide range of high-quality handmade products for our site. In addition to purchasing their work, you can choose to further ensure their long term viability by offering them interest-free loans. Your loans will be used to buy materials, make capital improvements or train other workers and will be repaid with interest in credits on the MyMela marketplace.