Our Collective Project Vision
In March 2021 KelMari founder, Kelli Salas, made the decision to become a collective brand and work collaboratively with Salvadoran-owned small businesses in the U.S. and in El Salvador. A collective project that would help promote Salvadoran brands, allow them to grow outside of their current market, and share their story with a new audience. For many of our international Salvadoran partners it is the first time they sell outside of their country; providing them and their employees with more work and growth opportunities. Together we are keeping the Salvadoran culture alive! Meet our collective partners and learn more about their craft. From jewelry, accessories, to handwoven textiles these brands create unique and luxurious products with the Salvadoran culture at heart.
ARTESAN
Artesan is a family owned business based in El Salvador. It was born 9 years ago with the illusion of creating designs that represent our culture, that have the essence of a process at hand. Artesan combines traditional techniques with creative and innovative designs. Their products highlight the weaving process on artisanal looms of Salvadoran origin, using natural cotton as the main raw material. “Artisan textiles have been part of our family for years. We are fortunate to be able to work with excellent artisans from different parts of El Salvador, such as San Sebastían, San Vicente and Cojutepeque, who put love into everything they do; with admirable and talented women, with whom we have managed to form a great team.”
belÚ cacao
Belu Cacao is an artisanal chocolate family run business located in El Salvador. Making exceptional chocolate is their passion and has always been since day one. They have taken an ancestral Mesoamerican crop, cocoa, and transformed it into a delicious experience that takes us back to the basic and true flavor of single-origin cocoa. Belu Cacao believes in craftsmanship and healthy living. Their chocolate bars are made in small batches to preserve the quality of every bar while using two main ingredients: high quality cocoa beans and brown cane sugar, both grown in El Salvador. They are committed to being part of social change in their country one chocolate bar at a time!
CUNKUN
Cunkun is a unique children’s accessories brand based in El Salvador. The business idea for Cunkun was developed after Martha, the founder, had her son and began her search for the right items to decorate his nursery with. She knew she wanted items that evoked light, serenity, and were vivacious, whilst transmitting a sense of familiarity. When Martha found it difficult to find these products in El Salvador she saw this as a great business opportunity and ultimately is how Cunkun came to existence. Sprouting from their family’s core, and their son’s attachment to a racoon shaped blanket he had intuitively named ‘Cunkun’, Martha built a family-centric business that focused on Salvadoran handmade items that were tailored to nurseries and toddler’s rooms around the globe.
ESCARABAZUL
Escarabazul, owned by Marce Moran, is a small business based in El Salvador that specializes in creating handwoven women’s accessories, babywear, home decor and religious gifts. Escarabazul’s products are innovative, eco-friendly and mix upcycled materials with traditional textiles forming beautiful and unique pieces of art. “The art of weaving is so ancient and transmitted from generation to generation, it is cultural identity, it is history, it is the pride of artisan communities .Each of our products tells a story, shows us an artisanal technique and brings a dream to life. We design with passion and elaborate it with love.”
EUFONÍA HANDCRAFTED
Eufonía Handcrafted is a small jewelry workshop based in the heart of San Salvador, El Salvador. The founder, Tatiana Arias, specializes in making handmade polymer clay accessories created to help bring spirit and freshness to every woman's style. Tatiana has always been fascinated by manual art, and loves learning and gaining inspiration from blogs related to jewelry, accessories and makeup. The word eufonía (euphony) corresponds to the name of one of Tatiana’s favorite birds which wears a spectacular plumage with colors that reflect her designs. Eufonía creates combinations within the entire palette of colors, from neutral to intense, resulting in unique one-of-a-kind pieces. Each style she creates is handcrafted with care and passion. KelMari is proud to be the first small business to introduce Tatiana’s unique products here in the United States.
maCá studio
Carmen Benitez is a designer and illustrator based in San Salvador, El Salvador. She loves surface design and experimenting with new Ideas to create accessories that convey joy and emotion through their colors. Six years ago she began this great dream of creating a unique experience with accessories through her prints; connecting the everyday and nature in each hand-illustrated collection. Her designs give life to each piece thanks to the hands of Salvadoran artisans.
PONPOM HOME
PONPOM Home was founded in 2017 in El Salvador by Karla Paz. This small business creates the most fun and modern handmade home decor, handbags, pompom and tassel accessories all made with natural materials. Karla and her team take pride in their detailed work and craftsmanship, offering luxury and style in every single piece.
RENGIFO
Coming from a creative and entrepreneurial family, RENGIFO was born in 2015 with the intention of leaving a legacy for future generations and generating a positive impact on the artisans of El Salvador. They are giving back to the Salvadoran society by creating jobs for women who for various reasons cannot be incorporated into the traditional labor market. They believe in the importance of family as the basis of society, and have built their entire business model around this idea.
RENGIFO produces jewelry, accessories, handbags and household products. They create trendy, practical and elegant handcrafted products, standing out for their exclusivity and quality.