Tulsa Community Helps Street Vendor Open Shop In Mother Road Market

The Tulsa community is showing some love to a big-hearted street vendor. The community's support has helped her open her own shop inside The Mother Road Market!

"We are in little Oaxaca!" said Esther Wright owner of, Hilo de Amor: Thread of Love. "I am indigenous from Oaxaca, Mexico," said Wright, "I want everyone to see the marvelous things that Mexico, Oaxaca has to offer."

"The bags! That is how everything started!" said Wright.

Each bag is hand-made by a man or woman in prison in Oaxaca, Mexico. Details are put on the bags by families outside of the prison, living in Oaxaca.

"I know the people - the makers. All my life I grew up like that - they were in my heart," said Wright.

The products are sold in Tulsa and the money goes back to the hands that created each piece in Mexico. The bags have become a way for men and women in prison to support their families while incarcerated.

"It takes 8 hours to make one of those bags- to weave it. 8 hours," said Wright.

Hilo de Amor sells all kinds of hand-made crafts that represent the hard work of more than 16 indigenous groups living all over Oaxaca.

Jewelry, clothing- you can get it all here, at Esther's permanent little shop right at the entrance of Mother Road Market.

"They are sisters. The only thing they do is this right here- red clay. The story is they have been making it for many, many, many generations," said Wright.

This is a shop all about giving back and doing so while celebrating the culture of Oaxaca, Mexico.

"Their family makes these to pay for medical expenses," said Wright,  "She makes this. She is a wonderful lady."

Each piece represents a story. Each sale is a life improved.

"We have been working hard and I think when the opportunity opened, we took it because we were ready for it. It feels amazing!" said Wright.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ESTHER: https://www.hilodeamor.com/about-us

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TULSA PROGRAM THAT HELPED ESTHER: https://www.lobecktaylor.com/about