Where in Over-the-Rhine can you find jewelry from 30 countries?

The answer is The Little Mahatma!

Gloria McConnaghy is the woman behind the door of The Little Mahatma at 1205 Vine Street. For twenty-one years, in various locations downtown, The Little Mahatma has been our region’s premier source of jewelry, folk art and artifacts from over 30 different countries. The store is small but holds a wide variety of hand-made jewelry ranging from antique, vintage ethnic to the brightest, most current costume jewelry, prices range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. Hand-crafted masks, puppets and textiles are also available. We took a few minutes to talk with Gloria about how the store began, her experiences and Over-the-Rhine.

Why did you open Little Mahatma twenty-one years ago?

My previous career in public health, and my two tours with the Peace Corps, took me all over the world. I wanted to bring the beautiful work of the artisans from various areas of the world that I lived and worked in, and many others, back to Cincinnati. I now have long-standing relationships with many of the most respected wholesale dealers of specialized goods in the U.S. and am a proponent of the “fair trade” movement.

Why did you move The Little Mahatma to Over-the-Rhine?

Over-the-Rhine is a bright, chic area with other specialty retailers, restaurants and new residential housing. The neighborhood is one of the most interesting in Cincinnati with a diverse mix of residents and concerns. People are again sweeping the sidewalks and keeping the neighborhood sparkling. This neighborhood is an arts area with Music Hall, the Art Academy, Know Theatre, Ensemble Theatre and new School for Creative and Performing Arts. I wanted to be a part of that community and the excitement.

Many people might not know you create jewelry.

I had the opportunity to travel to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, China and Thailand to learn and collect very special beads and components. I created my own line of jewelry that’s in the collector’s section of the store.

A few photos of the selection available at The Little Mahatma.

Photos courtesy of Marc Phelps.