T&H Designs is a small jewelry and bag design business started in 2007 by identical twin sisters, Tigist and Haimanot, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Tigist and Haimanot first became interested in designing jewelry when the Gemini Trust – an organization dedicated to helping families with twins – offered to train the girls when they were teenagers as a way for them to make extra income for their family. The twins ran with the idea, and discovered a unique talent and passion for jewelry design.

 

Shortly after discovering their talent for jewelry design, Tigist and Haimanot founded T&H Designs, while working out of their family’s one room house in Addis Ababa. The twins grew the business and opened a brick and mortar shop in Addis Ababa. Along the way, Tigist and Haimanot showed a special interest in empowering women through jewelry making by employing young women at their shop and training women who have undergone fistula surgery in jewelry making, so they can start their own jewelry businesses for extra income.

 

Currently, Haimanot lives in Indianapolis, Indiana and Tigist lives in Stuttgart, Germany. They continue to travel to Ethiopia for beads and inspiration, but they primarily make and sell their jewelry in the USA and Europe.

T&H Designs celebrates the rich Ethiopian heritage of bead and pendant making, while adding their own artistic vision. 

 

Farmers in Ethiopia collect bullet casings and skillfully transform the metal into stunning metal beads and crosses. Tigist and Haimanot buy the beads from the farmers to create their unique designs. This way, Tigist and Haimanot support the people of Ethiopia, preserve the ancient art of bead making, and promote peace and beauty. 

 

Tigist and Haimanot have traveled to all over the world to find new beads and learn new skills that complement the Ethiopian style. They skillfully blend tradition and innovation to create one-of-a-kind designs that you will love.