Through the ten years that I have been creating and selling art and craft, I have had many successes and many failures, but I have never given up. Political uncertainty in our country saw two of my shops close.  But again, lessons learnt through my business startups have been priceless, and I mean just that, beyond value.  It is this learning that I have brought with me into my present business,   Weyra has many distinguished clients, chiefs of mission to Ethiopia, ambassadors, directors, and presidents.

Sitotaw Assefa heads the weaving workshop. His team can expand from two to five or six, depending on orders.  Sitotaw Assefa is an artisan who inherited a love of handcraft from his parents. Steeped in the practice of traditional craft making, he grew up watching his mother, a potter, mould clay, and his stepfather, weave cloth. Traditional art resides in Sitotaw’s family for generations.

At the Weyra shop in Bole Medhehanelem, two young women who have returned from the Middle East where they worked in the service industry, have been hired as sales staff.  Providing support and encouragement for Middle East returnees, many of whom are traumatised and disoriented having been poorly treated by their employers, forms another part of Weyra’s social responsibility commitment and helps young women reintegrate into society.

Weyra  Crafts will continue to pursue its dream of having a positive impact on the network of communities with which it works. Building a sustainable and profitable business will benefit all of Weyra’s producers.  It is equally Weyra’s dream to share with discerning buyers the world over, the expertly designed and produced craft of Ethiopia.  Weyra wishes to bring joy to homes in all corners of the globe.  As Weyra’s footprint grows, the impact that it can have on communities in Ethiopia, will grow too.  And with the economic outlook of Ethiopia steadily improving, Weyra is well positioned to flourish and prosper.  Hand crafted weaves, household goods, jewelry and traditional pottery, furniture and carvings, will be gracing the homes of Addis Ababa and beyond well into the future!