The Taltohma Blog is a space where adornment meets story. Here, we explore the cultural history of waist beads, the art and materials behind their creation, and the deeply personal journeys women experience through wearing them. Some posts are reflective, others are educational, and many begin with everyday conversations that happen right here in the studio.
Through humour, research, and lived experience, these writings unpack the myths, traditions, and evolving meanings surrounding waist beads. From body narratives and bead care to cultural heritage and contemporary fashion, each piece invites readers to look beyond the surface and rediscover the stories carried by every strand.
When I first decided to conduct a survey to find out what men really think about waist beads, I wasn’t prepared for the responses I got. Two hundred and forty-three men. Yes, 243 took part, and let’s just say it…
At Taltohma, we believe that beauty should never feel complicated. From the moment you choose your beads to the moment they arrive at your doorstep, the experience should feel intentional, seamless, and deeply considered. That belief is what led us…
For years, waist beads have been quietly entangled with the promise of an “hourglass” body, as though a strand of glass and thread could sculpt flesh into curves. Many women wear them hoping their waist will shrink, their hips will round, or their bodies will somehow rearrange themselves into a more desirable shape. This belief is widespread, deeply emotional, and remarkably persistent. Yet it is also a fallacy, not because waist beads lack power, but because the nature of that power has often been misunderstood
Yes!!! You made it to our fourth blog post and I am excited to see you back here, I have been pleasantly surprised by the feedback we have received . Thank you to everyone who took the time to read…
In Ghanaian slang, when a loved one especially your husband buys you waist beads, it’s called Tohma. And trust me, Tohma isn’t just a name; it’s a feeling, a whole love story rolled into a strand of glass and thread.…
One of the most frequent questions I get is: “Vera, how do I care for my waist beads? How do I make them last longer? Can I bathe with them?” And trust me, this question pops up so often that…
Do you know that you don’t need to dispose of your waist beads once they break? I mean, yes the heartbreak is real. One minute you’re feeling all goddess-like, the next minute… snap! Your beads scatter dramatically across the floor…
For many professional women, waist beads become that ritual.Waist beads sit close to the body. They are not worn for the world to see. They move with you through meetings, deadlines, stress, joy, and rest. They respond honestly to your body. When your weight shifts, when your posture changes, when you breathe deeply or hold tension, the beads feel it before your mind does.
If there’s one thing that used to terrify me, it was the idea of change.According to Merriam-Webster, some synonyms for “change” are transform, switch, and alter. The thought of any of these words alone was enough to make my palms…
As an artist and photographer, I have always been drawn to how people communicate without speaking. Long before words are formed, the body already knows how to tell its story. Through posture, movement, texture, color, and adornment, we announce who…
