Hand Made

Meet Lidia Schmidt 

Lidia Schmidt – Founder of Elhanan

Born in the quiet Northern Cape town of Upington in May 1963, Lidia Schmidt (née Marais) carries the legacy of strength, faith, and creativity passed down from her parents, Gerrit and Kotie Marais. As the eldest daughter, Lidia was raised with a sense of responsibility, resilience, and grace—qualities that have become the cornerstones of her life’s work.

Her name, Lidia, was lovingly chosen by her mother from the pages of the Bible, specifically from the Book of Acts. In Scripture, Lydia is remembered as a dealer in purple cloth—a woman of strength, faith, and commerce, whose home became a meeting place for early Christians. Purple, the colour of royalty and spiritual depth, becomes a fitting symbol for Lidia’s journey—a blend of entrepreneurial vigour and spiritual devotion.

A creator at heart, Lidia has always been driven by vision and ingenuity. From her earliest days, she embraced the hustle of entrepreneurship, carving paths where none existed, and championing the beauty of individuality. Her latest venture, Elhanan, is a culmination of decades of lived wisdom, creative energy, and divine inspiration.