Aydın Güngör Glass Jewelry

Handblown Glass Bead Drop Earrings

Several years ago while traveling along Turkey's Aegean coast, we stopped in a small shop selling glass jewelry.  The shop doubled as atelier for glass artist Aydın Güngör.

Having worked as a jewelry designer for many years, Aydın puts his training to work by crafting custom-made beads and stringing them together into necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

Though he uses glass imported from Italy, Aydın finds plenty of inspiration from the Turkish village of Şirince where he works.

If you're lucky enough to visit Şirince, I'm sure you'll find your way to Aydın's shop. If not, you can find a selection of his designs in our online boutique.

Shop Aydın Güngör designs.

Handmade Bittim Soap

I first encountered this divine soap when I partnered with KAGIDER for their "Bridge from Woman to Woman" project two years ago.

Bıttım Soap on Cemil Ipekci Tablecloth

The soap is made from the bıttım nut which is native to southeastern Turkey and prized for its beneficial effects on skin and hair. With no added dyes or fragrances, this soap leaves skin soft and smooth without irritation.

In a dish

An additional benefit is that it is handmade by a women's cooperative in Mardin, Turkey.

This handmade bıttım soap is available for a limited time through our shop at Nest.

Holiday Gifts from Turkey

Yesterday I posted this Holiday Gift Guide on our Intarsia Concept blog. Not surprisingly, many of the submissions we received came from my Turkish networks, so I thought I would showcase those creative entrepreneurs here.

Not everything is necessarily handmade, but it's all inspired by Turkey in some way (yes, even the nail bar).

I hope you'll forgive my sparse editing from the original post and consider this the Turkish Digest version.

 California Nail Bar

California Nail Bar - Relaxation and rejuvenation in a trendy shopping district of Istanbul.

Tales from the Expat Harem: Foreign Women in Modern Turkey anthology from editors Anastasia Ashman and Jennifer Eaton Gokmen. Available in paperback* or for your Kindle.

 Single Daisy Silver Pendant

Citara's - Online handcrafted bazaar (that's us)

 2010 Shibu Earrings Collection

Shibu Design - Unique natural gem jewelry (Sebnem makes her own beads!).

 Beaded Necklace 

from The Open Studio

The Open Studio - Jewelry designs inspired by ancient artifacts, modern hardware.

 Vintage Ottoman Empire Necklace 

from Bazaar Bayar

Bazaar Bayar - Handmade and vintage textiles and handknit treasures with a Turkish twist.

Silver Infused Sifa Yarn from The Knit Box

The Knit Box - Turkish yarn, patterns and accessories and community support.

Street Scenes from Behind the Bazaar

Behind the Bazaar - Introductions to authentic Istanbul artists and designers.

I hope this inspires you to consider buying some of your holiday gifts from Turkey this year.