Decor Ağustos 2020

What matters to me is honest trade and giving the
customer proper goods. As a result of my 22-year
relationship, I can reach this customer mass and keep
this audience steadily. I also have Turkish customers,
of course. Thanks to my relations with them, we have
come to this day.
Why carpet?
I can say that the carpet chose me, I didn’t choose
the carpet. Since my husband’s job, I started this job.
Then, when he wanted to do another job, I continued at
the Grand Bazaar. But I always loved the carpet.
The products made by the villagers impress me.
Maybe that woman is illiterate; but she transfers her
thoughts and feelings to the carpets she weaves. I
love reading and examining this type of carpet. Maybe
my interest in the carpet is because it has lived in it
and has the characteristics of the time it touches.
You have been here for many years. How are the
differences between the current period and the old
one?
There were many clerks in the past. They both speak
good language and had the skills to sell the carpet. At
that time, there was not much variety on the carpet
like now. The locals such as Milas, Döşemealtı, Kayseri
and Hereke only had carpets. Now the variety is
more and the rugs are more fashionable than before.
At the same time, there were 10 masters who made
carpet repairs here. Now there are 2-3 people left. As
such, they take and cut the carpets that need repair,
and are making bags, shoes and pillows.
What is the difference between carpet and rug according
to you?
To me, the rug has a more attractive side. But of course
this is a culture. The people who will buy the carpet
and the hand rug must have a culture. Rugs add a
different sense of decorative to the spaces. More
precisely, you need to help customers in a decorative
sense. When you work in this direction, we need to
think like an interior designer while selling the carpet.
My purpose is not to sell the most expensive carpet
to customers. I will be pleased when I sell the carpet
that is most suitable for the place.
While Turkish carpet is so important, it should not be
lost. This art needs to be preserved. What will be sold
in the Grand Bazaar when the handicraft is finished?
There is not much left now. Most of the items sold
come from China. There is no handiwork left in Europe;
because we have no craftsmen. But it exists here
and these handicrafts should be taken under protection
as soon as possible.
Which region does your favorite carpet or rug belong
to?
I like Kazakh carpet very much. It is because the
Kazakh carpet dominates the blue color, which is a
bright colors on the carpet. Apart from that, I like
Denizli, Eşme and Sivas rugs which are dominated by
cold colors. I like geometric patterns more than floral
patterns.
When I sell a carpet, I sell it by thinking about the ambience
that the carpet adds to the space. Previously,
clerks used to tell stories about carpet as a marketing
element. But I don’t think this is true. In fact, there is
not a story, there is the lifestyle of women who weave,
and this needs to be told. If women weaving carpets
knew how to write books, they would. Their book is
also carpet.
You are the only female carpet maker of the Grand
Bazaar. What kind of reactions do you get about this?
I had no trouble opening this place. Since I already
started with my husband, I gained experience. It was
not difficult for me after he left. I earned my dignity
because I brought my own customers and because
I was doing an honest trade. I’ve never tried to get
customers from other vendors. When I requested
products that I don’t have, I always referred them to
those sellers.
July - August 2020 • DECOR 61