I began working in Hovsep Çatak’s workshop in the Grand Bazaar when I was 12 years old. Since then, I've turned this multi-layered cultural mosaic that I've been lucky enough to be a part of - and the stories whispered into my ears by all living creatures - into my unique jewelry.
I tell my own fairytales with them. I'd love to tell these tales to you too…
I began working in Hovsep Çatak’s workshop in the Grand Bazaar when I was 12 years old. Since then, I've turned this multi-layered cultural mosaic that I've been lucky enough to be a part of - and the stories whispered into my ears by all living creatures - into my unique jewelry.
I tell my own fairytales with them. I'd love to tell these tales to you too…
I grew up in what you could call one of the classic workshops of the Grand Bazaar. My curiosity and energy knew no bounds, leading to many adventures and formative experiences. And every day, I heard the sounds from the streets I walked. I listened to the trees, to the birds, to the places of worship for different religions. I played with Istanbul's seagulls as we crossed the Bosphorus by ferry. I expanded my imagination staring at the domes of the Hagia Sophia. The magnificence, the rich history, the culture of Anatolia, Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire are the greatest sources of inspiration for my jewelry. But what makes my pieces unique is not only the stories from which they're inspired, but also the craftsmanship I have entrusted to my master craftsmen, the collaborations I've made with artists, sculptors, glassworkers or ceramic masters outside the jewelry world, and the curiosity to turn precious stones into even more precious pieces.
The first milestone of my craftsmanship is the domed ring design I fit the spirit of Istanbul into, the cradle of civilizations. But what I really pioneered is different. I pioneered a focus on unique jewelry that didn't matter how long it took to complete. I pioneered designing the patient hand craftsmanship, regardless of target audience or price range. I pioneered placing small touches on my art, sometimes hidden and completely invisible to the naked eye. It's this holistic approach to craftsmanship, which my reverse intaglio methods grew out of, that really is the true milestone I had to cross before beginning my illustrious career. This approach of mine has since inspired jewelers over the world, both in terms of technique and in terms of vision. Jewels capturing moments and stories from palaces to mosques, from the portraits of Sultans to the women of the harem, from mythological legends to brilliant natural scenes have delighted both patrons and artists alike, all of which gives me a great feeling of pride.
The Carver has to be relaxed, as stones have their own vibrations, they respond to human vibrations, and any negativity could cause the stone to crack.
Just imagine…. Never tiring, never wanting to stop, that excitement of your dreams coming true every time you enter a new day…
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