This is what we woke up to at 5:00 this morning…we dont’ shut the curtains as to not miss the spectacular sunrises that Turkey has to offer!! Who needs to sleep in when you have Turkish coffee and tea to keep you fueled for the day!!
And we are off and running ….back to the shopping areas to find my silver again!!! HI HO SILVER…AWA
YYYYYYYYYYYYYyYY!!
Some more street scenes on the walk to the side streets
Uh oh…panda slippers!! I’ ve never seen whole body ones before. Only heads on slippers!! Wish I had room to bring these home!!
Some wild jewelry at an accessory shop. The styles here are varied and unique to Turkey
This fat dog was tagged in his ear like a cow!! Later in the morning there was a disturbance on the street and the dog went yelping down the street and past me at the jewelry store. Poor thing seemed to just be extremely scared . The police came to where the disturbance was but we never did figure out what happened to upset the fat dog
This place reminded me a bit of our Claires Boutiques in the US
This candy looked sooooooooooooooooooo tempting!! The Turkish Delight was sold here too
Heres a much better photo of the Halva you saw the other day. We bought a 1/4 lb of the pistachio hal va and it is fantastic. The texture is not nearly as dry as the imported Joyva brand and extremely moist and flavorful..This was lunch
Beautiful scarves everywhere we walked….this shop had an orange, red and cobalt hand embroidered tunic I am going back to get!! We had just left the jewelry store where I went on an insane buying binge!!! Keep scrolling down to see the carnage!!!
A quick break after jewelry shopping…Steve trying a local Turkish beer. He’s feeling much better today..still stuffy and a bit tired so we are just taking it easy this afternoon
Check out that ring!!! Having myself a pineapple orange lime mocktail!! OMG I look like I was run through the ringer in this photo!!! Hand me the Turkish Towel!!! I worked up a head of steam shopping for jewelry!!!
This store cracked me up. Lots of fun clothes…very bohemian in style
As I’m shopping for clothes, Steve gets wrangled across the street into a shoeshine. As I go over there to join him, he says I need mine shined too. Keep in mind my shoes are black leather…Steves are stinky old tennies that are broken in for the trip!!! Sorry Steve but those shoes have seen better days. Steves shoeshine boy worked like crazy and got the suede to actually SHINE!! LOL!! I’m looking at them now and I don’t know how they did it but the shoes don’t look half bad!!
More beautiful scarves
Another funky ear tag for identification. We havent’ seen many street dogs who didn’t belong to someone thank goodness
OMG this place cracked me up!! So I took the photo on the fly because I loved the colors!! When I loaded the images I realized this logo is an upsidedown cartoon of a french fry with his “ketchup” coiffed “hair”!!! This place sells nothing but frenchfries which they love here in Turkey.
A lovely old building!!
Yet more scarves!!!
I thought you might like to see their Burger King sign..I looked at this and though….yes…my friends would like to see the Turkey Burger sign !!!
Now we arrive back at the room. Time to break out the wine the hotel left for us and eat the Halva we bought along with the fresh plums left in the room. We love this hotel~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok…are you ready for a Turkish jewelry show!!!!!! Here are about 1/2 of the rings I purchased. All this jewelry you see below are reproductions of traditional Turkish designs, created in a pewter like alloy which is strong, beautifully crafted and relatively lightweight……and a fraction of the cost of sterling. You can hardly tell the difference.
Here are some of the rings glowing in the Turkish afternoon sun on our balcony
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh each necklace is a treasure in itself!!! I bought a number of them to share…a few pictured here …but now I want to keep them all so let me know if you see something you are interested in and I can go back for more if I need to
These are big bold beautiful designs. I took the wooden suit form out of the room onto the balcony and padded it with towels to mimic a lifesize mannequin so you can get a feel for the scale of these pieces
Each one is completely unique. The person who sold them to me was so awesome. I gave him my card and I now have his too. His company does top notch work . Each jump ring is finished and soldered….the clasps are sturdy and smooth working…the artistry and finishing among some of the finest I’ve seen anywhere. They proudly make certain I understand that these are NOT made in China but Turkish workmanship!!….and I believe them!!!
This huge focal hangs from a 1/2″ wide leather necklace!!! The pendant is about 6″ long
Another leather necklace with a massive 5″ long focal
Ohhhhhhhh yummy!!! I couldn’t stop myself from saying “I’ll take it” to everything he showed me!!!
What an elegant piece this one is. Those circles are each about 2 1/2″ wide
And then there are the bracelets!! Each just as special as the necklaces and rings
This is a very cool bracelet. Each one is fully adjustable with a high quality lobster clasp and chain
Loved this one…lots of detail and beautiful workmanship
How am I supposed to decide what to keep and what to let go !!!!????? This is harder than beads to make decisions on!!!
We are now getting ready to go to the lounge for some appetizers and beverage to hold us off till we figure out where we will go for dinner which will be our first real meal today…Im getting mighty hungry with only Halva and coffee and a glass of wine in my system!!
So there is just a sneek peek at a few of the items I purchased on our shopping trip today. We never did make it down to the kitties again but will try tomorrow.
Till tomorrow my friends!!!!
WOW!! The designs are terrific. I wish I had a picture of the designs to keep in my mind. They have real possibilities in my fiber designs. Thank you so much for letting us take a peek.
The jewelry is awesome. Steve looks very relaxed in that picture. Good beer. eh? haha
Thank you for sharing all your fantastic pictures with us.
Jeez, all of the rings, necklaces and bracelets are wonderful!
I am kinda partial to the very last bracelet pictured, so if you wouldn’t mind…..could you pick me one of those up???? (The one with the 5 circles and swirls in them.) IF by chance they don’t have anymore of them then the 2nd pic ( the one with the single disc and the leather straps) If they are not ungodly expensive (times are tough everywhere) then do both for me, LOL shopping spree for us both!
Still luvin the street pix and the scarves………..the colrs and patterns. Just great!
Glad to see all the dogs are owned, and the tagging of them is intersesting. Guess they do itbecause collars can be taken off or lost….
HeeHee….when I looked at the Burger King sign I thought I saw the word “indigestion” in Turkish, LOL!!!! Check it out…see what I mean??? Must be a subliminal message. Great jewelry Sandra, I love all the rings and the necklaces are awesome. How you going to get all that home?????
Sandy, I’m so sad I missed you earlier! I sent you an email to [email protected] OMG all that jewelry is gorgeous!! I would go crazy buying everything too (you know I would). The first necklace and the back to back spiral triangle bracelet or the circle spiral bracelet are my favorites! If you get a chance to grab anymore like those I would love it.
I hope Steve is feeling better, it’s no fun to feel icky on vacation.
The photos from the boat are beautiful
Luv ya
Oh, forgot to say the scarves are beautiful too!
Hi Sandy and Steve,
So many of our friends have been to Turkey and loved it but I have never been that inspired to go – until now that is! Being able to see the photos on the computer brings the colors and detail out so much better than the snapshots people bring back from trips – everything just lights up! Loved the way the merchants displayed the scarves. And that jewelry you picked out – no wonder you can’t decide – they all would look good on you. The weather looks perfect – so glad you are having such a great time- Love, Jan
Jewelry—-WAY COOL. Steve, you look like you’re feeling better. Can’t keep a good man down can you???? Have a great time, you two.
Hugs
Diana
Hi Sandra,
WOW, what a gorgeous sunrise! And speaking of gorgeous…no wonder you couldn’t make decisions…those pieces of jewelry are spectacular! I love the necklace with the 7 dangling ovals and the necklace with 5 round spirals and a center dangle is mesmerizing (do you think I like dangles?!) I have to say that another “favorite” is the necklace in the first jewelry picture you showed. I love the little girl with the orange hair and the yellow and lime green accents (the yellow squiggles and “dangling” yellow flowers are very cool details!) Those colors are so terrific together…very bright and happy 🙂 I must say you really pull off all those rings together (especially with that gorgeous manicure)! I’m so glad Steve is feeling better. I hope you both stay well for the rest of your fabulous trip.
Lots of Love, Lois 🙂
Hi everyone!!! Isn’t that jewelry something. The closest thing I could compare the quality to is museum replicas that you typically find in museum gift shops. Affordable (the big necklaces retail under 100.00 …bracelets under 65) and the finishing and details top notch. I love the rings too All of the are adjustable at the back in a classy and sturdy way at the center back…not those cheaply made adjustable ring shanks
We will try to get back today and see what we can find. There were also some chunky silver beaded bracelets on professional elastic I should have purchased yesterday. The longer I thought about them them more I wished I had gotten them.
I hate that when you regret not buying something… I have done it tons of times. My most remorse was over a Bangle Bracelet made by an Italian Jeweler, one of the most awesomw pieces I ever ran across and I of course kick myself in the arse to this day for not buying it! Epecially because it was a once in a lifetime, one and only piece and signed! SO I say if ya want it buy it Sister!
WOW!! the sunset, the scarves, and the jewelry all together are amazing! The jewelry, I certainly see why you can’t pass any of it up, as it is simply beautiful. I’m just thinking how much fun to shop with such great pieces to pick from. Thanks for sharing. NM
All those colours are so amazing & the designs so Turkish…. Steve looks very relaxed for a man whose wife is on such a spending spree.. 🙂
Catch up with you later!
Hi my friends!!! HA…I knew the jewelry would bring you all out to play!! LOL! We are heading to the Grand Bazaaar this morning and then the Blue Mosque at sunset for good photo opps!! I purchased some wonderful sandalwood oil yesterday and I need to go back and get a few more vials..I think I need one for the drawing too!! The price was right and this was the real deal. I’m wearing some today and it is not overpowering but earthy and heavenly!!!! They put in in a travel sprayer for me which looks like a lipstick tube. ….a neat little thing to bring home.
Yes Bernice…..Steve is such a good sport and patient. He might not be so understanding if it had been his money I was spending but I’ve been saving since April to be able to buy treasures on this trip. Steves turn is in France…..the wine man will be crazing out on the stuff that doesn’t get imported into the states
Vonnie I agree that if you don’t buy it …it doesn’t happen. I have learned my lesson pretty well over the years. Now if I don’t buy something it’s usually because I a
m hoping I can find the same thing at a much better price….which usually bites me in he butt too…lol…
Cathy I’ll try again later. I keep trying Diana too but the timing has been off when she’s at work!!
Gotta run but will update later today!!!Thanks a tone everyone for stoppin by!!!
Oh yeah…Nan the shopping is crazy fun!! Too many temptations and reasonable prices. I would say overall of all the places I have shopped, Turkey has the best quality /value for the dollar. The items are not dirt cheap like Thailand but overall we are seeing less mass production and one of a kind weavings and jewelry items.
The low pressure salespeople are a breath of fresh air too!! Almost like the vendors in South Africa. Always making sure you understand the price and any discounts on paper or a calculator.
Instead of talking them down…I just ask “If I buy many….can you give me a better price”. Every single vendor has given me a hellish deal when I approach them that way….usually 40 percent off the lot
Diana you would love Turkey!! This is such a gentle and beautiful country. The people have been easy to communicate with even though very litle English is spoken. It’s an interesting language as it’s amazingly easy to understand what people are trying to say….well they use their hand gestures a lot and that’s always a language I have understood..lol!!!
Off to find more kitties for you!
Oh Oh!! i bet Im too late to say what piece of jewelry i like….if i were able to get one. just in case……i like any one of the bracelets. i love all of it …….beautiful as silver and just very handmade looking…the marks and then the smoothness is like the contrast in a painting. anyway……everything in Turkey looks wonderful. Steve looks just totally comfy with his beer and that relaxed look on his face. I hope he gets better. I tell ya, dark beer will do it!!!! that one photo with the scarves….crop a tiny bit on the right……make sure the sky is still there tho, (but the people can go,) and you have the most gorgeous natural abstract work of art…….the colors and composition is exquisite!!!! (listen to me…..tellin YOU…..hahahaha). it just popped out at me tho. waiting for more……as always. love, kathe
What a gorgeous sunrise! I love the scarves! And the jewelry….beautiful!
by the way….in that picture where you say you look like you went trough the wringer? look again, …..with that lovely drink and the colors you are wearing….you are glowing!!! i love that pic! so natural!
hei…can u tell me where you get those beautifully crafted jewellry in istanbul? I’d love to get some ! 🙂 they’re fantastic
Hi,
I bought my girlfriend a bracelet from a shop in Croatia on holiday and I wanted to get a similar one. After lots of searching I have found it on your website. Its the photo about "This is a very cool bracelet. Each one is fully adjustable with a high quality lobster clasp and chain".
Are you please able to tell me where you got it from.
Thanks, Matt