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If you are in Bodrum on the first Wednesday of a month, head down to the harbour to find an array of stalls selling crafts, jewellery, clothes, preserves, baking and much more, produced by the ladies of Bodrum. In an initiative to give women an outlet for their home-made crafts, the town council provides tables and chairs along the road to the marina and the stalls are (wo)manned for the whole day.
Thirty years ago, most of the sewing and weaving in a household was destined for a daughter's çeyiz, (dowry trunk), nowadays these skills can be put to economic use. What I really like about this market is that all the ladies are busy knitting, sewing or beading as they wait for customers so there is no doubt that they are selling what they have produced themselves.
The jewellery on display is all extremely innovative and attractive.
I was especially taken with this table; the smiling smallholder was wearing one of her own designs, a necklace made up of tiny beads to resemble Bodrum's ubiquitous bougainvillea,
and at under 20TL per necklace, I'm sure I'll be back on the first Wednesday in April to stock up the present drawer.
Those Bodrum Belles are a talented lot!
ReplyDeleteSomething in the Bodrum air that encourages creativity.
DeleteWhat a great place to buy Christmas presents! And to support a lovely cause too. I just found a cute store here in Istanbul that also supports Turkish women and their crafts called Nahil. I stocked up on small, homemade gifts for my friends. :-) http://www.nahil.com.tr/
ReplyDeleteI asked the bead lady if she had a web site but she doesn't, I do have her email address though.
DeleteNahil is a great store! I love buying gifts there and for a great cause!
DeleteI LOVE markets like this! Your colorful photos, especially of the lovely lady selling jewelry, is enough to motivate us to make sure that when we make our first trip to Bodrum, it falls on the first Wednesday of the month. I've got to get some of those necklaces.
ReplyDeleteI took a proper camera for once to get some good shots.
DeleteA tiny bite of Turkish life in a short stroll along the harbour, should not be missed on the first Wednesday of the month.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Daisy may.
DeleteWow! How nice to see a market like that, with people selling what they have made. And what a great selection of goodies.
ReplyDeleteThere were also plenty of hand tailored dresses and jackets that were rather chic.
DeleteEvery photo is great.... I love every stall....and those necklaces are stunning. I think I know where I would be every 1st Wed of the month, if I was in Bodrum. J.
ReplyDeleteNeed a very deep purse to get to the end of the line.
DeleteJ and I have a love affair with oya - the tiny bits of embroidery around the headscarves. Each design has a meaning or sends a message and some of them are very forthright. Nice photos and a very nice post.
ReplyDeleteOya has got better and better over the years. Some of the designs are now so intricate, I'm bowled over by them.
DeleteLots of talented Bodrum ladies there...and beautiful crafts. I for sure would be walking out with bags full of stuff.
ReplyDeleteLove that girl's design's with the necklaces. Great knited items....my sister in law always hands me a bag full of those things that she knits herself beautifully.
Did you purchase anything???
Take care and I can see lots of green in the photos, we still have snow :-(
Thanks for sharing the photos were wonderful....a day in the life of Bodrum.
My daughter has her eyes on several pieces and I'm hoping my keep fit campaign lets me buy a dress I've got my eye on at the beginning of May.
DeleteI am becoming more and more fond of Bodrum, Annie. What a wonderful way to spend a Wednesday - though I'm torn between wanting to have a stall and have a good wander. As you might imagine, this looks like my sort of place exactly! (I was in a chilly garage today doing a similar thing, though with fewer local ladies and more expats...)
ReplyDeleteLove the necklaces - they're so pretty and unusual.
Axxx
Not one single chocolate on sale. WE NEED YOU.
DeleteOoh really lovely things. I should make a point of coming over for the next one.
ReplyDeleteJolly good idea!
DeleteI literally have to drag my wife away from these stalls when we see them in Antalya:). She wants to buy from everyone and speak to every stallholder. Some lovely things on show though. I bought some woolen socks (to be worn over your normal socks) at the one in Antalya my feet feel as if they are in an oven when I wear them.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure winters are warmer in Antalya but a thick pair of knitted socks are mandatory in Bodrum from December to March.
DeleteGosh, they've all been busy and with such lovely things to show for it. Hopefully there are no silly Health & Safety rules about selling home-made produce or re-using jam-jars, which are stifling initiative over here.
ReplyDelete