Onyx
Onyx is a natural volcanic stone of the agate family; much of it is mined in Cappadocia. It has a long history of use for hardstone carving
and jewellery. Onyx comes in varying colours and quality (green is the best quality, followed by beige). A translucent stone marbled with concentric
veins, it is crafted by local artisans into all sorts of decorative objects and jewellery. You can find turtles and dolphins, vases and bowls,
chess sets, earrings, many different ideas for a present to bring back from Cappadocia, and at very reasonable prices.
Ceramic and pottery
Pottery has been produced in the Avanos area for centuries; the clay comes from the Kızılırmak (red river) which flows
through Avanos and is the longest river in Turkey. In this sleepy little town, you will find a number of family-run pottery workshops
where you can see a demonstration of a potter's kick-wheel and even try your hand at making something yourself. Souvenirs range
from large plates to egg-cups, and the prices vary in consequence. In Ürgüp, in the cobbled pedestrian street, you will find
El-se Çini Ceramics of Cappadocia. Selma Tagar is a professional ceramics designer and teacher and presents her original handmade,
hand-glazed and hand-fired creations. She has an exquisite collection of reproductions of Hittite and Iznik designs and can on request
make up your own design - the only person in Ürgüp to do this. All her ceramics are hand-fired in the traditional family oven.
Ebru
Ebru or the art of paper marbling is the art of painting on water and transferring this painting onto paper producing patterns
similar to smooth marble. Ox bile is added to the paint and water mix; this thickens and stabilises the paint and the design is delicately drawn across the surface using
horsehair brushes. This ancient art was born in Central Asia where in Persian it was called ebri or ebru meaning "cloud".
This art form was adopted in Anatolia and reached Europe at the beginning of the 17th century where it was known as "Turkish paper" or
"Turkish marbling". Today there are very few artists who master ebru; Güler Somtürk in Cappadocia is one of them. She has is one of
15 experts in Turkey and one of only two experts to master the art of transferring the painting to silk. Güler now has her own art gallery
"Kapadokya Ebru Sanat Evi" out on the Ortahisar road if you have a car, but she has kept her boutique in the high street in Ürgüp.
I enjoy buying presents here (she has all sorts of paper designs, book marks, cards as well as silk scarves and ties, all unique designs) and
I particularly enjoy watching her at work.
Turkish delight, dried or candied fruit or dried nuts are typical Turkish specialities and another good idea for a present (or just for yourself!).
Turkish delight, lokum in Turkish, is one of the oldest forms of confectionery, originating in Istanbul during the Ottoman empire.
Its fame soon spread to Europe, becoming a delicacy and a fashionable gift among the upper classes. Traditionally, lokum is flavoured
with rose or lemon, but nowadays you can find virtually any sort of version: with pistachio nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, coconut, dried fruits... There are
several shops selling this confectionery on the central square in Ürgüp, if you go in, you will be encouraged to try just about everything in the shop
(if you don't have a sweet tooth, flee!). You will also find classical sun-dried fruits: apricots, for which Turkey is rightly famous, raisins and sultanas
but also more unusual candied fruits like pumpkin (my favourite), grapefruit, melon or strawberry. Go on, you know you want to, have a taste!
Nazar boncuk
Nazar boncuğu in Turkish: nazar, "evil eye" and boncuğu, "amulet".
So it is an amulet which protects you against the evil eye. You will see this talisman everywhere in Turkey, over the entrance to houses
and businesses, on baby clothes, dogs' collars, in taxis and buses, even over the entrance of McDonald's in Avanos! It is rather like
a good luck sign, similar to four-leaved clovers, horseshoes or ladybirds.
A typical nazar is made of handmade glass featuring concentric circles or tear-drop shapes in dark blue, white, light blue and black,
occasionally with a yellow/gold edge. You will see them in all the souvenir shops, as necklaces, key-rings, bracelets, magnets.
Gold
An exquisite piece of gold and silver jewellery, with or without stone setting, is maybe something you are looking for.
Gold and silver jewellery is always sold by weight. Surprisingly, although the prices of gold and silver are fixed internationally and sold by weight,
jewellery items in Turkey are cheaper than other countries. This is due to the lower labour cost. A wide variety in design is available and the
craftsmanship is of a high standard. The quality of gold in Turkey is excellent, 14, 18 or 22 carats, and should be accompanied with a
authenticity certificate. In Ürgüp, the gold shops are in the road opposite Cappadocia Palace, behind the bus station. Otherwise you can find
crafted jewellery made of semi-precious stones, of varying quality.
