Türkiye comes to town

A TOURING Turkish lamp-making workshop stopped by in Bendigo recently.

The event was run by Rose Bulca who co-owns Adelaide-based Love in Istanbul.

“We started with offering the mosaic lamp workshops just in Adelaide, and then we decided to take them to the state, to give people in regional towns an opportunity to do them because we found they were so popular here,” she said.

“We started [going to the regions] a few months ago.”

There were several workshops across Saturday and Sunday lasting about two-and-a-half hours, and attendees had the option of making different kinds of lamps or a candleholder.

“Most people find that the time is sufficient to complete their projects. Because I guide everyone step-by-step, and we have templates, it’s very supportive so no one leaves without completing their projects on the day,” Ms Bulca said.

With both Ms Bulca and her partner both of Turkish heritage, their business has gained a reputation as the “go-to” Turkish shop in South Australia since it opened in 2013.

“We’re known as the Turkish shop in Adelaide because we sell everything and anything that’s Turkish: mosaic lamps, ceramics, evil-eye jewellery,” she said.

“My partner who set the business up was born and raised there. I am of Turkish heritage, and I lived there for a while as well.

“We love Istanbul, so we thought we’d bring a little bit of Istanbul to Adelaide and now we’re taking it out to regional towns.”