In all honesty, I must mention that organization of the conference did not go smoothly and there is a battle going on about reimbursement to a number of people.  That said, the academic program organized by Valerie Hector and Jamey Allen was very strong with a lot of interesting speakers.  Although there was little publicity about the beadwork classes, the students who showed up were enthusaistic.  There was also a Bead Bazaar with beads and beadwork not found in the U.S. and two lovely bead exhibits mounted by Rezan Has Muzesi.  I am certainly glad that I got the opportunity to visit this lovely country and learn more about the crafts of Turkey.

 

Copies of the academic proceedings are available from Kadir Has University.  The cost is $50 a copy plus shipping ($15 to the U.S.).  Tor order a copy, email Simge Celik Atasoy at simgec@khas.edu.tr.  Write "Bead Conference Proceedings" in the subject line of the email.

 

A few our experiences were a ferry ride up the Bosphorus River to a fishing village, a trip to the Spice market, a visit to a glass making factory, touring Topkapi Palace, a pottery demonstration in a ceramic store, and  getting lost in the Grand Bazaar. 

After the bead conference, we spent 6 days touring part of Western Turkey, stopping in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, and the seaside town of Bodrum.  Here are a few of the crafts that we discovered.