Our vibrant Turkish Textiles, in the Antiques & Pillows department, were actually found in a tiny little shop in the Grand Bazaar - Kapali Carsi - in Istanbul.

One of the most famous, and fabulous, of the world's bazaars; it can be a rather intimidating place to shop.  Like any of the bazaars that gets tons of tourists, you have to be careful about the authenticity - and quality - of the products you're interested in.

That's where a great guide comes in.  And not one that gets a kick-back from certain vendors.  No, the honest broker who knows the true artisans.  Before my first trip there, I made sure I had a list of artisans and shops with stellar reputations.  Then I relied on my guide.

And what a guide she was!  She knew almost every shop on my list (and verified that they were of the utmost quality) and guided me to some others that were also outstanding.  And she took me to off the beaten path places (no tourists) so I could do what I needed to do: meet the artisans in person, and decide if I wanted to buy their products for  Bella Figura USA.

But everyone visiting Istanbul must go to the Grand Bazaar.  It's historic and fascinating, and a great time.   Be prepared to haggle (it's expected) and if the price is too low...   Well, remember - check for authenticity. 

And be assured, there are products of outstanding quality and artistry: check out the shops where the celebs go (yes, Sting has been known to frequent a few shops in the Bazaar.)

There are lots of videos on YouTube of the Grand Bazaar; but this is one of my favorites.  The narration isn't in English; but it so beautifully captures the feel of the Bazaar.