HITTITE JUGS - TURKISH CERAMICS

It is not fair that not so many people knows about Hittite Jugs as they are so unique and useful! BUT they are becoming popular and popular everyday! More people who visit Turkey buys these amazing Jugs, bring to their home countries and we keep recieving orders and restock the new ones!

Our Hittite Jugs are made of special terra-cotta that are found in Anatolia, where once was the home for Ancient Civilization, Hittite Empire. The unique jugs they made for wines are the inspire to Anatolian Artisans today.. You can find these amazing jug sets online on our website, they are lead-free and food safe, perfect alternative to amaze your guests with wine/drink serving! 

Hittite Jugs & Vases

You can find this Hittite Jug Set here; White Hittite Jug with Two Glasses

The patterns on the Hittite Jugs are based on Hittite`s paintings. Traditional Jugs usually has a large circle in the middle.

This one has been made only for our website! You can find it here; Green Hittite Jug Set

Turkish Ceramic Hittite Jug Wine/Shot Serving Set

Anatolian Artisans are so talented! They love adding their imagination to everything they make. We are so happy to have all these beautiful artworks on our website! Here is one of their Hittite Jug painted Iznik Ceramic Style; Iznik Ceramic Hittite Jug

Another beautiful traditional Hittite Jug with Leaf Shaped Tray

Find these amazing artworks online on our website www.grandbazaarshopping.com!

FALL DINNER TABLE SETTING IDEAS WITH TURKISH CERAMICS

Back to school season has begun and we are all getting ready for new season changes at our homes! Exciting!! Fall is all about family gatherings, hosting dinners and cosy nights.. What about amaze your guests and add Turkish Ceramics to your dinner tables this year? Here are the tips and inspo!

Well, Turkish people love to use copper pans for serving the dinner! Two reasons; They keep the meal warm and they look cool! As we use Iznik Ceramic plates for serving we also use them under the pans just to add colors to table..

Find Copper Pans Here

Turkish Ceramic Plates Here

During Fall darker tones of yellow and orange are always on table! It can be Halloween, Thanksgiving or a sunday dinner, these colors always brighten the room.. Turkish Ceramic plates have a wide range of this colors and you can find them here;

Large Antique Style Turkish Ceramic Plate - 30 cm Here

Floral Turkish Ceramic Bowl - 10 cm Here

Blue is also a great idea! You can find this floral Turkish Ceramic Plate here; (All our plates and bowls are hand-painted and Leed-free (food safe) )

You can find Turkish Plates Here

Our Copper bowls are great for butter/cheese and treats! Add them to your dinner table or your coffee table with welcoming treats for your guests. 

You can find the bowls Here

You can find the Iznik Ceramic Plates Here

I HAVE THIS THING WITH DOORS

We have a fever, this is a real thing, Door Crush! And we are actually lucky to be here in Turkey because from the old times Turkish people made so much effort on doors. And now, with time they even get more beautiful! We wanted to share all these adorable doors we found in Turkey during our purchase trips to villages for our website; www.grandbazaarshopping.com 

Here are the authentic and unique doors;

TURKISH KILIM ALERT - THEY ARE ONLINE NOW!

Ah this feels good! We have been receiving e-mails and messages asking `When are these Kilim Rugs coming?!` Our lovely customers and followers, we LOVE you! And we are so happy to announce that now you can shop beautiful Turkish Kilims and Kilim Cushions from our website! We waited little long to add them because we wanted to get all the Kilims from their owners instead of wholesalers, so that our customers can buy their dream Kilims with best prices! Here are some of our Kilim Rugs and take a look at our website for more; More Turkish Kilims

Handwoven Vintage Turkish Kilim

%100 Wool Vintage Turkish Kilim

Unique Patchwork Over dyed Turkish Kilim Rug

Handmade Patchwork Turkish Kilim Rug

Turkish Kilim Pillows / Cushions

TURKISH DELIGHT IN TURKISH CULTURE

Today`s Blog post is about what comes to mind right away when some one hears Turkey: Turkish Delight.. We call it ´Lokum`in Turkish and the meaning is `Throat Relaxener`:)
You probably had it next to delicious Turkish Coffee on your visit to Turkey or maybe a friend of yours brought you this special treat! 

But why is it so special for Turkish Culture and when do we eat it?

Asking for Blessings from Bride`s Parents is a fun ritual and very common among Turks. When a couple decides to get marry, groom and his family visits brides family and brings a large box of Turkish Delight. Turkish delight symbolizes one of the most known Turkish Saying; `Lets eat sweet and then talk sweet`:) In this celebration brides family treats turkish coffee and the turkish delights for a sweet start of this exciting day!
`Bayram` (Candy Holiday) is probably the time of the year that we eat Turkish Delight most! Every Bayram, Turkish delights are serviced inside traditional sugar bowls delicately..
Comparing to other candy and treats; Turkish Delight is softer and it melts with a great taste.
When you press the Turkish Delight with both fingers and if it shapes back exactly how it was, this means `Great,  you are eating a well made delight!`

Welcoming a newborn Baby, a housewarming party or visiting a relative.. People will knock your door carrying your Turkish Delight! These delights can come regular, with Antep nuts or dried eco-fruits in it..
Sometimes it comes surprising way, from a shop owner in Grand Bazaar, kids in your neighbor that knock your door for treats or in Madonna`s Hard Candy song..
You can find all different types of Turkish Delights here; Grand Bazaar Shopping
Traditional Turkish Sugar/Turkish Delight Bowls here; Grand Bazaar Shopping

TURKISH TRADITIONS - BRIDE HAMMAM

Are you ready for the biggest day of your life? 
Maybe there are only weeks left to your wedding or you just started planning.. In either way Bachelorette party is also on the list to be planned! 
Well, the options are mostly going out with the closest girl friends, dance some champagne & more! You can even become the star of the night club..
This might be the most common way, but also it is mostly exhausting only couple of days before the Wedding!


Well, in this blog post we want to introduce you to Traditional Turkish Bachelorette Party, Bride Hammam! This tradition has been the part of Turkish Culture since Ottoman Empire. It is extraordinary, so fun, authentic and a great detox right before the Big Day!

Here is the recipe of a real and fun Turkish Bride Hammam!

Ingredients;

- Closest girl friends

- Turkish Peshtemals for everyone

- Natural Olive Oil Soaps

- Hammam Sacs

- Some Turkish Copper Ewers & Mugs and Hammam Bowls for authentic decor

- Henna

- 3-4 different light Turkish Food

- Traditional Gifts for the guests

What happens on a Bride Hammam Party?

First of all, Bride gets a traditional full body wash and foam massage so that she will have a glowing skin and can relax in the middle of all the wedding rush:)

After the massage everyone enjoys delicious vegeterian Turkish foods, the menu usually have; Sarma, Dolma, Su Böregi and Lentilballs.

Just before the peeling everyone gets tasty Turkish Coffee with Turkish Delight, and the hennas which are prepared beforehand inside copper tray and copper cups are served. Now it is time to dance! You can hire Belly Dancers, watch their show and of course join them!

After the show bride gives the gifts to her friends as a memory of this beautiful day!

Olive Oil Soaps with Authentic Boxes can be great gifts! 

And now you are ready for your Wedding Day, all fresh and happy!

You can find all you need for this party on our website! Here is the list;

Turkish Peshtemals

Turkish Hammam Bowls

Natural Turkish Hammam Soaps

Turkish Copper Ewer

YOUR GUIDE TO BODRUM, TURKEY

Well, today we are leaving this beautiful city, saying we are coming back soon! It was an amazing one week with crystal clear Aegean Sea, great weather, breathtaking landscapes in this cosy city, Bodrum.

We wanted to share some pictures and tips to be a guide for the ones who are planing to visit Bodrum or the ones who love to read about special places like we do!

When you step into this city, all you think is `Okay. When are we moving here!?´ 

Then you might try to keep it cool and go to the nearest beach to enjoy the see through Aegean Sea.

But when it is lunch time and you start feeling the fresh wind on your hair while watching the Greek island Kos from the cosy restaurant,

  you find yourself asking the local people for the real estate agencies at town to research about the prices of Bodrum`s cosy white houses!

I mean, look at this! 

One another special thing about Bodrum is it is not all White&Blue like you expect from Mediterranean cities. Stone houses are mostly white, yes, but this city is full of colors! Purple, red, pink, yellow and purple again!

Halikarnassos (Ancient name of Bodrum) is also an important Ancient city. One of the World´s 7 Wonders "Mausaleon" has built in Halikarnassos, and now you can visit the outdoor museum at Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology. You can also see the Bust of Herodotos ( The father of History) while you are there. The museum is defiantly worth to see!

The town is not so small so it offers many different Restaurants, Pubs and of course ice-cream!

Centrum has many small boutiques with colorful handmade pieces.

If you are visiting the Bodrum directly, without going to Istanbul, do not worry and think that you won´t find traditional Turkish gifts to have with you to home! In Bodrum, you can find everything Evil Eyes, Turkish Mosaic Lamps to Turkish Delight!

But of course if you can´t make it to Turkey, we are always here for you! You can find the Turkish handcrafts from Bodrum and all of Turkey on our website; www.grandbazaarshopping.com

If you have any questions about Turkey, feel free to send us an e-mail, we are happy to answer!

contact@grandbazaarshopping.com