1. I do not have a credit/debit card, can I pay another way?
A: Yes we are happy to accept payments via Western Union or Moneygram. Please contact us to arrange the payment.
Related web sites;
www.moneygram.com
www.westernunion.com
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2.How do I pay?
A: For buying your kilim we accept payments via all major credit/debit cards and online checks. If you want to buy a rug please contact us directly to arrange your order and payment.
For security and privacy your credit card transactions are not processed by us but 2checkout.com on their secure servers. 2checkout.com is an independant company that handles thousands of transactions every day for users all over the world. We do not have access to your cards details at anytime nor do we store them. All transactions are carried out over a secure connection ensuring that your details are kept safe and secure.
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3. How much does it cost for shipping?
A: Worldwide shipping is included in the price, there is no extra charges.
4. How long will it take for my order to arrive?
A: Your handmade kilims and rugs will be shipped to arrive within 5 to 10 business days. We use either Federal Express or DHL. Once the order is dispatched we will email you the shipping reference number, and a link to the shippers tracking website so you can track the order to your door. [Back
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5.What is a kilim?
A: A kilim is the name of a traditional rug that is hand-woven in wool by artisans in Turkish and Persian mountains villages.
It is produced by one of several flatweaving techniques, with geometric designs in rich, brilliant colors. Most of the kilims are reversible.
The tradition of kilim making in these villages dates back thousands of years. It’s a tradition that is lovingly passed from mother to daughter, from father to son. Each kilim is unique, a superb example of a timeless craft, these are not mere kilims but outstanding examples of textile art.
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6.Why your kilims are so special?
A: All of our kilims are hand-woven by native women of Anatolian tribes, they are made from %100 natural wool and %100 organic, eco-friendly, plant-vegetable dyes. As all the rugs are handmade, you are assured of getting a distinctive, limited edition of a classic work of craftsmanship.
Only using natural wool and natural dyes in the weaving of our kilims. No chemicals, no artificial addictives, just pure products of nature.
Visit our "Why we are special" page to learn more.
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7.What is plant/vegetable dye?
Today a carpet is usually made using commercially available chemical dyes. Even tribal carpets are commonly made of a mix of vegetable and chemical dyes.
Our kilims receive their color by naturally dying white wool with dyes obtained from organically grown plants. Traditionally acquired and naturally dyed wools make our kilims unique and unsurpassed in quality.
Since chemical paint is not used, the colors of kilims don't get pale.
The paints are produced by natives of the villages. Pine husk and rubia plants are used for the red color, oleander and develik plants are used for green colors. Some other plants used in dye development are Madder root, indigo, St. John's wort, onion, saffron, sumach, camomile, rhubarb, turmeric, sage, poppy, buckthorn, quince, almond, walnut, chestnut and henna. It is said that when using natural dyes one never can achieve the exact same shade of a colour a second time. This is one of the things that makes every kilim unique.
Mr.Peter Davis explaines the differences between natural and synthetic dyes in his special book, "The Tribal Eye: Antique Kilims of Anatolia" ;
"Under an electron microscope, a wool fiber dyed with natural dyes has more of a speckled rather than a solidly colored appearance. As a result of these microscopic differences, the human eye perceives the natural dyed yarn as soft and muted. Conversely, the eye perceives wool dyed by synthetics as harsher, more aggressive, more extroverted in character. Not only do natural and synthetic dyes take differently to wool, but there are also important differences in the way natural and synthetic dyes are perceived by the human eye and brain. A dye, whether synthetic or natural, absorbs certain wavelengths of light and reflects others. Natural dyes tend to reflect a greater mix of wavelengths than do synthetics, which are distilled and therefore more precise and pure. In other words, natural dyes rarely appear to be a single hue. Instead of true primary red, for instance, the greater likelihood is that a natural red will appear as reddish-yellow or reddish-blue. By contrast, the hues of synthetics are pure reds, blues and yellows. The broadness or narrowness of the range of wave-lengths reflected by dyes is an important factor in how readily different hues harmonize. If, for instance three strands of wool are each synthetically dyed red, blue and yellow and placed side-by-side, the effect of the combination will be disharmonious. Whereas if three strands dyed indigo blue, madder red, and milkweed yellow are similarly placed, the effect will be quite harmonious. It is precisely because natural dyes are impure, and therefore reflect a broad range of wave-lengths, that harmonious combinations are more possible. It is the overlapping of the hues that make for color harmony..."
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8.How long does it take to make a handmade carpet?
A: This is based on the size of the carpet, the materials used, the knot count, the design, the skill of the weave, and scheduling or time allotted for the item. Some large carpets and high knot count silk carpets can take years to finish.
It takes almost a week to weave one meter-square of a kilim.
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9.What is the meaning of those patterns on kilims?
A: Kilims have their own language, each different pattern on a kilim have another meaning that young women express their feelings.
A kilim is more than a rug; in ancient times, it said what words could not. Today, the beautiful patterns that adorn these traditional rugs remind us both of simpler times and the hardships our ancestors endured. For example, in ancient Turkish tribes, when a girl loved someone, she could not tell her parents due to her innocence. However, as love overwhelmed her, she would express her feelings knot by knot into a kilim. For example, the “Chain” motif sends the message that she wants to marry her lover soon and have lots of children. You will see that these motifs are still used in kilims today. Lets see some of the patterns and read their meanings;
#Hands on Waist with Joy
Both single and married women weave this motif that indicates that they are happy with their situation right now.
#Chain
This motif represents fertility and is woven by both single and married women. In Tribal times, the family with most number of kids usually had a lot of power to control the tribe; therefore, women were encouraged to reproduce, and by weaving this motif, she sends the message to her husband or to her lover that she is ready to have a lot of kids.
#Lion's Head
The motif indicates that the girl is asking for someone who is like a lion.
#Comb
This Motif indicates that the young girl is neat and tidy.
#Flowers
This motif represents celebration of love, and lovers.
#People
The young girl indicates via this motif that she would like to have a lot of people in her wedding.
#Stars
This motif indicates the girl would like to shine in her society and she would like to leave worldly problems behind.
#The Ring
This motif indicates that the girl is asking for a ring, which means that she wants to marry.
#Mahir
Portrays the living style of the ancient tribes.
#Stairs
The girl is asking to marry someone in a settled life style indicated by the stairs of a house.
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10.Why are handmade carpets rising in value?
A: Simple supply and demand. More people around the world are able to afford furnishings such as quality handmade carpets. The traditional role of young girls learning this craft is disappearing in the primary carpet making countries. This is why there are more village organized shops and less family or tribal made carpets, decreasing the supply.
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11.Why do hand-woven rugs and kilims
have a planned "imperfection" ?
A: As a tradition, a carpet weaver puts a planned imperfection in the design as recognition that "only God is perfect". A challenge is finding this part of the carpet different from the design pattern.
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