You know how sometimes you come across folks who are so nice and so hardworking that you really want them to do well?
That’s how Pete and I feel about Metin Aydin and his wife Moya. Their Turkish arts and ceramics business started as a stall at Orange Grove Markets and has now expanded to a permanent store in the Sydney suburb of Crows Nest.
Every six months of so, we pop in to see what new stock they have on offer. It’s always such a feast for the eyes…
Pete was determined that we needed a new tablecloth. He’d had enough of the dodgy bit of fabric that I’d found at Reverse Garbage which didn’t quite make it to the edges of the table. Moya, bless her, unfolded and spread out half a dozen different tablecloths for us to look at, then waited patiently as we tried to imagine the intricate designs in our cluttered dining room. We ended up buying one that matched the paint colours in the room…
The shelves of the store are packed with brightly coloured plates, bowls and figurines, ranging from the affordable to the expensive. All their products are made in Turkey, and the ceramic pieces are hand painted with foodsafe glazes…
I looked at this plate a dozen times, but couldn’t justify the $50 price tag for the use I’d get out of it. It is a one-off, handpainted piece, slightly larger than a dinner plate…
I did succumb to buying a few bowls though. At $15 each, I think they’re very reasonably priced, and I’ll often buy them as gifts. The fish designs are new since our last visit, and I was quite taken with them…
The nicest thing about shopping at this store is that there is never any pressure to buy – Metin and Moya are completely happy for people to browse. Mind you, it’s so mellow that I often end up losing an hour in there and coming home with a bag full of purchases…
If you get a chance, please visit Turkuaz Motif at either their store or one of their market stalls.
I don’t have any affiliation with the business at all – I’m just a very happy customer who wants them to do well so that I can keep buying their wares. Please say hi for me if you pop in!
. . . . .
Turkuaz Motif
Turkuaz Motif have now closed their retail store, but can still be found at various Sydney markets.
Details can be found on their Facebook Page.
Metin: 0413 638 591
Email: info@turkuazmotif.com.au
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Wish I lived near enough to pay them a visit, I love the designs and the colours! I have a plate I bought when on holiday in Turkey years ago, I love it, I keep it on a cabinet where I can see it to cheer me up.
Jeannette, I know exactly what you mean, the colours are just so appealing, it’s like they set off little happiness receptors in my brain.. :)
I love these ceramics too dear Celia, I wanted now to visit in here too, it’s been for some days or months I haven’t visited… Thank you, love, nia
Nia, such beautiful things coming from your lovely country! xx
What beautiful plates. They are so bright and cheery. I’m sure I could lose time browsing through there as well. I’ll have a wander to their store during the school holidays xx
It’s not far from you, Charlie! :)
Love those colours and patterns! I must go to that shop particularly since it is relatively close to me. I am just booking my one day trip to Istanbul so seeing these gorgeous things is certainly making me excited about visiting Turkey (instead of sighing and thinking about how tired I will be from rushing around to go over there for less than 24 hours).
That is so exciting, going to Istanbul! Have a wonderful time!
Love, love the new fish design. I have a little fish ornament that looks something like their design.
Norma, Pete told me I had to exercise restraint and the plate was gorgeous, but I’d have nowhere to put it. Men are far too sensible! :) Moya and I (who are both Chinese) were talking about how the fish looks like quite a Chinese design, but apparently it’s quite traditional in Turkey as well…
Such gorgeous colours and patterns Celia! My sister has just moved home after living in Turkey for 7yrs, but her kiddies don’t respond well to nice china- they’re definitely the tupperware type instead!
Becca, this stuff absolutely isn’t kidproof! :)
Love items like this – oh so colorful – thanks for sharing:)
Renee, I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was a lovely hour or so in what has been a very hectic couple of weeks…
Thanks for a feast for MY eyes! :) They are beautiful! I’d definitely buy that plate at $50 and just hang it on the wall! What a pleasure it’d be to look at that everyday!
Isn’t it fabulous? I hinted to Pete, who just kept saying..”right, and where would you put it?” :)
easier to get to crows nest than returning to istanbul, thanks for the info x
Wonderful! You’re most welcome, Lynda, they’re a lovely young couple. Hope you enjoy their shop. :)
Hi Celia, why did you tell me there’s a shop like this the next suburb to where I work………..must go there……….will go there……….ha ha!
Elaine, you could just pick up something small – I got a tiny bowl for my earrings, and it makes me smile every morning.. :)
The small bowls are gorgeous aren’t they…………..I”ll pop in next week after work.
I saw your copper serving bowls at ALDI last week and while I was deciding what style to buy, another shopper came along and snaffled up the lot!
Obviously a good price……
You are so lucky to have such talented artists that have a lovely store in your area. The work is beautiful.
Thanks Karen, they’re lovely folks, and the stock is constantly changing, which is very nice too. All handmade in Turkey and brought in. When we were there last year, Metin made Big Boy and I apple tea, and we’ve been drinking it ever since. :)
Wow I love everything! You don’t really see that sort of thing around very much. I see their site is under construction. Do you know if they’ll be selling online soon? I’ve been looking for some pretty bowls for ages!
Claire, do drop Metin and email and ask him. He might be able to help you out. x
Hi Claire, Moya left a reply to your query below! :) Celia x
What a temptress you are!! Another shop to add to my list.
Glenda, I had to get the post up before you arrived! :D
How gorgeous Celia! I have a passion for such ceramics, but lack of space means I simply have to say NO. Although I will pop in and browse if ever I’m in the area. ; )
Lizzy, when I get info about which markets they’re at, I’ll upload that as well. I do know they’re usually at Orange Grove the first two Saturdays of each month. And if you’re ever in the area and popping in, ring me and I’ll meet you there for a cuppa! :)
Transports me back to Istanbul. Sigh.
That’s nice, Sally, thank you.. :)
99% of our dishes are a solid color. Our everyday dishes are white porcelain and our “for company” dishes are 1950’s Russel Wright American Modern. But that fish plate is completely craveworthy, the bowls too! So pretty!
PS Post picts of the table cloth. :-)
Maz
Maz, we eat on white bone china – the same set we invested in 20 years ago. All the plates have lasted, bar two. I think food looks lovely on the white, and I really like that I can use these colourful pieces with my dinner set and nothing clashes! A photo of the tablecloth design coming soon! :)
Celia, these are absolutely beautiful ! I love buying really attractive dishes to give as gifts with food on them. :) I checked their website but not much there yet. If they get an online store, can you let us know?
Maureen, absolutely! They make great gifts! :)
Hi Maureen, Moya left a reply to your query below! :)
Hi Celia, I’ll look forward to checking this out next time I’m in Sydney. It looks like a beautiful shop.
Thanks Christine! It’s a fun place to while away an hour or so.. :)
I can see why you would want to support them Celia, and I can see why the fish plate/platter was so tempting. Maybe a present or a sale later in the year ;)
Claire, I think I’ll resign myself to enjoying the photo of it – Pete is right of course, we don’t have a spot to hang it that would do it justice, and I don’t have cupboard space to store it safely! :)
Gorgeous work. I rarely get over the north side (on my rare trips to Sydney) but I’ll pop this at the back of my mind.
Thanks Rose! Hope you have a wonderful, sun-filled weekend! x
You know it’s meeting people like that that makes me really enjoy blogging. Truly, I love coming across wonderful, talented people :)
They’re a really nice young couple, and I hope they succeed! It’s nice to have access to such unusual and colourful items here!
If I had the chance I’d be there in a heartbeat.. how fun for food bloggers to have access to such beautiful dishes!! I wonder if Calgary has a store that sells anything like this.. I adore the colors!!
Smidge, I’m sure I was admiring some gorgeous painted measuring spoons on your blog last Christmas! Can you remember where you bought them from, please? I think they were a US mail order company.
I hope you find some of these gorgeous pieces in Calgary!
What a gorgeous place! I love this fish plates.
Deb, so did I! I’ve got some photos of the bowls I bought coming in the next post.
Smart merchants have always been those who make their customers feel at home – I get a scary feeling whenever we find ourselves in such a shop – real scary!
Doc, I was trying to convey this in my post – these guys are as far away from the stereotyped pushy Persian rug salesmen as you can get! :)
Gah! All those colours! I’d be helpless in that store. I love the little blue plate with the whirling dervishes on it that’s sticking out in one of the photos.
SK, I knew you’d like this, because I can still remember this post from your previous blog!
Andy, you need to take her to Crows Nest – and there’s great Mexican at Gusman y Gomez in the same suburb!
Gorgeous to look at but yeah, quite pricey
Nic, the small oil/soy sauce sized bowls start from $8. It’s not cheap, but I don’t find it prohibitively expensive, especially for handpainted pieces…
What a pretty store & I can relate to staying a while in that beautiful shop! The large fish plate looks just beautiful & everything looks fabulous! Lovely!
Sophie, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos! Thank you! xx
I love all the rugs, too!
I am a little more simplistic in my serving and eating patterns- I want to see the food layed out rather than the pattern on the plate, Although I think I would get that fish plate to hang on the wall! :)
Heidi, I think my eyes are changing as they get older – I used to adore seeing all my food on pure white china, but over the last ten years or so, I’ve become more and more attracted to the brightly coloured serving dishes. We still eat on all white plates though, have since before the boys were born! :)
Right, if I could have a set of everything gift wrapped please! Oh Celia, everything is just too gorgeous for words and with my weakness for bowls, I would probably be bankrupt before leaving there!
:-) Mandy
Tell me about it, Mandy! :) I try to never go without Pete – it’s much safer for my wallet that way, as he is a sensible, restraining influence. :)
Hi Claire & Maureen,
We would be happy to take mail orders & provide obligation free quotes. All our pieces are one offs & unique so you won’t find two that are exactly the same. As such it would be tedious to photograph all our stock & have it up on the website. We find that the demand for mail order of this type of product is very small & rely on our shop front, market stalls & word of mouth to bring in business. However a sample of some of our wares can be viewed on this site: http://www.marketscentral.com.au/stall/turkuaz-motif or contact me directly & I can send you more photos of our current stock. You can email me on info@turkuazmotif.com.au & I’d be happy to help you out.
Thanks again to all for the lovely comments out there! Moya
Thanks Moya! Hope you guys have a great week in the shop and at the markets! :)
[…] Celia gave some homemade chocolates, a jar of her president plum jam and a beautiful dish from the Turkish Homewares Shop she recently promoted on her blog. I gave NOTHING as the food-blogger-generosity gene had […]
These are beautiful. I want to get lost there too and come home with a bag of goodies!
Cassandra, it’s hard to come away emptyhanded! :)