The invaluable tradition of handloom weaving in Türkiye began to unravel over 40 years ago, as industrial textiles took over the market. Families shifted to factory-made goods, and home looms—once essential for crafting household textiles—fell silent. As the looms disappeared, so did the women who operated them. These women were not only the creators, but also the teachers, passing artisanal skills down through generations.
By the time Jennifer began her journey in 2009 to find handmade Turkish textiles, the industry was on the brink of collapse. Nearly all of the commercial male weavers were gone, and critical techniques—like the 17th-century Ottoman looping method—were within days of vanishing completely. Flat weaving in Türkiye was just months from extinction.
Jennifer’s discovery of the remaining weavers was serendipitous—a series of fortunate accidents. Simply finding them and giving them work was enough to fill the shop, but it wasn’t enough to save the craft. The survival of weaving over the past 15+ years is thanks to you—clients who value quality, sustainability, and have supported this mission from the beginning.
From the moment Jennifer understood the urgency of the situation, she vowed to breathe new life into this endangered art. Your belief in artisanal craftsmanship—healthier for the planet and rooted in centuries of tradition—has made that possible.
Weaving was once passed down from mother to child, woven into the fabric of daily family life. Women were the teachers, keeping the art alive at home, while men worked as commercial weavers to provide for their families. When the women disappeared from weaving, the role of teacher vanished with them—and so did the connection to the next generation. Without that link, the tradition cannot survive.
For the past eight years, Jennifer has dreamed of starting a weaving school—a sanctuary dedicated to preserving and reviving the art of handloom weaving. But her vision goes beyond saving a craft; it aims to build a sustainable ecosystem that supports both the art and the people who carry it forward.
Her plan includes:
- Establishing a weaving school that empowers marginalized rural women with the skills to become artisans—and for some, teachers.
- Creating a regenerative organic farm where students, workers, and visitors live, work, and thrive on healthy, chemical-free food.
- Integrating eco-conscious tourism through glamping cottages, where guests can observe or even participate in weaving, while learning about sustainable living.
This holistic approach weaves together education, sustainability, and tourism—creating a project that uplifts communities, protects cultural heritage, and supports the planet.
Finding land in Türkiye large enough to realize Jennifer’s dream has proven to be a significant challenge. Ottoman inheritance laws have divided large plots into smaller and smaller parcels over generations, making it difficult to secure a single, sizeable piece of land. Jennifer spent countless hours and drove thousands of kilometres across central Anatolia, meeting with real estate agents and exploring every possibility to assemble 250–500 acres for her vision.
At one point, she believed she’d found the perfect location—until she discovered a hazardous mining facility just 8 kilometres away. Unwilling to risk establishing the project so close to chemical activity, she made the difficult decision to walk away. Disheartened but still determined, Jennifer shifted focus from finding land first to laying the legal groundwork for a foundation.
In early 2020, after a year of meticulous preparation, she submitted a proposal to register a legal foundation in Türkiye. The national foundation office, responsible for overseeing all Turkish foundations, was to review and forward her application to the courts. But COVID-19 brought the world—and Türkiye’s legal system—to a halt. By the time processes resumed, procedural changes had rendered her original application invalid. Feeling as though the universe might be nudging her in a new direction, Jennifer pivoted again.
In early 2022, a new opportunity emerged: a small but promising 5-acre plot of land. The property radiated a quiet, positive energy. With 350 olive trees, 550 grapevines, and a variety of pear and other fruit trees, it wasn’t large—but it had soul. Despite being chemically mismanaged for 16 years, Jennifer committed immediately to transitioning to organic farming, a critical step toward building a healthy, sustainable environment. The farm became a cornerstone of the weaving school project, offering organically grown food and a space to nurture a self-sufficient community. She named it Evrim Farms—a fitting tribute, as evrim means “evolution” in Turkish.
For the past three years, Jennifer has focused on rehabilitating Evrim Farms, learning the intricacies of organic agriculture and gradually restoring the land. The farm is still a work in progress, but the direction is clear: regenerative farming, sustainable food production, and environmental stewardship.
In December 2024, another milestone: the acquisition of a second 5-acre plot, roughly two kilometres away in the lower valley. This parcel, primarily grapevines, had also suffered from chemical use. Jennifer is transitioning it to organic management and sees even greater long-term potential in its location. Plans include planting more olive, citrus, and fruit trees to increase diversity and productivity.
Together, these two parcels form the heart of Evrim Farms—and the heart of the larger weaving school project. The farm’s sustainable practices directly support the health and well-being of everyone involved. The ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem where weaving, farming, and tourism come together to preserve Türkiye’s rich artisanal heritage, empower rural communities, and promote environmental health.
Currently, Turkish law limits building to 75 square meters per parcel. To fully realize her vision—including the weaving school, organic farming, and eco-friendly glamping—Jennifer is actively working to acquire more adjacent land. Once approximately 40 acres are consolidated, she plans to submit a comprehensive proposal to the government to request expanded building permissions.
Jennifer’s commitment remains unwavering. For her, this project is not only essential for the survival of traditional weaving—it’s a path forward for environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and a more meaningful future.
Jennifer's Hamam
125 Arasta Bazaar
&
Ogul Sok. NO: 20
Jennifer's Collection
135 Arasta Bazaar
Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul
Türkiye
January - February
8:30am - 8:00pm
Istanbul time
March-December
8:30am - 10:00pm
Istanbul time
