The story of turul
When I first became familiar with plaster, wax and casting I was a primary school student. During summer holidays, I would go to my father’s clinic, make believe that I was working there and get some pocket money. My father who was a dentist had a dental laboratory which later developed into a big business where 22 technicians were employed. All these factors determined my future career and I entered the faculty of dentistry.
The materials and techniques used in our clinics which were quite similar to the ones used in jewellery- making raised my awareness of the subject and as a result, I found myself making small pieces of jewellery. It was the years between 1979-80. By casting silver, chromium-nickel, chromium-cobalt and rarely gold together with acrylic, I produced unique pieces. However, this was something done randomly. Sometimes, I made quite a number of pieces in a few days, sometimes I didn’t touch a thing for a long time. During the process, though not decided in advance, I knew who the item was for and as soon as it was completed , the owner got it. At that time, there wasn’t a brand or sign on them.
After my graduation, I took a long break until the birth of my daughter Duygu, who filled my heart with excitement. To celebrate her birth, I bought her an enameled, gold brooch in the form of a bird. I was planning to decorate it with gems, adding my own interpretation and creating an original piece until she turned 18. Once finished, it would be displayed on the horse head in Bulgari’s shop case in Vienna which I had gazed for minutes. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. It wasn’t on our cards.
I took another break. For a long time, it didn’t cross my mind to design or make jewellery. Then one day, somehow I started again. I engraved my brand on the pieces each of which were different. On some, there were my initials; O.T.A., on some others MT (Muslim Tuğrul just like Christian Dior :) and then TA.
However, there was an important difference compared to the previous ones. I was hiding or placing certain things in them which “I believed “ belonged to the owners or symbolised them. I would not mention it to them; only I knew it. Sometimes, I would tell them but in general they weren’t impressed or maybe didn’t care so the case had to be closed J without being discussed. Most of my acquaintances thought that jewellery was no more than an ornament. Still, I carried on the way I felt and after a while I had the feeling that these special signs or materials I used were making up for something which the owners lacked. I had the sensation that they would be complete when they wore the piece. This made me focus more on the “personal design” part of the whole thing. Then stories began to come out: jewellery stories. The integration of the jewellery with the person who was going to wear it.
One thing followed another and suddenly I realised that, to me stories were one step ahead of the production because without stories I would never be able to create the jewellery. On some occasions, it was a piece of cake, on some others it took ages. Sometimes, I would immediately visualise the jewellery and the accompanying story the moment I saw a person, sometimes no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t do anything for somebody I knew well or loved dearly.
I have always believed that Gül had a great contribution to my project of bringing the story and the jewellery together. When I gave her the necklace especially made for her, she immediately understood me so I found myself thinking,” I’m not the only one, there are others who are as crazy as I am.” Then, Gül, and Elif and her ring-necklace proved that my designs could also be very meaningful for others.
Therefore, I began to consider getting a brand and used turul’s for sometime, then changed it into turul when I decided to take out the trademark registration. When I make jewellery, I first start working in my clinic and then continue in a nearby jeweller’s workshop. There, I work with a craftsman Murat who is so talented and speedy. He teaches me and helps me in case I need. From time to time we work until late hours and when done we share the pleasure.
Actually, the jewellery I design can’t possibly compete with the glittering, machine made ones with delicate workmanship displayed in the jeweller’s showcases. I don’t suppose, I can ever make similar things. The only thing I want to do is to improve my craftsmanship gradually and though not as refined as others, I expect to continue making the designs I imagine; especially designed for special people.
I want to take the photos of the jewellery I made in the past so as to make a collection of them. Unfortunately, it is very hard even impossible to get them all. Luckily, I have remembered to take the photos of my latest pieces. Also, I’m trying to reach friends and acquaintances to call in with the items they have so that I can take their pictures. From this time on, I’m going to add the new ones together with the others on my jewellery list. And they will remind me of different stories, different lives and different times…