CARPET DIEM

There are many amazing carpets for sale here in Turkey, some made here and lots made in China. The trick is to find the authentic Turkish ones. We went to a carpet factory which is supported by the Turkish government, and teaches Turkish women the art of carpet weaving. Once they are trained, the women are set up at home with a loom and supplies.....Working from home Turkish style. The pictures show how silk is harvested....the silkworm cocoon is boiled, then they use a tool like a slotted spoon to scoop out the cocoons from the water, and pull the strings of silk.....the dead worm is inside the cocoon.
The last 2 pictures are of a street merchant......no, we didn't buy a carpet, although we saw a few we loved.