They contribute to the family economy with the art of wire breaking

Women who attended the wire-breaking process course opened by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Art and Vocational Training Courses (GASMEK) are learning the intricacies of wire-breaking while also contributing to the household economy by selling the products they make.

The Bartın art of wire-breaking, a key element in young girls' dowries, is a major draw in Gaziantep. Women painstakingly craft various motifs on tulle by breaking gold and silver wires. These handicrafts, such as bedspreads, bridal veils, henna gloves, tablecloths, and prayer mats, adorn the dowries of young girls of marriageable age.

Women who are introduced to the art of wire-curving in training provided by expert instructors at the Güvenevler Halil Karaduman Art Center gradually master the art, creating stunning works. A traditional handicraft, wire-curving is notable for its delicate patterns created by weaving fine wires into fabric. These hand-made products, meticulously crafted by the women in the course, add color to the dowries of young girls.

The women, who began this art as a hobby, gradually developed it into a profession, supporting each other through solidarity when they struggled to keep up with demand. This not only fosters economic gain but also strengthens social solidarity. Carrying the legacy of the art of wire-breaking to the present day, the women continue to create an exemplary success story. The women thank everyone involved, especially Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin, for providing these opportunities. The trainees' handcrafted products are also attracting great interest from major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. The women who learned the art of wire-breaking plan to open their own businesses at the end of the course. Master instructor Cemile Erek stated that they taught the women the art of wire-breaking in the best possible way during this highly popular course.

Erek, who stated that they were training women in wire-breaking at the course, said, "We started from scratch with our friends. We're doing great work. We complement our shortcomings and each other here. Everyone brings different aspects to wire-breaking. I think we've built a great team. We can apply single-breaking to everything from bags and tablecloths to our daughters' dowries. It's all down to our perspective and design. The art of wire-breaking is quite popular right now, and everyone has taken to it. Everyone loves it and wants to learn. Those who learn it love it. Our students also learn a profession here, as well as preparing their daughters' dowries. They contribute to their households. They contribute significantly to the household economy. GASMEKs and similar courses have been very beneficial for us women. These centers have been a great opportunity for us. These centers have also broken the passiveness of women at home. Friends come to GASMEK and actively learn a profession. They have a wonderful time here and learn great things. Those who want to come want to come again." Olcay Akgül said, "I'm a math teacher. I come to this course in my spare time. Integrating yourself into a job is very valuable for mental health. That's why I came here and applied. The course is very enjoyable for me. I didn't know I could learn so quickly, or that I could meet and make friends with people from such diverse backgrounds. I can make my own gifts because handcrafted items are so valuable. Other friends of mine are preparing dowries for their daughters. We have friends who contribute to their families' budgets. If we can also find a platform where women's labor can be cooperative, I believe much more valuable things will happen."

Cansu Ataş, who stated that she's been learning the art of single-cutter at the course she's been attending for about a year, said, "I've been coming to this course for two months. I've never learned any handicrafts before. But in this course, we're learning new things. We're learning a profession and having fun. With this new knowledge, we're contributing to our household and wanting to contribute to our children's dowries. We're learning new things here with our friends."