Since 2011, at The Other Tour, we’ve been on a mission to uncover the rare gems of Istanbul — true artisans who don’t just create with their hands, but open their hearts and studios to the world. In a sprawling city of nearly 20 million, it’s astonishing how few genuinely authentic craftspeople remain — but when we find one, it’s magic.
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Introduction to Fatma Karaçam
Ten years ago, Fatma Karaçam was working with cold, hard metal – shaping steel in an industrial workshop. Today, she is an emerging sculptor and ceramic artist gently molding clay into poetic forms in her Istanbul studio.
Fatma’s journey from iron to earth is an inspiring tale of transformation, passion, and the enduring influence of the city she calls home. Through her brand fatinye, she now brings Istanbul’s stories to life in clay, inviting others to see the city’s soul in every sculpture and ceramic piece.
From Metal to Clay: A Journey of Transformation
Raised in Fatih — the historic heart of former Constantinople where Jewish, Armenian and Greek speaking Rum people (Greek speaking Anatolians, the descendants of the Eastern Roman Empire/Byzantines) lived for centuries— and a graduate of Business Administration at Istanbul University, Fatma’s creative journey has been anything but ordinary. A decade ago, she was immersed in the metal industry, following a career that once echoed her family’s trade.
Her husband is a mechanical engineer, and for years Fatma worked alongside the rhythms of machines and metal, learning how something rigid and cold could be reshaped with skill and vision. Yet, in the midst of that industrial world, she felt the pull of something more organic and expressive. Encouraged by her own artistic longing – and with the support of her family – Fatma took a bold step to change her life’s course.
In her forties — at an age when many shy away from starting anew — Fatma enrolled at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University to study ceramics. As her daughter began her own university journey, the two became students at the same time, each carving their path in parallel.
The transformation was profound: what began with forging metal had evolved into shaping earth, and Fatma embraced this change with open arms. It wasn’t just a career shift, but a personal rebirth fueled by creativity.
Fatinye: Istanbul’s Stories in Clay
In 2019, even before finishing art school, Fatma founded fatinye, the name of her own studio and creative brand. Under the banner of fatinye, she produces a delightful range of work – from one-of-a-kind ceramic sculptures to delicate functional porcelain wares and rustic stoneware vessels shaped on the potter’s wheel. This venture was her way of shaping her dreams into reality. Each piece that leaves her hands carries a touch of Istanbul’s magic, because fatinye is more than a brand – it’s a storytelling workshop.
Tucked inside Balat’s historic Çıfıt Market, near the Ahrida Synagogue, Fatinye is not merely a shop but a small working studio where clay becomes character, memory, and story.
Together with Zeynep, her trusted second pair of hands, Fatma does the real work here: shaping, firing, finishing, and presenting each piece with care. Inside the shop, their oven is part of the atmosphere — a reminder that these objects are not mass-produced souvenirs, but handmade creations born through heat, patience, and touch.
For Fatma, Fatinye is the place where dreams take physical form. Each piece that leaves the studio carries something of Istanbul’s spirit: its cats, street markets, neighborhoods, humor, warmth, and quiet poetry. More than a brand, Fatinye is a storytelling workshop in clay.
The Love for Istanbul
For Fatma, Istanbul is muse, material, and memory all at once. The city’s countless street cats, lounging on marble doorsteps and weaving through market stalls, find their way into her figurines. The seagulls that swoop and call above the Bosphorus appear in her designs, capturing the feeling of freedom in the open skies. And the neighborhood “aunties” gossiping on stoops and balconies – those warm-hearted older ladies who are the heart of Istanbul’s old quarters – are immortalized in clay with a wink of humor and love.
In Fatma’s hands, clay becomes a storyteller, and each piece is a salute to the city’s character – a vessel of everyday tales carrying echoes of affectionate street cats, lively gossip, and seabirds dancing with the wind.
Myth and Symbolism in Her Sculptures
Not all of Fatma’s art draws from mythology and art history. Some of her most striking pieces venture into the realm of myth and imagination. Winged Pegasus horses, mysterious centaurs, and mischievous satyrs emerge from her studio, bridging ancient lore with modern artistic expression. These mythological figures aren’t just fanciful decorations; in Fatma’s work they become poetic symbols, each carrying layers of meaning and emotion.
A Pegasus poised as if about to take flight might embody the longing for freedom, while a stern centaur – half-human, half-horse – evokes our dual nature and the balance between civilized control and untamed wildness. And a playful satyr peeking from behind a ceramic form can represent the hidden, shadowy side of human nature – those impulsive dreams and instincts we often keep out of sight.
Throughout these works, themes of freedom, nature, control, and shadow weave their way into the narrative. Fatma’s sculptures are intentionally open-ended and symbolic.
Rather than retelling specific legends, she uses these mythical figures to spark reflection and feeling in the viewer. Her style is also poetic in that it leaves space for personal interpretation — each person might discover a different story or emotion when they gaze at one of her pieces.
A New Studio and an Upcoming Exhibition
Now, a new chapter is unfolding in Fatma’s story. She has recently opened her own studio in the historic Cibali neighborhood of Istanbul, a stone’s throw from the old city walls and the waters of the Golden Horn.
In this welcoming space – sunlit, intimate, and scented with the earthy aroma of clay – Fatma will soon begin hosting ceramic workshops. Anyone curious about the art of pottery, whether local or just visiting the city, will be able to roll up their sleeves and learn beside her.
Imagine shaping your first clay bowl in a studio where friendly cats lounge by the window and the echoes of Istanbul’s stories swirl around you. Fatma is eager to share the joy of creation with others, teaching not just technique but also her belief that clay and art are for everyone. It’s a natural extension of her warm, inclusive spirit and her love of community.
Conclusion: Add Fatinye to Your List if You like Ceramics
If you find yourself in Balat, Istanbul, consider this a heartfelt invitation. Come meet Fatma in her element and immerse yourself in the world of fatinye. It’s a journey where clay and metal blend with Istanbul’s layered character – where the city’s past and present, its myths and everyday moments, all meld together in the embrace of art.
Contact us for a workshop or guided tour
We can introduce you to Fatma and fatinye if you prefer professional assistance. Just fill in the form below and let’s get the conversation started.
I loved reading about Fatma’s journey and how she turns the everyday spirit of Istanbul into ceramics. Fatinye is definitely on my list for my next visit to Balat — I especially want to stop by and buy a few of those beautiful creative cups 🙂
Thanks so much for your comment, Roughe. Fatma Karacam and her little store Fatinye are a true gem in Balat!