Defying the Same Old Storefronts: Naga Handicrafts

Today, most sellers offer the exact same factory-made products. However, in the hidden streets of the city, there are still a few special places saying "no" to mass production. Naga Handicrafts, located on Selanik Street in Ankara’s Kızılay district, is one of them. We wanted to introduce Naga to you because we prefer handmade, carefully crafted items over fabricated ones. The moment you step inside, the calming smell of incense and the wooden decor make it feel like a safe shelter where time slows down.

This place is more than just a jewelry shop. It is a cultural space filled with the energy of natural stones, unique handmade items, and a bohemian style. In a world where the "fast fashion" industry tries to make everyone look the same, this photo essay documents a unique craft shop and the people who are looking for their own authentic style.

The main reason we chose Naga for our project is its success in reflecting the culture it represents. It is a student-friendly place that appeals to people of all ages and has many regulars. By adding small artistic touches to their jewelry, they allow people to "wear" art in daily life. With its wide range of products, we present this shop in the heart of Kızılay as a must-visit location.

On a cold April day around 1 PM, we stepped into Naga to escape the heavy rain, and it felt like a relief to finally catch our breath. With its light brown wooden cabinets and evil eye beads hanging on the walls, the shop drew us in the moment we entered. From the colorful natural stones on the shelves to the necklaces for every age and style on the hangers, Naga offers a wide variety of choices to its customers.

If you are one of those people who never forget a scent for a lifetime, this part is just for you. The shop’s incense and aromatherapy section attracts customers by offering different options far from the usual smells. One of the things that surprised us the most was how these scents traveled all the way from distant countries to here. These products add a unique touch to the lives of those interested, offering something you can't find just anywhere.

One of the first things that caught our attention was the wall covered in these authentic, handmade earrings. With so many options in terms of material, color, and shape, the specific pair you’ve been looking for might just be right here.

If we have to think of something truly eye-catching in the shop, natural stones immediately come to mind. Seeing the various colorful stones lined up to the right of the counter helped us forget our worries and relax for a while. We lost ourselves in the striking colors of the Bismuth we held. However, we expected a wider selection of natural stones, and we found the prices of the crystals, ranging from 200 TL to 2000 TL, to be quite expensive.

As we wander through the shop, we come across another product that shows the ethnic diversity of the place: glazed ceramic beads catching our eye with dozens of different colors. If you are someone who finds meaning in the small imperfections of handmade products, you might want to give these beads a chance.

While I was digging through Naga's messy ring basket, this piece suddenly caught my eye. The ocean-like color of the stone and the slightly imperfect, handmade texture of the silver felt surprisingly familiar to me. In the middle of a very long and busy day, taking a breath in the shop’s incense-filled air and putting this ring on my finger felt strangely comforting. Now, whenever I look at my hand, it reminds me to stop and take a breath for a moment. It’s not just a piece of jewelry; it has become a small memory of that peaceful moment.

After a tiring day at school, seeing my classmate while waiting in the ring shuttle line made all my stress melt away. As we were chatting about how our lives were going, my eyes caught her flower-patterned, sea-green ring and I asked her where she got it. She said she bought it from a boutique jewelry shop called Naga in Kızılay and mentioned she could take me there one day if I wanted. Since I was new to Ankara and still trying to get used to the city, this offer gave me a warm feeling I can’t quite describe. While we were talking, I saw the shuttle approaching from a distance. Just as I was about to say goodbye, her ring got caught on my cardigan. We tried to untangle it, but it wouldn't come off and the shuttle was about to leave. In a moment, my friend touched my shoulder and said, "This ring is yours now; please keep it as a symbol of our friendship and remember me whenever you look at it." Since that day, this flower ring has held an indescribable meaning for me.

My first visit to Naga was four years ago, and I still remember it like it was yesterday because that was the day I first saw this ring, a piece that means much more to me than just jewelry. I was preparing for the university entrance exam back then, and I wasn't feeling very well. I entered the shop only because my friends insisted. While I couldn't find anything I liked, this ring, sitting all alone among the others, caught my eye. I felt a bit anxious since it was the last one left, but then I realized my friends were done shopping, so I had to leave in a hurry. Every time I passed by Naga after that, I went inside just to see if it was sold. Surprisingly, it was always there, as if it were waiting for me. Months passed, the exam was over, and one day we crossed paths again. It was finally time to get it. Maybe it didn't fascinate me as much as it did at first, but I felt I had to complete our story. Even though I don't wear it very often these days, it remains one of my most special belongings because every time I look at it, it reminds me of everything I’ve been through, the good times and the bad.

Have you ever wondered how people with a bohemian lifestyle dress, just like we did? In this section, you can find patterned harem pants, embroidered bustiers, and more. You might even find a new style to add to your wardrobe that you’ve never tried before. While browsing through the clothes, we found ourselves chatting with the sales assistant. Deniz Hanım has been working among these pieces for three years now. She mentioned how happy she is with the customer base that has grown over the years. She also talked about the hopeful feelings that the bohemian aesthetic creates in the people of Ankara, all while continuing to help us with the harem pants.

For those who want to keep photos of their loved ones close, we found a wonderful gift idea at Naga. If silver medallions with engravings in the shape of hearts or shells catch your eye, and you are interested in nostalgic pieces like we are, you will really enjoy this section. However, when we saw that the heart-shaped locket was 250 TL, we just looked at each other and rolled our eyes. Deciding that the price was more expensive compared to other places, we slowly placed the "charm" back into its basket.

While touching and feeling the colorful scarves one by one, our eyes caught the price tags underneath. We saw that the long scarves were 250 TL, while the shorter ones were 200 TL.

After wandering around the shop for a long time, we placed these colorful bracelets in the basket to buy them as companions for our lives. These bracelets, which caught our eye because they are so different from the styles we are used to, will hold a special meaning for each of us.