Istanbul · A hands-on craft
Make your own Turkish mosaic lamp in the heart of Istanbul.
Spend three warm hours in a real Istanbul studio. You build an Ottoman-style mosaic lamp from coloured glass, piece by piece, guided by an artisan the whole way. You light it. Then you carry it home the same day.
Reserve now, pay at the studio · Free cancellation up to 24 hours · 3 hours
A Turkish mosaic lamp workshop is a hands-on class. You build a real Ottoman-style lamp from coloured glass and beads, then light it and carry it home the same day. It is that simple. The session runs in a warm Istanbul studio and lasts about three hours, and expert artisans guide you at every step. First, you choose from more than forty-five colours of glass. Then you set each piece into a classic geometric pattern by hand. At the end, you fit the shade to a brass base and switch on a lamp that is entirely your own.
- Make a real mosaic lamp by hand, from more than forty-five colours of glass
- Learn from expert Istanbul artisans in a relaxed, friendly session
- Light your lamp inside the session and carry it home the same day
- Sip free Turkish coffee, tea, and eat warm cookies while you work
- Reserve now and pay at the studio, with free cancellation up to 24 hours
Your three hours, step by step
What you will do, from the first coffee to a lit lamp.
- First 15 minutes
Arrival and welcome
You arrive to Turkish coffee, tea, and warm cookies. The artisan settles the group, shows you the tools, and lays out trays of coloured glass. Nothing is rushed. There is no pressure to be good at anything yet.
- Next 15 minutes
The story of the lamp
Next comes a short, vivid talk about where these lamps come from and why their colours matter. This is the part that turns a craft into a memory. Afterwards, you look at the finished lamps around the room in a new way.
- About 30 minutes
Choosing your colours
Now the fun begins. You pick from more than forty-five colours of glass and beads, and the artisan helps you read the classic geometry so your pattern holds together. This is where the lamp starts to become yours. It is also where most people relax and lose track of time.
- The heart of the session
Setting the glass
This is the heart of the session. Working on a glass sphere, you place each piece of glass and each bead into your pattern by hand. The work is calm and absorbing. Coffee stays at your elbow, the artisan checks in often, and you never feel stuck.
- Last 20 minutes
Light, wrap, and carry home
Finally, your shade is fitted to a brass base and lit for the first time. You watch your own colours come alive. The team then wraps the lamp in protective packaging made for travel, and you carry it home the same day.
Inside the studio
Coloured glass, brass, and Turkish coffee on every table.
Loved by guests
The best-rated mosaic lamp workshop in Istanbul.
More than three and a half thousand travellers have made a lamp with us and rated the workshop 4.94 out of 5.
We had a lovely time at the workshop! All Materials, the lamp, snacks and drinks are included in the price. The teachers were very kind and friendly, patient, explained about history and gave great tips. It’s definitely worth the price and we will consider to join another workshop at the place. Highly recommend! Thanks for the great time! 🌞
Absolutely amazing, I’d recommend doing this to anyone who’s visiting Istanbul, the activity was so enjoyable and the instructors were wonderful, it’s also a 7 minute walk from the grand bazaar so you can do both in one day
Definitely a MUST GO! Very nice experience in Istanbul, Nihal was so kind and so patient, gave a brief intro into Mosaic lamps and then was very good at explaining how to build it step by step, would recommend to anyone. Location is very convenient as well.
- Glass lamp body and brass base
- 45+ colours of mosaic glass and beads
- All tools and materials
- Expert, hands-on artisan guidance
- Unlimited Turkish coffee, tea, water
- Handmade baked cookies
- Protective packaging for travel
- The finished, lit lamp to take home
What is a Turkish mosaic lamp workshop?
A Turkish mosaic lamp workshop is a hands-on class. You build a real Ottoman-style lamp from coloured glass and beads. You set the glass onto a glass sphere in a geometric pattern, fit it to a brass base, and light it. The craft comes from the mosque lamps and lantern makers of old Istanbul. The workshop keeps that tradition alive in a single relaxed session.
How long does the workshop take?
The workshop takes about three hours. Most of that time is spent placing glass and beads at your work station. There is a short talk on the history of the craft at the start, and Turkish coffee and tea flow throughout. You leave the same session with a finished, lit lamp.
How much does it cost, and what is included?
It costs $35 per person, and that single price covers everything. You get the lamp body, more than forty-five colours of glass and beads, the brass base, all tools, expert guidance, and protective packaging. Turkish coffee, tea, water, and cookies are unlimited. There are no hidden fees, and there is nothing to buy on the day.
Do I need any art experience?
None at all. The workshop is built for complete beginners, and the artisan guides every step, so first-timers finish a lamp they are proud of. People who have never made anything by hand leave just as happy as seasoned makers.
From the journal
Understand the craft before you make it.
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How to Care for and Fly Home with Your Mosaic Lamp
A mosaic lamp is glass, but it travels well when packed right. Here is how to get it home safely, and how to keep it glowing for years.
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How Turkish Mosaic Lamps Are Made, Step by Step
Every Turkish mosaic lamp is built by hand, one small piece of coloured glass at a time. Here is exactly how it happens.
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Is a Mosaic Lamp Workshop Good for Kids, Couples, and Beginners?
Short answer, yes to all three. Here is what the session is like for kids, for couples, and for people who have never made anything.
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What the Colours of a Turkish Mosaic Lamp Mean
Amber warms a room. Cobalt cools it. Ruby sets it alight. A short guide to reading the colours before you choose your own.
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Turkish Mosaic Lamps, a Short History and the Main Types
The lamps are older than any souvenir shop. Here is a short history of the Ottoman craft of coloured light, and a guide to the types you will see.
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Turkish Mosaic Lamp vs Tiffany vs Stained Glass
They all glow with coloured glass, but they are made differently and light a room differently. Here is a clear comparison.
Your lamp is waiting
Come and make a light you will keep for a lifetime.
Seats fill quickly. Reserve your seat in under a minute and pay at the studio.
Reserve a seat · $35