Turkish Mosaic LampWorkshop · Istanbul

Istanbul · A hands-on craft

Make your own Turkish mosaic lamp in the heart of Istanbul.

Spend one warm afternoon 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 evening.

4.93 from 3,644 guest reviews
Reserve a seat · $35 See how it is made

Reserve now, pay at the studio · Free cancellation up to 24 hours · 3 hours

A finished Turkish mosaic lamp glowing amber and cobalt on a workshop table in Istanbul

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 small, relaxed group
  • Light your lamp inside the session and carry it home the same evening
  • 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 afternoon, step by step

What you will do, from the first coffee to a lit lamp.

  1. 01
    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.

  2. 02
    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.

  3. 03
    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.

  4. 04
    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.

  5. 05
    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 evening.

Inside the studio

Hands pressing coloured glass mosaic pieces onto a glass lamp sphereTrays of over forty five colours of mosaic glass and beads at the studioA guest arranging a geometric mosaic pattern on a lamp under artisan guidanceRows of handmade Turkish mosaic lamps lit in warm coloursClose view of a mosaic lamp shade set with jewel-toned glassA small group crafting mosaic lamps together in a warm Istanbul studio

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 afternoon 4.93 out of 5.

Loved this activity making the lamp. A perfect keepsake to bring home. The girls in the shop were lovely! The tea and coffee were very good. The lamp is the important part, and absolutely wonderful!
Alexis · United States
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 is definitely worth the price. Highly recommend!
Vivien · Berlin, Germany
It was so so fun! Loved the communication beforehand, and Bahar came to pick us up and guide us to the workshop from a meeting point which was very easy to find. We were greeted very warmly by everyone once we arrived and served snacks and drinks.
Molly · United Kingdom

One price, everything included

  • 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

Price
$35 / person
Duration
3 hours
Languages
English, Russian, Turkish

Good to know

Questions guests ask before they book.

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 US dollars 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.

Read all questions and answers →

Your lamp is waiting

Come and make a light you will keep for a lifetime.

Small groups fill quickly. Reserve your seat in under a minute and pay at the studio.

Reserve a seat · $35
$35 / person · 3 hours Reserve