Bursa saddler exports traditional handmade crafts to 10 countries

Melih Hızlıkurt, a master saddler in Bursa, Turkey, is preserving his family's traditional craft by transitioning it into the digital age. Despite the difficulty of finding apprentices for this historical trade, Hızlıkurt and his wife have expanded their reach through a multilingual website.

Using traditional tools such as needles, thread, and awls rather than machinery, Hızlıkurt produces handmade items including animal harnesses and specialized collars for dogs, goats, and sheep. His business now exports these custom, handcrafted products to at least 10 countries, spanning from China to Europe.