I had every intention of seeking such a school before I left the US as I wanted to find examples of Turkish marbling on paper. Since this is the very nature of my business, I felt such a find would be invaluable.

It has been reported that marbling was invented by the Turks, but then again, I feel that it was perhaps the Persians who first invented the craft and may have passed it on to the Turks while in captivity. Turkish marbles are quite rare, and even on original editions, books are usually bound with 18th or 19th century French or Italian marbles.

Aside from marbling, they teach other crafts as well and have "salons" or receiving rooms for visitors who are interested in the promotion of these crafts. I can hardly describe my joy when I saw the first marble piece on the wall. It had been used to frame Arabic calligraphy. There were other examples shown to me, and I realized that most of the French, English, Italian and American marbled paper designs were taken from the Turks.

The Turkish designs go a step further in that they include a lotus design which can repeat every so often within the marblized pattern. I couldn't resist, and bought a book that described the history and process. Marbling is also done in Japan , and theirs is even more difficult and quite daunting for Westerners to master. I was fortunate enough to walk into a class in progress. The tools were very simple, and they used a water bath into which they poured their colors. The colors and water don't mix as there is a resist factor which exists between the two. The colors are then combed into a pattern which may be very simple, or very intricate. The sheet which will bear the design is then placed or floated on the water bath and lifted quickly and set to dry. I'm oversimplifying here in the interest of expediency.

Aside from the various crafts and classes that go on, they have a center café where you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere. If you are in the area, give them a call to get their business hours at 513-36-0102.