I was born in the enchanting city of Istanbul, where the streets were alive with the laughter of children playing outside, and the air was filled with a sense of magic. In those early years, my sister and I shared something very special—a single baby doll. We didn’t have many toys, but what we did have were endless colored strings, remnants of our family's ancient craft. Our parents were artisans, among the last custodians of a 3,000-year-old tradition: hand-knotted carpet weaving.

With those colored strings, we would lovingly dress our doll, weaving intricate patterns, imagining her in beautiful gowns. As we grew, our father gifted us a small loom, and soon our games transformed into something more—learning the same knotting techniques that had been passed down through generations in our family. We didn’t realize it then, but we were carrying on a piece of history, preserving a legend that had been passed from hand to hand, heart to heart, for millennia.

Hand-knotted carpets were not just a livelihood for my parents; they were a legacy, a form of art that connected us to our ancestors. But as the world evolved, so did the craft. Machinery took over, and many abandoned the painstaking art of knotting by hand. My family, however, held on, one of the few left to continue weaving these timeless stories into each thread.

Today, through EYJEY (original spelling "ECE" meaning "Queen" in Turkish), we honor that legacy. We have made it our mission to preserve this 3,000-year-old tradition by offering a carefully curated selection of antique, semi-antique, mid-century modern, and vintage hand-knotted carpets and kilims, directly from their original regions to homes in the U.S. Every rug we collect tells a story, and each knot is a testament to the artistry that cannot be replicated by machines.

In a world where so much has changed, art remains one of the few things that cannot be mass-produced. If you believe in supporting the authentic artisans who pour their hearts and souls into their work, we invite you to explore our collections. By choosing a piece from EYJEY, you’re not just buying a rug—you’re giving a voice to the craftsmen and women who keep this ancient art alive.

Warm Regards
Seval Eser AY

Founder, and Mother of Ece