Let's Start at the Very Beginning:

Hello!

I'm Deniz.
The founder and maker of Atelier Ayana.

Artist by birth, social scientist by training, content marketer by practice and entrepreneur by fate. Sounds corny, I know. Let me explain:

I don't remember a time in my life where I wasn't either designing, performing or being involved in some form of a creative endeavor. I sang, I acted, I designed, I taught myself how to make simple jewellery pieces in middle school. 

Back then I'd say: "I'd never have the patience to make these for anyone other than myself." It made sense for the 15 year old me. 

So I've gone on to study political science, sociology and anthropology for BA, MA and PhD until I dropped out after finishing my fourth and final year of classes. Patience I had acquired but it was time to move on. 

Luckily my husband at the time had a digital marketing agency he'd founded a while back and I was already helping him with content production and customer relations. We decided it was a great time to take it up full time and lead the content team. Funny enough, we provided digital media workshops and trainings to small businesses and entrepreneurs at the time as well. Who knew I'd be one years later?

Now imagine a 2600 year old city spread into two old world continents, with a population of 17 million (ergo a lack of de facto boundaries) and an opulent history including but not limited to a prosperous heritage of precious jewels and jewellery-making. But make it 21st century: So throw in an authoritarian conservative government into the mix, add an intermittent rule of law trying really hard to catch up to the extent of day-to-day violence and catastrophes, sprinkle arbitrary media censors all around and fold in a budding economic crisis. If you haven’t caught up my gist yet, I’m talking about l: Istanbul, Turkey. 

We had a young family. We felt that we had a pretty strong feeling about where things were heading and knew we had some pretty serious decisions to make.

Fast forward to May 2018 when we moved to Toronto as a family, including our four year old and our five month old (+ our 9 year old Jack Russell terrier🙈🐶) 

I decided to take things slow during this transition and become a stay-at-home mom for a little bit. 

Funny how the whole world stayed at home for quite some time with me. A day after we moved to Burlington from midtown Toronto the lockdown was announced. A year and a half into the lockdown, I knew it was time to seek professional help. Therapy and treatment helped me conquer my depression and figure out I what I wanted from my next steps.

I had to start fresh. I had to do something I loved. Working with my hands helped keep my mental health in check. I loved crystals, gemstones and everything shiny and sparkly that Gaia birthed. I loved the stories they told. It felt like I could bring something unique to the table based purely off of my unique existence. 

I started Atelier Ayana back in 2021 and I graduated from George Brown Jewellery Essentials program in 2023. My 15 year-old self had no idea you could start your company before graduating from school. It was probably the most fun I had studying. 23rd year of schooling must be the charm. 😅

I am using my background on cultural studies, politics and history alongside my gemmology training to write new stories with my pieces.

I am putting my experience of running and growing a business into use. But let's face it, most of it's just breathing and easing into the anxiety and occasional panic.

I design and finish my own packaging. I design my graphics and visuals that I use to run my website. I shoot my own product photography, produce my own videos and content like I've done for years. 

But more importantly, I work with my hands on a daily basis. I design and make the kind of jewellery I would wear all day and every day as a mom with sensory issues, who's extremely selective about what touches her skin. (Yes Iam neurospicy too, if you haven’t guessed it by now. 😂🙈) I want people to feel great when they put on their Ayanas. 

A professor of mine once said: "simplicity is hard." Then again, nothing in life worth having is ever easy. It takes a lot of effort keeping things refined yet playful, versatile yet striking, luxurious yet affordable. 

I love my work and I hope you do too. On a day-to-day basis, it keeps my on my toes about what's really valuable in life.

Jewellery is for everybody. And if I can help make you feel great in your skin, I’ve done my job right.

Please don't hesitate to reach out for literally anything, 

I would love to connect and get to know you, too.

Stay curious,

Deniz