A Short Story by Artemis Design Co. Illustrator: Pauline De Roussy De Sales Poet: Eric Twardzik
First Edition
Table of Contents 1-16
A short story about the origin of your Flying Carpet Shoes by Artemis Design Co.
19
Our guide to reading Kilim symbols
20 Glossary
22
Caring for your Flying Carpet Shoes
For our cherished community of wearers & ambassadors, cobblers & weavers, and friends & family.
1
This tale begins in a far away land Where talented women weave magic carpets by hand Their patterns and symbols work like a code For the stories, secrets, and dreams that they hold All of this and more make them one of a kind Different from each other carpet you’ll find
2
In the ancient city of Istanbul, flying carpets dot the sky Tennis playing, sunbathing- it all happens up high 3
Our magic carpet takes travelers on a sightseeing tour To view the Hagia Sophia, the Bosphorus and more 4
5
As it is flying, spinning, and diving mid-air Our carpet catches a minaret, suffering a tear It makes a crash landing—the passengers are safe But now the beautiful carpet may go to waste
6
Discarded and forgotten, it flies no more It misses being used—now life is a bore Sometimes it imagines being something else Could it become a sweater, a handbag, or a belt?
7
A kindly cobbler has learned of its fate He says “Something so beautiful can’t go to waste.” This cobbler knows just what he will do He’ll give the carpet new life as an Artemis shoe 8
For generations his family has practiced the trade He uses his hands to ensure it’s well made 9
The process takes time: there’s no use going fast He gives it leather soles, linings, and shape from a last 10
11
Finally the cobbler’s hard work is done After some practice, our new shoe thinks walking is fun One last thing and it’ll feel complete Where will it find a pair of feet?
12
It doesn’t yet know if it’s wanted as a shoe Until the day it hears a voice it once knew “I remember you from a magic carpet ride Now you’ll add comfort and style to my stride”
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Now it takes steps through the Grand Bazaar Which looks so different from the ground, instead of up far Then from behind it hears a call “Flying carpets for sale, come one and come all!” So many colors, patterns, and designs And if any get torn, they’ll be just fine For our hero has learned this is true Each carpet can have its day as an Artemis shoe.
16
The Artemis Guide to Reading Kilim Symbols
19
Glossary
Artemis Shoe A charming and comfortable one of a kind shoe originating in Istanbul by the Artemis Design Co. team. Artemis shoes are a cult favorite among fashionable and worldly women, men, and children.
Bosphorus
A narrow waterway that separates the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.
Cobbler
A skilled artisan that makes Artemis shoes by hand.
Flying Carpet
An enchanted carpet that takes passengers to their desired destination.
Grand Bazaar
Turkey’s most famous covered market. It is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls in the world.
Built in 537 A.D, this Byzantine church is one of Istanbul’s most famous sites.
Hagia Sophia
Istanbul
Once known as Constantinople, this ancient city connects the European and Asian continents and is considered the cultural epicenter of Turkey.
Kilim
A flat-woven carpet or rug made from natural fibers, featuring vibrant patterns, symbols, and designs.
Kilim Symbol
The geometric shapes found in Kilim carpets, traditionally associated with good fortune or protection from evil spirits. See our Guide to Reading Kilim Symbols on page 19.
Lasts
Solid molds used by Cobblers to give Artemis Shoes their shape.
Minaret
A tall, slender decorative tower typically attached to a mosque.
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Caring for your Flying Carpet Shoes Artemis Design Co. Flying Carpet Shoes are handmade by skilled Turkish cobblers using antique carpets. Due to the handwoven nature of the carpets that we source, you may notice small imperfections or asymmetries in the patterns, which make every pair magical and oneof-a-kind. Your Flying Carpet Shoes may start out feeling stiff, but with a few wears they will loosen up and mold to your foot comfortably. The Kilim textile and leather sole are very durable and will age well when cared for properly. If you plan on using them daily, or on city streets, you may extend their life by asking your local cobbler to attach a rubber sole. If your shoes become a little bit wet that’s OK; just let them dry out completely before wearing again. To clean small stains, just blot with a warm washcloth and once dried, remove dirt stains with a bristle brush. We would love to see photos of where your Flying Carpet Shoes take you! Please share photos and mention @artemisdesignco. Thank you!
Founder, Flying Carpet Collector 22
artemisdesignco.com