Gülşen Ünal

Gülşen Ünal was born in Aydın in 1944. She finished the Izmir Educational Institute. She served as a teacher, a director and as a branch director in the Turkish Ministry of Education. She retired from her work in 1987. Ünal spent her childhood with women, who made needle works (iğne oyaları). She had an interest in them and started making needle works by herself. Ünal researched and collected hand-made needle works, which reflect regional characters. She remodeled and developed traditional needle works according to modern tastes. She invited local women into an organization to produce needle works. In addition to it, Ünal has sold products to different places including the Turkish Ministry of Culture and tourism. Ünal has attended many fairs with her products. She has also participated in many group exhibitions.