A Passion for Handmade Jewelry
Maia is a contemporary jewelry brand that dares to blur the lines between modern design and traditional craftsmanship. Each creation is a symphony of thoughtfully chosen materials, worked with precision and care by expert hands, directly in the heart of vibrant Istanbul. Discover our eclectic mix of bespoke, handcrafted pieces, each shimmering with its own unique personality. Maia is where style meets substance, modernity intertwines with tradition, and every piece is an audacious dance of artistry, meant to inspire, empower, and make you shine.
From Medicine
to Design and Craftsmanship
I was born in Eskisehir, Turkey on May 3, 1955. Having spent around four decades as a medical doctor and pharmacologist, primarily in academia, I felt worn out by 2019 and decided it was time to embark on a new chapter in my life.
Out of the numerous options available, I discovered a passion and curiosity for designing and creating jewelry. To my delight, my closest friends supported my new endeavor, stating that it suited me perfectly.
In 2020, I began making beaded jewelry and conducting research. While exploring innovative designs online, I came across a jewelry designer, who quickly became not only my mentor but also a dear friend.
As it turned out, I possessed some talent in this field. Despite the challenging times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, I found immense joy in this new pursuit.
My nephew soon joined me in this creative journey, bringing his unique perspective and ideas to help expand our offerings with a men's collection. This collaboration not only enriched our design process but also fostered an intergenerational exchange of ideas and inspiration. Together, we embraced our diverse backgrounds and experiences, merging them to create innovative and appealing jewelry designs for a wider audience.
I am deeply grateful to my beloved family for their unwavering enthusiasm and support since the beginning of this adventure a year ago. I hope you enjoy my collections as much as I do.
Şule Oktay
November 2021
About MAIA
Maia is a name of the Roman and Greek mythology. It is as well of Latin origin.
In the Roman mythology:
Maia is the “goddess of springtime, warmth, and increase”, and also associated with fertility and growth.
In the Greek mythology:
Maia is the eldest of the seven nymphs of the constellation Pleiades, beautiful daughters of Atlas and Pleione; and she was the mother of the Olympian Hermes by Zeus.
As Maia and the Pleiades are visible in the winter night sky along with the constellation Orion, the Greek myths tell of Maia and her sisters being pursued by the giant huntsman and turned into doves to preserve their safety.
Maia also raised the infant Arcas, the child of Callisto with Zeus. Wronged by the love affair, Zeus' wife Hera in a jealous rage had transformed Callisto into a bear. Arcas is the eponym of Arcadia, where Maia was born. The story of Callisto and Arcas, like that of the Pleiades, is an aition for a stellar formation, the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the Great and Little Bear.
In Latin:
Maia (Maius) means “sublime”.
The month of May, my birth month, was supposedly named for Maia.