Neşe Özay was born in Balıkesir in 1962. After completing her high school education at Soma Girls’ Vocational High School Handicrafts Department, she studied at Ankara Gazi University Vocational Education Faculty Handicrafts Decorative Products Teaching Department. Özay, who participated in various handicrafts festivals and workshops both at home and abroad, has been working as a handicrafts instructor and the vice-principal at Altınova Public Education Center for three years.