Some people want everything in their lives to have a function. "Pretty" or "aesthetically pleasing" simply isn't good enough. What *use* is it? You know - what does it *do*?
My interest in paper crafts began, of all things, during a bout of spring cleaning. I found a drawer full of old colored papers, absolutely in no condition to be used but somehow still pretty enough to make me hesitate. I couldn't throw them away. So, what to do?
I learned how to make an origami box that evening from a Youtube video, and within a few days, I'd made a ton of little paper boxes. The earliest ones didn't have lids. I used them to store paper clips, hair clips, rings. They made great drawer organizers. They were useful. I felt so proud.
Making paper boxes felt so very satisfying that I began looking up tutorials for different shaped boxes. I began experimenting - all with scrap paper, mind you! I moved on to cardstock once I decided which ones I liked the most. Then came paper quilling.
You end up with lots of scraps when cutting paper to size. One day, I came across a paper quilling blog that captivated me with its gorgeous, graceful designs. I glanced away from the screen, and lo and behold, a long piece of paper scrap was on the desk, waiting for trash. You see where I'm going with this?
"Oh, it can't be that hard," I thought. I didn't know what a quilling tool was but I sure as heck could roll a paper strip with a toothpick! So, tongue between my teeth I created my first quilling piece. I don't remember what it was. Probably some swirly thing. I'm sure it was pretty.
I put the pretty swirly thing onto the plain box. I canted my head and looked at it appraisingly. I loved it.
Pretty *and* functional.
So here we are at Kağıtlık many years later, laboring away for beautiful paper keepsakes. My most satisfying customers have always been those I created custom boxes for. I saw a professional photograph of a lady receiving an incredibly meaningful gift from her husband in one of my boxes, and I saw her tears of happiness. That is a whole different feeling that you need to live to know.
I thank you for coming to Kağıtlık. Now, would you like a pretty little gift box made just for you?