Bursa retiree turns gourd cultivation and recycling into craft business

Aliye Zorlu, a 58-year-old retired preschool teacher living in the Orhaneli district of Bursa, has turned her retirement hobby into a source of income. She specializes in creating decorative items using homegrown gourds and recycled materials.

Zorlu produces a variety of products, including lamps made from gourds, silk cocoon trays, knitted baskets, and jewelry created from repurposed lace. She emphasizes her desire to preserve forgotten cultures and finds value in old, discarded items, often decorating her home with antique furniture and textiles that carry historical significance.

Her creative process involves intricate techniques such as burning designs into gourds and hand-embroidery. One notable project, a detailed depiction of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, required a month of continuous work.