Retired teacher Aliye Zorlu turns upcycling into a craft business

Aliye Zorlu, a 58-year-old retired preschool teacher living in the Deliballılar neighborhood of Orhaneli, Bursa, has turned her retirement into a creative business focused on upcycling and traditional crafts.

Zorlu utilizes various materials to create unique items, including knitted baskets, trays made from silk cocoons, bridal flowers, and decorative ornaments. She also incorporates recycled materials, such as transforming discarded lace pieces into necklaces to preserve their historical value. Additionally, she grows gourds in her garden to craft intricate, illuminated lamps through techniques like drawing, burning, and drilling patterns into the surface.

Zorlu emphasizes the importance of preserving the past, often decorating her home with vintage furniture and objects that she believes carry meaningful histories.