ROOTED FROM
STORYTELLING, TRANSFORMING
PAPER TO TIMELESS PIECES
Hi friend,
IT’S BEAUTIFUL OUR PATHS
HAVE
CROSSED
I’m Pinar. An artist and day dreamer, obsessed with documentaries, stories of real life, walking in forests, feeling the earth between my toes, and a good pair of jeans. I started this journey of using different materials, and experimenting with calligraphy and illustration, becoming a custom stationery designer at the end of 2012.
My focus wasn’t always on ILLUSTRATING & DESIGNING STATIONERY FOR COUPLES AROUND THE WORLD
A few years ago I was working as a tailor with my parents, and freelancing as a design engineer & model maker for sculptural artists, and Heatherwick Studio (yep they made the new London buses - it was so freaking awesome). I thought I was on a path to getting my dream job, but it turned out, working towards this goal I had always been dreaming of, wasn’t what it turned out to be.
In 2012 I got married. A little after this, with a lot of nudging from my husband, I took my savings and bought tools, materials and my manual letterpress. I didn’t know at the time but, letting go of this dream I had since I was 8 was going to
help heal my mind and soul, or realise that the stationery I was creating for my own wedding, was going to bring joy to others too. Being honest with myself led me to something bigger.
My wedding was a Turkish and English fusion. When it came to finding inspiration, I couldn’t find many weddings that were a mix of cultures and traditions. It felt like I hadn’t a clue! With the help of a few Turkish wedding magazines later, I was married on a farm, with a traditional Davul zurna (drum & flute player) we danced the first dance and ate an infusion of Turkish & English foods. The photos got featured, and soon I was creating stationery for couples around the world.
I now have a studio in my loft that we built, and I’m surrounded by handmade and eco-friendly paper, a bunch of different tools and materials, inks, paint, and my manual letterpress. She’s a beauty from 1927. Keeping life busy especially during lockdown, is my husband and two little boys, and DIY’ing our home in South London.
I BEGAN TELLING STORIES THROUGH ILLUSTRATION
MY ROOTS
living between the chimney pots of
London, and the mountain tops,
& ocean of Cyprus
I was raised in South London, UK, and my roots are from Cyprus. Taking it way back before I came into this world, in 1977, a war came to Cyprus. Along with a few other significant events and a mighty story, my dad ended up journeying to the UK and the rest followed. I’m now based in South London. Every summer I go back to Cyprus to see my family and rebalance. I’m excited this year as I’m putting together my family tree and hearing more of the journeys my family have had.
HANDCRAFTED STATIONERY
THOUGHTFULLY CONSTRUCTED
CUSTOM MADE
CURRENTLY
RESPONDING
TO COVID-19
Hi friends & welcomed visitors,
I hope you, your loved ones and colleagues are all safe and well?
I can honestly say, I have never experienced an event with such a strong impact on how the whole world lives and works like this pandemic, and the human rights movement we’re in.
I believe by putting people first, keeping connected, listening, conversation and compassion, we’ll get there together.
Stories and experiences are a big part of all of us. We are all made up of different layers. And although weddings are on hold in some countries, and there is a lot more happening in our lives, I like to look at this as taking a bit of time for an opportunity to slow down, until we can have that elopement, intimate, destination or gathering type of wedding, or celebration.
In these last few months I’ve been creating illustrations of resorts and desert hideaways, sentimental gift pieces for those not seen in a while, or someone across the world. I’ve also been illustrating maps that walk down memory lane, a favorite ice cream store and a summer of camping. It’s been so wonderful to hear stories. I love hearing about different journeys.
Keeping health and safety in mind, I have been able to adapt fast. My packing station works slightly differently these days, with all packaging staying within closed containers, masks are worn, and all items and packing is handled with gloves and cleaned after every packing session.
If you want to reach out, or have a conversation, I’m here with an open heart, excited to hear from you,
Pinar xx
FEATURES
REAL WEDDINGS, STYLED SHOOTS, MAGAZINES & BLOGS
Brides Magazine,
You & Your Wedding Magazine,
Wedding Flowers & Accessories Magazine,
Wedding Magazine,
Mollie Makes,
London Weddings,
Together Journal
