Sabreena Aaliya’s journey into the fascinating world of paper quilling began like many artistic adventures – with simple childhood sketches and paintings. She was born and brought up in Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, and has been inclined towards arts and crafts since childhood. Drawing and painting were her favorite subjects, and she spent her school days drawing and painting. Even her art teacher became the person she highly respects and admires. At first, she was concerned with traditional painting and drawing, and her works were beautiful pictures that revealed her innate ability.
However, her artistic path became more interesting as she found out about paper crafting, especially how to make paper flowers and other basic paper art projects. This discovery would later make her accidentally discover paper quilling, which was a very delicate art that would totally change the way she expressed herself. She found out about the existence of this complex technique when she saw some simple panels on the Internet and became interested in their creation. It all began as a hobby, but later on, it turned into her burning desire to become a craftsperson. So her incredible journey of turning from a hobby artist to a reputable one started.
The turning point for Sabreena Aaliya: A 3D cup and Saucer that made all the difference
The pivotal moment in Sabreena’s artistic career came when she created her first 3D paper quilling cup and Saucer. This wasn’t just another craft project – it was a masterpiece that would define her future. She had put this elaborate piece on a table in her room, and she had no idea that it would not take long before her family noticed it. Upon her mother’s entering the room and noticing the piece of art, which was beautifully made, she was utterly impressed by the uniqueness of the piece and the craftsmanship. The work was so different from Sabreena’s previous simple paintings that it immediately stood out as something extraordinary.
Her mother’s excitement was contagious, and she quickly called her father to witness this remarkable creation. Her father, who had experience as a handicraft designer, immediately recognized the potential in Sabreena’s work. It was this point that became the turning point that made her hobby a serious artistic pursuit. The 3D cup and Saucer weren’t just a craft item; they were the foundation stone of what would become a successful artistic venture. Her father’s recognition and subsequent support played a crucial role in encouraging Sabreena to take her paper quilling seriously and explore its commercial possibilities.
The Art of Paper Quilling: Technique and Innovation
Paper quilling, also referred to as paper filigree, is an art in which perfection and patience are needed beyond imagination. According to Sabreena, this craft uses very thin paper strips, about 0.01 thick, to develop complex patterns and three-dimensional artworks. These lacy strips are rolled, molded, and placed in a beautiful pattern, flowers, and intricate designs. It starts with making a cardboard structure, which her father assists in designing, owing to his experience in handicraft design. After the foundation structure is prepared, Sabreena carefully uses the quilling technique on top and makes the simple structure come alive.
The most special thing about her work is that she has managed to use calligraphy in the quilling designs. She makes bespoke works which incorporate couple names, dates, and special messages, all made using the same strips of paper. The reflection effects that she creates on her three-dimensional work add another dimension of finesse to her work. Her innovative approach includes creating Chinar leaf designs, which pay homage to Kashmir’s famous tree, and incorporating traditional Kashmiri elements into modern quilling techniques. The combination of traditional Kashmir aesthetics with modern paper art makes her work really unique and culturally meaningful.
Honor, Corporate Achievement, and Dreams Ahead
Sabreena’s dedication to paper quilling has earned her significant recognition in the handicrafts community. Her art is registered under the Handicrafts Department, and she is well registered as a certified artisan. This was coupled with material gains as she received an award at the UT Awards recognizing her input on the preservation and innovation of traditional crafts. Currently, she’s preparing for another competition this year, hoping to achieve even greater recognition for her evolving artistic skills. Her business, operating under the brand name “Newt Designs,” has gained considerable popularity through social media, particularly on her Instagram handle “3D Quilling.” Using these websites, she demonstrates her wide range of offerings, takes special orders, and reaches out to other art lovers worldwide.
The business model will enable her to design customized products, ranging from easy flower panels to more complicated alphabetical designs and customization for corporations. What sets Sabreena apart is her genuine passion for the craft – she emphasizes that this isn’t work imposed upon her, but something she truly loves doing. Each creation brings her a lot of joy and satisfaction, and this is not a business venture. Her future vision is to widen her design collection, take part in more exhibitions, and teach other people about this beautiful art so that it can be preserved and developed further in the Kashmir region and other places.
Also Read: Tawheeda Akhtar: Weaving Hope and Empowerment Through Shining Star Boutique
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