‘People Should Love What They Do’: Woman Quits HR Job to Make Beautiful Paper Art
Many have a passion for making, but taking the leap from hobby to career is not easy. The financial anxiety and relentless need for self-determination often leave artists juggling a full-time day job with their craft.
Turkish artist Sena Runa decided in January she would take that risk in order to pursue her passion for paper “quilling,” which involves rolling and gluing tiny strips of paper to create intricate shapes.
After working in HR for seven years, Runa left her job and never looked back.
“The decision that I made earlier this year was not easy for me, but getting positive feedback encouraged me,” Runa told Yahoo Makers.
Runa has only been quilling for three years, but has apparently come a long way. When she first tried, “it turned out awful,” as she puts it on her website. But the artist soon found her style, and set up shop online.
Since leaving the corporate world behind, Runa has amassed an impressive following on Instagram and made almost 250 sales on Etsy. She’s also made a couple notable commissions offline. Perhaps her favorite piece, the quilled heart, is now the on a book cover. Her artwork was also selected to be featured at a 20th Century Fox party for the upcoming Peanuts movie.
Needless to say, she has no regrets about her career jump.
“I am really very happy with my decision,” Runa said. “People should do what they love and love what they do, that was my motto!”
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