Gülfer Keskin, a retired mathematics teacher from Izmir, Türkiye, turned her passion for silkworm farming into a successful business producing silk shawls, kimonos, and other items. Starting as a hobby after retirement, Keskin now exports her handmade silk products, crafted with natural dyes, to countries like the USA, Spain, and England.
Keskin shared her journey, saying, “After 50, my hobby became my job, and after 60, my hobby became my life.” She emphasized the importance of innovation, crafting marketable items like modern kimonos to attract buyers. She highlighted silk’s unique compatibility with human skin and its delicate production process, noting that even waste threads are boiled and reused in her workshop.
Advocating for increased silkworm farming, Keskin called the Küçük Menderes Basin an ideal location due to its rich history in cocoon production. “Silk is contagious,” she said, expressing her deep love for the craft.
Hakan Gözalan – Mustafa İç