Our Story

It's difficult to articulate the depth of the bond I shared with Egypt, to find the words that truly capture the essence of our story. She wasn't merely a pet; Egypt was a cherished companion, a lifelong friend, and an unwavering source of joy and inspiration. She was a small, elegant black Persian longhair cat, her striking green-yellowish eyes holding a wisdom and playfulness all their own. We welcomed her into our home as a tiny kitten, barely six months old, a rescue who quickly found her permanent place in my heart.

As the years unfolded, I discovered one of her most endearing passions: crafting. Weekends, whenever family obligations didn't pull us in other directions, were dedicated to our shared love for paper crafts. These were moments of quiet contentment, of shared creativity. Evenings, after long days spent working in the demanding medical field and cherished time with my family, were often punctuated by the rhythmic whirring of our crafting machines. Egypt had an uncanny fascination with the Cricut machine and the printer, almost as if she believed they were extensions of her own playful paws. Her excitement was palpable every time they hummed to life, cutting and printing anything from intricate designs to simple shapes. Her green-yellow eyes would light up with an almost childlike wonder, fixed on the papers as they danced in and out of the machines. It was like watching a captivating toy, a silent anticipation building for the perfect moment to pounce. Yet, she rarely did; instead, she would gently pat the edge of the papers with her paw from time to time, a graceful, almost helpful gesture, as if she were assisting in guiding the flow. And every time I returned home, Egypt would dash down the stairs, a blur of black fur, to greet me at the front door. Her eager presence was a silent question, a joyful declaration: "I'm so happy you're home! Can we get to crafting?"

Egypt reveled in the heart of our crafting sessions, happily ensconced in the midst of sorted papers, vibrant ribbons, sparkling trinkets, and an array of other craft supplies. Her favorite perch was undoubtedly my lap as I meticulously cut out papers for our decoupage art. She would playfully bat at the falling scraps, her paws a flurry of gentle motions, as if helping to collect the tiny treasures. For years, I had harbored a dream of transforming my passion into a business, centered around my unique decoupage, layered, and collage mixed media art. I would often confide in her, "One day, I'll be home all the time, and I'll start my own business, and you, my sweet Egypt, will be a part of it." The mere thought seemed to ignite a special sparkle in her eyes, a light that could illuminate the entire room.

Then, 2020 arrived, bringing with it the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. I was still deeply immersed in the medical field, and the hours seemed to stretch endlessly, the demands on healthcare professionals growing exponentially. By the beginning of 2021, a new responsibility called me away from my medical career: I needed to dedicate my time to caring for my parents. While I had envisioned this period as an opportunity to finally launch my business, life, as it often does, had other plans. The constant shifts and unexpected turns meant that the timing simply wasn't right. Beyond caring for my parents, I found myself needing to extend support to other family members as well. But even amidst these new responsibilities, there was solace. Egypt and I still had our cherished crafting time, and the significant upside was that I was now home more often. However, as savings began to dwindle, a new urgency emerged. I knew I needed to find a way to generate income, so I cautiously began exploring the possibility of starting a business, creating and selling handmade items at local fairs whenever I could.

Then, in the summer of 2022, news arrived that would forever leave an indelible scar on my heart: Egypt was diagnosed with cancer. The journey that followed was long and arduous, filled with uncertainty and heartbreak. Yet, Egypt faced it with an astonishing resilience; she was a true trouper. This challenging period also brought us closer than ever. We spent countless hours together, every moment infused with love, dedication, and a fervent desire to make her happy, to let her revel in the things she adored most. In the summer of 2023, surrounded by love, Egypt peacefully passed away, forever cherished and remembered. Her absence left a profound void, and for a time, the very essence of crafting seemed to dim. Egypt had been the catalyst for my crafting joy; her infectious excitement for new craft supplies, the anticipation of paper cutouts, and her fascination with the Cricut machine and printer had always fueled my desire to create. The light in my crafting soul, once so vibrant, was barely flickering. But slowly, over time, a deep-seated feeling emerged—a compelling need to continue crafting, not just for myself, but to honor Egypt's memory, to keep alive the extraordinary love and boundless joy we had shared through our crafting adventures. It was from this profound realization, this enduring tribute, that Egypt’s Papers was born. This is more than a business; it's a way to honor Egypt's lasting love, her creative spirit, and all the joy she brought. Every item I make is carefully put together to share the same love, light, and comfort we found in crafting together, hoping to spread that same happiness to others.

 Thank you for embarking on this incredible journey with me. I sincerely hope that you will consider Egypt's Papers a cherished destination, a place you return to often for an eclectic and ever-evolving array of unusual decoupage, innovative collage, and captivating layered mixed-media art. These creations are designed to fuel your junk journaling and paper crafting projects, providing not just materials but also a wellspring of artistic inspiration. Beyond the crafting supplies that you get in a Mystery Themed Parcel, Mystery Themed Planner, and other parcels/items here at Egypt's Papers, you'll discover a curated selection of artful gifts, each imbued with the unique spirit of Egypt's Papers. Because this journey is perpetually evolving, an ever-changing landscape of artistic discovery, you truly never know what delightful surprises await you from month to month when you visit Egypt’s Papers. The collection is a living entity, constantly growing and transforming, ensuring that with each visit, it offers something new and exciting to spark your imagination and nourish your creative soul.

Rachel & Egypt