When most people think of paper, they tend to think of the plain white or loose-leaf lined paper kind. Senior Grace Wu is not like most people. To support her hobby of journaling and crafting, Wu splurges on all things related to paper: magazines, books, notebooks, journals, scrap booking papers, posters, prints, postcards, stationery and more.

Wu’s obsession with buying all things paper began in middle school when she picked up the hobby of journaling. She now uses the paper to create artwork as gifts for her friends.

“So the first paper-related items that I bought were journals and diaries. I’m picky with what I write in because you write in journals for a long time,” Wu said. “I have standards and I do end up buying expensive journals because of my standards. In high school I started experimenting making collages with paper and making things for my friends. That’s when I started buying specialized papers.”

Wu buys most of her paper at the store Paper Source, which, of course, sells all things paper. Because specialized papers can run a high price, Wu has two criteria for paper: She needs to really like the paper, and it cannot be too expensive.

“I use a lot of paper in my artwork and I’m satisfied and happy when my gifts to my friends bring a smile to their faces,” said Wu. “Because of this, I don’t care how much money I spend on paper. Whether the paper I buy is cheap or expensive, if it brings joy to someone else, then I think it’s worth it.”

Wu is fascinated with the artistic field, and her purchases reflect her interests. Though most people buy magazines, read it once, and then throw them away, Wu keeps them as references to look at.

“I’m very interested in photography and fashion. I do go back and look at my magazines; they don’t just lie on my floor forever,” said Wu.

She feels that the she money spent on paper and other paper related goods is not splurging. Rather, she views it as money well spent.

“My journals contain my secrets. Everything I buy has a use. To other people it may seem like a splurge, but to me it’s not,” she said