Photos: Gift wrapping by Soolip

A variety of wrapping goods for sale at the upscale stationery and paper arts studio Soolip. Owner Wanda Wen believes gift wrap is a statement of personal style.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

One of the many gift wrap styles from Wanda Wen’s Soolip. Wen says one has to be open and positive about the gift-wrapping process.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Wanda Wen, founder of Soolip, shows off one of her gift-wrapping kits. Her store stocks handmade papers, crinkled Japanese Momi wrap and Yuzen designs.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Wanda Wen’s Soolip, an upscale stationery and paper arts studio at the Pacific Design Center.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Wanda Wen often uses unconventional materials for her gift wrappings, taking inspiration from nature.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

An example of Wanda Wen’s gift-wrapping style at Soolip.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A customer browses the greeting cards at Soolip.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Elaborate greeting cards by Persephone Papers sold at Soolip.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Wanda Wen’s book, “The Art of Gift Wrapping,” is available at her shop, Soolip. The upscale stationery store is also a paper arts studio at the Pacific Design Center.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The store emphasizes wrapping with creativity and thinking beyond a store-bought bow.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Wanda Wen insists that pricey materials and artistic talent alone are not the keys to couture styling. “I think one has to ... understand that it does not take five minutes to wrap a gift. It’s a minimum of 10.”  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)