Crafter in The Spotlight 37 - Itsy Bitsy

Hello arty-crafty folks,

How soon Thursdays come back! It’s once again time for me to introduce a talented crafter and her impressive craft skills. This week’s chosen one is Swarna Raman, an Interior Designer with a degree in Business Administration.

Swarna’s initial craft lessons came from her mother and grandmother but later, it was her passion that inspired her to take a plunge in the vast ocean of craft. She has tried her hands on various craft techniques but quilling will always have a special place in her heart. A mother of two, Swarna is determined to keep her craft endeavors going and finds time to craft when the kids are not around. She loves to learn various techniques and feels thrilled experimenting with them. Itsy Bitsy has always been an integral part of Swarna’s craft journey and she loves every product the store has to offer.

How did Swarna get into crafting, what inspires her, what are her tips for fellow crafters, her favourite quote, how would she contribute to the crafting world if she had magical powers? Read answers to all these questions, discover more about her interesting journey and catch a glimpse of a step by step project by Swarna in this interview. Don't forget to leave your comments for her.

Here are excerpts of my interview with Swarna Raman:

Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy: Tell us a bit about yourself & your background?

Swarna Raman: Thanks IB team for giving me this opportunity. I am Swarna, an Interior Designer with a graduation in Business Administration from Kerala, currently settled in Bangalore as SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) with two adorable girls aged 7 & 2.

RC: How did you get into crafting?

SR: For me Crafting is like Oxygen to life... Since childhood I got to learn a lot from my Granny who taught me how to make name labels for school books during holidays. I learned how to stitch and ways of making beaded jewellery from my mother. Fascinated by colours, I got motivated to learn more in the field of art and craft.

RC: What is your favourite type of craft?

SR: Even though I have switched different fields in craft, Quilling will be always close to my heart. It brings more concentration and calmness to our mind which I believe is very important. With quilling, I took my passion to a professional level.

RC: What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

SR: Itsy Bitsy always has been a part of my crafting journey... major part of my craft supplies are from IB. Starting from Quilling strips, Quilling tools, Jewel beads, Earring findings, Pattern papers and mainly of DCWV packs which I had bought long back in half price sale (and am glad I did J) even before I started my scrapbooking work.

If I pinpoint my favourite IB products, they would be Chipboards and flower embellishments (which I have stocked in a big box J).

RC: If you had magical powers, how would you contribute to the Crafting world?

SR: Given magical powers, my contribution to the crafting world would be to create a physical platform for those enthusiastic crafters who would like to showcase their work in such an environment where handmade arts and crafts are highly appreciated in the right way.

RC: Your prized possession in your craft stash from Itsy Bitsy?

SR: It would be Chipboards, Flower Embellishments, Quilling strips, Ribbons, DCWV papers, Spray paints, and latest in list are Chalk paints! (Actually list is endless…… whichever product I bought from IB will be my prized possession).

RC: How would you describe your style of crafting?

SR: I would like to explore different styles of craft rather than sticking just to one kind of crafting. I have tried my hands on Quilling, Jewellery making, designing gift boxes and recently I also tried Scrapbooking and Decoupage. If I ever find something different and unique, I try to learn and put in effort to create a new style.

I believe trying out new techniques and styles of crafting keeps our mind more energetic and positive.

RC: How do you organize your time for crafting?

SR: Wish I have 24 hours free time, I would be crafting the entire time. But being a busy mom of two kids, I get to craft during mornings on weekdays when the kids are at school or at night, after they sleep.

RC: Tips for people who want to craft

SR: My tips to the crafters would be, find where you can excel and make the best use of your creativity but, slowly and steadily. Field of craft is like a vast ocean where you need to have patience and dedication to achieve what you desire for.

RC: Your all-time favourite quote?

SR: “Believe in Yourself and Do what you love”

RC: Thank you Swarna for sharing your story with us. We look forward to many more gorgeous creations from you and wish you all the best in your creative journey!

SR: Thank you Rashmi

Here is a gorgeous project by Swarna & step by step description:

Step by step procedure to Alter a Round Wall hanging:

Materials:

MDF Round Wall Hanging

Pattern Paper: I chose DCWV Classic Elegance

Paints to decorate the wall hanging .....all paints and colours are available at Itsy Bitsy

Stamps: I chose My little Darling and Alphabet Clear stamps 

Chipboards and Tulip Die.

Procedure:

1.   Paint the MDF base with Chalk Paint. I opted for Wild Moss, which goes well with the colour of the Pattern Paper which I selected.

2.   Cut the pattern paper according to the dimension of the MDF.

3.   Paint the diecuts, stamped image, chipboards and arrange according to your requirements on the MDF Base.

4.   Stamp the required letters from Itsy Bitsy Alphabet Clear Stamps and place accordingly.

5.   Wall hanging is ready.

Here are a couple of Swarna’s other awesome creations:

Many congrats Swarna for being the CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT – ITSY BITSY

You will receive Rs.500/- Itsy Bitsy gift voucher 😊 😊 & a Crafter in the Spotlight badge, which can be proudly displayed on the side bar of your blog and other platforms. Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!

Crafter in The Spotlight 35 - Itsy Bitsy

Hello arty-crafty folks,

As always, it’s once again time to unveil our Crafter in the Spotlight. Our chosen crafter for this week is Kriti Mishra from Hyderabad. For Kriti, crafting is nothing new. She has been trying different card making ideas since she was a little girl.

Kriti has her priorities clear. For her, ‘family comes first’! After completing her post graduation in Information Technology and working as an assistant professor in an engineering college, she gave up her career to devote time to her daughter. From her very childhood, craft always fascinated Kriti. Her venture into new craft avenues got wings after joining the social media. Now, the entire world is her creative learning ground and she draws inspiration from every possible source.

Making simple cards and gifting them to near and dear ones is something that Kriti enjoys. She also has a keen interest in making albums and scrapbooking, using different kinds of pattern papers and embellishments. In near future, Kriti wants to explore the arena of mixed media. Kriti’s craft stash is so full of Itsy Bitsy supplies that it’s difficult for her to choose her most prized possession from the store.

How did Kriti get into crafting, what are her tips for fellow crafters, her favourite quote, how would she contribute to the crafting world if she had magical powers?? To know answers to these, to know more about her interesting journey and to see a step by step project of hers, please read the interview & leave your comments for her.

Here are excerpts of my interview with Kriti Mishra:

Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy: Tell us a bit about yourself & your background?

Kriti Mishra:: I am Kriti Mishra. I am from Hyderabad, India. I have completed my masters in Information Technology and was working as an Assistant Professor in a reputed engineering college. I left my job after my daughter Akshada was born. Now she is 4 years old and I am a full time mother.

RC: How did you get into crafting?

KM: Right from my childhood I am into crafting. I always loved making handmade cards and albums and it is my passion. Previously, I used to make simple handmade cards, just to gift them to my loved ones and friends but when I joined social media; I saw the huge world of crafting. There are so many people involved in crafting they also work in this area with different techniques. I am in my learning phase and I am learning every day. I intend to explore more craft avenues myself.

RC: What is your favourite type of craft?

KM: I am more into scrapbooking and making mini albums and love to use different kind of pattern papers and embellishments. I also want to enhance my creativity and share some knowledge with other people around.

RC: What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

KM: Till now pattern papers and embellishments like Flowers, Chipboards, Metal Charms, etc. were my favourites but now I am planning to try mixed media too. I plan to try some mixed media products by Itsy Bitsy.

RC: If you had magical powers, how would you contribute to the Crafting world?

KM: If I had magical powers, firstly I would open an Itsy Bitsy store right here in Hyderabad and then everywhere at a reachable distance where crafters can go physically and buy lovely products from Itsy Bitsy.

RC: Your prized possession in your craft stash from Itsy Bitsy?

KM: I simply cannot count!! Everything is provided by Itsy Bitsy at such affordable rates...be it dies, stamps, embellishments, papers, cardstocks and many more things. But if I have to choose one, it will be FLOWERS...
in my last haul. I almost bought every type of pack available...really love and adore them.

RC: How would you describe your style of crafting?

KM: I generally make my projects clean and simple.... but I love to add flowers and sentiments. I like to learn and adopt new techniques and always try to use them in my projects.

RC: How do you organize your time for crafting?

KM: Oh! That’s an important question. I have a small kid at home and loads of household responsibilities. However, a lot of credit goes to my husband because he manages many things when I need him. He especially helps me on those days when I have to submit my DT work or any pending order. In spite of this, every day I wake up at 4am and do my craft work. I know sleeping is also very important for health but crafting gives me more relaxation than sleeping. It’s a stress buster for me!

RC: Tips for people who want to craft.

KM: Just do whatever your heart says.... Always follow people and their blogs. Get inspired by them and then make your own projects, so that, many other people get inspired by you. Be perfect and be confident....and you’re gonna ROCK.

RC: Your all -time favourite quote?

KM: I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. In four words I can sum up everything I've learned about life “I CAN DO IT”.

Here is a gorgeous project by Kriti & step by step description:

Step 1: I took a white cardstock and cut a tag out of it.

Step 2: Next, I cut the pattern paper to mat the tag, leaving a 1/8th of inch on all sides. Also distressed the edges of the pattern paper.(I have used scissors). Adhere the paper on the tag.

Step 3: Below are the my gathered supplies, some stamped images, flowers, lace, twine and some half beads. 

Step 4: Adhered the lace strip on to the tag.

Step 5: Put the twine above the lace in any manner you like.

Step 6: Place the pretty flowers above that.

Step 7: Now affix the stamped butterfly and the sentiment.

Step 8: Then I added the twine

Step 9 : Final look.

Here are a couple of Kriti's other awesome creations:

Many congrats Kriti for being the CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT – ITSY BITSY

You will receive Rs.500/- Itsy Bitsy gift voucher 😊 😊 & a Crafter in the Spotlight badge, which can be proudly displayed on the side bar of your blog and other platforms. Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!

Crafter in The Spotlight 34 - Itsy Bitsy

Hello arty-crafty Folks! As you all know, this Thursday we are celebrating Republic Day. So, I took the opportunity to bring you our ‘Crafter in the Spotlight’ a day prior. This week I take great pleasure in featuring TANVI SHAH as our “Crafter in the Spotlight”! Tanvi Shah a microbiologist by profession took to full time crafting in 2012 & hasn’t looked back since!

Tanvi’s love for craft goes back a long way to her school days. From the very beginning all kinds of papers fascinated Tanvi! She calls herself “addicted to paper and stationery”. She loves every aspect of craft that involves paper and cherishes every moment of her journey from a “paper hoarder to a paper crafter”. Making cards and transforming home interiors with decoupage are some of her favourites. Her mother was her first inspiration and next came “Itsy Bitsy”; a motivation for Tanvi to hone her skills and live her passion.

Tanvi loves exploring new styles of crafting with paper and has a keen eye for details. Although there’s no particular craft routine that Tanvi follows yet she feels her days are never complete without some crafting.

I have worked closely with Tanvi & have totally enjoyed my interactions with her. Tanvi’s creativity is complemented by great attention to detail, a keen, insightful & analytical mind! I cherish my association with her & wish her loads of luck on her creative journey! J

How did Tanvi get into crafting, what are her tips for fellow crafters, her favourite quote, how would she contribute to the crafting world if she had magical powers?? To know answers to these, to know more about her interesting journey and to see a step by step project of hers, please read the interview & leave your comments for her.

Here are excerpts of my interview with Tanvi Shah:

Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy: Tell us a bit about yourself & your background?

Tanvi Shah: Let me first thank you, Rashmi & Team Itsy Bitsy for this feature. I started my blogging journey to participate in Itsy Bitsy Challenges! I also thank Team Itsy Bitsy for empowering thousands of women both - by means of employment in Itsy Bitsy & bringing joy with the products to many passionate crafters like me!

I am a Microbiologist from ‘Aamchi Mumbai’ settled in ‘Namma Bengaluru’ since 2007. My career started as a Lecturer & Researcher in Mumbai & I continued to contribute to Microbiology education until 2013.

RC: How did you get into crafting?

TS: I am a paper & stationery addict, while in school, I always dabbled with some craft especially during holidays. My mom is my inspiration, embroidery & crochet was her forte.

However, serious crafting happened with blogging only in 2012 with my decision to quit work. I was looking for alternatives to keep myself productively occupied & stumbled upon craft blogs, many from my own city. That’s when I discovered that the products I had hoarded from frequent visits to Itsy Bitsy are not limited to school projects! This opened the doors to the crafting world & the start of my creative journey, leading to the metamorphosis of a paper hoarder to a paper crafter! J

RC: What is your favourite type of craft?

TS: I love anything that involves paper - my passion being card making to transforming home décor items with decoupage.

RC: What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

TS: Papers, papers & papers! ! I always have a ready supply of the Little Birdies Chipboards & Handmade Flowers.

RC: If you had magical powers, how would you contribute to the Crafting world?

TS: Oh! I wish to set up a “Crafting Institute”!!! A place with labs, libraries & classrooms to learn & to teach craft (Hope you get the HINT Rashmi J !)

RC: Your prized possession in your craft stash from Itsy Bitsy?

TS: Of course, PAPERS & now Color Splash Sprays too.

RC: How would you describe your style of crafting?

TS: I love experimenting & do not restrict myself to any style. My passion lies in attention to detail in what I create. I love playing with techniques & exploring all styles of paper crafting.

RC: How do you organize your time for crafting?

TS: Creativity is spontaneous & I do not have a fixed time in the day, though no day is complete without some crafting - be it reading blogs, colouring stamped images, pinterest or even surfing through online craft stores.

RC: Tips for people who want to craft.

TS: Just be yourself and take small steps to make it big! Understand the what, when & why of tools & products.

RC: Your all -time favourite quote?

TS: Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible & suddenly you are doing the impossible!

Here is a gorgeous project by Tanvi & step by step description:

Decoupage box

Materials-

Wooden/MDF box

Antiquities paper pack

Black gesso

Black acrylic paint

Decoupage glue & varnish

Mont Marte Metallic Acrylics

Sponge

Sand paper

Procedure

1.   Unscrew all hinges & locks on the box.

2.   Lightly sand the decoupage base to smoothen the surface.

3.   Apply a coat of Black Gesso & let dry. Sand the primed surface.

4.   Next paint only the edges of the box & sides (which will not be decoupaged, in this case the inner sides of the box). Once dry, sand again to get a smooth finish.

5.   Select coordinating patterns from the paper stack (I used Antiquities Paper Pack) & trim to the required size.

6.   Glue the papers on the box using Itsy Bitsy Decoupage Glue, one side at a time & let dry. Take your time & press the paper gently using a sponge, avoiding air bubbles. Seal with another layer of Decoupage Glue over the paper.

7.   I wanted to give a metallic finish to the box so as to coordinate it with the gorgeous colors of the paper I chose. For this I buffed Mont Marte Metallic copper on the edges of the box.

8.   Apply 2-3 coats of Itsy Bitsy Decoupage Glue to varnish the box. Sand between two coats for a smooth finish & let dry between each coat.

9.   Assemble the box by screwing back the hinges/locks etc.

Here are a couple of Tanvi’s other awesome creations:

Many congrats Tanvi for being the CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT – ITSY BITSY

You will receive Rs.500/- Itsy Bitsy gift voucher 😊 😊 & a Crafter in the Spotlight badge, which can be proudly displayed on the side bar of your blog and other platforms. Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!