Crafter In The Spotlight 3 - Itsy Bitsy

Hello friends!! Itsy Bitsy brings you "CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT" – a unique way of encouraging and appreciating the talented crafters. Week after week, we will bring you talented & versatile crafters, some seasoned and crafting from many years others, budding crafters but holding a lot of promise. We love what you create & are amazed at each of your unique creations every single day! We love the way you use Itsy Bitsy products & give life to those products.

We are very excited to announce the third crafter in the spotlight for June 2016 – SAMPADA SRIVASTAVA. A 25 year old software Engineer at IBM who’s turned a full time Crafter! , She thinks it was destiny that made her bump into a Itsy Bitsy store in Bangalore 3 years ago which is instrumental in finding her true calling! Her awesome creations remind me of a fairy tale garden filled with stunning flowers & Butterflies! Scrapbooking & Mixed Media seem to be her favourites & crafting she says is her “ Highway to Happiness”!

Here are excerpts of my interview with Sampada 

Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy: Tell us a bit about yourself, your background? Where are you originally from, your Work, family etc?Sampada Srivastava: I am 25 years old and have done Bachelors in Computer Science. Currently working as a Software Engineer in IBM & I recently discovered my passion for crafting...a very creative side of mine. I am originally from Gorakhpur(UP), now based in Gurgaon. 

RC : How did you get into crafting?
SS : I used to do sketching in my School days but to be very true I was never into crafting or aware of how vast this field is. Well it really is a story that how I get into crafting. I was working in Bangalore and there only I fortuitously bumped into Itsy Bitsy Store. I was never into crafting before that but we say it a twist of fate that I got to know about such wide range of craft supplies..and trust me I got crazy seeing all that in one place..and then and there only I bought pretty handful of craft supplies without even knowing what and how to use. Then I started doing R&D about Scrapbooking...My brother gave me my first order and there it started... I made one...two..three and the counting goes on... then just after few months I shifted to Gurgaon and gradually my crafting also lessened due to work, home etc. I didnt get much time to craft but I never stopped doing my R&D over it.and concurrently I realized that there is so much more I can do rather than sit in office and code all the time..This thought was steadily building up my passion for craft and somewhere I knew in my heart that this is what I want. And my setback turned into my comeback.. I am lucky that my Husband encouraged my decision whole heartedly then from around 4-5 months, I am again back to Crafting and now with more zest and great Enthusiasm. 

RC : Why do you Craft? Or what do you like about crafting?
SS : Crafting has made my life better even my Mondays!!
This is something which has given me direction to do something new everyday. For me, Crafting is like Eat, Sleep, Craft & Repeat!
Obviously I do have a personal life too. LOL!
The most I like about Crafting is that you need not worry when you do mistake..because it may result in some unique creation.

RC : What is your favourite type of craft?

SS : Long list..but my most favourite is Scrapbooking and Mixed media.


RC : What is / are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

SS : There are so many things in my list but I love the Embellishments esp Flowers and 3D stickers, Pattern papers, Stamps.

RC : What products from Itsy Bitsy do you think are must have’s for a crafter?

SS : Every Crafter must have Flower/Butterfly Embellishments and Pattern Papers from Itsy Bitsy

RC : What product would you like to see at Itsy Bitsy?

SS : I was so happy to see Stencils which was launched recently by Itsy Bitsy...but would like to see more Mixed media products like Sprays, also it would be great if you can add more Pattern paper packs

RC : You draw inspiration from ------------------

SS : I believe that until and unless you won't experiment, you won't grow....and there is great satisfaction in seeing my each and every project shaping up from scratch to end.

If you ask about my inspiration that it is hard to know exactly..Inspiration is something that can come from anywhere..It can be anything, any person, any incident...For me it kept on changing every now and then.. Its just that I keep experimenting with my craft materials, colors, themes.. I always try to be better from my previous artwork.

RC : What are your other pastimes?

SS : I like travelling and exploring new places & Shopping for craft supplies..I always think I won't buy any craft supplies now until I finish what I have but it never happens. LOL

RC : What would you be doing if you were not crafting?

SS : Don't know..If not crafting then I am still an Engineer by profession.

RC : If you had magic powers, what would you want to contribute to the Crating world ?

SS : If I can contribute anything to crafting world then it would be the crafting awareness and resources for craft supply needs to small towns. There is astounding and amazingly talented people out there which still have not encountered their talent so it is very important to expose this supressed talent. The growing crafters will in return make the crafting world grow more. 

RC : What is your most treasured possession in your craft stash?

SS : I love each and every stuff..but my most treasured one is my Big Shot Plus, it was gifted by my husband so it's Close to my heart.

RC : What do you do when you’re suffering a creative block?

SS : I constantly keep notes of what I do...any creative idea, thought, motivational quotes(it keeps you going) and when I get stumped ..I stop work just go through that and it helps..That will sound funny but I create scrapbook in my mind..layouts in my head before I touch my materials to actually start with...
Also I feel like we need to be little easy with regards to creative blocks. May be you need that time to chill out!

RC : How would you describe your style of crafting?

SS : I do not have any fixed style..I keep on trying to create something unique and better each time. I try to learn everyday..and implement it in my work and it defines my style of work. It's my High-way to Happiness.

RC : How do you organize your time for crafting?

SS : I have a fixed routine for crafting in which either I create projects or I try to learn and explore more about new techniques and tricks.I make sure I packup before 6 pm so that I always can spend time with my husband...but during hectic schedules..I work late nights(that's the time I feel the most creative me!!)

RC : Tips for people who want to craft?

SS : Just do what you love to do...Crafting field is boundless and there is huge range of materials and techniques which you can try your hand on.Just be confident..and don't get disappointed with your failures..it is something you will always learn from.

Here are a couple of Sampada’s awesome creations –

Many congrats Sampada 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.

Also, visit our Youtube channel to view & to know more about this crafter - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DynK6Y81V7Q&feature=youtu.be

Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!