Crafter In The Spotlight 5 - Itsy Bitsy

Hello friends!! Itsy Bitsy brings you "CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT" – a unique way of encouraging and appreciating the talented crafters. We recognize talented crafters week after week, turn the spotlight on them & feature them in our "CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT"! We love what you talented crafters 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 this week’s “CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT” - July 2016 – SWATHI SWAMY ! Although an MBA in Marketing, Swathi wanted to do what she loved most & turned an entrepreneur in 2013 & took to Crafting full time! This extremely talented crafter specialises in personalised gift items & handmade cards! Paper crafting & decoupage are her favourites & cooking & baking are her other passions. She has been an active participant in Itsy Bitsy Crafters Café & we wish her loads of success on this creative journey of hers & would love to see many more creations from her in the future. 

CONGRATULATIONS Swathi Swamy !

Here are excerpts of my interview with Swathi :

Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy :Tell us a bit about yourself, your background? Where are you originally from?

Swathi Swami : Hello Rashmi. Thank you and the entire team of Itsy Bitsy for appreciating my work. I always enjoy shopping at your Itsy Bitsy stores. The staff are very friendly, helpful and have a good knowledge of the products available at the store.  I am an MBA in Marketing by profession and chose to be an entrepreneur in 2013 to take on my passion and interest towards arts and crafts to the next level. I am born and brought up in Bangalore.

RC : How did you get into crafting?

SS : Since a young age I have been pursuing Arts and Crafts as a hobby. Every summer vacation I used to learn a new form of hobby from my mother or attend any interesting summer camp. I have learnt Oil painting, 3D work on pottery, Quilling etc. in my younger days. But in 2012 the crochet work done by my Aunt made me to start crafting on a serious note. Initially it was only crochet accessories, some gift envelopes and bookmarks. Now I make gift items with felt material and paper like photo frame magnets, post-it magnets, handmade cards, decoupage, etc. My Sizzix big shot machine that I purchased from Itsy Bitsy helped me to explore and experiment the field of crafting.

RC : What is your favourite type of craft?

SS : I love to learn and experiment new areas of crafting and don’t have a particular favourite. However decoupage and paper crafts are my current favourite. I hope to explore the world of mixed media very soon.

RC : What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

SS : I like every product available at Itsy Bitsy. Some of my favourites are paper stacks, felt sheets, card stock, sizzix dies, embossing folders, embellishments, chipboards, acrylic paints, etc.

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

SS : If you are a serious crafter then I would recommend the Sizzix big shot machine. This helps you to create small products in a more professional way. The basic tools like self healing cutting mat, punches, paper craft tools, jewellery findings, embellishments and card stock are a must have for any crafter.

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

SS : I would like to see some more ink pads, stamps, charms and mixed media sprays.

  

RC : What do you do to make your workplace inspiring?

SS : My tools and supplies always inspire me to work more. Everyday life has also inspired me to create a few products. Crafting makes my workplace messy. But unless things are in their place and organised my mind does not work to craft on new ideas and products. So after every project I need to organise and put back things in their place.

  

RC : What are your other interests?

SS : Cooking and baking are my other interests. But right now crafting has taken over me and I am involved in it some way or the other all the time as there is so much to learn every day.

  

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

SS : If I had magic powers I would like to buy all the crafting tools available at Itsy Bitsy. But on a serious note I wish to educate and teach basic crafting to the rural people with the minimum resources that they have. They need to have the basic idea of tools and supplies available because they are highly talented but do not have much opportunities.

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

SS : My most treasured possession in my craft stash is my Sizzix Big shot machine and my paper stacks.

  

RC : How would you describe your style of crafting?

SS : My style of crafting depends on the project that I am working and do not follow a specific one. It keeps changing quite often as I like to try new techniques and create one of a kind products. It is an amazing feeling to come up with an idea, gather the required materials and tools and create the desired product in mind. As crafting is my passion, a sense happiness and satisfaction is experienced upon completion of every product. Quality is something that I never compromise on.

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

SS : I take a break and spend some time out alone. The world outside helps me to think better and also some blogs and videos help me to work on new things.

  

RC : How do you organize your time for crafting?

SS : I do follow a routine of starting my day early and maintain the same every day. However the closing time is never fixed as I prefer to complete a project to a certain stage and then wrap up for the day. At times I do craft late night as that is when new ideas pop up.

  

RC : Tips for people who want to craft?

SS : There is no particular style or rules to be followed. These days a whole variety of materials are easily available. Just go with the flow as per your imagination and be open to learn, experiment and explore all types of craft and create your own unique creations. Believe in the work that you do and you can create wonders.

Here are a couple of Swathi’s awesome creations :

Many congrats Swathi 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=qB80mlTrWaA 

Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!