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!