Crafter in The Spotlight 45 - Itsy Bitsy

Hello arty-crafty folks,

It’s Thursday and time for me to introduce you to a talented crafter and her amazing craft skills. This week’s chosen one is Ashwini Vinayraj, a B.E in Computer science from DSCE, Bangalore.

Ashwini is a seasoned crafter and has been pursuing her craft passion for many years.  Art and craft gives her enormous joy and she is also a certified decoupage instructor from Bangkok. Some of Ashwini’s specialities are Tanjore painting and creations with water colours, which she is pursuing for twelve years.

How did Ashwini 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 Ashwini in this interview. Don't forget to leave your comments for her.

Here are excerpts of my interview with Ashwini Vinayraj:

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

Ashwini Vinayraj :Thanks Rashmi Harish, Anitha Mallesh and the entire Itsy Bitsy team. This is such a wonderful moment for me.  I am a certified decoupage instructor from Bangkok, Thailand. I have been doing Tanjore painting and water colours from 12 years. During my school days I have won many certificates for art and craft. Being an artist or a fashion designer was my dream and being an engineer was my parents dream. In fact both are fulfilled now. I wanted to create my own identity. For me, art and craft gave lots of happiness and it's a stress buster too. It gives me immense joy and it's my "SOUL".

I LOVE working with younger generation kids and older generation women. In the pretext of teaching, I also learn a lot.

My strongest support for crafting comes from my hubby, parents and sisters who always encourage and stand by my side.

RC:How did you get into crafting?

AV: My passion brings me here as a crafter. As I laid my hands on scrapbooking a Decoupage, it turned out well. I started trying on new techniques and getting new ideas. It made me so crazy that I started creating new themes with new ideas each and every day.

RC:What is your favourite type of craft?

AV: I love Decoupage and Scrapbooking. I also do mixed media, altered art and journaling.

I can work on any surface as a base for my project. I love to play around with colours and create textured looks. It makes me invent new ideas of creativity. Chalk paints are a ‘must’ in my games to play.

RC:What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

AV:Itsy Bitsy is the best place to walk in and pick up all the raw materials required for my creations. Of course chalk paints are my favourite. You heard me right!! More stuffs like paint brushes, gesso, colour paints colour sprays, DCWV paper packs, cardstock are also in the favourite list. Not to forget shabby chic burlap…

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

AV: If I had magical powers, I would really introduce art and craft as an equivalent subject to children in schools.

I would love to make them explore their creativity and make them LOVE themselves for being so creative.

There are many children who love creativity but lack behind due to time constraints and need of guidance. “I would love to support such children”.

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

AV: Chalk paints, stamps, dies, spray paints and papers.

RC: How would you describe your style of crafting?

AV: My way of working is quite simple and unique. My style of crafting means, "Best Quality, Perfection and Satisfaction to soul”. It's a true motivation to keep you going the miles……

RC: How do you organize your time for crafting?

AV: I work for about 3 to 4 hours a day. I work with lots of passion to get the quality of customization.

RC:Tips for people who want to craft

AV: Craft with passion with an expectation of SOUL satisfaction.  Keep it close to your heart as you put in your precious time and feelings.The seed (passion for craft) you sow,the fruit (satisfaction and success) you reap.

RC:Your all -time favourite quote?

AV: "Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time.Vision with action can change the world".

 Here is a gorgeous project by Ashwini & step by step procedure:

For making the tags, firstly I used a thick white cardstock measuring 3" × 6", Artists acrylic colours and colour splash.

Sprayed colour splash all over the paper. Dabbed with artist acrylic colours. Let them dry.

There after I embellished them with white linen cloth, burlap, black corrugated paper, flowers, beads, lace, butterflies and leaves. Stamped some sentiments.

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

Many congrats Ashwini 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!