Crafter in The Spotlight 50 - Itsy Bitsy

It’s Thursday, time to announce the ‘Crafter in the Spotlight’ but this week is special because it’s the 50^th story we are going to share with you. The idea behind ‘Crafter in the Spotlight’ was to create a platform where crafters could get recognition and encouragement from fellow crafters. It’s our unique way to motivate and appreciate all crafters. The journey till here has been very exciting for me and I hope you have enjoyed reading about fellow crafters and their creative journey.  

This week the limelight is on Afrreen Banu, an ardent and active crafter from Trichy, Tamilnadu. Afrreen has been a crafter at heart since her childhood. She started making cards and simple craft projects with supplies available at hand from quite a young age.

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

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

AB: Hello all you lovely ladies, this is Afrreen Banu from Trichy, Tamilnadu. I am so happy and honoured to be the ‘Crafter in the Spotlight’ that too in the 50th week. I am a passionate and crazy crafter who is always keen about learning new things. I live with my family who are my biggest support. A big thanks to my family, Rashmi Harish and Itsy Bitsy team for this honour. 

RC: How did you get into crafting?

AB: All of you must be bored hearing the same thing which so many crafters have already told you …but I am no different and have been a crafter from very childhood. Earlier, my craft only used to include cards with chart papers, DIY stuffs, flowers and the usual craft supplies. I used craft using whatever I could lay my hands on but that was before I started serious paper crafting. I also used to make Kundan jewellery & did some stitching work. Later I picked up quilling as a hobby. Slowly my craft arena widened and I moved on to card making , scrapbooking, mixed media  and more….it’s been a wonderful journey till now.. 

RC:  What is your favourite type of craft?

AB: Ahhh!! it’s a tough question.. I do not restrict myself to any particular art form. I would love to try all forms... Now I love making mixed media and miniature projects.                                                                                                    

RC: What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

AB: Handmade flowers, silicone glue, colour splash, embellishments, stencils….I really like the way they are nominally priced and affordable by every crafter.       

        

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

AB: I will hoard craft supplies as much as I can....Lol :p Am a big hoarder.  I would share my stash with crafters who are not fortunate enough to buy all the things they want.          

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

AB:  Color splash & flowers. I have so many of them in my stash that whenever I use them, I feel like they will never get over from my stash.

                                                                                              

RC:How would you describe your style of crafting?                   

AB: Versatile crafter.... who is used to adapting various styles. I won’t restrict myself to any art form. I would love to try almost every art form.                                                                                                                                                  

RC: How do you organize your time for crafting?

AB: I really don’t organize time for crafting, whenever I feel like…I just craft. I simply start my work and my peace of mind is enough to keep me motivated.                                                                                                                

 RC: Tips for people who want to craft.
 AB: Don’t hesitate to start crafting because you have only limited supplies to start with. A small piece of paper can be turned into something beautiful. Everything depends on you and how you make it. Small drops can make an ocean, so you can slowly start building your craft supplies.  Just let the creative juices in your mind flow!!!! 

 RC: Your all -time favourite quote?                                      

 AB:  Enjoy every little thing in life; one day when you look back you will realize how big they are. 

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

Step 1:  Take any bottle of your choice , coat it with gesso  using cotton or  a sponge blender & let it dry. Apply black acrylic paint all the way around

Step 2:  Adhere flowers as per your wish, and coat them with black acrylic paint..

 Step 3:Make sure the black acrylic is completely dry, now gently rub acrylic colors of your choice using your fingers, here I used turquoise blue  & purple.. then rubbed Camlin silver dust here and there… 

 Step 4: Now adhere some thermocol balls, beads and net lace in between gaps….

 Finally its done!! Its so simply and easy to make..I love the way it turns out... 😄.. Thank you Itsy Bitsy and team for this opportunity...


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

Many congrats Afrreen 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!