Crafter in The Spotlight 60

Hello arty-crafty folks,

Thursday is here again and it’s time for me to introduce you to yet another talented crafter. This week the limelight is on Charu Jain, who is originally from Sewagram, Maharashtra, but now, is settled in Bangalore.

Charu is a self-taught traditional artist and holds a degree in Microbiology and a diploma in Interior Designing. She has always been interested in art and craft and thinks it runs in her genes.

How did Charu 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 Charu 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?

Charu Jain: Hello friends! I am Charu Jain, an explorer and a creator from an early age! I was born in a big family in Sewagram, the land of Gandhi’s ashram where he taught precious lessons of peace and non-violence. I am now based in Bangalore with my family.

I have done my graduation in Microbiology and also have diploma in Interior Designing. I am a self-taught traditional artist and I am very passionate about art. I have always been encouraged and supported by my mom and family to be more creative. I regularly create a colour-inspired, whimsical world of my own for daily practice and also for commissioned work. My work has found home in many places in the world including Canada and America.

RC: How did you get into crafting?

CJ: Frankly speaking I am into crafting since my childhood.

I remember how I used to create handmade greeting cards, gifts, dolls, wall decor with help of my mom and aunt in my childhood! I was always encouraged to do craft by my mom and family, I think it's in my genes :)

RC:  What is your favourite type of craft?

CJ:  My favourite types of craft are Mixed media, art journaling, making greeting cards and making bookmarks /tags.

RC:  What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

CJ: I just love all the products at Itsy Bitsy… it is difficult to choose just one! But I really love those yummy chalk colours, chipboards, alcohol splash and all the cute embellishments.

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

CJ: If I had magical powers I would like to make all the crafting things and tutorials available at affordable price to all who want to learn, so that everyone can know the joy of crafting and how therapeutic it is!! Also I’ll change all the nuclear and destructible stuff into bombs of colourful graffiti!!

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

CJ: I just love the handmade flowers, stickers, stencils and chalk colours from Itsy Bitsy!

RC:   How would you describe your style of crafting?

CJ: I love to experiment every time I craft! As I am a watercolourist, I love to mix different techniques together.

RC:  How do you organize your time for crafting?

CJ:  I craft when my kids are not around, so generally on weekdays but if given a chance I would love to craft on almost any day but I have to balance my family and passion.

RC:  Tips for people who want to craft.

CJ: Keep experimenting, keep creating, enjoy the process,

watch YouTube tutorials, read blogs, don’t wait for the right time…. Just take out time for yourself and work hard on your dreams.

RC: Your all -time favourite quote?

CJ: Creativity is contagious. Keep Inspiring and sharing the joy of creativity! Pass it on!! - Albert Einstein

Here is a gorgeous project by Charu along with step by step procedure:

Products used: 

Mini canvas, Mini easel, 

Chalk paints : Charcoal, Snow and Frozen Ice 
Blue acrylic color

Step 1:  I have applied Charcoal or the black chalk paint on my mini 

canvas and let it dry. 

Step 2:When it dried completely I have applied Snow or the white chalk 

paint followed by Frozen Ice chalk paint.

Step 3: I also applied a circle of violet acrylic color around the chalk colors.

Step 4 :When it is still wet try to smudge the colors, but make sure you 

don't mix the colors into each other.

Step 5: I added a little darker tone of the colors into the moon to give it 

some dimensional effect, otherwise it looks too flat.

Step 6: For the final step, I drew some silhouettes on the moon when it 

was completely dry. It can be anything of your choice; an owl or a howling fox, love birds, cat.

TADA! Now the cute little painting with chalk paints is ready! Its an easy project and you can use it to decorate any corner of your house.

Hope you like my creativity!

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

Many congrats Charu 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!