Hello friends!! Itsy Bitsy brings you "CRAFTER IN THE
SPOTLIGHT" – a unique way of encouraging and appreciating the talented
crafters. Week after week, we will bring you talented & versatile crafters,
some seasoned and crafting from many years others, budding crafters but holding
a lot of promise. We love what you 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 the third crafter in the spotlight for
June 2016 – SAMPADA SRIVASTAVA. A 25 year old software Engineer at IBM who’s turned a full
time Crafter! , She thinks it was destiny that made her bump into a Itsy Bitsy
store in Bangalore 3 years ago which is instrumental in finding her true
calling! Her awesome creations remind me of a fairy tale garden filled with
stunning flowers & Butterflies! Scrapbooking & Mixed Media seem to be
her favourites & crafting she says is her “ Highway to Happiness”!
Here are
excerpts of my interview with Sampada
Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy
Bitsy: Tell us a bit about
yourself, your background? Where are you originally from, your Work, family
etc?Sampada Srivastava: I am 25 years old and have done Bachelors in Computer Science.
Currently working as a Software Engineer in IBM & I recently discovered my
passion for crafting...a very creative side of mine. I am originally from
Gorakhpur(UP), now based in Gurgaon.
RC : How did you get into
crafting?
SS : I used to do sketching in my School days but to be very true I was never into
crafting or aware of how vast this field is. Well it really is a story that how
I get into crafting. I was working in Bangalore and there only I fortuitously
bumped into Itsy Bitsy Store. I was never into crafting before that but we say
it a twist of fate that I got to know about such wide range of craft
supplies..and trust me I got crazy seeing all that in one place..and then and
there only I bought pretty handful of craft supplies without even knowing what
and how to use. Then I started doing R&D about Scrapbooking...My brother
gave me my first order and there it started... I made one...two..three and the
counting goes on... then just after few months I shifted to Gurgaon and
gradually my crafting also lessened due to work, home etc. I didnt get much
time to craft but I never stopped doing my R&D over it.and concurrently I
realized that there is so much more I can do rather than sit in office and code
all the time..This thought was steadily building up my passion for craft and
somewhere I knew in my heart that this is what I want. And my setback turned
into my comeback.. I am lucky that my Husband encouraged my decision whole
heartedly then from around 4-5 months, I am again back to Crafting and now with
more zest and great Enthusiasm.
RC : Why do you Craft? Or what
do you like about crafting?
SS : Crafting has made my life better even my Mondays!!
This is something which has given me direction to do something new everyday.
For me, Crafting is like Eat, Sleep, Craft & Repeat!
Obviously I do have a personal life too. LOL!
The most I like about Crafting is that you need not worry when you do
mistake..because it may result in some unique creation.
RC : What is your favourite type of craft?
SS : Long list..but my most favourite is Scrapbooking and Mixed media.
RC : What is / are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?
SS : There are so many things in my list but I love the Embellishments esp Flowers
and 3D stickers, Pattern papers, Stamps.
RC : What products from Itsy Bitsy do you think are must have’s for a crafter?
SS : Every Crafter must have Flower/Butterfly Embellishments and Pattern Papers from
Itsy Bitsy
RC : What product would you like to see at Itsy Bitsy?
SS : I was so happy to see Stencils which was launched recently by Itsy Bitsy...but
would like to see more Mixed media products like Sprays, also it would be great
if you can add more Pattern paper packs
RC : You draw inspiration from ------------------
SS : I believe that until and unless you won't experiment, you won't grow....and
there is great satisfaction in seeing my each and every project shaping up from
scratch to end.
If you ask about my inspiration that it is hard to know exactly..Inspiration is
something that can come from anywhere..It can be anything, any person, any
incident...For me it kept on changing every now and then.. Its just that I keep
experimenting with my craft materials, colors, themes.. I always try to be
better from my previous artwork.
RC : What are your other pastimes?
SS : I like travelling and exploring new places & Shopping for craft supplies..I
always think I won't buy any craft supplies now until I finish what I have but
it never happens. LOL
RC : What would you be doing if you were not crafting?
SS : Don't know..If not crafting then I am still an Engineer by profession.
RC : If you had magic powers, what would you want to contribute to the Crating
world ?
SS : If I can contribute anything to crafting world then it would be the crafting
awareness and resources for craft supply needs to small towns. There is
astounding and amazingly talented people out there which still have not
encountered their talent so it is very important to expose this supressed
talent. The growing crafters will in return make the crafting world grow more.
RC : What is your most treasured possession in your craft stash?
SS : I love each and every stuff..but my most treasured one is my Big Shot Plus, it
was gifted by my husband so it's Close to my heart.
RC : What do you do when you’re suffering a creative block?
SS : I constantly keep notes of what I do...any creative idea, thought, motivational
quotes(it keeps you going) and when I get stumped ..I stop work just go through
that and it helps..That will sound funny but I create scrapbook in my
mind..layouts in my head before I touch my materials to actually start with...
Also I feel like we need to be little easy with regards to creative blocks. May
be you need that time to chill out!
RC : How would you describe your style of crafting?
SS : I do not have any fixed style..I keep on trying to create something unique and
better each time. I try to learn everyday..and implement it in my work and it
defines my style of work. It's my High-way to Happiness.
RC : How do you organize your time for crafting?
SS : I have a fixed routine for crafting in which either I create projects or I try
to learn and explore more about new techniques and tricks.I make sure I packup
before 6 pm so that I always can spend time with my husband...but during hectic
schedules..I work late nights(that's the time I feel the most creative me!!)
RC : Tips for people who want to craft?
SS : Just do what you love to do...Crafting field is boundless and there is huge
range of materials and techniques which you can try your hand on.Just be
confident..and don't get disappointed with your failures..it is something you
will always learn from.
Here are a couple of Sampada’s
awesome creations –
Many congrats Sampada 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.
Looking forward to many
more creations, Happy Crafting!
