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!
