Crafter in the Spotlight

Hello creative folks! This week the ‘Spotlight’ is on talented crafter Nandhini. Let’s listen to her story and get to know more about her creative journey.

Nandhini is a software engineer who turned into an ardent crafter. She has always been fascinated with paintings, art and craft since her childhood days.

Nandhini chose to put her passion into life by becoming an avid crafter while managing her toddler at home. Two of her most favourite craft forms are decoupage and mixed media, but she loves to explore new techniques and trends.

Read along to find out Nandhini’s favourite craft forms, her arty-crafty wish, craft essentials she can’t live without, how she describes her style of crafting, what she enjoys most besides crafting and more. Also catch glimpses of a step by step project by Nandhini. Don’t forget to leave your loving comments for her.

Rashmi Closepet M.D Itsy Bitsy: What are your favourite craft forms?

Nandhini Vasandan: I enjoy all craft forms and try to explore new techniques and trends. My interests include decoupage, mixed media, quilling, clay murals, flower making, candle craft, soap making, string art, pyrography, card making, glass painting, oil and acrylic painting. Decoupage and mixed media tops the list of my favourites and most days are spent engrosed on new projecs for these two craft forms.

RC: If you are granted an arty-crafty wish, what would you ask for?

NV: I would wish for easy access to all types of art & craft supplies in the world with a customised work space at home to bring out the best in me. I would also wish for an auto refill of all my art supplies.

RC:  How did you come to know about Itsy Bitsy?

NV: I used to spend a lot of time online looking for craft supplies until I discovered Itsy Bitsy. Since that day, I get to shop almost everything in minutes and get to complete my projects in record time.

RC: Tell us about your most exciting shopping experience at Itsy Bitsy.

NV: I had moved to New Delhi a couple of years back and was scouting for clothing and accessories when I accidentally discovered the Itsy Bitsy store at Lajpat Nagar. I was so impressed with the collections at the store. It had every form of craft accessories and I felt I was in heaven. My craving for craft shopping never ends without a visit to the store and I eagerly await my next visit to check out the latest collections.

RC: What craft products attract you the most?

NV: Decoupage glue & varnish, tissues, handmade flowers, colour splash, chalk paints, alcohol splash and other mixed media products from Itsy Bitsy.

RC: What is your ideal crafting time in a day?
NV: When my toddler is away at school and she is sleeping like an angel.

RC: What are your ‘Can’t live without’ craft essentials?

NV: All decoupage, mixed media essentials and handmade flowersare a part of my every day life. None of my projects are complete without handmade flowers from Itsy Bitsy.

RC: How long have you been crafting?

NV: Art and craft has been a part of my life since my early years at school. My interest in art & craft has grown over the years and I am now a full time craft enthisiast. Exploring new art and craft forms with time has helped me chart new horizons and crafting has now become a family activity for us.

RC: Which 3 words describe your crafting style the best?
NV: Innovation, Vibrant and Customised.

RC: Any inspirational tips for newbies and craft enthusiasts?

NV: All forms of art and craft have been both good and bad experiments. Experiment with your thoughts without hesitation and explore new themes and designs as your guide for the crafting years ahead.

RC: Any tips for fellow crafters to help them organize their workspace better.

NV: The messiest workspaces usually produce the best craft ideas and creations. But one should take time out to organise their craft supplies regularly to save time and effort. Dedicate a locker if not a room, for keeping all the craft supplies.

RC: What inspired you the most in your creative journey?
NV: My mother has been my inspiration since childhood. She is the most creative person I have ever seen. She took great pains in introducing me to various forms of art and craft hobbies during my school days without which I couldn’t have come this far in my journey.

RC: According to you what’s the best way to overcome a creative
block?

NV: Take a break with family and friends. Spending quality time with my toddler usually helps me clear the air!

RC: Why do you think people should continue with ‘Handmade’?

NV: There’s something special about handmade products which a factory made stuff can seldom match. No handmade items are exactly alike and it rekindles the memories of the person who made it. Giving a handmade product is truly the essence of gift-giving. When you give a friend or loved one a gift, you are really saying, “I care about you.”Also it gives immense pleasure and confidence in creating a unique gift.

 RC: Other than crafting what do you enjoy the most?

NV: Travelling and music give me company while I am off from crafting.

RC: Which are the product categories you check out most often for new arrivals?

NV: I watch out for new mediums and fascinating launches at Itsy Bitsy.

Here is a step by step project by  Nandhini

An Expression of Exotic Love

I took a circular MDF board and a foam sheet. Foam sheet from itsy-bitsy.

I made several strips of the foam sheets measuring 3cms.

I pasted foam strips on MDF board with equal spacing for uniformity.

Once the strips were firmly pasted, edges of the sheets were trimmed along the edge of MDF board.

I applied white gesso uniformly on the board.

I created the wood grains with wood grain stencil and drift wood chalk paint from little birdie. The drift wood chalk paint was firmly applied on the foam strips using stencil brush available from Little Birdie.

To add more depth to my creation, I used water colour cryons of Mont Morte, also available from Itsy Bitsy.

I used green, brown and black in the grooves and sides to blend the colours with water. Yes, these cryons blend with water and creates an amazing look. The idea is to create a faux wood palette and I was very happy with the outcome.

Concurrently, I used a heart sharped MDF cutout and created texture with mixed media paste and stencil from itsy bitsy

To add more life, I stuck the shells, lace and a key chipboard to the heart using soft gel medium and mixed some mixed media stones to the gel medium and applied randomly. Shells from the store.

Once dried, I applied little birdie’s black gesso over it. I took few more chipboards from my stash from which the feather and quote chipboard is from itsybitsy. Then, I applied black gesso on all the chipboards.

Using the alcohol splashes of different colours such as wild rose, marigold, citron breeze, pink punch, I coloured the chip boards . Then used some tinted metallic paints poppy red, golden glaze slightly to highlight few areas. Finally, I dry brushed slightly with white gesso.

I assembled all these chippies, handmade flowers and beaded pollens upon the circular faux wood palette. To make it more interesting, I have added different coloured micro beads and sprinkled some golden fairy dust from itsybitsy. Have used pearl drops at few places to create added effect.

And here is my final expression of exotic love using amazing products from          Itsy Bitsy.

Here are a couple of  Nandhini’s  other awesome creations:

Many congrats  Nandhini  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!

 

 

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