Crafter in the Spotlight Priya Gajjar

Hello arty crafty folks! It’s so exciting to read interesting stories about our creative friends week after week. Today, I have Priya Gajjar telling us about her fascinating journey in “Crafter in the Spotlight”.

Priya is an ardent crafter from Pune, who currently resides in Surat. Priya was drawn towards art and crafts since her childhood. She resorted to saree painting at a very young age and since then crafting has been a part and parcel of her life. She teaches arts and crafts to underprivileged girls free of cost and that immensely satisfies her.

Her prized possession from Itsy Bitsy is Little Birdie’s Alcohol Splash and handmade flowers. She also loves the mixed media range, chalk paints, baking supplies and her list of favourites seem to be endless! Priya wishes to open a Crafter’s Café where people can enjoy crafting along with amazing food.

How did Priya 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 along to find answers to all these questions and discover more about Priya’s interesting journey and catch glimpses of a step by step project by her. Don’t forget to leave your loving comments for her.

Rashmi Closepet M.D Itsy Bitsy: Tell us a bit about yourself & your background?

Priya Gajjar: Firstly, I would like to thank the entire Itsy Bitsy team for this honor. I am basically from Pune, but have been residing in Surat for the last 20 years. I have been crafting for the last 29 years. I am a B. Com graduate and was always passionate about crafting. I have two amazing children. My daughter is currently attending college and my son studies in the 10th standard. I love cooking and my future plan is to have a Crafter’s Cafe, where one can sit and enjoy crafting workshops with loads of amazing food.

RC: How did you get into crafting?

 PG: When I was a child, we had a lot of financial issues at home and being just in the 8th standard there was no way I could get a decent job anywhere.  So I started painting sarees for shops as I was very good with drawing and painting. That’s when I realized that I could make good money and at the same time do what I love to do.

RC: What is your favourite type of craft?

PG: The word “craft” itself is my favorite word! There is no favorite for me when it comes to crafting. I just need to create new things and step out of my comfort zone to try and create projects which are different and new.

RC: What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

PG: Oh My God! This is the most difficult question in the questionnaire. I can never pin point a single product – the flowers, the chalk paints, all mixed media products, baking supplies, paper packs…. the list is endless. I love everything about the store!!

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

PG: I don’t know about the magical powers which I may have in the future. But, for many years now, I have been teaching crafting to the less privileged girls for free. I provide them with all the materials and teach them so that they can become independent and stand on their own feet. One of the biggest reasons for doing this is because I know what it means to have some skills to support you when you need it the most! Today, I feel a little support and help to these girls will surely change their lives.

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

PG: Alcohol Splash is one of my favorites and I am madly in love with the handmade flowers.

RC: How would you describe your style of crafting?

PG: My style of crafting is very elaborate. Even if I want to create something simple, I end up making it spectacular with a lot of detailing.

 RC: How do you organize your time for crafting?

PG: I wake up early and finish all the household work. I rush to the studio by 12 noon and I’m back home by 6pm. I get busy with cooking and kids in the evening. I craft again from around 9 to 12pm.

 RC: Tips for people who want to craft.

PG: Just follow your heart, don’t ever compare your work with other crafters and never underestimate your work.

RC: Your all -time favourite quote?

PG: “Do good and good will come to you.”

Here is a Step by Step project by  Priya Gajjar 

Sharing with you all a step by step recycled project made by me. For this project I have used 8 empty tape rolls.

First I have stuck 3 rolls together and then 2 sets of 2 rolls.

Then I covered the big roll with jute cord.

Next I coloured the inside of the roll with chalk paint and brushed little on the jute cord also.

Next, I used a pattern paper to cover the two other rolls.

Then, I stuck crochet lace on the two rolls to enhance their beauty and painted the inside of the rolls with chalk paints.

Next, I used modelling paste and the stencils to finish my last roll (single).

Next, I painted this roll with Sailing Sky and Tuscan Teal chalk paints.

Then, I covered an old tray with gesso and sponged it with Lemon Chiffon for a rough look and stuck the crochet lace and jute cord on the sides.

Finally I assembled all the rolls on the tray and decorated them with die cuts and flowers and sprayed them generously with Alcohol Splash – Pure Gold.

 

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

Many congrats  Priya  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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