Crafter in the Spotlight – Serene George

Hello everyone, this week in ‘Crafter in the Spotlight’ an ardent crafter from Kottayam, Kerala, Serene George tells us about her creative journey.

Serene believes in decorating her home with handmade creations that are customized to match her taste. She loves various art forms but her current favourites are altering wooden decorables, glass bottle lamps, canvas art, hand embroidery, and garden decor. Serene believes, when one trusts one’s creativity, it reflects in the creations and people acknowledge and appreciate the uniqueness.

Read along to find out Serene’s favourite craft forms, her arty-crafty wish, 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 Serene. Don’t forget to leave your loving comments for her.

Rashmi Closepet: What are your favourite craft forms?

Dr Serene George: My favourites are jewellery designing in wire wrapping, polymer clay, and gemstones. My current love is home decor projects involving wooden decorables, glass bottle lamps and customized plant pots, lovely canvas art, hand embroidery, cement planters, and garden decor.

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

SG: Free lifetime supply of crafting essentials.

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

SG: I had searched online for craft supplies around 3 years back, at that time there was no delivery to my pin code. Around two years back I rechecked and you guys started delivery to my place, so now it’s a monthly affair.

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

SG: I went to Phoenix Market City, Bangalore, last year during my second pregnancy and my first daughter and I were so happy to discover the Itsy Bitsy store there. We hoarded a lot of things, we had to pack the stuff in a new bag (I always keep an empty bag ready!!) and brought it to Kerala by flight.

RC:     What craft products attract you the most?

SG: Chalk paints, watercolours, wooden decorables, wood slices different varnishes, markers, MDF boards, and clay.

RC:  What is your ideal crafting time in a day?

SG: Usually at night, after the kids have slept. I craft for around 1 to 2 hours a day.

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

SG: Chalk paints, scissors, decor varnish, paint brushes, acrylic and watercolours, and clay.

RC:  How long have you been crafting?

SG: From around 12 years of age, till now, the styles and preferences for different types of arts changes with time.

RC:  Which 3 words describe your crafting style the best.

SG: Creative, original, and vibrant!

RC:  Any inspirational tips for newbies and craft enthusiasts?

SG: Believe in your creativity, when you start loving what you do, it reflects in your work, and people will appreciate your uniqueness.

 

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

SG: you can have an open wall shelf with all you chalk paints, texture pastes and glues within easy reach.

And I have 2 sets of colour plastic pull out drawers with 4 pull-outs each and each drawer is for a specific form of art. For example, all my clay collection are in one drawer.

RC:  What inspired you the most in your creative journey?

SG: My inspiration has always been the need to be surrounded by beautiful things be it decor, art or jewellery in the colours and forms that I love. When you try shopping, most are expensive and the quality is not that great. So, I create art to adorn my home.


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

SG: Take a break, go out, enjoy nature and some fresh air, read a book and your creativity will be back with a bang!

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

SG: Handmade is made with lots of love, and each piece is unique and I feel it is of better quality than mass-produced ones. Most of all, they can be customized to your liking.

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

SG: I enjoy setting up my balcony garden, making succulents terrariums, and arrangements, reading books, baking, a bit of crochet and catching up on movies.

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

SG: Chalk paints, acrylic paints, texture pastes, wooden decorables, chipboards, glass beads, and MDF boards, natural elements, terrarium supplies.

Here is a step by step project by Serene George

Materials required

Step 1:

Design sheets in texture brew

Step 2:

Use a paper design of your choice and trace a circle by placing the mdf board and cut out the circle

Step 3:

Apply decoupage glossy over the mdf board and spread using a sponge brush

Step 4:

Apply a layer of decoupage glossy and spread using a sponge brush, let it dry for 2 hours

Step 5:

n the meanwhile draw pictures of symbols of festivals or seasons as you like on the cardboard

 

Step 6:

Paint them and line with a gold permanent acrylic marker, and let it dry

Step 7:

Apply a layer of decoupage glossy over the pictures, let it dry, then cut them out.

Step 8:

Decide on the location for the welcome to be written, turn the back side and colour with a colour pencil

Step 9:

Turn it over and trace with a pencil over the writing

 

Step 10:

Use an alphabet stencil, trace H then keep one of the cut outs as a reference then the rest of the alphabets

 

Step 11:

Paint with a thin brush using chalk paints, I used shade sand stone and a mixture of sandstone and snow

Step 12:

Glue a round magnet with craft glue as shown in image

Step 13:

Cut magnetic tape into small pieces and stick each on the back of each cut outs

Step 14:

Decorate the board as you wish and mount on an acrylic stand

 

 

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

Many congrats Serene George 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.

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