Hello everyone, this week the ‘Spotlight’ is on an enthusiastic crafter from Chennai, Nithiya Devi. Let us take a peek into her creative journey as she shares her story with us.
Nithiya has been crafting since her childhood and any form of craft that involves deep detailing attracts her. Paper crafting and clay crafts is her latest favourites. She thinks creative blocks arise from discouraging surroundings and avoiding them is the best way to invite creativity and inspirations.
Read along to find out Nithiya’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 Nithiya. Don’t forget to leave your loving comments for her.
Rashmi closepet: What are your favourite craft forms?
Nithiya Devi: Craft in any form that involves deep detailing is my favourite, for now it is paper and clay crafts.
RC: If you are granted an arty-crafty wish, what would you ask for?
ND: I wish to own a craft material bank where I can find all sorts of craft supplies from all over the world also I wish to have a channel to showcase all my work.
RC: How did you come to know about Itsy Bitsy?
ND: When I was in Faridabad, I was looking for craft supplies. I found Itsy Bitsy in Lajpat Nagar, Delhi to be the nearest craft store. It was the first time I visited Itsy Bitsy. I was totally impressed…what a collection!!
RC: Tell us about your most exciting shopping experience at Itsy Bitsy.
ND: It was at Lajpat Nagar Itsy Bitsy where I was excited on seeing the variety of bead collection and quilling strips. The atmosphere and quality products kindled my creativity to craft with new themes.
RC: What craft products attract you the most?
ND: For now, it is the intricate miniature clay craft and paper art illustrations.
RC: What is your ideal crafting time in a day?
ND: Being mommy of two kids I barely find time for crafting. On an average, it is 2 hours per day.
RC: What are your ‘Can’t live without’ craft essentials?
ND: It’s the acrylic paints which I use in almost all crafts and obviously brushes, glues and scissors.
RC: How long have you been crafting?
ND: It should be my age minus 5 years approximately. You are asking my age? It’s 5 years plus my crafting years.
RC: Which 3 words describe your crafting style the best.
ND: Perfect, Intricate, Neat
RC: Any inspirational tips for newbies and craft enthusiasts?
ND: You won’t know how good you are in crafting until you try it.
RC: Any tips for fellow crafters to help them organize their workspace better.
ND: Keeping things neat and tidy will in fact inspire you to work. Incorporating multiple storage shelves, drawers, boxes, jars might help.
RC: What inspired you the most in your creative journey?
ND: Clay miniatures and paper mache animal figurines.
RC: According to you what’s the best way to overcome a creative block?
ND: According to me creative block originates with a poor discouraging surrounding. If we have a positive encouraging surrounding there should not be any block in creativity.
RC: Why do you think people should continue with ‘Handmade’?
ND: Because handmade products are unique and close to the heart. It’s not just handmade, it’s the creativity, time, and effort of a person. Giving someone a handmade product instead of store-bought products is like talking face to face instead of the telephone.
RC: Other than crafting what do you enjoy the most?
ND: I enjoy cooking simple, tasty, healthy and nutritious food.
RC: Which are the product categories you check out most often for new arrivals?
ND: Variety of papers – texture, tissue, decoupage etc.
Here is a step by step project by Nithiya Devi
Step 1:
I used Little Birdie quilling strips to make a Dimsum steamer basket to get bamboo appearance for my polymer clay momos
Step 2:
I used small cylindrical box to make small circular rings of 1 inch diameter.
Step 3:
I pasted the strips on a butter paper to make the base of the basket.
Step 4:
I let them dry and cut them into circles.
Step 5:
I glued the rings and the circles to make the bottom of the basket. I pricked the butter paper with a pin to get a steamer basket effect.
Step 6:
I pasted the quilling strips horizontally and vertically as shown in the picture for weaving
Step 7:
I weaved them as shown in the picture
Step 8:
I cut them and made lids as shown in the picture
Step 9:
I used Mont Marte ‘Make n Bake’ polymer clay from the store to make banana leaf, Dimsums and salads as shown in the pictures. It holds very fine details and is easy to work with.
Step 10:
I used soft pastels and acrylics from the store to colour them.
Step 11:
I baked them at 110 degree C for 30 minutes and let them cool in the oven.
Step 12:
I pasted the food miniatures inside the basket and coated them with varnish (Camel picture varnish for oil colors from the store).
Here are a couple of Nithiya‘s other awesome creations:
Many congrats Nithiya Devi 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.