Crafter in the Spotlight Guneet Kohli

Hello arty crafty folks! Once again it’s time to hear the story of another creative individual in ‘Crafter in the Spotlight’. It’s Guneet Kohli from Pune telling us about her creative journey this week.

Guneet loves all forms of art and likes to explore new things. Her arty-crafty wish is to have an Itsy Bisty store at home, not just for her crafting needs but to look at the colourful collection as an instant mood changer!! Guneet loves crafting at anytime of the day, more so, when she is alone.

According to Guneet, no artwork is a mistake. Many mistakes lead to great art!  So, there is no need to lose hope if the end result is not always as expected. Going ahead, experimenting, and practicing leads to perfection. Indian art forms inspire Guneet. Traditional handloom, rangolis, paintings, motifs on walls, motivates her. She loves nature and animals and ensures that her craft projects have a hint of nature.

Read along to find out Guneet’s favourite craft forms, 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 her. Don’t forget to leave your loving comments for Guneet.

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

Guneet Kohli: I enjoy all craft forms and keep trying new things but decoupage, clay sculpting and mixed media art, top the list.

RC: If you are granted an arty crafty wish, what would it be?

GK: I would love to have my own Itsy Bitsy store at home.  Not crafting, but hoarding and looking at the stuff also makes me happy. I visit Itsy Bitsy store when I feel low and it’s an instant mood changer!

RC: How did you come to know about itsy bitsy?

GK: I was searching for craft items online and that’s when I visited Itsy Bitsy website.

RC: Tell us about your most exciting shopping experience at itsy bitsy.

GK: In 2015, I was vacationing in Goa, where I saw the newly opened Itsy Bitsy store at Panaji. That was my first visit to the store. I felt awestruck seeing such pretty things under one roof. Though I couldn’t shop much but that was the most exciting and thrilling shopping experience which led me to become an ardent fan of Itsy Bitsy products.

RC: What craft products attract you the most?

GK: I look for new paints, handmade flowers and mixed media products.

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

GK: I can craft anytime of the day. Specially, when there is no one around.

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

GK: I always keep a stock of all decoupage related products, gesso and mini canvas boards.

RC: How long have you been crafting?

GK: Art has travelled in my genes. It has been my hobby since childhood but due to studies and my job I hardly got anytime for crafting.  I got married four years back and moved to a new city that’s Pune, leaving my family and job behind. That’s when my crafting revived and I started indulging in new art forms. Then with new place, new job and a new life I did crafting only on weekends but now I am a full time crafter.

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

GK: Colorful, Quirky, Folk

RC: Any inspirational tips for newbies and craft enthusiasts?

GK: There are lots of life changing inventions made by mistake. So is art!  Even if you don’t achieve the type of art you wanted to, don’t lose hope. It’s still an art. Keep trying and keep practicing.

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

GK: Fix your place of work and a cupboard for hoarding all the raw materials. Regular sorting and cleaning is also extremely essential.

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

GK: Indian art forms have always inspired me. The traditional handloom, rangolis, paintings, motifs on walls has always attracted me. I also love being with nature and animals. One can always find an owl or a fish or a cat in my craft projects.

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

GK: When I have a creative block, I indulge myself into other hobbies like photography or take out time for my social work for animals.

RC: Why do you think people should continue with handmade products?

GK: Handmade products are curated with love. Factory made things can never take the place of emotions and passion attached with handmade products.

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

GK: I love being with animals. I take out time to feed and play with stray’s everyday. Secondly, crafting has also introduced me to photography, as taking good pictures is also very essential to promote your products.

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

GK: I am always eager for new tools, molds and primers

Here is a step by step project by  Guneet

Hello All ! Here is the pictorial of a mixed media canvas ..

Material Required :

  • Mont Marte Canvas
  • Little Birdie Stencils
  • Snow chalk Paint
  • Clay/metal/chipboard embellishments
  • Acrylic Paints
  • Little Birdie 2 in one mixed media paste
  • Gold Shimmer
  • Brush
  • Sponge
  • Silicone Glue

Instructions :

Step 1. Take a  Mont Marte Square canvas panel and prime it for better spread of colours.

Step 2:  Use Little birdie stencil and spread yellow and pink acrylic paints with the help of a sponge to get this beautiful dual tone design.

Step 3:  Prime all the embellishments ( chipboards, metallic jewellery essentials, beads, flowers, clay etc.) with snow white little birdie chalk paint and then with acrylic paints. This is the best part of mixed media projects where we can use anything available in our stash or in and around.

Step 4:  Stick all the the embellishments diagonally to the canvas with the help of little birdie silicone glue.

Step 5:  Use little birdie font stencil and  spread 2 in one mixed media paste with the help of a spatula on both the opposite ends of the canvas.

Step 6:  Remove the stencil delicately without smudging the paste.

The little birdie mixed media paste has a perfect consistency and texture for stenciling.

Step 7: Sprinkle some gold shimmer when the paste is still wet.

Step 8.  Clean the extra shimmer and seal the project with varnish.

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

 

 

 

Many congrats  Guneet  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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