Today's Spotlight... Keerti

Hi there crafty people; today I wish to introduce you to Kreative Keerti.  She is a multi-talented artist who can paint, make jewelry, scrapbook and do amazing work with clay.

Keerti Joshi-Pendharkar is from Thane in India and has been living in Dubai for the past three years.  

Please visit her Facebook Page .......... Keerti Kreations.  Dont forget to become a fan by liking her page.

Here's what she got to say about herself...

1. Describe yourself as an artist

I would rather describe myself as the person who discovers art in mundane stuff around me. More akin to a stone carver... just chisel out the superfluous to unravel the art within!

2. What is your favourite type of creativity?

My favourite Kreativity is when I give up, burn myself out, hit the bed.... And then inspiration creeps in suddenly. I get up, sometimes in the middle of the night , sometimes in the wee hours of morning... And then I just do it! It can be a piece of jewelry, paper crafting .. Anything !

3. When and where do you typically sit down and create?

Now here comes the interesting part. Anywhere... seriously. In the kitchen, or the drawing room, or wherever. There is no "typical" here. Being a homemaker and the mother of an energetic 6-year old, I cannot "sit" down to it!

4. Who and what inspires you?

Again... just about anything inspires me! And I don't claim to be an "artist" (refer point 1). A cup and saucer beckons me... the pair whispers that the cup has potential to be a well and the saucer claims that it can be the shrubbed base.. all I do is listen!

 5. What are your favourite tools to create with?

My favourite tools are my hands... with them I can get the unraveling done, because they connect to my brain... translating thought to action!

6. Do you teach and share your talent?

I haven't taken a formal effort to conduct "classes". Because I don't believe art and Kreativity can be taught formally. My style is to be... just be. People around me know what I stand for and reach out. I just act as a facilitator... helping unravel!!

7. What is your opinion on the artistic / creative community in Dubai?

I'm surrounded by many talented ladies. Each one has their own unique styles. Feels lucky to be amongst them.

8. How do you plan to grow and expand your creativity?

Kreativity for me expands with exposure to different experiences. I meet a lot of people, I see different places, I watch different tv programs, I play with my kiddo... all of these and more bring a breath of fresh air to my Kreativity!

9. Have you ever sold your works of art?

I do exhibit my art when time permits.  I have parted with my Kreatives for a price... the price is more a consolation that whoever is ready to pay for my Kreatives understand their "value" and therefore will take care of them...

10. Where to from here? Tell us about your future plans.

From here to a micro universe where I don't have to bother about cooking and cleaning! A world full of stuff ready to be unravelled... and maybe workshops to catalyse Kreativity for those who need!

I am sure we will all be seeing much more of her spectacular Kreations.  Amazing and talented you are Keerti! Thank you all for being here :)

Lisa's Lusciousness

Hi friends!! This is Deepti and I bet you will fall in love with elegant creativity of  the amazing artist I have for you today :) I don't remember exactly where I saw her cards first but I most definitely remember that I was mesmerized by her unique, gorgeous colorful creations. It was that day and today I so look forward to see what she has created next. So let's welcome one of a kind master crafter, Lisa Elton... 

Name: Lisa Elton

Blog: My Paper Tales

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your blog.

I live and grew up in northern Ohio. My husband and I were high school sweethearts. We're blessed with one amazing son, a beautiful daughter-in-law and a ridiculously adorable mini schnauzer named ~ Max. I'm a former floral designer/instructor and am now happily a stay at home wife. My Paper Tales began in April of 2011 after discovering blogs on stamp company websites. I currently design for three stamp companies, embellishment store and a color challenge blog.Thank you for having me here today Deepti, I'm truly grateful and honored!

2. How and when did you start crafting? 

I adored coloring and pretty paper as a little girl, must be why I enjoy card making so much! I bought my first rubber stamp (a teddy bear) because I thought it was cute. But I had no idea what to do with it. I tried acrylic paint, what a mess! Then I took a class in 2001 and have been stamping ever since. 

3. From where do you draw your inspiration? How do you continue to be ever creative?

I turn to Pinterest and of course fellow bloggers. I can also get an idea from nature or a piece of fabric. I am usually not a trendy person, but it does spark my creativity to stroll through Hobby Lobby, Michaels or Archivers (miss them!) to see what's new in the paper crafting world.

4. How would you describe your style?

I don't really know that I have a specific style, I'm told I do! I suppose I liken my style to floral design. I enjoy creating a clean and simple card (bud vase) to a card with clusters of prettiness (a tussle mussie) easily. It depends on my mood. I don't like overly fussy, but I do like little clusters of what nots on my cards. I've often been told my style is unique.

5. What are the must have tools in your crafting space?

I recently got an ATG gun and love it, it's funny  since I typically like small tools! I also use a lot of foam tape, must have a ruler on hand and don't think I could live without my dies.

6. What’s your favorite technique? What is your favorite medium to work with?

I've become a big fan of generation stamping, love the look. I'm addicted to 6x6 paper pads and prefer dye inks.

7. What is the one crafty skill that you wish to excel in?

Coloring with Copic markers.

8. What makes you smile?

My family, my son's laughter, my silly little pup. I'm truly blessed.

9. What is/are your favorite thing/s to do other than crafting?

Long walks with my little Max and photography adventures with my husband. That's his hobby. We spend many weekends at the parks near us or often take vacations based on the surroundings. Lighthouse trips are a favorite of mine and Max is a great traveler! My husband bought me a new sewing machine for Christmas and I would like to get back into quilting.

10. Are there any artists/ crafters/ designers that you look up to? What is that one quality in them that inspires you?

Hmmm...I'm a fan of several bloggers. But I have always admired Melissa Phillips. Her work inspired me to start my blog. She is a gentle spirit and creates the prettiest little flowers from felt! I am also a huge fan of Arielle Gordon. She's the queen of cute cards and works wonders with a mix of colors!

11. If you were not a crafter what would you be?

I would probably go back to floral design. It's still working with color and being creative!

12. What will be your one suggestion to all the new crafters out there?

Be yourself and design that way. I tried to "fit in" to challenges when I started. I look back at those cards and don't know what I was thinking! Now I do what makes me happy and I try stay true to myself. God made each of us different and it's okay to be that way.

What a wonderful word of advice to"be yourself" :) I guess that's the key in creating beauty every time :) Thank you Lisa for sharing ur life and creativity with us.  My dear friends aren't these  cards a beautiful bundle of joy :) Please head over to her blog and take a peek into the world of her awesomeness... 

Peace!!

Back with Kristie

Hey beautiful ladies!! Long time since the last Fascinating Fridays' post... Internet connection was down for weeks and finally has recovered :) Today we're featuring an amazing lady whose smile just captures the heart!! It's the uber-talented Kristie Goulet,,, Pls welcome her:

Name: Kristie Goulet

Blog: Kreative Kristie 

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog.

I live and grew up in New England. I would really love to live where it is warm year round though. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have 4 wonderful children (2 boys and 2 girls). I started my blog in Jan. of 2013 and have loved every minute of it. I am a member of StampNation and the "sistah's" there started calling me "Kreative Kristie" so I thought it fitting for my blog name.

2. How and why did you start crafting?

I started crafting 16 years ago when my youngest son was born. I was and still am, a stay at home mom. I wanted to make my own Christmas cards because funds were limited back then. I purchased my first stamp set from an online book club and paper and ink from Michael's and have been creating ever since, with few breaks while my children were little (my girls are 14 months apart).

3. How often do you craft? How would you describe your style?

I try to craft every day but sometimes that just isn't possible between homeschooling and life. I love CAS but like to try different styles as well.

4. What are your can’t-live-without craft-room essentials?

My Big shot with dies/framelits/embossing folders, my paper trimmer and of course, some ink pads and stamps.

5.  Where do you get inspiration? How do you stay creative?

I get most of my inspiration from Pinterest, other blogs and sometimes card making magazines. I try to stay creative by keeping up with the latest trends.

6.  What is your favorite medium to work with?

I love working with Gelatos and embossing paste.

7.  What’s the one craft skill you would love to master?

Coloring with Copics.

8.  What is your guilty pleasure?

Sitting in the sun! I love summer!!!

9.  What makes you smile?

My family-love them!

10. What is your favorite thing to do (other than crafting of course)?

I love to go camping with my family and sitting on the beach whenever we are near the ocean.

11. What do you do to keep yourself, your space and your time organized?

I try to keep my craft room clean after creating and selling old stamps that I don't use.

12. Are there any crafters/artists/designers that you particularly look up to?

There are many crafters that I look up to, Catherine Pooler, Maureen Merritt, Laura Bassen, & Jennifer McGuire, to name just a few :)

Thank you sweet Kristie for being here today!!! Your pretty cards have absolutely fluttered our hearts,,, Thanks to all for visiting and keep smiling...