CraftyChica.com
"Come see "La Casa Murillo" - our first ever museum show! At the Heard Museum!"

Female
100 years old
PHOENIX, Arizona
United States



Last Login: 10/12/2008
Mood: exhausted Mood Image
View My: Pics | Videos

   Contacting CraftyChica.com

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/craftychica  



    CraftyChica.com's Interests
General ..

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Crafty Chica Wood Frame


Crafty Chica Products now on sale nationwide! At select Michaels stores and some of it is on Amazon too!



"BEST LATINA ART COLLECTIVE(2007)" Phoenix Fridas

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PROJECT OF THE WEEK:


Mixed Media Key Chain

CLICK HERE to see the "Crafting With the Chica" video in all it's sparkling glory!

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Fiction writing, reading chick lit, chica lit and teen lit, women's fiction. Making stuff. Painting, drawing, sewing, gluing, sprinkling glitter wherever I can. I would seriously make everything I need to use if I had the time. OK, so the detailed list:


Mixed media journal


"Decorate Your Own Empowerment Guardian" figures from my upcoming product line. BUY ONE HERE!

Arts and crafts: I'm currently in high glitter mode. I just covered a ceramic chihuahua with it! Fabric journals, book making, collage art, glitter portraits, polymer clay, lots of sewing. I like to take cool t-shirts that are way to small for me and alter them so they are bigger so I can wear them.

Writing: I wrote a novel and got a two-book deal from Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Books)!! By day I'm designing my own craft product line for Duncan Enterprises, and I'm a freelance newspaper columnist (crafts) for The Arizona Republic and Gannett News Service. I also author creativity and craft books, I like to inspire people to flex their artistic muscles! I'm currently working on my seventh book, a sewing title for Potter Craft/Random House (pub date Spring 2009).


Latino art: I just made swag for a top notch movie star!!!

And the rest: pop culture, juicy novels, celebrity gossip (hey, I need to know for my day job!), anything with chocolate. The newest thing is podcasting. I just started the Crafty Chica Podcast a couple months ago and have had so much fun with it. You can find me on iTunes.


You know you want a T-shirt!


One of my fabric collage purses


On set for "Crafting With the Chica" for Lifetime TV.



Mixed Media With Suzi Blu Member Badge
http://suziblu.ning.com


View my page on Mixed Media With Suzi Blu

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Tin earrings


Fabric earrings

Lily Allen, Damian Marley, Amy Winehouse, The Pinkertones, Mexican Institute of Sound, Sergent Garcia, Mala Rodriguez, Gondwana, Manu Chao, Brazilian Girls, Si*Se, Andrea Echeverri, Rufus Wainwright, Liz Phair, Laura Nyro, Fiona Apple, Hawaiian reggae, French reggae, Latin reggae, my hubby's Chicano reggae band - The RastaFarmers! That's him in the picture.

Cigar Box Memo Board Project
http://..post.url/

MoviesAcross the Universe! LOVE this movie!!


My crafty shrine!

Spanish language film (any foreign language actualy), Bollywood, almost anything by Tim Burton, melodrama, sisterfriend flicks, crafty movies, surrealist films (magical realism - Big Fish, Amelie, you get it...). As far as my FAVORITE films? Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, Selena, White Oleander, Titanic, the original Poseidon Adventure, Splendor in the Grass, A Place in the Sun, Days of Wine and Roses, Amelie, The Others, Like Water for Chocolate, Amores Perros, Y Tu Mama Tambien, The Motorcycle Diaries, Mommie Dearest, Moulin Rouge, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Birds. Gobs more. I watch movies while I make my art and I also make crafts based off of movies!

TelevisionI recently cut back on my TV viewing because I'm knee deep in wrapping up my novel. But I still have to paint and produce orders, ya know. So when I'm in my art studio, I run my DVR, which currently includes Ugly Betty, Lost, Heroes, ANTM, Knitty Gritty, Craft Lab, Creative Juice, B Creative, Musical Pssport, Oprah and Tyra. Dang. That's cutting back?
Books
I read a lot! I love chica lit. Alisa Valdes-Rogriguez, Patrick Sanchez, Mary Castillo, Lynda Sandoval, sonia Singh and I simply love to get lost in anything by Maria Amparo Escandon. I hope to join them on the bookshelves some day. Plus other authors like Jennifer Weiner, Ann Brashares, Erika Kennedy and Janet Fitch.

Here are books I've written (in order):

Making Shadow Boxes & Shrines


La Casa Loca


Crafty Diva's DIY Style Book (teens)


Crafty Diva's Lifestyle Makeover (teens)


Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul


The Crafty Chica Collection (This is my first two books under one cover)

(Image copyright 2006, Kathy Cano Murillo)
HeroesAnyone who pursues their dream, strives to inspire others to better themselves and is on a positive mission to make the world a better, safer, livlier, lovlier place. Is that too much to ask?

All images below, copyright Patrick and Kathy Murillo, 2006

Groups: The LaminatesThe Handcrafted Revolution!!INSPIRATIONDuct TapeSewers - Sew neat, sew craftyKnitty Gritty & EXTREME Ice SkatingStitchin' BitchesLucha Locas

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     CraftyChica.com's Details
Status:Married
Here for:Networking, Friends
Hometown:Phoenix, AZ
Body type:0' 0"
Ethnicity:Latino / Hispanic
Zodiac Sign:Sagittarius
Children:Proud parent
Education:College graduate
Occupation: journalist, author, artist, craft designer

   CraftyChica.com's Networking
Publishing - Art - Other
I author craft & creativity books and recently sold my first novel. I'd love to meet other writers/artists/moms/Latinas - any or all of the above!
Fashion - Design - Other
I make a line of jewelry and home decor items that all have a dash of Latin flair to them.
Music - Performance - Vocals
Latin reggae, chicano reggae! My husband has a band, The Rastafarmers here in Phoenix, AZ. They play that style, i *heart* it all!



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   CraftyChica.com's Blurbs
About me:

Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica

Visit my web site: http://www. craftychica.com


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Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life (HarperCollins)


ON SALE!

I'm a hard workin' mamacita. I juggle my family life and a crazy, crafty career. By day, I'm designing my own Crafty Chica product line for Duncan Crafts. I also write a weekly craft column for The Arizona Republic. After my day gig, I'm a mom until everyone goes to sleep, and then I become a writer and artist until about 2 a.m. or until my coffee buzz wears off. I've been married to my best friend, Patrick, for 17+ years. He *gets* me, know what I mean? Ever since I've known him, whenever I've been dissed or hurt by someone, he backs me up. Sometimes that is emotionally, other times it is homeboy style :-) One time I was standing up on this ledge at our old apartment complex and this drunk man below yelled up to me that that he could see my underwear - and then he ran in his apartment and shut the door. Patrick leapt down the stairs and banged on his door. He made the dude come over to me, remove his hat and apologize. And he did - he even put his hand over his heart!! Yah, Patrick rocks. It was love at first sight and I still get girly girl jitters. Silly, no?

We have two super sweet, talented and creative kids. They don't realize it now, but I know they are destined for things much greater than my hubby and I have - or ever will achieve! Both Patrick and I come from successful, happy, healthy, supportive families, so we are very blessed. We've been doing our little art business ever since we were married and plan to carry on as long as we can. We may not have loads of cash, but we are very rich when it comes to living our dreams. Patrick is a musician and an artist, I'm a writer and a wannabe artist. Our son, DeAngelo, 17, is a whiz with taking pictures, video, and editing. He even started his first movie! Our daughter, Maya, 14, rocks the house. Literally! She jams on the piano, viola and guitar and is addicted to Photoshop. Sometimes when they think we are not looking, they sing songs together, heh heh...Oh! We have four chihuahuas who yap excessively!

I have to also give props to my sister, Theresa, who also happens to be my best friend. She knows me even better than Patrick sometimes! She is like the extra strength adhesive that holds the Cano familia together!

Alrighty, here's my deal. I have this stupid complex where I feel like I have to prove my worthiness. So I aim high and multi-task more than I probably should. I'm far from perfect. I'm chubby, I cry easy, I work way too hard to please others and I allow my feelings to get crunched in an instant. I get very upset when I witness unneccesary hatred, whether it is on the news, in the media or in my daily adventures. I don't know how to deal with mean-spirited people. I believe every mean person just needs a little TLC and I want to be the one to change them. I have scars to prove it.

But hey - I have solid points too! My hubby and kiddos know they always come first. Money is not my motivation in life, but making people smile is. I have to be happy otherwise I'm a frump. Plus, people die in an instant, ya know? I want my life to be worth something more than the tangible things like a bank account, a job title or a fancy car. Although someday I'd like to be successful enough to buy a brand new car. Not to show off, just for peace of mind!!! And I'd like to someday have enough free time in my life to properly decorate my house andplant the roses, so I can stop and smell them. Seriously - I want to take up gardening!

Over all? I want to be remembered for positive actions. So I find ways to make a living doing the things I love: writing books, watching movies and making stuff! I get off on leading by example. I'm doing my best to blaze a smooth trail for my kids to follow in whatever capacity they choose. They've seen Patrick and I prove that you can have non-traditional "dreamer" goals and actually achieve them through hard work.

As far as my craft career, lots of folks say "I wish I could do that" or "What I really want to do is this..." Well I don't say things like that. I use a crafty state-of-mind to DO it. The things that make me happy and fulfilled.

My theory is life is too short to cheat yourself out of having fun and making the most of all the fabulous opportunities out there. Everyone is good at something, why not make the most of it? We have 24 FREE hours a day. If you want it bad enough you WILL find the time to make it happen. I do my best work in the middle of the night when the house is quiet. It works!

I spent years as a movie and entertainment newspaper reporter. I have six published books, write a nationally syndicated craft column and do local & national TV. It's a busy life, but I love every minute of it! My dream,however, is to become a published fiction writer.

I've spent the past two years working on my first novel called Love Shine. I wrote it from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. four nights a week. It's been through many revisions from my agent, but now it is almost ready to be shopped to editors at publishing houses. I think I want this more than I've wanted anything else. I have so many ideas for fun stories and pray I get the chance to share them with the world by way of a hardback on a bookshelf. I'm not holding my breath because I know many authors who wrote many manuscripts before finally getting one published. Here I have ONE, so I can't expect too much, but at least it feels good to say "Guess what? I wrote a novel!"

UPDATE: My novel sold in a two-book deal on July 19, 2007 with Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Books)!

My point is, as human beings, we should always strive for that next challenge, the next scary step up. Even if we fall on our butts, at least we will of had the thrill of the experience.

OK, my sermon is over! Be nice to those around you, don't judge or be mean, hateful, cruel. Be a problem solver. Appreciate all that you have. Make time for the important things in life. Always end on a high note. Smile big at someone who is frowning. Do your part to make the world a more beautiful place and I will too. I promise!

Peace, love and glitter to you!!

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  I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)

Here are my other sites!

CraftyChica.com
My store
Crafty Chica on Facebook
Crafty Chica on Twitter
Crafty Chica on YouTube.com
Crafty Chica Etsy
Crafty Chica Podcast
Crafty Chica t-shirts!
My newsletter

I'm a binge crafter and artist who found a way to make a living out of it. Life is too short not to do whatcha love, right? My biggest challenge is that I'm addicted to bright colors, hi-gloss varnish and glitter. My designs often tend to lean that way. I break out in hives if I try to design with pastels, muted tones or monochromatic color schemes.

I allow graphics in my comments, but if you post a blatant ad (or a HUGE ad) without even saying "Hi" or "Have a nice day" I will delete it. I'm here to make friends and network and share good vibes. Again, ads are welcome in good taste and in good spirit. Be cool about it, that's all I ask!

'Sparkle queen' parlays love of glitter into crafts line
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonali...

After spending years writing about other people as a reporter for the Arizona Republic, I finally got to be the subject of a feature! It's for the product line debut!

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Crafting with the Chica - Lifetime
http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/home-crafts/cr...

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Who I'd like to meet:
That is one sneaky Chihuahua!

Bootsie, one of our four Chihuahuas. This is how he spends his Friday nights!

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Other Crafty Latinas like me! Click here to join the CRAFTY LATINAS group!

Other indie-business owners, artists, crafty folks, writers, authors, people who appreciate la cultura! Also - artists who are *really* going for it, even though the odds are against them. I send you good vibes to help in your endeavors!


Check out my store!




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Oct 12 2008 7:12 PM

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Oct 12 2008 2:52 PM

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