Kathy Cano-Murillo - The Crafty Chica
Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica.

 

Work with me!

A crafty version of Selena-meets-the Hallmark Channel-with a dash of Oprah optimism = Crafty Chica!

Hi! Kathy here! My goal is to share Latino crafts that promote positivity through creativity. I make a living spreading the gospel of glitter. Literally through CraftyChica.com, & figuratively through my novels, speeches, and classes. 

Official “third person” bio about Kathy Cano-Murillo:

Kathy Cano-Murillo - crafty chica

Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica, is the founder of the award-winning site, Crafty Chica.com, specializing in creativity. She is a former syndicated newspaper columnist and now a full-time creativepreneur and has authored a dozen books, including two novels and the best seller – Forever Frida. Crafty Chica designs have been sold on HSN, at Barnes & Noble, Michaels, and hundreds of pottery, craft, and fabric shops across the country. Kathy’s mission is to promote positivity via creativity! Features include Forbes, The New York Times, Buzzfeed+ more.

About CraftyChica.com:


Kathy launched CraftyChica.com in 2001, a wildly popular Latino crafts web site to inspire women to brighten their lives with clever lifestyle ideas. The site began as an online diary about juggling family, a full-time job as a newspaper reporter and a craft designer by night.

CraftyChica.com has evolved into a well-rounded lifestyle site that is anchored in DIY and crafts, but also embraces books, shopping, fashion, business, movies, food, travel, beauty, tech, family life and more.

Kathy’s life’s mission to inspire others to bring out their inner sparkle – and to see the sparkle in others. She believes in paying it forward and setting a positive example. She uses CraftyChica.com to share all the little and big things that make life sweet!

More Crafty Chica:

Crafty Chica About Page

Crafty Chica Licensing Page

Crafty Chica Services Page

Crafty Chica Press Page

Crafty Chica Events Page

Here’s how it all came to be, my story:

On our wedding night, my husband and I vowed to live doing what we love, for me that was writing and making art. Within three years, we hand made hundreds of Latino crafts and jewelry items for 300 shops. Becoming a sweatshop wasn’t exactly the dream we had envisioned.

I took a part-time job at The Arizona Republic as a features clerk.

Being an entertainment reporter was another dream I’d had since grade school! I started out as a newsroom clerk. I inputted airfare prices, weather reports, organized movie file folders. One day the Home editor asked me to write a weekly craft column, she knew about my art business because she owned some of my pieces. 

At this time, Martha Stewart was EVERYTHING. I almost turned down the offer out of intimidation. But I loved layering on the sparkle and decided to OWN it. I celebrated my DIY techniques in high gloss style.

My column became nationally syndicated by Gannett News Service and a local TV station brought me on for a weekly craft segment. I also covered music & movies for the paper’s entertainment guide. I loved my job!

Something still itched at my spirit.

I knew I was meant for a bigger purpose. I yearned to promote positivity through creativity. Hello, CraftyChica.com! I actually thought of the name while writing a story on deadline for the paper. I quickly registered the URL and launched the site that weekend. 

My first book deal came, as well as national press.

In between raising two kids, a full-time job, my art business, web site, and authoring books – I went to night school for my BA! Thank goodness for my husband who supported me in every way!

My national product line debuted in 2008 at Michaels Stores.

It was the FIRST Latina-designed, Latinocentric line in a major craft retail chain! The success grew, and my time thinned. Something had to give, and I left my beloved newspaper gig. Seven craft books, two novels, a Crafty Chica Cruise, later – all of it is going strong!

I’ve learned the key to success is persistence – and embracing social media. I love using everything from Facebook to Snapchat to connect with people.

Evolving. Reinventing. Sharing. GETTING MY LIFE!

Highlights about Kathy Cano-Murillo:

Co-owner of Mucho Mas Art Studio: A beloved Phoenix boutique that offered handmade goods by local Latinx/e artists, as well as workshops and pop-up events. 2017-2021.

Co-founder of We All Grow Storytellers: Mentoring and coaching six Latina storytellers for the closing event of the annual We All Grow Summit. 2016-present.

Co-founder of Phoenix Latino Bloggers: Led a training camp for aspiring influencers and content creators in Phoenix, AZ. 2016-2020.

Co-founder of The Phoenix Craft Rave: A 10-hour craft event showcasing local Phoenix makers. 2010-2013.

Founder of The Phoenix Fridas: A Latina art collective, 2004-2022.

That’s all about Kathy Cano-Murillo – and you can find out more by reading the blog!

 

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7 thoughts on “About Kathy Cano-Murillo”

  1. You are an amazing Mjuer, Super Chica and inspiration to so many! You are beautiful and
    brillant. Our world is better because of you!

  2. OMG, when I came across you by searching for tips. I was amazed how much I am like you. I am a mom of 3, 2 are adults and my youngest is 14yrs. I am also left handed and pretty crafty. I have love to craft and sew for ever……… have done a few craft shows, but not to successful. Love to talk with people. I just have a hard time selling. Would love to have my own business in this…. but don’t know who or how to get the word out. You are my new inspiration! Thank you! Peace 🙂 LaRae

  3. Kathy,

    I love everything you post!
    I am new to crafting and was wondering where I could get resin in bulk. do you have source or a favorite brand to use?

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