Waking Up in the Land of Glitter by Kathy Cano-Murillo

In the show, there are more than 100 pieces of art that we’ve created over the past 20 years covering all different genres of art and craft – and all different areas and skill levels. They are expressions of different times and places in our relationship. In our house we have all these pieces from being working artists. My husband and I have been artists since before we were married. Tell us about your show – For the Love of Arte (La Melgosa Gallery, Phoenix, AZ, Feb 7 – 28). It’s also the process of making it – all of that together. When people put something they’ve made up in their house, they are happy when they look at it. And it’s free – happiness and creativity. I’m inspired by spreading positivity through creativity. I use a lot of hearts, bright colors, and glitter.

Now I feel I’m changing the world for the better one glitter sprinkle at a time. The answer was right in front of my nose. I would ask myself, “What is something good that I can offer to the world?” I was looking for a sense of purpose. It has been a constant in my life – not only to make, but to share. Originally I didn’t quite know what my theme was.

We are so inspired by your mission – “To spread positivity through creativity.” Tell us more about this incredible statement. Get ready to put a smile on your face, too! Her positive outlook, passion for creativity and zest for life come through in everything she touches – from her signature love shrines to her carefully crafted novels. She lives in Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, two kids, and five Chihuahuas.We’re still smiling from our interview with the Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo. Kathy's mission with her novels is to share stories about contemporary Latinas living and working in the creative arts. Kathy blogs at Craft圜 and designs Crafty Chica product lines and sells her original creations at Craft圜. She is currently writing her third novel. Kathy's debut novel, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter released in March 2010 and her second, Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing in March 2011. Her manuscript sold in 2007 in a three-way bidding war to Grand Central Publishing. She wrote from 10 pm-2 am every night while her family slept, a tradition she still carries on to this day. In 2004, Kathy pursued her dream of writing a novel and finished her first draft for National Novel Writing Month. She has authored ten books: seven craft books, two women's fiction novels, and a non-fiction book about Frida Kahlo. As an adult, Kathy went on to have a 13-year newspaper career at The Arizona Republic as an entertainment reporter, all while running her award-winning web site, Craft圜. Kathy has been a writer longer than she has been a crafter, inspired in grade school by Erma Bombeck and Judy Blume. She has been profiled for her art and crafts in The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, and NPR. People most know Kathy Cano-Murillo as The Crafty Chica.

Waking Up in the Land of Glitter by Kathy Cano-Murillo