Kathy Cano-Murillo, better known as the Crafty Chica, is one Latina proving that with persistence, patience, perseverance, and the practice of visual manifestation no dream is out-of-reach. Some of her accomplishments include writing several craft books, creating a craft line sold in major retailers, and most recently reaching her goal to publish her first novel, Waking up in the Land of Glitter
Early on Kathy knew she wanted to pursue a career that was creative and as a child, her dream job was to be a features reporter for The Arizona Republic. Without even knowing it at the time, she practiced visualization. She recalls grabbing features section from the paper and taking them to the bedroom before her parents could even read the paper. She would even imagine her byline.
The journey to get where she is now has not been an easy feat. As a wife and mother, Kathy is a true multi-tasker who knows how to reach her goals with limited resources and making sacrifices. She remembers the many times she would wake up early or work on projects after the children were asleep. “I think having limited resources makes you more resourceful and creative!” says Kathy. Kathy is blessed to have a talented and supportive family. Her husband and kids have always been involved with all of Kathy’s goals, from attending events to providing unconditional love and support.
Talking with Kathy, it seems like every one of her ventures has led her to become a novelist. Beginning in 1990, Kathy had her own arts and crafts business called Chicano Pop Art. However, following her calling for writing, she took a job working in the features newsroom at The Arizona Republic, which later turned into writing her own weekly craft column. From her experience as a columnist grew the idea of Crafty Chica, and in May 2001 she started the website.
Despite the fact that Kathy has written several craft books including Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines, Crafty Chica’s Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life, The Crafty Chica Collection: Beautiful Ideas for Crafts, and Home Decorations and Shrines from the Queen of Latina Style, to name a few, she still had the dream to write a novel in the back of her mind. Writing has been a passion for Kathy, even before crafting, so it was only a matter of time before she wrote a novel.
Her dream to write a novel was put on hold with marriage, having kids, and other business ventures. However, in 2003, she started a blog sharing her daily adventures and this blog was a way for her to tap back into her dream to write a novel. The blog caught the eye of two different editors who were interested in Kathy to write a fiction novel. The process was not overnight to go from blog writer to published novelist. Kathy joined a writers group and joined the National Novel Writing Month at which she completed her first draft. Kathy kept the vision her first novel in her mind from the start of the outline, through practicing visual manifestation; she kept going until the novel was complete.
Kathy kept pursuing her dream to write a novel no matter where she was in life. Her story can inspire all of us to stay true to a dream. We are sure to hear more from this inspirational and talented Latina. Just as Kathy has always dreamed, she will continue to write novels. In fact, she just finished writing her second novel and completed the outline for her third novel. The second novel Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing is about a girl from a family of engineers who decides to stray away from the family career to go into fashion design. This second novel will release in Spring 2011. If you want to keep up with what Kathy Cano-Murillo, you can visit CraftyChica.com, ChicaWriter.com, or sign up for her 5th Annual Crafty Chica Art Cruise!