Painting and trippin'

A few days ago I posted about the LifetimeTv.com gig, and I recieved so many happy messages - thank you!

Now the brutal time comes - deadline. I've had so many big projects stacked up that I literally had to put them in date order. Last week I was in Fresno working on the product line details, so I had to 100% focus on that. I had to block out that one week from then, there would be a national TV camera crew in my house.

Thursday I chatted with one of the producers so I could get a head start on the weekend preparations for the shoot. I really want to make this series feel like I'm bringing people into my personal world, so we decided to shoot it in my house. I want comfy and playful. Even if that means having to repaint the entire interior. Our walls were purple - too dark for camera, so we needed to repaint them to a lighter color.

Anyway, in the convo, Quanda says "We want to send you to get a manicure and pedicure..."

"Pedicure?" I ask.

"Yes! We thought it would be cute if we shot a couple of segments of you sitting down on the floor making your projects."


Sound of needle scratching across a record album...

"Ooooo..." I said. "no, I don't think that will work."

"Oh no! Why not?" she asks in a friendly, but bummed, manner.

"Well....um...you see, I'm well, chubby. Chubby girls don't sit on the floor in front of cameras, especially TV cameras..."

She politely giggled. "Hmmm, Will you at least keep an open mind about it?" She asked sweetly.

I told her I would, but I knew in my heart I wouldn't be caught dead sitting down on the floor unless I had legs like Paris Hilton, which I don't. I spent the entire next day asking all my crafty friends if they ever craft while sitting on the floor and both chubby and skinny repsonded: "Not unless I'm cutting a pattern".

When I told Patrick what Quanda asked, he said, "Oh man, you'll have a heart attack - with the stress and having to demonstrate the craft and feel relaxed. But at least you will have pretty toes!" He helped me come up with some alternatives to present. So I told the producers, they liked them, and I *think* I'm off the hook. The production team is so nice and accomodating, I don't think they'll "make" me sit on the floor. Just in case, please pray for me!

Another thing she mentioned:

12 wardrobe changes!

I haven't had much time for shopping lately, I think I might have 2 or 3 TV worthy outfits ready. You know, I always thought it was so cool that when my friend Jennifer Perkins was prepping to shoot a new season of Craft Lab, she would take a few days with a stylist and comb over all the cool shops in Los Angeles looking for hip threads to wear.

OK, me? I realized the only time I had to shop was Friday, as soon as my plane landed from Fresno. I got home at 6ish, opened my suitcase only to discover that my 16-ounce jar of glossy decoupage medium had opened and soaked 50% of the cases's contents. Including one of the outfits I had planned to wear for the shoot. I took everything out rinsed it all off, changed my clothes, cuddled with the family, and then hit the stores. I had one hour (I'm not kidding).

When I went to pay for my clothes, I noticed the clerk staring at my hands. They were all covered in dried decoupage goo. They looked like my skin was peeling off! Disgusting!

"Oh, this is just decoupage medium," I chuckled, embarrassed, recalling that I also had red paint in my hair from earlier in the day. "It spilled in my luggage and got all over my hands too. I was in such a rush to get here before you closed, I must have forgotten to rinse it all off." I peeled off a piece to show her, and winced because a few small hairs peeled off too. I never knew until that moment that I had hair on my hands!

"Oh." the girl replied, cocking up one brow, like I was a loca on the loose.

Talk about speed shopping. I felt like I was on a new version of Supermarket Sweep. I I walked out of the mall, slightly delirous, but with six new outfits in tow. It was then my shoe greeted a chuck hole in the parking lot, and my leg buckled.

I FREAKED! I envisioned my front teeth hitting the asphalt, or my having to apply Neosporin to a raspberry burn on my cheek before the shoot on Wednesday. I could NOT let that happen!

In one second, I tragically, desperately trotted in mini-steps to the left, and then to the right, my arms outstretched like an airplane, holding my bags. Like a hippo in a ballet recital. All I needed was a fluffy tutu. Friday night at the mall? I heard some teenagers giggling at my misstep. And my so-called loving sister Theresa too. Hermana didn't even reach out her hand to help because she was too busy fiddling with her dang iPhone.

This morning Patrick and I went to Home Depot, bought our paint (Tropical Mango, aka Orange Dreamsicle), and headed home. Four friends came over to paint, while I went to my hair appointment. Except I was late so now I have to go back early Tuesday morning. Sigh...


I just got done painting the final edging on all the walls, and I even gave our fireplace a stucco makeover. It used to be ugly 1970s brown brick. My arms are so sore, and my fingers too. And my legs, knees and even my eyelashes.

Tomorrow we paint the kitchen walls (Frida fuschia), and we are going to IKEA to buy furniture and accessories. We have to set up staging areas in the living room, Arizona room and in our garden outside, and make it look like that's how it really is. Actually, it will really be that after the shoot. This is our chance to fix up our casa the way we've always wanted. We never had time before, now we HAVE to do it for work. Yay, we can actually have company over!

Overall, it is all super cool and I'm thrilled/shocked/delighted for all the events taking place. Even if I did find myself thinking "Oh Vern Yip, if I blink my eyes and say your name three times, will you appear before me?"

Monday I have Spanish and a doctor's check up I can't miss. Somewhere in there I have to make my 12 projects and step outs for the series! Eee gads, those are the most important things! At least I have some of them already made, I just need to put together the step-by-step portions. Some how, some way, it always comes through, and I tell Patrick, "Wow, I can't believe we did all that!"

Now do you see why I say "crafts, drama, glitter?"



***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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PROJECT: Happy Birthday Crown

Crown makes birthday a royal treat

Kathy Cano-Murillo
Special for the Republic
Aug. 25, 2007 12:00 AM
I recently visited a cute boutique that several friends had told me about. The first thing that caught my eye was a gorgeous birthday crown. It was bright, shiny, glittery, and I wanted it.

The problem? None of the three salesclerks took the time to acknowledge me, even though the store was empty, and I stood at the counter waiting for help for several minutes. As the seconds ticked away, I began to second-guess my purchase decision.

Yes, it was a cute crown, but all my friends' and family members' birthdays already had passed. And did I really want to spend money in a store where I wasn't feeling the love?

I took a deep breath and held up the crown in front of my face. "Hmmm . . . papier-mâché," I thought. At that moment, I knew I wouldn't buy it.

I would go home and make my own version! I know mine is not as beautiful or elegant as the store version, but it certainly has more personality. This is a great idea for people of any age because you can choose your colors and embellishments to match their style. Use small wood letters to spell out phrases or names. Plastic crowns can be found at party stores, and Rigid Wrap at craft stores.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE DIRECTIONS

***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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CONTESTS!

1. Yesterday my friend Alyson sent me a link about Venus Zine's 3rd Annual Craft Off contest.

WHAT: The third annual Venus Zine Craft-Off Contest, a competition pitting the craftiest in the land against one another to come up with the best, most creative, most fantabulous DIY creations imaginable … for less than $50. Winners will be chosen from the submissions received, and the best projects will be featured in the winter 2007–2008 issue of Venus Zine. Winners will receive a four-issue subscription to Venus Zine — additional prizes to be announced. Winners also will be featured in the magazine (photo and bio and all).

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
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2. Take This Craft & Sew It!



Make an MP3 case or a clutch, enter and you may win a Baby Lock machine.

OVERVIEW OF CONTEST:
Email photos of your completed Take This Craft and Sew It project to www.totallystitchin.net. Complete an official entry form available at www.totallystitchin.net. Do not send the actual project, it will not be considered as an entry. Baby Lock will select a winner from each project category (MP3 case project, clutch purse project and a creative project) and notify those winners to send in their actual project. Upon receipt of the projects, Baby Lock will post the winners on www.totallystitchin.net on or about October 15, 2007. All projects submitted will become the property of Tacony Corporation and Baby Lock.

PRIZES:
Each winner will receive a Baby Lock Creative Pro sewing machine, valued at $699.00. Prize winners are responsible for all incidental expenses, including taxes.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS. Heck, a free sewing machine for making a wicked looking clutch purse? Sign me up!!


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3. Have you been bitten by the writing bug? How about sending your work in to a contest? I'm a fan of Writer's Digest Magazine and came across this:

The Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition
Writer's Digest is accepting entries in the 8th Annual Short Short Story Competition. Winners will be announced in the June 2008 issue of Writer's Digest. You could win Cash and Prizes including the First place prize of $3,000. Enter today.

Click here for guidelines, an entry form or to enter online

Deadline: 12/3/2007

***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Crafting With the Chica on LifetimeTV.com

WARNING: Excessive exclamation points ahead...



Pssst…gather round, I have an exciting announcement to make!

Throughout the past few months I've been hinting about a project I was working on with a popular women's cable network.

Well – it's a done deal - Coming soon: Crafting With the Chica webisode series for LifetimeTV.com!

What exactly is a webisode series? It is an online show comprised of four-minute segments. All the cool networks have them these days. It's extra content beyond what you see on the boob tube. This summer LifetimeTV.com revamped their web site and has been adding on all kinds of cool features - like crafty webisode series!

From LifetimeTv.com:

The site provides lifestyle content in areas relevant to women (health, beauty & style, home & crafts, relationships, money, entertainment, and astrology) and features content from premiere partners including Hearst (including Redbook, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Quick & Simple), About.com, Harvard Health, and Universal Music. LifetimeTV.com is home to a dynamic, infinitely-scalable community where women can find content on thousands of topics, comment and share their stories about these topics, and add their own topics to start new conversations.

Crafting With the Chica will consist of easy, breezy crafty ideas (what I call "gateway crafts" to get people addicted) aimed at busy women who want to make something fast and fabulous. I owe a world of thanks to Rosemond Perdue Cranner and the team at Bungalow 3 Productions for believing in me and making this happen!



Two Thanksgivings ago, a Crafty Chica feature ran in an issue of Working Mother Magazine. Rosemond was on her way home for the holiday and while on the plane, she read her copy of WM. She told me that she got to the end of the story, and concluded that I was destined to star in my own crafty show, and that she would make it happen.

Fast forward a year and a half. We've been through a lot of pitches at the various cable networks. Either my show ideas were not right for them, I was not what they were looking for, their schedules were booked, or their ideas didn't quite play off my strengths. I never let it bother me because I've been so thrilled with all the other scores that have come my way. I figured a crafty show would go to someone who could do a much better job. I was cool just posting ideas here, writing my books and so on.

It figures that as soon as I let it go, I got a call from Rosemond.

“We just had a meeting with Lifetime and they love you! They want you to do a webisode series for them!”

I let out a sigh of relief. I love the idea of a web series. It feels so comfy and relaxed, and we have 12 segments to start with. I can just be myself, we are even filming in my house. I'm so ready to rock the cyber crafty party! Lifetime is an awesome network and I love the thought of reaching out to a new audience (TWO million strong!!)and hopefully lure them into the crafty universe!

We shoot next week and you know I will keep you filled in on the action!

Lastly I just want to say that I am so honored to be a part of the Lifetime TV family. They are all about empowering women, just check out this page to see what I mean.

This may sound so cheesy, but I have to say it. I'm sending out tons of thanks to the other companies and key people there who helped me build this shiny life of crafts, drama and glitter: The Arizona Republic/Az Central, Get Crafty, William Morris Agency, Porchlight MCG, Rockport Books, Watson-Guptill, MySpace, Harper Collins, DIY Network, Potter Craft, Grand Central Publishing, and most recently Duncan Enterprises!

Most of all (aside from mi familia) - to all the happy crafters and friends who have visited my site, bought my books, taken my workshops and supported me! I wantr to repay the favors. I'm sending you all lots of good karma and gratitude, and promise to make you all proud! This is all my dream, and I want you all to find your calling too. We all deserve to be happy, happy, happy. Once things smooth out with my schedule, I want to post articles here to help other aspiring artists and writers! I want to share the tips I wish I had learned back in the day.

By the way, as if this were not exciting enough - one of my dearest crafty cohorts is also doing a webisode series for LifetimeTV.com: drumroll...Pattie Wack (applause please!), Pattie Donham! You can read Pattie's announcement here. Congrats and a big ol wifive to you, girl! (wifive: high five from a long distance)...

Oh yeah! Crafting With the Chica airs next month!

***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Warm and Fuzzy

Finally! It's time for links! I've bene meaning to post some new shouts out for quite a while...

Here goes.

STITCH AUSTIN! Applications are due on the 28th!
PARTICIPATE IN THE RUNWAY SHOW
Are you an indie fashion designer? If so, we'd love to check yo' stuff! Specifically, each year we look for independent fashion designers to submit pieces for inclusion in the runway portion of the show. To celebrate our fifth anniversary, in 2007 each selected designer will have up to FIVE models strutting their stuff down the runway.
craft bazaar: show your goodies in action on the stage and sell them in a booth. You get all the same perks that come with both the booth and the runway designers with like a gazillion times the exposure, hooray!

JAIMEE ROSE STYLE BLOG: Jaimee is the style queen of Phoenix and now she has a blog where she shares all her favorite shopping finds. Bookmark this because it will come in handy for the holiday season ahead.

DAY OF THE DEAD MERCADO: This is from my friend Robert. He runs a store and web site that are perfect for any imported muertos goods you may want!

SILVER CROW CREATIONS: Great, afforable supplies for altered art craft goodies! Another good one is HANNAH GREY. i picked up some silky vintage sari fabric.


COQUETTE: Every day on Craft Zine, Natalie Zee posts about cool things people are making from all over the country. What would we do withoiut her? Show her some love and check out her personal site, Coquette. It's all about fashion and style. The good stuff!

:ALISA VALDES-RODRIGUEZ: She lives in AZ now! She has the sequel to Dirty Girls Social Club coming out this spring, and in the meantime she is currently casting for the motion picture for the original book. The cool thing is that she updates us on the process, and even shares the details of who she has talked to, and posts audition videos. It's fun to see how this all works from an insider's point of view.

I forgot the other links I was going to post, but the ones you see here make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, so I'm going to share this quirky Moses Leroy video with you. He reminds me of my friend Harry when he doesn't straighten his hair. Harry, where are you? If you see this call me!



***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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There is no crying in crafts!

Let me start by saying I know there is much strife in the world. Homeless people, sick puppies, families torn apart, crime, war, tragedies and so on. With that in mind, there can be no crying in crafts. Maybe a sniffle or a thick swallow of lost pride, but absolutely no crying! Crafts are about love! There are wayyy more serious topics to shed tears over.

I assure you, I always keep things in perspective when I’ve had a less than stellar day. Like today. Not a bad day, just one peppered with events that made me scrunch my brows in a “how the heck did this happen?” kind of way.

First up, I’m was at work at my design desk at Duncan headquarters. Right now we are in the stage of product development where my designs and ideas have been made into actual products. We get a small batch to test out and then give the OK that they are ready to be manufactured. I’m personally using and making something with each and every product as if I were a new consumer. I want to ensure they work perfect and leave an impressive result.

Ugh! There was a glitch in one of them this morning. And it was my fault. Because of that, we had a major fabric glitter glue crisis on our hands. There are so many factors involved – time, money, and most important quality. In order to restore peace, a sacrifice had to be made. I’m completely satisfied with the outcome, and actually it isn't even a sacrifice at all, it's actually better than the original concept, but I am kicking myself at making the initial oversight which caused chaos for two hours.

Here is the funny part. I think I’m watching too much of The Hills because for every scene in my day lately, I hear a song to fit it. After I was told about the solution that had to be made with the glitter crisis, I heard Def Leppard’s Bringin' On The Heartbreak. Once I got back in the groove of things,and calmed down, Stevie Nick’s Landslide popped in my mind:

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail thru the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life

What is wrong with me? I never liked either of those tracks! Anyhoo. All is well, crisis is over at that point, and I ate a salad for lunch. That made me happy because I’ve been such a good, healthy girl this week. Salads for lunch, salads for dinner, yup, I know I’ve dropped a few pounds. This particular lettuce combo was yummy. Grilled chicken with melted cheddar cheese, dotted with pickle slices. I’ve never had a salad with pickles, and just as I finished the last piece of chicken and poked my fork around the remaining lettuce pieces – I saw it.

There at the bottom of my plate was a mini cucaracha (a roach). His conga line days were over, this little guy had drowned in ranch dressing.

It’s perfectly OK, I thought. Many people don’t have the opportunity to eat a salad with chicken and pickles. And if they did, and there was a roach too, they would not mind. So I let it go.

Next. Whoa! Good news – I found out that my acrylic paint samples arrived in the afternoon mail! 12 of each color! They came in a huge box that looks like Jaba the Hut did jumping jacks on it. The chunky plastic paint tubes are bundled tight in groups of six, and as I opened them by unrolling the bubble wrap, I was warned by Lauren that some of the tubes have opened. Not only some – but more than half! Wet paint is everywhere!

I spent the next 90 minutes standing over the sink in a brand new $60 blouse taking the lids off each tube, and rinsing the excess paint. Donna Summer's She Works Hard for the Money plays in my mind. What's up with all these bad 80s songs anyway? So, I even blow dried each lid before I put it back on the freshly wiped down tube. I didn’t want a drop of water to touch the paint so it would keep its glorious consisitency! That was just the blue. Tomorrow morning we are going to do the same for the remaining seven colors.

I'm a tad frazzled, but I’m ready to dive in and get the job done. Whatever it takes. Thank goodness I brought a cheap T-shirt, so I can get messy. I’m smiling big because I didn’t even get one speck of paint on my clothes. That’s a first. Patrick would be so proud!

After work I went to eat Italian food. I didn’t order a dead roach, er…I mean a salad. I ordered pasta. Comfort food. And then I went to see Becoming Jane. God, that James McAvoy is so dreamy. Yesterday I saw Stardust, and I loved both movies!

All is happier than a smiley face button. A few glitches only make one stronger, and in my case, it is that much more I’ve learned about the business! Even after all of this, I can hardly wait to take on a new adventure(s) tomorrow...

I may even eat a salad.


***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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FREE teleseminar (book publishing)

had pleasure of meeting Marney of Artella at Art Unraveled a couple weeks ago. Artella is a creativity site for writers and artists and tomorrow I am part of a panel for book publishing.

Here is the description from Marney:

Everyone is very cordially invited to join us for a truly exciting panel on “Getting Published”, to be held hursday, August 23, at 8:30pm Eastern Time.

You'll get to meet seven published authors who will be there to answer your questions about all types of published books, including traditional publishing both with and without an agent, self-publishing, and e-Publishing.

This event is part of the Member Ship Creativity Cruise, and while these events are usually just for Cabin Members, we've opened this one to be free for one and all. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot at http://www.artellawordsandart.com/AGPublishedSignup.html.

This is one of our highlighted summer events, and we are honored to have such notable published authors on the panel, including:


• Kathy Cano Murillo, Author of five books, including Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul (Rayo/HarperCollins), and La Casa Loca (Rockport)

• Janice Taylor, Author of Our Lady of Weight Loss (Studio)

• Jill Badonsky, Author of The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard) (Penguin) and the forthcoming The Muse's Awe-manac (Running Press)

• Karen M. Jones, Author of The Difference A Day Makes (New World Library)

• Dan Gremminger, Co-author of Deep River Dark, a self-published children's book

• Constance Bates, Author of Supping On Roses, a small press poetry compilation

• Alicia Forest, Successful online e-publisher


It's completely free, so come join us!

Sign up at http://www.artellawordsandart.com/AGPublishedSignup.html

Marney Makridakis
Artella Founder
I paint the earth, the earth paints me...

***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Crafty secrets revealed!

I recently got an email from a crafty friend asking if I've picked up any crafty tips while working at Duncan headquarters.

YES! YES! YES!

Here are a couple of my favorites.


Cheryl Ball is a talented designer on board who handed me a crayon one time when I was fumbling with crystals while I was decking out one of my shrines. I looked at her like, "Huh?"
"Pick up the crystal with the crayon and place it on the glue," she said. OMG. Changed my life forever!


These next two pictures are using Tulip Velveteen paint (dries to a velvet finish!), you run a heat gun over the paint and it turns to suede. Works great on large designs. VERY COOL effect. I outlined my nmae so that I could fill it in with glitter paint. The raised edges act as an embossed barrier.




This last one I picked up from a circus face painter a few years back and I recently shared it with my Duncan friends. This face painter used an empty squeeze bottle to blow glitter off the painted cheeks of her clients. For this, you need a large bottle with a small tip. I used an empty dye bottle and it works great for blowing away excess glitter! You just squeeze it real fast and no more pesky glitter leftovers!


Here are a few other tips I've learned through all my trial and errors over the years:

- If your glue gun gets clogged, hang it upside down inside a (cheap) ceramic coffee cup to drain it. This one is from Debbie at Duncan, it works!)

- When working with resin, set your pieces to cure on wax paper, it won't stick.

- Rubber/silicone baking molds like this, make PERFECT resin molds! you can make keychains or pendants, coasters, etc.

- Want quick embellishments? Squirt some colored hot glue in polymer clay molds, let them cool and pop them out.

- Tired of filling bottlecaps with resin? Try checkers instead! They have a little dish look to them, so you can glue in a picture or whatever.

- Baby wipes are awesome to clean your hands when working on your crafts. Goo Gone or Lava soap works great for removing super sticky glue from your skin.

OK, that's all I'm spilling! Do you have any?

Today was an amazing day at work. I love coming to Fresno. I still miss my family terribly, but the team at Duncan are my second family. Today, it seemed wherever I walked around the office, everyone seemed to be working on Crafty Chica goodies. The packaging will blow you away. I saw full-on finished boxes with the actual products inside. At first glance, if I didn't know better, I'd swear it belonged at Sephora. It looks super stylized, like gourmet make-up!

Tomorrow I'm heading in early to make more completed models. Poor Patrick is at home painting our kitchen cabinets (he and the kids sanded them down today), and then he moves on to painting the interior of the house. This is for the camera crew that is coming over next week. He is busting his bootie, and I'm over here in Cali giggling and sprinkling glitter.

Aye, I feel guilty...


***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Ugly Betty on DVD today - let's craft!

Ho-laaaa.....!!!

Here is a way to pass the time until the new season of Ugly Betty comes back to ABC (did ja hear Freddy Rodriguez is joining the cast??).

Season 1 comes out on DVD today. If you are looking for another way to pass the time until the new season arrives, here is a reposting of the Betty's necklace project I made last year. Oh - and scroll down to the bottom of this post for a surprise...



'Ugly Betty'-inspired necklace

Supplies:

Soft Flex wire
Crimp beads
Needle-nose pliers
Jump rings
Necklace clasp
Card stock, pencil, scissors
Polymer clay
Craft knife
Eye pins
Industrial-strength craft glue
Acrylic craft paint in gold and black
Assorted beads

Directions: Cut a strand of wire long enough so you can double it to be at your desired length. At one end, holding two strands of the wire, feed on a crimp bead. Loop the wire ends through the crimp bead to make a loop at the end so you can attach a jump ring later. Use the needle-nose pliers to flatten the crimp bead.

Begin to add the crimp beads on the double strand of wire. When finished, close off the other end by repeating the crimping process. Add a jump ring at each end, and the clasp.

To make the initial, cut a piece of card stock measuring 1 1/2-inch square. Draw the letter in the square and cut out. Take a gum-ball-size piece of clay and flatten it (about the thickness of a pancake). Place the card-stock template on the clay and use the craft knife to cut out the shape of the letter. Use your fingers to smooth the edges.

Snip the eye pins to about 1/4 inch and insert them at the bottom of the letter. Add an eye pin at the top of the letter. If you have a letter that is "open" at the top (such as a "K"), glue an eye pin on each side, or glue a jump ring to the back of the necklace later. Bake in oven according to package directions. Let cool.

One at a time, remove the eye pins, add a drop of glue and insert back into each hole. Repeat for all the eye pins. Let dry. Paint the letter gold, let dry and lightly rub on black paint around the edges. Use your finger to rub in more gold, so it has an antique finish.

Use more eye pins to add dangling beads to the eye pins glued at the bottom of the letter. Add a jump ring to attach the letter to the strand of beads.

And of course you will need some groovy tunes to play in the background. Mika's new song for the series, Big Girl You Are Beautiful, comes out today as well!



Oh heck, let's just watch the video!


***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Workin' it like my pop

(My dad in the early 1960s, before I was born...)

All through my childhood, there is one thing I remember most about my dad: his work ethic. It was 24/7/365.

In the morning, he was always running late for his job as a civil engineer for the City of Phoenix. It was my duty to find him a matching pair of socks (sometimes they didn't match, and boy did I hear about it at the dinner table!), make his coffee, and close the garage door behind him after he sped away.

He'd get home at 5:30 p.m., and my mom and I would have dinner all set to go on the kitchen table. He'd eat, ask about our day, tell us about his, change his clothes - and then head out to the garage where he started his second shift as a freelance auto mechanic.

I checked on him every hour. I'd poke my head out the door to offer him ice water, or a cup of decaf. Sometimes I sat out there on the wooden step ladder and tried to help, which consisted of him sticking out his arm from under the car and telling me which tool to hand him. He often stayed out there until 2:30 or 3 in the morning. And the routine would start all over the next morning with him running late for work.

Weekends were no different, except he started his day with a 6 a.m. trip to Park and Swap where he shopped for broken cameras that he could restore and resell at a premium price. And then he'd come home, eat breakfast, and head back to the garage to fix more cars. If I was going to the mall, I'd step out side and say: "Hi Dad! I'm going to the mall with my friends today, could I please have $5 to buy a pop?" He'd roll out from under the car, reach for his wallet, and hand me a $20. Never once did he ask for change, even when I offered to give it to him! Although he did always ask to see what I bought. Even as a spoiled teen, I repsected that $20 bill. I knew how hard he worked for his money. I had watched him wipe the sweat off his face every time he rolled out from under the car he was fixing.

Cars were just one of his side gigs. He can fix anything at anytime. When he was a teenager, he even made and sold jewelry. He made model cars and entered them in comptetions, and even won some of them. My sister used to go with him to camera shows where he would sell vintage cameras and watches he restored. She said he would get goosebumps whenever he made a big sale. I can sooo relate to that!

These days my day is retired from his second job! After the city of Phoenix, he became bored having so much free time, so he began a new career at the city of Avondale. He recently retired from there too, after another long run. He has worked so much all his life that now that he doesn't have any tasks left to do! My mom hires a gardener, the cars go to the dealer to get fixed, us kids fend for ourselves. He can relax and enjoy life. I bet if he had the energy to start another career, he'd do it in a heartbeat!

I was thinking of all this tonight while I was working on the last of my weekend chores. I sent out 15 eBay packages, made more samples for the product line, decorated a glittery train case for a magazine assignment, made jewelry samples for a buyer at Target, and wrote scripts for a webisode series that we are filming the week after next. It was actually supposed to be filmed this weekend, but thank goodness it got pushed back two weeks! This time next week, our house will have a total makeover because of the shoot! Tomorrow morning I have my Spanish class, and then I head out to Fresno until Friday. Add in two home cooked meals for the family, plus several loads of laundry, a night watching High School Musical 2 with Maya, helping DeAngelo with his homework, and whew! It was a jam-packed couple of days. I'm supposed to be tired, but I feel like i could take on one more task right now.

What is Patricio up to? He is working on recording a new CD. When I was writing my novel, he ran the whole house so I would have quiet time and now I'm returning the favor. I want him to finish this CD so he will have a new product to show off and sell. Everyone thinks of him as an artist first, but really he is amusician first. Art pays the bills, music is his first love. So I'm all there to help him finish that disc. I even made him a bright red sign with glittered letters that says "QUIET: RECORDING!" That way he can hang it outside the door of his studio.

Why do I do it all? Sure, money is a factor, every job does put food on the table for the family. But it's more than that. Even more than just doing something creative. I think it is the feeling of accomplishment and feeling useful, hopefully appreciated, just making my mark. Helping others do the same, inlcuding my kids! Even if that means me staying up until 2:30 or 3 a.m. every morning to finish work.

People often ask me, "How do you do it?". I wish I could take all the credit, but I came to the conclusion tonight that I can't. There is no secret method, just sheer willpower to follow through. It's like, i see that something needs to be done, and if I don't do it, nothing will happen. There will be repercussions that I'll kick myself over later. So I complete the task just to have closure, and to be able to cross it off the list.

Yup, this crazy work ethic thing is totally in my genes, I get it from my dad! On that note, I'm headed off to bed, it's already 1:30 a.m.!!


***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Livin' la vida crafty

I swore, swore, swore I was not going to do this - go on a blogging bender tonight. The so-called "right" way to blog is to post daily, so you don't overload your readers. Dang it, I just can't stick to that rule. It's like only eating one cookie after a fresh batch has just come out of the oven. I can't stop at one!!! Or two. Three?

After that last post, I was just about to sign off and hit the sack, but then I reflected on the week, and decided to share the details.

So you want to craft full-time, right? That's what I said, and now my wrists are sore from painting, glueing, cutting - all of it. But baby, I wouldn't trade it for the world! I am so grateful for this gig. And who am I to complain about sore wrists? I recently found out that I had two great aunts who used to be grape pickers in FRESNO (the city I visit once a month for my new job! What an eerie coincidence, no?). I bet their wrists were super sore! My sore wrists are a badge of honor!!!

OK, so here are the two big things this week. Numero uno is all my Duncan stuff. Lauren, the direct importer working on getting everything developed and ordered for my line, sent me a huge box full of Crafty Chica product samples. to think I actually get paid to use them in my craft projects! It is sooo intimidating and thrilling at the same time, because these completed projects have to be ultra fantastico, so people will see the pictures on the box and want to by the product. I've just about prayed and blessed each and every one of them with happy thoughts. So far, I'm beyond pleased with the goodies I've made. I wish I had 10 of each supply because the hardest part is limiting myself to one or two projects. It is taking all my might not to post pictures here!!! I think I'd get fired because it is all top secret until spring. Deep breath...oh I want to post a picture so bad!!

Here is something I can post pictures of. Remember those 180 centerpieces I've been whining about for months? This was our late night project this week. Or I should say "my" project because Patrick didn't want to touch them.

I'm talking 30 heavy boxes of large glass candy dishes. My friend Jim came over and helped me get rolling. Patrick watched from afar, and finally said: "I'll work on anything else you need, but please, I don't want to work on those things..."

Eh, I didn't need him. I cranked these suckers out in a total of 8 hours. They've already been picked up and we have our entry way back!

Every year we volunteer to make these centerpieces for Valle del Sol's Profiles of Success luncheon. Every year, as we finish the last one and say: "That's it, never again!" and then we agree to do it again. It's a heck of a lot of work, and I get sore wrists, but to think my little painted squiggles will help raise funds for people who really, truly need help? Wooo, goosebumps on my arms right now. Plus, I love the folks at Valle. They always make Patrick and I feel appreciated, and that means so much!




***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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PROJECT: Watercolor Paper Luggage Tags

A couple months ago, I featured an easy way to brighten up a rolling suitcase with rubber stamps and fabric paint. Every week I receive letters and e-mails from crafty people who tried the idea and loved it.

I love those moments. Because there's still time for summer travel, I thought I'd add to the spirit of the personalized suitcase with a luggage tag to match.

This trick involves watercolor paper, acrylic paint and varnish. The varnish gives the painted watercolor paper a laminated texture that wards off moisture and tears.

If you don't want to use your fabulous handmade tags on your luggage, use them on gifts or for organizing in your home, or make several and create a fun book.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE DIRECTIONS
***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Crafty Chica Cruise update!

Crafty Chica Cruise 2008!

DATE: March 3-8, 2008
DEPARTS: from San Diego
WHERE: Cabo and Ensenada (one day at each town, two full days at sea)
COST: $607 inside cabin. $657 ocean view cabin (based on double occupancy)
Cost is lower for spouses/people who do not want to craft.

INCLUDES: Everything! Room, food, tips, entertainment, two cocktail parties, craft supplies/kits for six workshops, personal instruction, tote bag with giveaways, and much more!

WORKSHOPS (these may change if I come up with something more fabulous between now and then!)

- No-Sew Fabric Collage Toss Pillow
- Mixed Media Altered Journal
- Suenos y Suerte Charm Bracelet
- Dia de los Muertos Mask
- Resin Picture Jewelry
- Canvas Love Shrine

SWAPS: We will be making two swap projects as well.

Students are encouraged (but not required) to bring personal/favorite supplies, scrap fabric, trims, etc.

Aside from crafting, there will be shopping in Cabo and Ensenanda, great entertainment, a full casino and the of course the spa, on board the 'Elation'.

Sign up here. - All it takes is $100 to hold your spot, and the next $100 is due in September and then the rest is due in December.
***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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One day eBay sale!

CLICK HERE to see all the postings!

Frida Kahlo Fabric Collage Purse


La Estrella Cocktail Ring!


Day of the Dead Cat Scupture!


We are clearing out our studio! enjoy!

Again, CLICK HERE to see all the postings!

Peace, love and glitter,
Kathy :-)

Chicano Pop Art.com
***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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PROJECT: Cupcake Collage

This week Maya, my youngest, started high school, and my oldest, DeAngelo, is a senior. gulp. Two kids in high school! I miss the days of sippy cups!

I came across this project I made for my first book, Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines (which is now reprinted as The Crafty Chica Collection, $24.99, Quarry Books).

It's a cupcake tiun filled with pictures, mini-mementos and any thing else I could fit in there. The idea was inspired by my friend and the best boss I ever had, Jenny Ignaszewski (wow, I can't believe I can still spell her last name from memory!). She was going to do a project something like this for the book, but was so busy she did not have time. Jenny is an extremely talented artist who left a plumb job at the newspaper to pursue a career as a full-time painter. I cried so hard when she left, that I couldn't even go to her goodbye party because my eyes were so swollen. She was that kind of boss, and to this day, she STILL inspires me! Check out her web site: IggyArt!

Anyway - the cupcake collage!

All you do is go to a thrift store and pick up a cupcake tin. Cut scrapbook paper to fit inside each circle, and then make color copies of photos. Gather up your kid's toys that they think they lost (hee hee) and glue them to the tin. For glueing directly to the tin, you'll need a metal glue but for everything else you can use hot glue or a heavy white craft glue, like Tacky Glue. I even glued little Pez candies all around the edge.

You can also add little letter beads to spell out names, or years, or phrases.
***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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My week at Art Unraveled

I can't believe this time last week I was immersed in Art Unraveled madness (I mean that in a good way!). Held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in north Phoenix, hundreds of altered artists from around the country gathered to teach and/or make new art.

I only taught two classes, but next year I hope to teach more. I look forward to this event all year because everyone remembers you, and makes you feel so comfy and welcome. Major kudos goes to Linda Young and her family for putting the whole thing together!

I taught a Day of the Dead Fabric Book class all day last Monday, and then a Love Shrine class last Tuesday night. The love shrine group was majorly rowdy!! Everyone was so excited to release their unbridled passion through sequined trim and scrapbook paper. One lady made a shrine to her dog, another to find love, and several women made a shrine to celebrate their happy marriages. The glitter was flyin', let me tell you! I enjoyed every second of it!

Saturday night I MC'd the closing awards dinner. Normally I don't get nervous when it comes to public speaking. I've delivered speeches to groups as small as 6 or 7 and as large as two thousand, and my nerves are always manageable. I think I had jitters on top of jitters this time because the faces before me were all my peers. Anyway, just after Linda introduced me, I walked up to the podium - and had this flash of a vision that my blouse was on inside out.

See, earlier in the day was the Shopping Extravaganza event, in which I had a booth. Our car was still in the shop so after a long day of working my vendor booth, I had to take a taxi home. Stressful day, alright. I got home, changed my clothes, and tried to take a mini-power nap. Didn't work. So, I put my clothes back on and headed out for the event.

OK, now we are back to where I was at the podium, 100% convinced that my blouse was on inside out. In front of a crowd of people staring at me. In that split second I had to decide to:

A. Pretend I meant to wear it that way.
B. Continue as if nothing was wrong and worry the whole time.
C. Tell the audience what happened and if they would mind if I checked my blouse real quick.

I did C. Whew! My blouse was on the right way, and I was able to proceed without incident.

Earlier when I tried to take that mini power nap, I couldn't fall asleep because I got this idea to open the presentation with a crafty version of a David Letterman "Top 10" kind of thing. So I popped up from my bed and typed out out this.

Top 10 Signs That You Belong at Art Unraveled:

10. Someone tells you that you have glitter on your face and you say “Oh, thank you!”

9. You buy a new box of nails for a home repair, and decide to add a pretty rusting agent before you use them.

8. You have more vintage photographs of people you don’t know than of your own family.

7. Someone at your office job asks for a stamp and you say, “Sure! Mounted or unmounted?’

6. Your philosophy for life is “When in doubt, add a set of angel wings and embossing powder!”

5. You’ve made a color copy of a favorite piece of clothing for use in your artwork. Better yet, you’ve shredded a favorite piece of clothing for use in your artwork...

4. Your spouse accuses you of having a thing for the guy at Kinko’s because you are always there making “color copies”.

3. Your friends refer to you as “The Glue Snob”.

2. Your loving child asks to help you with your art project, and you reply, “Sure honey, go make mommy a double cappuccino!”

1. You get goose bumps, tears and tingles when a stranger spends their hard-earned cash on a piece of art that you made with all your heart.

Now let's go to the picture portion of the event! These are photos of my classes and then of me with mi amiga, Jennifer Perkins. Speaking of Jennifer! She came down to AU with her mom, Fredda Perkins (also an amazing artist!), and Lisa sicci, a fabulous TV producer. I also got to hang out with my friends Alisa and Ann from my craft cruise, as well as Laura K from Blogging Project Runway! I also got to have dinner at Barrio Cafe with a gang of super cool AU artists including Jen, her mom, Lisa, my good friend Traci Bautista, and I got to meet the awesome Bernie Berlin, author of Artist Trading Card Workshop. There are gobs more people, and I'll add them later on!








I had made this glittery Chihuahua and decided to donate it to the silent auction. The funds went to Free Arts of Arizona to help abused children find healing through art.


Jennifer Perkins and myself (Photo credit: Jen)


***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Doing the hustle

OK, not that kind of hustle. I'm talking the kind of hustle like when you are already late for work, and need to find your keys, put the dogs out, shut off the lights, and jump in the car and go, go, go...

It's been a mad crazy week. It started with me teaching two classes at Art Unraveled. Yesterday the brakes went out on my car, and now it is back in the shop. Sigh. We need a new set of wheels, like, as of last month.

For work I've been making "models" of things from my product line (samples of finished items using the products). I think this is my favorite part of the process so far. All the tangible samples have come back from the manufactuers, and now I have make things with them to a photo shoot so customers can see all the different things to use them for.

That's during the day. At night I've had another stack of orders to make, and now I'm cranking out jewelry to sell at Saturday at AU's shopping extravaganza!

By the way, the event is open to the public, cost is $5, and get there early! Doors open at 10 a.m. and there is always a huge crowd. Last year there were literally LINEs of people at each artist's booth waiting to get up front to the table to shop. I'm sure it will be just as busy this year.

I have some super exciting news to annouce very soon. Remember a few months back I mentioned that a major cable network was interested in me for a project? Well, I just signed the contracts this week! As soon as I get permission, I'll post all the details! In a couple of weeks, there will be a TV camera crew in my house for four days shooting footage. Hello? Home makeover 911!

Alrighty, I have to get back and in the studio, I'm pretty sure the glue is dry on my earrings, and it is time to go add the gold micro-stars before I go to bed. After Saturday, I'l post pictures from the event, as well as a totally tricked out glittered chihuahua saint statue I made to relieve stress.

I've met some wonderful, highly creative ladies this week, and am so thrilled that I get to hang out with friends I hardly ever get to see because they are here for the conference - Jennifer Perkins and Tracy Bautista are just a couple of them!

Speaking of friends, i have a list of new must-see links to share here, and I promise to get to those this weekend. Probably Sunday.

Have a freaky fun-filled Friday!

***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Coffee please.

Photo: MonkeyVsRobots.com

Last night after everyone left, I finished up the laundry, cleaned the family room and decided to pack my suitcase for Art Unraveled today. I'm only driving 10 minutes away, but a rolling suitcase works wonders for carrying supplies to a workshop!

Earlier yesterday morning, I had sorted everything for my class, and put it in the art studio. I shut the door so none of Patrick's family would see the scary mess when they came for his birthday party.

Late last night, when I went to open the door - it was jammed shut!!! Somehow my heavy art table had been nudged just enough to block the door from opening. Maybe it was the collective energy from all the people who were mad at me for not making it last night (I'm sorry I missed!!).

Anyway, after sweating, cussing, and almost crying for 20 minutes trying to get the stupid door open, I went and got Patrick out of bed to help. Mad that I woke him up, he stumbled over, tried once, gave up and walked like a zombie back to bed. Finally Maya got in there and gave the door a huge shove while lifting the corner of the table with her other hand. She got the door open, but jammed her thumb in the process - and knoccked over all the stacked shelves that were on top of the table.

We put ice on her thumb, all was well, and she went off to bed. I gulped and walked into the art room. All my beads, charms, a cup of loose glass glitter, and every other tiny object I had sorted into micro compartments had spewed all over the floor and other table. I stepped on a head pin in the process.

But, at least the door is open, I got my stuff ready for my class and Maya still has a thumb.
***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Yikes! I missed opening night

To those of you who attended the opening "Meet the Artists" night at Art Unraveled, I am so sorry for not being there. This is one of those "when family and career collide" situations.

Today was the birthday party for Patrick at our house. It was supposed to get going at 4, no prob, I'd slip out around 6:30, be back by 8. Well, Patrick had band practice for a big gig he has coming up next Friday, and the bass player was 2 hours late. Our family arrived two hours late as well (no sweat, it happens!!)- while the band was still practicing in the living room! It took about 45 minutes for the guys to stop playing and clear out their equipment to make room for our guests to sit and relax.

Right when I should have left for AU was the same time our kitchen was filled with relatives putting love and care into Patrick's birthday dinner. His mom and sisters cooked everything from SCRATCH!! Yes, I could have left, and they would have understood, but my heart told me family first. After the rough night on Patrick's actual birthday last week (see earlier blog post), I didn't have the heart to walk out. and I would have felt weird with everyone just arriving and then saying "Bye! The plates are over there!"

Please understand, I couldn't leave. If it had been a class, or a book signing, I totally would have left, but because the Meet the Artists event was an informal open forum kind of gathering, I made the quick decision to stay home and help with the party.

Again, I am so sorry! However, I will be there bright and early tomorrow morning to teach my fabric book class, and have offered my volunteer services to Linda for anything she needs this week. I've cleared the whole week for AU, and I hope to see everyone and catch up!! I've been looking forward to it all year!

Peace and love,
Kathy :-)
***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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The chica comes clean

This is a goofy picture of me that my sister sent my way last night. She loves to take pictures of me when I'm making weird faces or when my wirey hair is blowing all crazy in the wind - and then post them for the world to see. Grrr. Little sisters!!! I HATE seeing pictures of me. You know, double chins and all.

So... Earlier I posted the "just do it" philsophy. When it comes to crafting, writing I have it down. But eating healthy and exercising? No way. I think I'm allergic to moving fast and steamed veggies. Lame excuse. I had a weird dream last night about being overweight, and while I don't remember the specifics, I woke up freaked, like if I don't make a change for the better...well, let's just say it was just a wake up call. Thankfully, I always have decent check ups and I want it to stay that way or be better.

After I finished that last post, I put in a new load of laundry in the washing machine, and thought how I felt ashamed inside because I knew I wasn't coming clean. I have a dream goal that I've been ignoring. For the past couple of years, I've pretty much given up on trying to lose weight and eat healthy. And that laziness trickles over to my kids and husband. Mommies rule the house, so when she has banana pudding with Nilla wafers, so does everyone else!

I need to step up to the plate. Or rather, step away from it. I want to apply that last post I wrote to losing weight to get healthy and to prevent my kids from someday having to wear clothes that have a size "X" on the label. I pulled out the Splenda and made a grocery list. I'm ready to do this. Patrick is chuckling because he knows I say this every Sunday, and every Sunday he offers to help me. By Monday morning, I've written it off saying things like, "Maybe God wants me to be this size, that's why He makes it so hard for me to lose weight. I should embrace my BBW-ism! Anyone up for pancakes?"

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. I'm going to take a different appraoch this time. I'm not going to read books, buy diet plans, or anything like that. I'm just going to lay off the bread and sugar, and add more veggies and salads into the mix. Deep breath. And move more.

So whatever goal you are trying to tackle, I am right there with you. Let's see what happens!

Before I get back to cleaning the house, I want to share this neat thing I saw on the Travel Channel. I'm so addicted to Samantha Brown's Passport to Latin America, and today she covered Zihuatanejo & Ixtapa, Mexico. She went to a hotel where they leave more than just a mint on your pillow. They leave an elaborate flower pedal design all across your bed! I snapped a picture from the TV for you.

Isn't this so cool? I would hate to mess it up in order to sleep though, I think I would curl up on the edge of the bed!



***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Sunday inspiration

Photo: "Happiness "by Sybil Shane

After all this talk about bad nightclubs and scary chupacabras, it was refreshing to wake up this morning and find this site called Write Attitude.

It is an inspiration sight aimed at writers, but I think anyone who is working towards a goal can find some juice from it. First off, watch the little video on the home page, and then read the other pages. The sites shares all kinds of quotes and notes from published writers.

The bottom line? Do not give up.

One of my favorite lines is from Dolly Parton, who said "If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain."

People ask me all the time, "How can I get my book published? How can I get my art featured in a magazine or on TV? How can I find time to do my dream project when I'm working and have a family? How can I make a living doing what I love?"

I have the same answer to all of these. You have to stop asking, and start doing. For each goal, sit down and write a sentence of what you want. Do your research. If it is a craft book you want to write, check out the market and see what has not been done yet, or come up with a smart twist on a common topic. If it is a novel or memoir, sit down and write. Start with an outline that you can use as a guideline to follow. If it is time, examine your schedule and see what you can trim out.

Here is another great line from Write Attitude: "The best writers are'nt the ones who can write a good sentence. They are the ones who keep writing." And one more: "Action conquers fear."

Basically, the more you practice, the better you will get, and the more comfortable you will feel. I spent a whole year outlining my book. I could have finished that goofy thing in a weekend, but I had so much fear and insecurity, I wouldn't let myself move past an outline. Finally, I decided to take part in National Novel Writing Month because I am a task oriented person. Give me a deadline and I'll meet it. NaNoWriMo gave me one month to write 50,000 words. I also joined a writing group with some fellow journalist friends and our meetings were so exhilarating, they intensified my determination.

On the first day of NaNoWrimo, I remember staring that the blank computer screen and saying, "What the heck?" and I just started typing. I didn't let myself stop until I had 2,000 words that night. Yes, it was a mess, but at least it was a starting point. I took it to my writing group, they gave me critical feedback, and that was all it took to become addicted.

As far as a crafty web site, or selling your art, or writing too...same thing. Don't wait for the right time to come. The right time is now. Other people are doing it, why not you too? MySpace is free, and you can make it all your own. I suggest starting a blog, and updating it, keep it interesting to build a following. Toot your horn, and shine light on others too. Take time to research magazines and how to submit articles or product to them. As a newspaper reporter, I used to get all kinds of cool s.w.a.g. (sealed with a gift). I was not allowed to keep any of it, but it did catch my attention, and I often wrote about those items or events.

Even if you can just submit an online press release, do it through email. Toss out your excuses! For TV shows, look at the web sites, and see how to get on the show. Make phone calls. Start local. Look into your local morning shows and see if they have guests on. Peg your apprearance towards an event you have coming up. Don't have an event? Create one! And don't forget to network and connect with other people with like interests so you can motivate eachother. I've done all of these and have had success.

For those of you who say money is an issue, I have to disagree. Patrick and I started by painting anything and everything with a smooth surface. By the time we were done, no one could believe what the raw materials were! That's how we paid our bills. We sold our art at festivals, concerts, coffeehouses, anywhere where someone would give us a free booth. If you want it bad enough, you WILL find a way to make it happen. Writing is the easiest of all because it does not cost a penny. I never went to any kind of expensive conferences or classes. I used a pencil and a journal to write my outline and character sketches. A pencil and paper, everyone can afford that! I wrote my book late at night while the rest of the family was asleep because I didn't want to lessen the time I spent with them.

I have to admit, now that I look back on those two years of writing the novel, I was going through a hard time at my (former) day job. I often cried on my way into work (and coming home). Writing my book, Love Shine, at night was my release (escape!) so I wouldn't have a major breakdown. It gave me hope to write about these characters and their wacky adventures. It gave me something to look forward to. At the time, the idea of a Crafty Chica product line was just a crazy fantasy. I never dreamed I'd someday do that full-time, much less leave the newspaper!

I wondered if I would be a newspaper reporter forever, if that was my destiny. Not that it was a bad thing at all. I was very happy for 11 years of it, it was just the last two that were extremely stressful. "Is this it?" I'd ask myself. Writing the novel was my way of subconsciously saying "NO!" I don't know how else I could have found the energy to stay up until 2 a.m. four nights a week and write a flippin' novel. I didn't even think of the odds of getting it published, I just focused on typing the words "The End", and I visualized seeing my name on the cover! I knew there were so many other other writers who were better than me, but I continued, just for my own satisfaction. I loved the experience so much.

They say everything happens for a reason, and I think that rough patch at the newspaper served as a way to fire me up in another way. So I'm grateful for those tears! Which reminds me of one more quote I found: "Behind every successful woman is someone who pissed her off."

Tomorrow is Monday, a fresh and new week. I bet you think I'm going to say, "Start then!" Nope. I say start right now! As you go throughout your day, think about what it is you want and begin to forumlate ideas in your head. Change all your passwords to match your goal. For example, every so often we had to change our computer passwords at the newspaper. I always chose something that pertained to my book. Like a character's name, or even "get book published!". Just think, you are typing that password over and over, might as well make it meaningful, right? If you love where you are at now, but want to go to the next level, think of what that specific next level is, and use that as your password.

OK, I'm off to get ready for Patrick's birthday dinner (IE: clean house, finish laundry!), and then Art Unraveled's opening ceremonies tonight! Don't forget to check out Write Attitide!

***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Crafty Books - Summer 07

End the blahs with new hobby

Kathy Cano-Murillo
Special for the Republic
Aug. 4, 2007 12:00 AM

If the summer months feel as though they are dragging, maybe taking up a new hobby will help pass the time. Recently, a variety of craft books, ranging from beading to stuffed animals, has arrived in bookstores. So clear off the kitchen table, fire up your iPod, choose a book and get busy.


• Sparkletastic: Dazzling Jewelry and Fashion Projects for the Discriminating Diva, by Margot Potter (North Light Books, 128 pages, $19.99, paperback): The Impatient Beader is at it again, with projects that include jewelry, clothing, purses and more. And to live up to the title, every project features an element of glitz - such as Czech glass, Swarovski crystals, and/or glittering gemstones.


• Creative Juice: 45 Re-crafting Projects to Make With Recycled Stuff, by Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza (Lark Books, 128 pages, $14.95, paperback): Have a bunch of found objects that you're itching to make art out of? Consider this your manual. Authored by the hosts of the popular DIY Network show Creative Juice, this page-turner offers crafty recipes that are easy, clever and fun.


Just for the Frill of It: 25 Flirty, Fabulous Styles to Make From Clothes You Already Own, by Sonya Nimri (Watson-Guptill, 112 pages, $12.95, paperback): Craft goddess Nimri serves up do-it-yourself ideas for revamping your ho-hum wardrobe into a collection of sexy and stylish wearables. Each project comes with a sidebar of things to do while wearing the outfit, such as a blouse called "Laced with Charm," for which Nimri suggests: "Ride a carousel, buy a charm bracelet, wear bright pink lip gloss."


• Get Real Greetings: Creating Cards for Your Sassiest Sentiments, edited by Jessica Strawser (North Light Books, 112 pages, $17.95, paperback): Forget birthdays and babies - there are other events that deserve a heartfelt handmade card - such as dealing with a speeding ticket, PMS, divorce and milestones often overlooked. They aren't all downer subjects; there are also happy themes, such as weight loss, promotions and weddings.


• Ribbon and Trims: 100 Ideas for Personalizing Your Home, by Annabel Lewis (Potter Craft, 160 pages, $25.95, paperback): If you are addicted to embellishments, chances are, you have a treasure box of trims. This book shows you what to do with them. Step-by-step instructions are matched with gorgeous, color photos of pillows, dressers, lampshades and more.


• Fleecie Pets: Easy-to-Make Cuddly Animal Friends, by Fiona Goble (Watson-Guptill, 95 pages, $12.95, paperback): Even beginner sewers will appreciate this guide to creating adorable stuffed animals, complete with clothing and accessories. Includes patterns.

Other titles to check out:

- Knit Kimono: 18 Designs with Simple Shapes by Vicki Square

- Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock, and Goth Knitting Projects by Alyce Benevides, Jaqueline Milles

- Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew by Amy Karol

- The Art of Polymer Clay Creative Surface Effects: Techniques and Projects Featuring Transfers, Stamps, Stencils, Inks, Paints, Mediums, and More by Donna Kato

- Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco

- The Guerilla Art Kit by Keri Smith
***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Collins Design, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Chupacabra Cocktails

It's Friday night, and after writing up that last post, I still have a bit of the bite in me. So it was perfect timing that Darlene from Casa Q sent me this link to her site about the Chupacabra!


(Credit: www.soccerlover.org/Chupacabras2006.htm)

From Darlene's site:

The Chupacabra (goat-sucker in English) is a cryptozoological animal predominately seen in Mexico and Puerto Rico. The creature's name originated with the discovery of dead goats with small puncture wounds in their necks with their blood and guts sucked from the carcasses. Like the Legendary Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster it is seen by few but known by millions.

Darlene even posted a Chupacabra cocktail recipe!



El Chupacabra
From CasaQ.com

El Chupacabra
1 oz apple vodka
2 oz sweet & sour mix
2 Marischino Cherries
4 Ice Cubes

Mix vodka, sour mix, and ice in shaker. Strain over ice in old fashioned glass. Garnish with cherries.

Yes, you should definately have some sauce in you if you happen to come across a Chupacabra, like these did (Warning: they cuss a little bit because they are SCARED to death!):



Boy, I am really going to the dark side tonight. Let me steer this back to happyland! Because this is a crafty site, here are some shiny, happy, crafty Chupacabra ideas:

- stuffed Chupacabra felt monster
- Chupacabra sock puppet
- Chupacabra polymer clay sculpture

Want more stuff, like Chupacabra mugs or lunchboxes/ Well then - Chupacabra Online is your one stop shop!


OK, now go check out Darlene's site, Casa Q. It's super cool. She has all kinds of Latino-themed articles, recipes, home furnishings, and more. She also has features on Latino wedding customs, and Fiesta of San Fermin - Running of the Bulls , entertaining, money and mas, mas, mas!

And thank you, Darlene for the Chupa love and inspiration!




***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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Reggae is for lovers, not haters!

This post is dedicated to Alisa in Texas, who wrote me last night to let me know she misses the "drama" part of my "crafts, drama, glitter" blog. She has been a long time follower of this site, and I do not want to disappoint! I promised her (and you!) to update more frequently! We have been crazy busy with orders. It has been non-stop since January when the NPR segment aired. We work until sometimes 1 a.m. on making everything. Today we got it all shipped out, so I'm free to blog. I wish it could be a happier post though...

Here is my drama adventure for the week: We got boycotted from a concert (well, Patrick did, and what was I gonna do, send him home and party in the front row?)!

Wednesday was Patrick's birthyday, and for the past two months we vowed to clear the night to go to Club Red to see Morgan Heritage. No matter how often we plan a night out, at the last minute something comes up, and we end up at home. Not this time. We had three solid reasons for trekking across town for this show.

1. To support the reggae scene here in town, and our friend Carl who was producing the show.

2. We LOVE Morgan Heritage, they are one of the BEST contemporary Jamaican reggae bands on the planet. We've never seen them live.

3. It was Patrick's birthday!

The kids are 17 and 14, and this was the first time we were to leave them alone for a late night. DeAngelo is currently going through a World of Warcraft addiction, and Maya was deep into a marathon session of Felicity Season 2. I thank God everyday I have nerds for teens (I mean that lovingly, thank you very much)!

We head out to the club which is 40 minutes away. We get lost. We finally find it, and the place is packed. We meet up withour friend Richard and his girlfriend. First thing I notice is a row of college-aged security guards at the front door. Weird. I haven't seen that many uniforms since I went to the Yankees/Red Sox game a couple of months ago!

We pay our $50, and our friend Casper is on stage as the opening act.



His set ends, and Patrick and Richard go outside to talk with the band. Patrick has been performing in Tempe for close to 20 years, so when we go to see other bands, we always take time to go give props and such. It's all about supporting eachother. I stayed inside.

On my way to the bathroom, I notice that there are even security guards lined up outside there - and they all had maddog looks on their faces, like they were just waiting for trouble to go down. I told one of them as I passed him: "Reggae people are cool and irie, one of the most peaceful groups of people you'll ever come across. Enjoy the show while you are here, the band is awesome!" He looked the other direction and didn't even acknowledge me. I thought of how much of a downer that is because Morgan Heritage is all about peace and love. The vibe these dudes were giving off sucked.

20 minutes later, Richard's girlfriend and I are chatting by the bar and she gets a call from him. He tells her the guards out front won't let them back in, and they don't know what's up.

I go up front and see Patrick standing on the other side of the entrance. Carl, our friend who is putting on the show, is working the door tells me that he is going to go get the manager of the club to clear it up, and if I can work the door.

So for the next 30 minutes, I'm putting glow-in-the-dark bracelets on people after they pay, and making sure whoever enters has a wristband. Carl is nowhere to be found. I finally step outside and ask the guard what's up and he shortly informs me it is not his problem. Even when I tell him we came from across town, spent $50, our kids are alone at home and it is Patrick's birthday - and if he can please explain why he can't come back in. What is the specific reason? Don't we even get the courtesy of knowing that? He chuckles, like he enjoys the power.

He shrugs, "I don't know." I ask if we pay again, can Patrick and Richard come in? He says, "NO."

So I say "F-it", and go outside to be with my man. I never get worked up like that! This is what I heard from several people in the area: They guys were talking with some other dreads (people with dreadlocks), and a young security guard walked by them real fast, and sneered. The guys came back to enter the club, and heard the guard snap to the other guards, "Don't let them back in."

Patrick said his jaw dropped in shock. He asked the guy,"Dude, what's up? What did we do wrong? Is there a sign that say no re-admittance or something?" The guy ignored him.

They wouldn't even let him in to go get me, or Richard in to get his credit card from the bar tab. When we saw a REAL cop walking around the parking lot, Richard told him what was up, and the cop laughed at the guards, and politely took Richard inside to get his card. The original guard who gave the order sees this and quickly grabs his nightstick and follows behind Richard. Hello? Richard is a suit-wearing lawyer, what kind of rumble is going to start?

By this time, I'm MAD. I feel so cheated. Our night was stolen from us, just because of some guy on an ego trip. As we make our way back to the car, I start hollering "CLUB RED SUCKS! We're NEVER coming back here! Reggae is for lovers, not haters!!!"

Patrick freaks out and gives me the "chill" look, because he has never seen me go all M.E.CH.A like that. Later on, he told me it gave him the chills (giggle), but at the moment, we we left.

We ended up at Richard's house, hanging out in his music studio. Patrick played the keys and sang, Richard played the drums, Dumi, the guitar player and his friend, a trombone player even came.




I shook the maraca. Dang this is a corny picture!

We refused to let the preceding events get the best of us. We made it a fun night anyway. We got home, the kids were still in front of their screens, and the next day Carl called and apologized. Come to find out, there were several people who got treated the same way as us. Not only that, the security guards even hassled Morgan Heritage!

One thing I don't really talk about here is that before I started Crafty Chica, I used to work in the music scene as half of my job. I booked bands into different nightclubs and coffeehouse, I was the manager of Patrick's band, and booked his gigs all over the state. I even served as road manager every summer for a Jamaican reggae band when they came through Arizona. I've even prodcued large scale concerts back in the day! I know the in's and out's of putting a show together. The most important element is that you have to have the right vibe.

I've been to hundreds of shows, and have NEVER seen anything like this. Usually the guards are cool, just doing their job, and ensuring everyone has a safe and happy night. The Club Red scenario reminded me of when I used to have to go to movie screenings for work, and whenever there was any kind of ethnic flick, there were always two security guards wanding everyone before they entered the theatre. Even for a Chris Rock romantic comedy. What is up with that?

Whatevs. I rarely rant on here, but that's my dish for tonight. I have to end it because my chicken is burning in the oven right now, and I don't want to let the mean Club Red security guards ruin our family dinner! Happy, happy, joy, joy!

On that note, I'm leaving you with one of my favorite Morgan Heritage songs.


***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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