It is really hard to see from the picture, but this box has different "layers" from a postcard (gotta love SHAG!). to make it, you take one box, cover the inside with paint, glue, and glitter. You then cut the designs out ofthe postcard - the backing, the mid-section and then the main image. You reassemble them in the box using different thicknesses of foam core. I used hot glue to attach. I also added some glittery greenery and accents on the outside.
Now that's what I call a Google News Alert! It's Friday night, everyone is in bed and I decided to check my email (rare thing, right?). I had one. And it was a whopper!
We've expanded the offerings of the Crafty Chica line to indie shops! And wow, we had some fast takers! Here are some stores that now have the goods on sale. I'm delighted and grateful that they picked up the line, and there are more stores to come. I'll be posting the info as fast as the shelves are stocked. Yes, you can still buy everything on Amazon.com, but many of you have mentioned that you prefer brick and mortar shopping. Any way you want it, we'll deliver!
Don't forget to ask your favorite shop owner to carry Crafty Chica products! Not only Crafty Chica products, but also other indie craft products. Support your local craft stores, boutiques, and artists - let's keep the industry alive and thriving! If you are a store owner interested in carrying CC wares, here is the toll-free number for more info: 1-800-438-6226 or send through this page.
More stores to be added soon. These are just the ones that I know have recieved shipment :-)
THANK YOU!!!
ARIZONA
The Heard Museum Shop 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ (602) 252-8848 www.heardmuseumshop.com
Everyone is looking to score some extra coin these days. But there is no need to slip into Code Red panic, especially if you have a creative mind. Now more than ever, we have to think of the word "crafty" in a different way. When it comes to paying that electric bill or funding Missy's orchestra trip to Catalina Island, you can't wait for people to shop on your web site. you have to go out and get the business.
I am so proud to have my first Arizona booksigning at Changing Hands! If you come out, I promise to make the event memorable!I'll have all the supplies to show you how to make your own appliques, as well as some surprise treats (prizes!).
Time: Thursday, February 26, 2009 7:00 p.m. Location: Changing Hands Bookstore 6428 S McClintock Dr Tempe, AZ 85283 480-730-0205 McClintock at Guadalupe From ChangingHands.com:
KATHY CANO-MURILLO: CRAFTY CHICA’S GUIDE TO ARTFUL SEWING 7pm Phoenix’s own “Crafty Chica” Kathy Cano-Murillo visits with Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter, in which she shows you how to harness the power of her signature kamikaze sewing style. Whether you can hardly stitch on a button or are threading bobbins like a champ, Kathy’s got a project for you. From low-sew totes to embellished skirts, Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing proves that you’re in charge of your sewing machine, not the other way around.
SEATING begins one hour before the event. Lettered tickets (free with book purchase) will be called alphabetically to fill seats and will also be used to form the booksigning line. Seating opens to the general public fifteen minutes before the event, so please arrive early, as space is limited. CAN’T MAKE IT? If you’d like an autographed book from any of our author events, please call us at 480.730.0205 to pre-pay and we’ll have one or more copies signed and reserved for you.
Now you can see what I mean when I say my safety pin bracelet mojo has left the building. My building.
I must have downed way too much java when I assembled these wrist monstrosities. I would have done away with them, but I spent so much time, I thought I'd share them. What the heck? I'm still on a mission to use up as much crafty leftovers as I can after cleaning out the art room. I have buckets of charms and beads. And safety pins. And bracelet findings.
OK, on with it!
1. This first one I kinda of feel comfortable with, only because my daughter said she would totally wear this to school. I used too many odd sized beads and the pins didn't sit right. But she approved it, so we are good to go.
2. I strung the pins on vertically, and added yarn for more texture. My daughter hated the yarn. She said she would not wear this to school. Whatever! It is kinda spazzy though.
3. *Clear throat* This was after a quad mocha. My daughter refused to even let it touch her skin. It is level three "mixed media". You know what though? I like this one and am going to wear it! It has a chain base and I used the safety pins in place of jump rings. I added gobs-o-charms and yarn. Peace, love, and glitter! Kathy :-)
People often tell me they would love to craft but don't know where to start. I've been there too, my peeps!
The photo of me in the skirt is the first thing I ever sewed. It was a simple skirt and I hated the process because I could not figure out the stupid pattern. I made it work, but would fend off needles and threads for the next two decades.
My crafty roots really began with markers. Those juicy felt tips were a comfort zone area because I didn't have the confidence to draw, paint or sculpt. But give me a highlighter and a red fine point and I could decorate the heck out of bubble letters. I got so good at it, I even scored a gig doing nothing but drawing and coloring huge paper banners. My mega set of Pentels went with me everywhere - even Europe! I used them to decorate my postcards to friends and family!
Soon after, markers couldn't fully represent my expanding creativity. I'd say this was around 1988. I wanted to really make something, and make it my own. Sure, I had dabbled in lots of other crafty projects, but I wanted to make and sell something that defined me and who i was as an artist. Soemthing to stand out. I knew I had it in me, but I had no idea where to start. Sewing? Painting? Beading?
Patrick, who was my best friend at the time, suggested I go to the craft store and survey all the materials. I killed two hours inspecting every product, trying to feel a connection. A tingle or spark. Anything that made me want to go home, get down and get busy. And then I saw it...
Safety pins! Beads! BRACELETS!
One minor glitch: I couldn't find elastic cording because craft stores didn't carry it yet. I opted for leather cording, but that stretched too much. Next, I tried Velcro. It worked! I had a hit! I used all kinds of colored beads and hung dangly charms off of my fancy new wrist cuffs. I made a hecka lot of those safety pin bracelets and sold them to boutiques all over the state. I couldn't make them fast enough. My confidence soared.
Around that time, I helped Ojiji, a friend of mine and Patrick's from Jamaica, organize an Arizona tour for his band, Messenjah. There were seven musicians in tow, all superstars in the reggae world. They were touring across the country to promote their latest album. They each sported long dreadlocks and considered them sacred. They believed the dreads were their body's antennae to the energy in the universe.
Those two summer weeks were among the best in my life. Ojiji and the band took me in like a sister. They mini-schooled me in ital cooking, the music business, band promotion, and most important - the power of karma and practicing positivity. I admired Ojiji and Messenjah so much. They made a huge impact on my spirit and I wanted to return the favor with handmade gifts.
Thinking I was all clever, I took my safety pin bracelet idea and altered it into a dreadlock holder - a wide, beaded hairband. I used 2-inch pins and patterned bold stripes of red, yellow, and green (reggae colors). Each piece took me three hours to make. As I toured with the band from gig to gig, I secretly worked on the hairbands during rehearsals . They looked so stunning, I could hardly wait to present them!
I passed them out right before their last show on the tour. The band members gasped in delight and immediately attached them around their hair. They then took the stage in front of the sold-out crowd and performed a kick-butt set of tunes. I was so proud to see them rockin' my wares. I fantasized about making Velcro safety pin dread holders for every reggae musician on the planet.
That would never happen, for Velcro and dreadlocks do not make kind company.
During Messenjah's encore song, the Velcro straps separated on Ojiji's new Kathy-made hairband. I didn't make it long enough, and Ojiji's dreads were just too plentiful. I watched in horror as his all his antennae-to-the-universe popped loose. The hairband, stuck to his head by the Velcro, swung back and forth as he swayed during the song. He tried to remove it all swift and ninja-like, but it wouldn't budge.
He had to rrrrippp it away from his hair! One second earlier he was winking at the crowd, dancing and singing in the microphone. The next, he flashed me a look of "Help!"
After the show, I went backstage to check on the damage. My hands over my face, I walked in on the band members - all taking turns peeling off each others hair bands, which had all popped apart and stuck to their dreads, just like Ojiji's. I could tell the guys were super-duper angry because the entire time they spoke in heavy run-on Jamaican patois sentences.
I wanted to cry, and would have, but my dear friend, Ojiji, told me everything would be alright, but I should ditch the whole Velcro-as-an-attachment concept. If the band was mad at me, they didn't let on. When they saw me, they acted very gracious and kind. However, the next day when they each said goodbye to me, they added - "Beautiful artwork, thank you! But Velcro is no good!"
"Next time, I'll color them a postcard with my Pentel markers," I thought.
I'm sharing this story because this week I revisited the safety pin bracelet. I made three versions, but none of them looked like my original designs. I think the above-mentioned experience jinxed me!
I laughed the entire time thinking back to that summer. I feel like I've come so far. I've learned that there is no "one thing" or category or label that defines your style or who you are as an artist. It's the big picture that defines you. Staying with it for the long haul. Having moments of glory, as well as crashing-and-burning. Those are what keep us humble and push us to try harder. Not just with crafting, but with anything in life!
Bottom line, if you want to get crafty, get on it! Don't wait for the perfect idea to come to you, or the right kind of supplies. Try a little bit of each genre (yes, even a skirt!), and then stand back and look at all your work. Determine what unites all of them, find the common thread - that right there is your style!
By the way, Patrick and I have stayed in touch with Ojiji over the years, and he is still writing songs, singing and touring! You can see him in the following video as front man of Messenjah.
Enjoy! By the way, look for "Adventures in safety pins, Part Two" tomorrow!
Remember a while back when I showed off Tulip Cool Color Block? You apply it on fabric before you dye it for an effect like this.
Well, here is the opposite effect! I had some red fabric that I didn't want to toss. I also had a bleach pen. I introduced them to eachother! I simply used the bleach pen to draw a crazy pattern all over the fabric and then washed it off. What came out was a batik-like effect. Now I have my own patterned design!
You can use this on any kind of cotton fabric, printed or not. I think it would look really cool on printed...hmm...I'll have to give that a try real soon!
Here is another project making use of items I found in my art room! This is an old bric-a-brac tray I bought for fifty cents at Goodwill many, many moons ago. I dusted it off and used Aleene's Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage Glossy, old stamps, handmade paper and Crafty Chica rose paper to line the insides. I then used Crafty Chica paints on the outside and the edges, covered the paper with a layer of ATG, and then sealed it all in high gloss varnish!
Now I have a happy tray for my workspace there I can store my favorite writing utensils and such. I really dig this idea because office desk supplies are so bland and expensive at the store. This way you can go to the thrift store where they have stacks of these wood trays, and decorate them in your own style!
Here I am with my crafty homegirls - Cathy of California, Sew Darn Jenny, and Stacy McQueen!! I like how it looks like I'm carrying Stacy around in my backpack...actually, that would make for some exciting times!
LINK TO VIDEO, CLICK HERE! Thanks to everyone who came out! I didn't get to take many pictures or video footage, but I did squeeze in a bit. I wish I could have filmed all day to get everyone who came!! We had such a blast and it was the best one-day trip I ever took. Hope to come back soon!!!
If you were there and have pictures I don't , pretty please send them to me... :-)
Where: Handmade Galleries 14556 Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks, CA
Time: Noon
Be the first to get her new book, Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing, and have her autograph it in person.
Bring your sewing machine for a sewdown or just get the lowdown on appliques and other inspired artforms of the threaded kind. Kathy will provide an in-store demo and bring some projects you can do yourself, too.
Perhaps some of her crafty friends might stop by to join in the fun. So whether you craft or just want to hang out with crazy crafters, come to Handmade Galleries on Sunday, February 22 at Noon.
P.S.
Quick quiz: Which other crafters of note will be joining Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica, at her book launch this Sunday?
Well, if you guessed “All of the above” you are correct!
Sadly, prize money is not involved, but a good time is to be had by all. No RSVP is necessary. Just show up and bring your sewing machine if you want to sewdown with the royals.
Imagine this lantern as raw wood, without any decoration. It sat like that in my art room for several years. I'm on a quest to use up as many of my art supplies before I go buy new ones, so hello, lantern!
Let me back up a sec. Recently we overhauled our art room. We got rid of way too many things we should have used when we first bought them. Some we items we gave to Goodwill, others were so old we had to kiss them and pitch them to the graveyard. Everything left has been sorted and stacked and I intend to use all of it! No more wasting!
Back to the lantern. I didn't want to go the usual route and just line with paper or vellum, so I tried to come up with something different. I used a 1-inch punch and popped out a bunch of circles from my Crafty Chica Mojito paper set.
I then, very carefully, sewed them together in strips and then in grids. I used a line of Liquid Fusion around the inside edges of the lantern's groove and set the paper in. I used a craft knife to cut away any excess paper or threads.
I'm still working on this one, I want to add paint and something ornate on the top ledges. But i'm loving how it looks so far!
As far as the technique, it would be cool to make sheets of this sewn scrap stuff and use it -
- Over sheets of scrapbook paper before you do your layout - To line the front of greeting cards - As wrapping paper. Wrap a square gift in colored tissue and then wrap it in this. - This sounds really crazy, but you could hang it over a window shade you never open.
One of my favorite aspects about living the crafty life is building friendships with other artists. We bond over our favorite techniques and share the drama of making a living from dabbling in paint, glitter and glue. Some of us have been blessed enough to have product lines, and that includes Claudine Hellmuth and her new Studio line!
As artists and friends, whenever one of us comes out with product, we always trade and try out the goods, and best of all network and support eachother! And let me tell you - one item that delighted me was Claudine's Sticky Back Canvas. And it is just that, canvas sheets with adhesive backing.I'll use them for paintings and jewelry, but to start I lined three layers on candle jars, using acrylic paints, dyes and fabric markers for a boutique-worthy effect.
By the way, these are just regular Glade candles - they come with a peel-off label! So you can cover them with your favorite Crafty Chica paper, or fabric, scrapbook paper, lace, paper doilies, ribbon, stickers, trims pictures, or even better, use a photo program to make your own custom labels and scent names. They would be great to give as a gift or use at weddings or parties because you can customize them sooo easy! Because the surface of the candle jar is frosted, you can use Aleene's Original Tacky Glue to affix the above-mentioned items. I woud make sure the ends overlap and glue those down as well.
1 pack of Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas Glass-encased candles (I used Glade and removed the label) Paint of your choice: acrylic, dye, markers Embellishment for the front of the candle Hot glue
Directions
Cut the canvas into desired strips. I used three strips for each candle. Paint each one a contrasting color. Let dry. Remove the paper backing from the largest strip and wrap the canvas around the candle. Repeat with the remaining strips. Add a dab of hot glue to the back of the embellishment and affix to the front of the candle.
Maya and friends. They decided to make robot costumes to wear to the park, where they will shoot some hoops. DeAngelo followed them with a video camera. Great for future blackmail, he says...
CraftZine.com has a hecka lotta of new, cool projects to make! Today I just about spit out my coffee in happy shock when I saw Jenny's project - using my Goddess Gold glitter!!! Look at that gorgeous picture, a money shot indeed! Here are the directions on how to make her project, plus lots of other photos too! Thank you, Jenny!!!
And it's been a year-and-a-half since my agent called me to say "Potter Craft made an offer on your next craft title!"
Let me tell you a bit about publishing a craft book. It's not all sequins and rickrack, but it is ultimately, just as shiny! First you have to compile a book proposal with every selling point of the book you want to write. And then add a detailed outline of what will go on every page. And then it goes to the acquisitions editor and they look at it with a magnifying glass and crunch a bunch of numbers.
For Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing, I went through that process three times with my agent and book editor - fine tuning, changing projects, dialing in the focus a bit more. On the third go-round, exhausted, I sat down and handmade a special Crafty Chica sewing kit for each of the acquisition committee members! The entire time I thought "Please love my book proposal!"
It must have worked because that is the proposal they bought!
That is what I love about the team at Potter. They put so much cariños (extra TLC) into helping me make this page turner the best it could be. From my editors to the publicity staff, even the support staff (thanks, Thom!), they all had a bag of impressive tricks to share. I learned so much and my inspiration doubled! Even the photo shoot was like an art project by itself. My photographer, John Samora, helped me scout cool spots all over Phoenix. I am so happy with how it all came out!
My mission for this book is to prove that sewing is a 'must-do' for the everyday crafter. I meet so many crafters who experiment with crazy technqiues, but who are hesitant to put their foot to the pedal. I consider myself a crafter and artist. I'm not good with patterns, but I love to sew. I wrote this book from a crafter's perspective, in our language. There are gobs of tips from experts, as well as a couple of essays and feature stories. I also share one super easy secret to making your projects look like they took hours to create, but ssshh! they didn't!
I hope it serves as a gateway to many wonderful adventures trimmed in pompom fringe!
Here is some trivia from this process:
- When I started the book, I used a $99 Singer (yes, the one covered in buttons). One of the kind folks at Janome sent me an email asking if I would like to borrow a machine to use for the book. Um, heck yah! A week later, I found myself sitting in front of a high-tech $7,000 piece of machinery. It had a screen that moved up and down, everything was digitized. It even came with a CD with a sci-fi sounding lady who said, "Welcome to the Janome Memory Craft 11000..." Talk about intimidating! I spent the day playing and using it. I didn't use the ultra gourmet features because I wanted to keep the projects universal. Now it is my machine of choice, use all the gadgets features and love them! I'm hooked! :-)
- There is one EASY project in the book that I had made many times before. I bought some pretty (expensive) fabric and sat down to whip it out. My brain chip must have malfunctioned because I forgot how to construct it. I remade the dang thing several times and ruined all the fabric. I was in hysterics by the end of the day. I gave it up and moved on to something else. The next morning in my bed, my eyelids popped open and I rose up like a thirsty Dracula - arms stretched out in front - and I walked to the machine, found a bit more fabric and made the project, like nothing. I don't even think I blinked. Weird. Twilight Zone weird!
- Some of the models in the book are friends and family. One of them is my friend and avid reader, Dolly Diamonds, a burlesque dancer! Patrick's cousins, Carisa and Jesse also posed, as well as some of Maya's friends. Special thanks to them!
- I have two friends who run their own Latinocentric-fashion design company, Lola y lola. They contributed two designs.
- I was soooo excited to put this book together that I went 50 pages over the allotted space! Trimming was like paring down my glitter collection. not easy!
- One of my best friends, Laurie Notaro, wrote the foreward for me, but then it was cut for space. But it is posted HERE!
This time next week, I'll be rocking the sewing machine in Los Angeles at my first booksigning for CRAFTY CHICA'S GUIDE TO ARTFUL SEWING! (Check out the new website for it!)
Here are the details: Crafty Chica's Handmade Crafternoon! Sunday, February 22, 2009 noon-3:30 p.m. Handmade Galleries 14556 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Phone: 818-382-3444 http://handmadegalleriesla.com/directions.html
Come visit, pick up a fresh copy of my new book and make an Chica-ized applique to take home and use in one of your own sewing projects!
If you have not visited ThreadBanger.com, you must do so now! it is filled with so many brilliant videos and ideas! Thank you, Rob and Corrine, for making me a part of this episode! (Gosh, I wish I had put on lipstick!)
Nana Cano's shrine: buttons and thread for her sewing, chilis, beans and a cornhusk for her cooking, a phone for her juicy conversations, an elephant because she loved and collected them (decorations), crocheted lace because she did that too, silk leaves and roses because she had a green thumb, her medals for her faith...who knew so much could fit in a tiny tin?
I started cleaning out the art room Friday night and became so frustrated and overwhelmed at the mess, that Patrick made me leave the area so he could take over the chore. It's been several days and everything is still a shambles! Now he is frustrated and overwhelmed! I have a bad habit of not throwing anything away. I also like to save wood cigar boxes and fill them with the treasures I horde. I can't even bear to toss out shreds of gourmet paper - I sew them together to make bigger sheets of paper! Seriously! It's almost obsessive compulsive! It is my dirty little secret! You would all gasp in horror if you saw my work room!
I can talk about it now because it is halfway finished being cleaned and organized. Sort of. I was in there tonight and Patrick moved EVERYTHING. I had such a hard time finding anything. As manic as it was, I was used to my little system. He asked me to be patient, so I am.
One thing he did come across that I was very happy about, was this little mint tin shrine I made a long time ago for my Nana Cano. Now that my sewing bookcomes out in a few days, I've been thinking about her so much (she was a talented seamstress!) and I teared up when I saw it.
The week before a book comes out is always scary - wondering if it will sell, if people will like it, if I did everything right, etc...
This little memento is a sure sign all will be well! And I will most certainly take better care of it! I made this shrine to her when I first started sewing to empower me. I placed it on top of one of my shelves and my supplies grew over it like cat claw vines on a gate. Who would have ever thought that years later I'd write a whole book about sewing, much less find this shrine that inspired the whole thing!
Well, I'm off to work on some more things in the art room for tonight. Oh! One more thing!
I took a smidgen of video of the Crafty Chica corner at CHA on my FlipVideo and then forgot about it! Maya found it and made a little presentation. It is very Cloverfield, because I was so excited for the showfloor to open. It might give you motion sickness, but then it is only one minute long!
These are great for serving up breakfast in bed in style!
Supplies: 1 tray of silicone mini-heart molds (I bought mine at Target’s Dollar Spot) 1 cup of granulated sugar A few drops of water Bowl and spoon Index card Plate Icing Edible decoration (M&M, heart candy, etc)
Directions: Pour the sugar in the bowl and add a few drops of water. Mix with spoon until sugar has the consistency of wet sand. Pack the sugar very tight into the molds (no more than two at a time). Place the index card over the mold and carefully turn it over so sugar hearts slip out onto the index card. Let harden for one hour. Decorate with icing and edible decorations.
Valentine's Day is just a bit away, have you made a love shrine yet? Here are some pictures from the Crafty Chica Inspiration Gallery, where crafty peeps from all over the country have whipped up some beautiful creations using Crafty Chica products! It blows me away to see all the different things that come from using the same materials. Keep sending the photos!
If you want to make your own, start with a Crafty Chica Love Shrine Workshop-In-A-Box! I designed this kit and included everything you need to summon Cupid your way. All you need is to add are pictures!
I am so sorry I haven't been able to respond to emails! I went straight from CHA to wrapping up my last days of my novel edits, so I've been on lockdown!
As soon as I emerge, I'll cook up and share somenew projects, give cruise info, an AWESOME contest, tour dates, and new book info, prizes, etc!!
I've been getting tagged for the past two weeks for this, so I'm going to just do it!
1. I was bit in the face by a basset hound in 1st grade and was afraid of dogs for years afterward. Every time I would see a loose dog, or hear what sounded like a dog collar jingling, I would run and scream.
2. Over the years, because of number one, I have been chased by two wiener dogs (simultaneously), a sheep dog, a poodle, and numerous strays.
3. I now own five Chihuahuas and am still kinda scared of dogs!
4. In second grade I smothered a hot dog in yellow mustard and have not eaten the yellow stuff since. I think I ate a lifetime's worth in that one hot dog!
5. My favorite city in the world is London, and I've been there three times and hope to return soon!
6. I never ate Mexican food until my first date with Patrick (my husband). He made me try a chimichanga.
7. I fell in love with Patrick the first time I saw him! It was when I worked at the traffic court. It was his first day working there and he asked me where he could find a dolly. He meant a hand cart, but I was thinking "I'll be your dolly!!!"
8. I've had a lot of crazy jobs. I was a shift manager at a Jack in the Box in high school and almost got beat up by a drunk chola on the graveyard shift!! I was a road manager for a touring Jamaican reggae band, I was a cocktail waitress at a Jamaican nightclub for one night, I made life-size sandwich costumes for a parade. I was a back-up singer for two gigs. I used to style photo shoots for the newspaper, I was an appeals clerk for traffic court, I worked in PR for while, wrote a lot of press releases - one of them made it on the Jay Leno Show for Boogers Candy! I used to review movies and interview movie stars for the newspaper. I have been kissed on the cheek by The Rock, Ewan McGregor, and one time i asked Jake Gyllenhaal what he had in his pocket and he said "Let me see...oh, I have your phone number!"
9. I almost died from complications from both pregnancies. I remind my kids every time they test my last nerve!
10. I'm left handed but cut right handed because there were no lefthanded scissors in grade school.
11. I type with four fingers - both index fingers and both thumbs.
12. It is few and far between, but when I get mad, I get REALLY mad and get super strength like the Hulk. i have thrown a Christmas tree across the living room, crushed 12 unopened beers cans two at a time with my bare hands... and hmmm...I think that is it.
13. I was 16 the first time a boy held my hand (it was to tell me he only liked me as a friend) and 18 when I had my first kiss.
14. I've been in one serious car accident. 8-months pregnant and it flipped over on the freeway.
15. I used to make African-themed jewelry when I first started crafting and selling my work. I was at a concert and a girl asked me, "Are you Black?" I said, "No, I'm Mexican-American" and she said, "Well, why don't you make Mexican jewelry?" and I said, "You know, good idea, I think I will do that!"
16. Reggae is my favorite music, I love to listen to it while I work in my studio. i don't like nasty dancehall or old school Bob Marley. I like everything inbetween as long as it is uplifting and empowering.
17. Over the years, i have been lazy with crafting and have hurt myself. Three pencil stabs, three hot glue burns, one large cut from a hot knife, and my nail punctured by the sewing machine while watching "American Me". Do not try to sew handbags while watching cholo prison flicks!
18. Within one month (years ago), I had long hair to my shoulders, then cut it in a flat top, then got lonnnggg hair extensions that went below my waist, and then picked them out with my fingers waiting for a friend at the bus station. Then my hair was a short bob and I left it alone!
19. I like to give gifts to strangers as a random acts of kindness kind of thing.
20. One of my picture frames was used in a Fresh Prince of Bel Air set; Helena Bonham Carter asked for a signed copy of my last book, I signed it and made her jewelry; I made jewelry boxes for the cast of Frida!
21. Mean people make me sad and I make it a mission to try and make them happy only to sometimes get burned in the process. Especially mean people who choose to be evil, hurtful and hateful for silly reasons. Life is too short! Luckily, I've only encountered one or two of those people and stay far, far away :-)
22. I'm a wimp when I'm away from my family because I miss them!
23. If it weren't for my husband convincing me to pursue my crafts, I would be working in PR, likely.
24. I prefer flour tortillas over corn.
25. I need to spend less time on the computer! Peace, love, and glitter! Kathy :-)
Copyright, Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2008. From the book, Bead Simple by Susan Beal.
Love is multi-layered and complex. So this wild and whimsical charm has everything you need to get lucky in the romance department: lots of hearts, milagros, and a few other surprises. You can show it off by wearing it as a necklace, a belt charm, or even a car ornament. Believe me - you will get noticed!
It is really hard to see from the picture, but this box has different "layers" from a postcard (gotta love SHAG!). to make it, you take one box, cover the inside with paint, glue, and glitter. You then cut the designs out ofthe postcard - the backing, the mid-section and then the main image. You reassemble them in the box using different thicknesses of foam core. I used hot glue to attach. I also added some glittery greenery and accents on the outside.
