About Kathy Cano-Murillo

Kathy Cano-Murillo is the founder of CraftyChica®. She is a former syndicated newspaper columnist and now a full-time creativepreneur and has authored a dozen books, including two novels and the best seller – Forever Frida. Kathy is a seasoned speaker and storyteller. Her CraftyChica designs have been sold on HSN, at Barnes & Noble, Michaels, and hundreds of pottery, craft, and fabric shops across the country.

Kathy’s mission is to promote positivity via creativity!

Features include Forbes, The New York Times, Buzzfeed+ more.

Kathy is :

Third generation Mexican-American.

Native Phoenician.

A fourth generation “maker.”

Left-handed, middle child, Sagittarian.

Hates raw onions and bell peppers (raw and cooked).

Is recent newly-minted Nana Chica!

CraftyChica® origin story

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

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

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

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

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

Something still itched at my spirit.

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

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

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

My national product line debuted in 2008 at Michaels Stores.

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

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

Evolving. Reinventing. Sharing. GETTING MY LIFE!

Highlights about Kathy Cano-Murillo:

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

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

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

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

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

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