Connecting to Passion: Crafts, Drama and Glitter

When I think about living a passionate life, I think of Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo. When it comes to crafts, she definitely wears her passion on her glittered sleeves. A columnist, artist, branding expert, and author (I'm sure I'm missing a few...hundred titles), Kathy is one of the hardest working creative women I've met. She shares a bit about her creative process and passionate living.

You're such a prolific artist. It seems as if you have to create. I envision your craft process like a swirling tornado of creativity that settles into something beautiful. Is your process chaotic order like that or is it a more meditative process?
It's a little of both. I get my best creative bursts while I'm doing things like cleaning the kitchen, driving, or trying to sleep at night. I daydream about crafts. In my daydreams, when an idea comes, it has rays glowing from it and I hear an angel chorus of "Laaaaa!" And then I can hardly wait to go make it! I hurry up and finish my chores and then head to the art room to make the ideas happen. I also like to sketch and brainstorm ideas. If I go into the art room and say, "what should I  make?" I get stifled, because I'm thinking too hard about it. But if I just go on with my daily life, the ideas come to me naturally. Sometimes it means staying away from the art room until the magic happens.

We hear the same advice all the time -- do what you are passionate about. How does your passion for culture and crafts play a role in your daily life of crafts, drama and glitter?
I have always stuck to making things I love. As soon as I try to follow a formula or copy an idea, it falls FLAT. Therefore, I celebrate the things I love, the things that make me happy and they become the themes and foundations for what I make. As far as crafts, drama and glitter - those are natural things that go together. We craft because we are expressing ourselves, and there is always drama in daily life with family, work, etc. But my goal is to always have everything end with a sparkle - that is where the glitter comes in. 

Do you ever make (or have you ever made) anything that you're not passionate about?
Yes! I write a weekly craft column and sometimes it is hard to make projects to fit the different holidays and keep them fresh. Also, I have to show different genres from week to week. It can be hard, but I like it because it has trained me to cross-pollinate craft techniques and has pushed me to be a better artist. It is good to break out of your comfort zone! In the end, I end up being passionate about it :-)

Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other artists and crafters on living passionately doing what you love?
Keep doing it and if you want to grow a brand with it, make use of the networking sites, interact with others, share ideas. Take pictures of everything! Look into teaching workshops, taking workshops, writng press releases, etc...

GIVEAWAY!!! Kathy Cano-Murillo has offered to give one signed copy of her latest book, Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter. Leave a post-related comment for your chance to win (today only). 

Comments

[Zenzele]

I love Crafty Chica's website, and her designs. Reading this post has given me the necessary boost I need, to start getting creative again.

[Krista]

My whole life I have been wanting to be able to somehow use my creativity in a job. I got married last year and my husband has been encouraging me to do the same thing. So recently I have started selling things I make on etsy.com. This article has encouraged and inspired me all the more! Thank you!

[Jen]

I appreciate the comment at the end of the post about the importance of what comes after the making -- the need to be smart about using social networks (online and offline). I needed to hear that reminder! Thanks!

[KnittyKitty]

I love Crafty Chica! Her enthusiasm for all things crafty has gotten me thinking how I can expand my crafting in some way to make it my career.

[Becky]

I too love Crafty Chica!!! I've been collecting bits and pieces to make my own Craft "shrine." It's so kitsch and soooo cool! Must go create!

[Micki W]

I absolutely love your site. Found it on Ravelry looking for sweater patterns and you are now boomarked Chica!!! Thank you for all that you do!
I will be reading for days!
Micki

[L'Tanya]

Congratulations KnittyKitty. I know you'll enjoy Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing.