The Crafty Chica Creates!: Latinx-Inspired DIY Projects with Spirit and Sparkle

by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Join the Queen of Latina Style to make joyous, vibrant, sparkly Latin-inspired crafts that are stunning to look at yet surprisingly easy to make.

The Crafty Chica is back! In The Crafty Chica Creates!, a revised and expanded edition of The Crafty Chica Collection, Kathy Cano Murillo enthusiastically welcomes you into her world of making and affirmational thinking with colorful, Latin-style craft projects inspired by her Mexican heritage.

With 45 projects—26 completely new joining 19 previous favorites—get fun techniques for painting, sewing, mixed media, clay, and paper crafts using affordable and recycled materials. While some are more in-depth than others, the projects are ideal for all skill levels. The Crafty Chica welcomes you to infuse the projects with elements of your own cultural heritage to make them personal and unique.

Each project is presented with a materials list, clear step-by-step instructions, a large photo of the finished project, and the personal and cultural history behind it.

Organized by category—Clothing, Artful Affirmations, Home Accessories, Jewelry and Accessories, Garden Decorations, and Fiesta—the projects include:

• Milagros (miracle charms) layered resin phone grip
• Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) papier-mache dog sculpture
• Stamped clay folk-art boxes and ring dish
• A stunning poncho made from Mexican scarves
• A picture frame upcycled with an embroidered blouse

 
As you embrace the Latino culture or let your cultural heritage shine with creative crafts, you’ll discover:

• Innovative ways to work with a wide range of materials, including air-dry clay, resin, and fabric
• How to fully embrace vivid color palettes
• Ways of repurposing everyday supplies into gorgeous art pieces that make great gifts
• Great techniques for sculpting, sewing, painting, and embellishing that will boost skills and confidence

 
Whether you are looking for dazzling things to make for group crafting, to decorate your casa or workplace, to release stress and lift your mood, or for gift giving, The Crafty Chica Creates! is your friendly, inspiring guide.

• ISBN13: 9780760372180
• Publish Date: 28 December 2021 (first published 7 December 2021)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 23 June 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Quarry Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 128
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The New Crafty Chica Collection is an upbeat and beautifully curated collection of crafting tutorials with a Latin twist by Kathy Cano Murillo. Released 4th Jan 2022 by Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 128 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

There are so many pretty projects in this collection that grabbed my attention right away. The book is *full* of colorful and exuberant pieces which are also well made and stylish. Many are utilitarian and some are simply decorative. The book is arranged logically with project tutorials grouped thematically: clothing, affirmations, home decor, jewelry, garden decor, and fiesta. Each tutorial includes a tools and materials list in a highlighted text box, followed by step-by-step directions. I liked that the tools and materials lists are -very- comprehensive, even listing things like straight pins and markers which many (MANY) tutorial guides leave out.

The photography is abundant, clear, and easy to understand throughout. Definitely a plus for this collection. The emphasis is on Latin design and color and the author provides translations with a warm and friendly tone, inviting readers to share in appreciating and celebrating Latin culture. I loved so many of these designs and despite being a half-Jewish half-Irish kid, I reallly want to make *most* of these for myself or as gifts. I even followed her blog (this is a big thing for me since I have more projects to finish than I could possibly do in my lifetime, even if I live to be 437 years old).

Five stars. This would make a superlative selection for public or school library acquisition, maker's groups, activity groups, or the home studio. So much good material for inspiration here. (I love the repurposed vinyl LP cover journal so much)!

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.