Hi......I know its been awhile

Hi! I know its been quite some time since my last post. I have been going through a few life changing events. In February I lost a piece of my heart. My grandmother passed away unexpected. I hope to be able to write more about this soon, I am still unable for now...it hurts so much to realize she is no longer with us. The one thing that comforts me, I know she is now with Christ our Lord. In peace.
I was in the middle of an out of state move at the time. Another reason I have had so little time. I hope to get back to work very soon now. I wanted to let you know, I haven't forgotten you and have sat down many times hoping to update my page.




The good news....I have new photos!! Here are the pieces I was working on before we left Texas to Baton Rouge, LA. I will start updating again often. Thank you so much for being here!

Here are a few green ware pieces being cleaned & prepped for their first firing in the kiln.



I adore this color, it is Magnolia White. You can see my first porcelain fairy on the right.



These pieces are in various stages of China painting.



Here you can see the same Magnolia White porcelain after a few layers of blushing with China paints.



One of the two pieces that need one last layer of color on their lips.



In the next few weeks I will complete wigs for this BJD as well as clothing, accessories & wings. She will be my first complete porcelain BJD. (Ball jointed doll)



More photos soon!

One more for now.....

Here is the other face I've been working on. She will be fired again soon......more to come



Have a wonderful week!

Next Layer ~ Unfired china paint

Update...still painting...
January 25, 2012

This one was taken under a magnifying lamp, before a few more finishing touches were made.



These pieces will be fired again in the kiln this weekend.

New photos of china painted pieces

The two BJD's that you see with the eyes painted, only need one more layer of china paint before I can put them together! The others will be finished shortly. At first I was worried that I wouldn't have enough ideas....now they continue to flood in....I wish I was able to work quicker now!



(Blushed Baby, cat & bear)



This one only needs one more layer of paint, then I will begin her wigs & accessories!



More photos soon....please check back often.

Life's little Epiphany's!

The first of my baby BJD's are in the kiln, so I thought this would be the perfect time to update my blog.
These are a few more of my journal entries. I was going to post my newest one, as I read through previous pages I realized a two year old thought seemed to be the first part of this revelation .....there was just a missing piece I didn't have at the time. Funny how life works. So I will add both here.

June 11, 2010

I never intended to include thoughts behind my work in my journal....but why
not. It may do some good. I've been sitting here thinking of new ideas while furring a Fairy bear this morning. All the while asking myself why I love so many diverse styles & subjects....what does this say about my personality? My taste changes with my mood it seems. I have basic things I am drawn to. It may take some digging into my soul, into my heart and my past even for me to figure out the why of it.

Usually I find something interesting about myself I didn't recognize before now. A self revelation I guess.
As I was thinking of a few things I love, pretty light colors, deep rich luscious jewel tones. Frilly girly lacy, delicate, old Victorian and regal fashion.....textures, cupcakes, sweets...ballerinas, leather, metal, skulls, vampires, goth........

Ahhhh I've got it!

I seem to be drawn and inspired by complete opposite extremes! What does this say about me? Hmmm.... Well if I think all the way back to the why, when and how it all began as a child. When I first started to draw and create, these things were all ready showing. I didn't realize it until right now, this morning. From drawing happy childhood dreams to partial taxidermy and working with skulls and bones...LOL (Native art) It stems from my childhood. Okay I turned 36 last month and I'm still getting to know myself...strange?

On the one consistent side my grandma. Sweet, loving, caring...taking me to church, brunch with her friends, boutiques....watching Davy & Goliath....educational toys, classic music...teaching me to play the piano....sending me to private school......All love, sweet & calm. I spent weekends and even years living with my grandma. She has always been like a second mother to me.

Now life with my parents and brother. My father made life at home total Chaos!
An alcoholic, drug abusing, self indulgent, self immersed father. Daily yelling rages, never knowing what may happen from one moment to the next when
he decided to snap. A decent father on extremely rare occasions, while most of the time he seemed like he was possessed by Satan himself.

You start to see the picture being framed here. My childhood...if you could call it that, consisted of floating back and forth between the two. Love, fear, caring, rage, sweetness, anger, calm......abuse. And I have to wonder why my interests go back and forth. I can tell you one thing, figuring this out has given me an inner peace. Knowing why .....ahhhhh deep breath and a looooong exhale. From this day forth I will embrace my drastically diverse loves and inspirations. A solemn promise to myself expression. I feel as if I was given a new Freedom & Wings!

Sweet Lost Innocence.

Who would have known sitting cutting flocking would end up being so therapeutic?
A little laugh and giggle to myself. (Happy Heart)

.................................................................... I have earlier journal writings I will share at the right time. .....................................................................









((Additional pictures below))

Now we fast forward to January 2, 2012 Recently I have been rediscovering how miraculous our minds are. Each of us being unique, not only by our physical features but also our psyche.
Our spirit within is made up of various aspects. From everyday experiences down to minute details our subconscious holds dear. These smaller details, which may at the time seem insignificant. Our spirit knows better. It locks them away, hidden for future revelations,,,,A time when we are a little more prepared or open to realize who we have become. ....who we are now in this moment. Made up of time, relationships, faith, our emotions and our choices.

Our spirit knows when we are ready for these discoveries. Things that when we are made aware of, lift us up to the next step of our journey. I recently had one of life's little Epiphany's. I have always wondered why my interests are so diverse. I am not easily swayed by trends. I love certain things & they have stuck with me thoughout my life.

This last week my husband had a new series...(new to us)...he wanted to watch about a motorcycle club. At first I wasn't interested. The more I thought about it, I thought it would just be fun to spend time with Phil and relax. About half way through the second season it finally hit me....Oh my gosh!!! My love of skulls, leather, boots...goth and my slightly rocker style ...my darker side that emerges at times. I just thought I had a twisted way of thinking. At the same time I love my girly diva like fashion....LOL

Memories started flooding in, swirling around in my head waiting for me to catch my breath and understand. This was such a major part of my life until I was around nine years old. My father, his friends........more memories. The motorcycles he would custom build for himself in the living room of our apartment. The toy runs we went on each year....so many memories, somehow when I pushed out part of my childhood I couldn't deal with. These were shoved in a drawer right along with those.

I felt like someone smacked me upside the head & said FINALLY you are beginning to understand!!!! This is a part of who I am. My parents had quite a few other interests, hobbies and ways of making a living throughout my life. Varying from a commercial fishing boat, the entire family working in the entertainment field, jewelry making,....more about this another day.

For now I'm just letting this really set in. Here I always hope my art will do this for others. I have been praying recently to understand what makes me tick....why I love the things I do....as crazy as some of them seem together. I feel at peace to have the puzzle being put together now. Slowly, but it is a serene feeling!

China painting table & chair (Christmas present)







One of my favorite pairs of boots



I will add photos of the dolls as soon as they come out of the kiln. : ))

Free Gift ~ How To Make Ooak Iridescent Fairy Wings Book

Hi!! Here is the gift I promised earlier this week.
I hope you enjoy using this tutorial.

Click on each photo for the full version : )

Each page has clear written instructions and a color photo for each step. Taking you through the process to make your own Iridescent Fairy wings quickly & easily.
The first photo shows an example of the wings I make using this same technique.
You will also receive the wing armature guide, so there is no guess work at all.
Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have. Thank you for looking.
Update to supply list:
My favorite medium for the "wing glaze" is Gem Tac, or Bond Sure Grip glue. Both can be found at www.polymerclayexpress.com, either one works perfectly. Gem Tac is much easier to find. It can be purchased at and craft store or online. Wings should always be sealed with an acrylic outdoor sealer such as Plaid Folk Art Outdoor Gloss Sealer.
Please let me know if you need any help as you go along. Talk to you soon, Cheri












































You will need to register on the forum. Here is another tutorial I made on sculpting your own Fairy Mushroom Base!

Click here to register on CDHM, Free Tutorial..Sculpt your won Fairy Mushroom Base

Free gift will be added here in a few days! Journal entry I mentioned last week : )

I was sitting here at my work table, I set up an area designated to clean green-ware. I was going through the sealed containers where the pieces safely sit until I can get to them.

I came across a few heads that I didn't have the heart to throw into the reclaim bucket....their little adorable faces seemed to beg to come to life for someone to enjoy...even if that someone may just be me.

Each had missing chunks and pieces, but I thought maybe....just maybe they could be saved.

My work has been sitting here patiently waiting for me while I have been coming to terms with things happening in my family.Two major things happened a little over a month ago now. While they are devastating, I think it has made our families stronger and brought us together. On my side of the family, my grandma fell and shattered part of her leg. She needed to have surgery to insure she will be able to walk again after therapy.

Surgery at any age is scary and full of risks, my grandma is 94. She decided to go through with it. She is now doing well and undergoing therapy. All the things happening in my husbands family & mine keep going around and around in my head while I sit looking at my work. (Art has always been the best therapy for me!)

I thought to myself, if my grandma can be so brave....why then do I lack the confidence I need to succeed with my work? In that instant I thought .... my problem is so small and amounts to nothing at all compared to what my grandma has gone through. Why would I let small pieces of clay intimidate me???

NO MORE!!!

I picked up the first head that I had thrown in the container headed for the reclaim bucket. It was a mess!

Borrowing strength from my grandma's bravery, I said a little prayer and asked God to help me through this.





These photos are before and after of the things that can be accomplished when you realize all you need is confidence and faith.

Now I know this may seem small to many of you. This has actually helped with much more than just my art. I have been able to move forward from a few very trying circumstances in my life. Things that only a few short weeks ago were devastating to me.







I am now drawing strength from these things with God's help and guidance. I have realized, the only thing that has been holding me back......was myself!

I am now working past my old ways of the past having a grasp on my future. I have broken free of the chains. With an unburdened & strengthened heart full of faith and confidence!

Please visit again in a few days, I have a gift for all my my artist friends.