Cheri Hiers’ Whimsical Fairies

By Kathryn Peck

“It is an expression of who I am,” says Cheri Hiers of the work she does. “It is my way to offer a piece of my world to my collectors."

Cheri is the artist behind Lauren Alexander Faeries, and she has been sculpting fairies since 1995. Interestingly, Cheri says she never collected dolls or fairies as a child. It wasn’t until she spotted a doll named Willow by Dianna Effner at a craft show that she felt the impulse to become involved in the world of dolls and fairies. “Something about Willow was not like the other porcelain dolls I had seen,” says Cheri. “She was elf-like and whimsical, and that called to me.”

Cheri began with larger porcelain designs, but she credits her transition to miniatures to a tiny felt elf she spotted in a magazine that was created by R. John Wright.

Today, Cheri works out of her home studio in Ormond Beach, Fla. Her fairies are largely made of Prosculpt®, but that doesn’t stop Cheri from experimenting in other clay mixtures as well. Her fairies have handmade and hand-painted inset eyes and wigs made of mohair, Tibetan lambs wool, or viscose. Her fairies are often without clothes, but silk netting, lace, trim, suede, and even clay may be used for clothing when chosen; according to Cheri, it’s “whatever that little fairy requests.”

Each fairy is a unique one-of-a-kind creation that measure between 8 and 12 inches. “They are created somewhere between head, heart, and hands and are as different as each person is different.” Ariel, for instance, is an 11½-inch one-of-a-kind polymer clay fairy with handmade eyes and applied lashes. Her crown is made of polymer clay and decorated with amethyst stones. She is dressed in dyed silk net with a silk floral trim, and her wings were created by the artist. She also comes complete with her antique-style freestanding mirror. Believe is also a one-of-a-kind polymer clay creation with inset hand-painted eyes and applied lashes. Her wings are made of silk and she sits atop a wooden ball and base.

For Penelope, Cheri knew she wanted to do something different. “As her little face was being sculpted, a little smile began to form and soon enough there were little teeth showing,” says Cheri. “All the while she was saying to me, ‘red hair is a must and by the way, can I hold one of those little glass balls that you have in your cabinet?’” Penelope is a 12-inch one-of-a-kind polymer fairy with red viscose hair. Her dress is fashioned of antique lace and silk flowers, and her wings are made of silk.

To the top of her wings, Contemplation measures 10 inches. She is a one-of-a-kind creation and sits atop a one-of-a-kind polymer clay mushroom. “Contemplation is so deep in thought that her name was most appropriate,” says Cheri. “She is the thinker of my group.”

Ultimately, Cheri describes her one-of-a-kind fairies as simple, whimsical, sometimes silly, and sometimes shy. “They are what my personality is.”

For more on Cheri’s fairies, visit: http://imageevent.com/cherihiers.

This article is a Doll Reader E-Newsletter and Web exclusive.