I love to read. I can’t go to sleep without reading before bed. Often it’s just a few minutes before I fall asleep with a book in my hand but I have to get that calming time in. I have listed the books I love and why. Twenty years ago, when photos of my dolls started appearing in magazines there wasn’t a lot of opportunity to write anything about them and doll magazines weren’t as sophisticated as they are now. After I wrote my book Sculpting Dolls in Super Sculpey, I realized how much I enjoyed writing. Since then when submitting my work for publication I try to write something meaningful and hope the editor will include it. Often they do.
After college I joined a creative writing group taught by a well-known author with ties to the Yale Community. I stayed in that group for quite a few years and loved the art of story-telling. It was always in the back of my mind to go back to it someday. After a life-time of making unique dolls, a few years ago I decided there was a story in many of them. I found a children’s writing group in my town and gave it a try. Once again I met some wonderful friends, especially my mentor and multi-published author Renee who has been supportive, caring and always urging me to keep going. I have submitted a moving story about what else-a doll to some publishers and am hoping for the best. I will keep blogging about my writing group and any tips I can pass on to aspiring writers!
My book, "Sculpting Dolls in Super Sculpey"
1995: Sculpting Dolls In Super Sculpey, Jones Publishing, Inc., N7450 Aanstad Road, P.O. Box 5000, Iola, WI, 54945
Phone: (715) 445-5000, Fax: (715) 445-4053, ISBN Number 1-879825-20-1
Bonanza - Celebrity Look Alike Dolls! Featured in Art Doll Quarterly Magazine.
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Bluebell
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Two years ago I wrote a story about a doll named Bluebell. This is a synopsis of the story. I am sending it to publishers now with fingers crossed. I will keep you posted.
“The lid closed. I do not know what happened to me after that…until I heard a voice very close to me. ‘This old trunk must have gone through a fire, by the looks of it.’ I heard a woman’s voice as the lid squeaked open and a burst of light blinded me.”
This is the opening to my book MY NAME IS BLUEBELL. Bluebell is a cloth doll made by a slave during the civil war era. She is discovered in an old trunk 150 years later by Cloe and her grandmother. The trunk holds many treasures and each one helps Cloe make a connection to her past, and starts her researching her family tree.
Education Publications and Achievements
Education
Master of Arts in Writing and Oral Traditions, The Graduate Institute
Bachelor of Arts, Quinnipiac University
Academic Publications
May 2018: Story Creation Begins with Asking the Right Questions. The Graduate Institute, Bethany CT.
Admissions Counselor
The Graduate Institute, Bethany CT
State of Connecticut Certified Justice of the Peace
Appointment Valid: January 2, 2017 - January 4, 2021
Town of Hamden - Groups and Achievements
2018: Founder - Suburban Writers, Illustrators & Storytellers
2013: Appointed Hamden Arts Commissioner
Founder – Hamden Crafters
Member – Hamden Quilters
Member – SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)
1985-1995 - Member and volunteer for New Haven Arts Council
1985-1995 - Member and volunteer for New Haven Arts Council
2018: Story Creation Begins with Asking the Right Questions, The Graduate Institute, Bethany CT
2018: “My Name is Bluebell: The Story of a Civil War Stowaway,” Copyright © Cheryl Riello. Published in “Where the Words Await: Walking the Writer’s Path” by TGI Creative Writers. Ten Scribblers Press.
1995: Sculpting Dolls In Super Sculpey, Jones Publishing, Inc., N7450 Aanstad Road, P.O. Box 5000, Iola, WI, 54945
Phone: (715) 445-5000, Fax: (715) 445-4053, ISBN Number 1-879825-20-1
International Magazines:
Nov/Dec/Jan 2014: "Ralph & Justin," Art Doll Quarterly
Aug/Sept/Oct 2008: "Crackle-Finished Green Man", Art Doll Quarterly
Oct/Nov 2005: "Meet Mrs. G.", Page 9, Doll Magazine (The International Doll Collectors' Magazine)
Aug/Sept 2005: "The Cartwrights of TV's Bonanza", Doll Gallery, Doll Magazine (The International Doll Collectors' Magazine)
Fall, 2002: "Making a Mold from a Sculpted Head", Dolls in Miniature Magazine
March, 1997: "Another Innovative Dollmaker", Readers Speak Out, Dollcrafter
Feb/March 1997: "Caralynn," Debut, Contemporary Doll Collector
August, 1996: Booksigning, "Update, In The News", Dollmaking Crafts and Designs
July, 1996: "Jolie", Fresh Faces, Dolls, The Collector's Magazine
August 1995: "Kitchen Witch," Dollmaking Crafts and Designs
Dec/Jan 1995: "Chenille", Debut, Contemporary Doll Collector
Aug/Sept 1994: "Mr. Yubin and Grandpa Tyler", Debut, Contemporary Doll Collector
March, 1994: "Ricci and Kirby", Gallery, Contemporary Doll Magazine
February, 1994: "Madam Bouveau", Fresh Faces, Dolls, The Collector's Magazine
November, 1993: "Miss Isabella", Fresh Faces, Dolls, The Collector's Magazine
Articles and Exhibitions:
February-March, 1999: Exhibit: Miller Memorial Library, Hamden, Connecticut
November, 1998: "Into The Dollhouse With Cheryl", Hamden Journal
December, 1997: Exhibit. Featured Artist, "Christmas In The Mansion, Lauralton Hall, Milford, Connecticut
November, 1995: Exhibit: Miller Memorial Library, Hamden, Connecticut
October, 1995: "Dollmaker Leaves Her Worries Behind", The Hamden Chronicle
1995: "One Artist's Evolution", The Victorian Mercantile
1995: On-Line Library, "One Artist's Evolution" and photograph, Crafts Forum, CompuServe
February, 1995: "Oh You Beautiful Doll," The New Haven Register
1992 to 1994: Paddywhack's Attic, Essex, Connecticut
1990: Webb Gallery, Woodbridge, Connecticut
January, 1989: "Fun and Fantasy for the Holidays", Wave Gallery, Shubert Performing Arts Center Complex, New Haven
October, 1988: Solo Exhibit of over 100 sculptures, Wave Gallery Annex, Shubert Performing Arts Center Complex, New Haven
May, 1988: "Yale People", Yale Weekly Bulletin and Calendar
Instructions and Classes:
Demonstrator, new and current arts and crafts materials, "American Art Clay Company", Indianapolis, Indiana
Instructor, Arts and Crafts, Hamden and Cheshire Adult Education
Instructor, Arts and Crafts classes at "Craftworks", Orange, CT; "Michaels", Newington, CT; "Walmart",Wallingford, CT; "Frank's Nursery and Crafts"; Orange, Milford, Branford, CT
Instructor, Arts and Crafts classes at Parkville Senior Center, Hartford, CT
Instructor, Afterschool programs in the Connecticut public school system 2/99
Fabulous! There are very, very few people who can do something like this--a truly unique talent.
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