Cindy Houot of Angel Heart Designs creates ceramics that speak from her heart to ours. From whimsical cupcakes on a shelf to a royal clock on a wall, from a hand-built rose drawer pull you can add to a dresser drawer to a ceramic wall plaque you can hang with a pretty ribbon, Angel Heart Designs are designed to fill those empty corners of our days. Each of Cindy's creations touches our hearts in a meaningful way, whether it's with a few lovely words of encouragement, a piece with a deeper message, or just something that makes you smile.
Cindy, you've said you first discovered your creativity in your third grade art class. Can you tell us about what happened?

Yes! We were having a painting class, and my teacher, Mrs. Burns, had us paint  birds in the sky. I painted a white dove on a deep blue background and thought it looked terrible and started to cry. My teacher came to me and told me how beautiful it was and it made her smile and that all art is not perfect, and I shouldn't be sad. Some classmates started to giggle. At that point,  Mrs Burns took my painting and put it on the wall and told everyone this was art! I was tickled and thrilled and realized all art is beautiful.

Who inspired you to pursue a career in art and to eventually start your own business?

Many years later in high school, it was not a painting class, but a metal arts fabrication class that interested me. My parents invited my art teacher over for dinner to discuss art colleges and if he thought I was talented. This was brought about by the Mothers Day gift that I made for my mother. It was a simple, elegant, solid gold three-ring braided wire ring—difficult for a beginner. My mother was surprised. I had it engraved, "To the greatest Mother, Love Cindy," which she gave to me when I got married to bring me good luck. I guess it did; I'm married to the same wonderful Frenchman for 30 years! So I would say, my mother was my inspiration. She saw a talent and encouraged me to attend a school to perfect my craft. Later on, my mother encouraged me to start a jewelry design line of handmade ceramic beads, the beginning of my own businesses.

Can you describe the path you took to becoming an artist with her own business? How did you start out, and what steps brought you here? Your style isn't traditional pottery. How would you describe your style?

After starting my ceramic bead business, wanting to try something different, I went back to painting, this time as a decorative painter. I was a tole painter—I painted on children's furniture, Angels, Hearts, and different designs, but again looking for another medium. That's when I found clay. I don't like to throw on a wheel, so I started to learn everything about hand-building my pieces. I love flowers and the cottage look and focused my style on that.

Your ceramic wall plaques make people smile and reflect with messages like, "Today I will do something for me," and, "Laughing is inner jogging." Where do you find the ideas and inspiration for the messages on your plaques?

In everyday life! I am grateful for every day. I love the sunshine, the rain, and when life is full of lemons, I make lemonade.

What types of marketing have worked well for you? What hasn't worked?

Networking with other like-minded people (social networking too) is by far the best investment for my business—talking about my business wherever I go. I love what I do and know others might too, so why not share it with them?

If you had to name one thing as the key to your success, what would it be?

Believing in myself. My motto is: Wish it, dream it, do it.

In 1983, a Northwest Orca whale lost its pod in the Nootka Sound. How were you involved in helping her find her way home?

I was asked by the Orca Conservancy foundation to participate in a fundraiser as a northwest artist to design, make, and donate whale clocks.

You are also very active in helping artists take action against global warming. Can you tell us how you became involved in that and your work with other artists?

This is still growing... I was inspired by the movie An Inconvenient Truth. Shocked by what is happening globally, I thought I could be a small part in helping others learn how easy it is to make small changes, and who better to start with than artists, who create and encourage using recycled items?

You spent many years in art schools, including the California College of Arts & Crafts in Berkeley Calif and The Aegean School of Fine Arts on the Greek island of Paros. Is attending art school necessary for someone who wants a career in art? What advice would you give someone who isn't able to attend art school?

Anyone can have a career in art with or without attending an art college. There are ways  in which one can add to their experience by taking online classes, researching at a library, and seminars.

Do you teach ceramics classes as well?

What project is sitting on your work table right now? What can we look forward to seeing from you this year?

Clocks and more color! I love clocks. They are a fun and artful way to express yourself. They can have a message and can be an inspirational piece of art on the wall.

While you're visiting Cindy's website, look for the link on how to win a free gift from Cindy! Cindy is always looking for new great ideas for something ceramic. If you have an idea of something you'd like to see, and if she can make it and use it on her site, and if it's not something she's already making, it's her gift to you.