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About the Artist
Born and raised in the western USA, Cheri has traveled and lived all over the Continental USA and has explored much of Asia, Mexico and the Caribbean. Cheri enjoyed a very successful twenty-year career in the food and beverage industry and in 2003 decided that she wanted to persue a different direction; one that would allow her more time with her family and provide an outlet for her creativity. She has been designing jewelry under the name Coco Black Designs ever since. Cheri was finally able to convince her husband Tim to live his dream too... They opened their beachside restaurant, El Jefe Burger Shack in Luquillo, Puerto Rico in August of 2008. Now she spends most days helping out in the restaurant and her evenings making glass beads and jewelry.
As a glass artist, Cheri combines here own hand-made glass beads and recycled beads with gemstones, metals and found objects to make jewelry inspired by the natural beauty and colorful landscape of Puerto Rico. Cheri also creates mini art pendants, designed from her original art sketches and hand painted on plastic, wood and shells. She has participated in several juried art shows throughout the Southwestern United States and Puerto Rico and her pieces are owned by women all over the world. Cheri is a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers and The East End Art Guild and lives between the beach and the rainforest in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
Artist Statement
Artistic expression is not a want for me, it a burning need! My work is often described as artsy-bohemian and I enjoy taking an unconventional approach with my designs by combining many different elements in a piece to create one of a kind treasures that tickle the soul - invoking a smile. With so much natural beauty surrounding me, I never have to look far for inspiration. I see the world in living color, which is the one constant in all of my designs - nature never lets me down!
Live in color,
Cheri Blackford, aka Coco Black |
