The Radiant Dolls are the life's work of Delaware doll artist Terry Wright. She doesn't like being called a "dollmaker". "I like to paint a picture and tell a story with my dolls," she said in a recent interview. "I try to put my own twist on my dolls and have them reflect what's in my heart."

Her renditions of today's most popular doll designs have gained recognition from some of the best artists around. Her own original designs are even more astounding. Her growing reputation for exceptional porcelain artistry is testimony to her passion for the work, as well as her talent and skill with her subjects. You can see for yourself how wonderful her Radiant Dolls really are.

But the story of Radiant Dolls is not a simple one. The beauty and joy of these "little miracles" arise from a past of pain and adversity, and the strength and inspiration that dawned from a dark night of the soul.

Eleven years ago, Terry was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her faith in God gave her the strength to get through the surgery and a full year of chemotherapy. But the aftermath of the illness and the irreparable strain on her marriage gradually took their toll. The struggle of getting through led her to believe that she had only herself to rely upon. She was working as a wallpaper hanger and had begun re-examining her life when she seriously injured her neck on the job.

The pain from a cracked vertebra and a herniated disc left her unable to work...or do much else. Surgery to fuse the surrounding vertebrae improved the situation somewhat, but she was still racked with pain and faced with a permanent loss of mobility.

Jobless, and with bills coming in, the self-reliance that had driven her for so long crumbled.

Searching for something to occupy her mind and needing some sort of direction, something told her to look at her porcelain doll collection. During better times, she had collected dolls. Now, she would create them.

Terry credits God for showing her the way, and for giving her the strength to try again. "I finally gave up trying to fix the situation myself. When I did that, I guess I opened myself up to His direction. He led me to this. I remember thinking at the time, 'This is what God wants me to do right now.'" At first, she thought the dolls would be a hobby, a form of therapy. She quickly realized it would become much more.

She learned the basic skills by reading and experimenting with techniques in the converted two-car garage that is her studio. Terry recalls, "Ever since the first doll I touched...all of it has been very easy. It's like this is what I was always meant to do." Friends who had worked in the ceramic arts for years tried to dissuade her. "[They] told me it was too difficult...that it would become tedious, that it was too much work, the materials were too expensive...it would never pay." But she knew she had found her calling.

From this beginning, she has gained local acclaim as well as critical praise from leading professional doll artists. At the Santa Fe Doll Art Symposium in New Mexico--her first competition--she gained the attention of some of the finest in the field. "I didn't win a ribbon but all the big artists had good things to say about the way I did the doll, that it was different." Wright said. "That was the biggest compliment. I made everything myself...I had no idea how difficult it would be but a judge said my sewing was magnificent."

But to Terry, it's not just about the dolls: she also wants to be an example to others. "I want other people...people afraid to follow their dreams, people who are going through rough times, people who are critically ill or otherwise handicapped...to understand that you can do it. You can make it work, you can turn it around. All of us, we are never really alone in trying times. When you've done all you can, when you have nothing left to give to it, there is another source of strength you can turn to that will show you the way, that will give you the strength to try again. I found that in my life."

Having found that strength, she has rebuilt her life. Now remarried and with her new-found career bringing her additional happiness and fulfillment, she offers the fruits of her art to you.

Each doll features a real porcelain head, hands and legs. The body is built over a wire armature frame for strength, light weight, and posability. The hair is carefully styled by hand from a select body of materials, including real human hair, mohair, and highest quality synthetic fibers. The clothing is hand-made and specially tailored for each doll. Terry does all the work herself in her Laurel studio.

Each doll is fully customizable, or a new doll can be created from scratch to your specifications. Each doll is unique.

The dolls shown are just a small sample of the over 100 different models available, and new models are added to the Radiant Dolls line all the time. Dolls are available in ready-made and kit form. Ready-made dolls can be customized to your specifications or you may buy them "off the shelf". And of course all of the dolls can be crafted from scratch according to your wishes.

Do you have a favorite doll, perhaps something from your childhood? Have you seen a doll elsewhere that you really like? Have you seen one of Terry's Radiant Dolls at a show, but you don't see it here? Terry can recreate any model or style of doll. Send your needs to Terry, and she will discuss how she can create a Radiant Doll just for you.

Take a look at some of the dolls now available. Prices are now included in our gallery.

Terry also sells a complete line of doll making supplies. Send Terry an e-mail to check for availability of specific items.

Terry also offers courses and seminars in the doll making arts. It takes five to six classes of two to two and a half hours to get a doll to the "naked" stage. Terry also offers courses in wigs, hats, costuming, and shoes. The average cost for a standard course is $155, payable in installments. The cost covers all supplies. Terry's knowledge comes free!

To get a full course listing or to inquire about signing up, click here.

Come see the dolls in person. Touch them, and check out the details. Or, schedule yourself for a class to learn how to make your own doll! Terry's studio is easy to reach. Directions and maps are here.