Born in Michigan, Heather L. Smith grew up surrounded by her mother's large but varied doll collection. In 1989 she received a BFA in Costuming at the United States International University in San Diego. She worked in theaters around the United States. Settling in Orlando, she worked in Children's television for Nickelodeon and the Children's Television Workshop with the Muppets. After joining Cirque du Soleil's costume shop, Heather was inspired to create unique replicas of the characters from the show. She has since finished the limited edition run of these dolls and makes small fairy dolls using costume fabric scraps. This is the first time Heather has collaborated with her mother (and friend) on a children's picture book.
