About the Artists: Debra Hathaway and husband Eric Heath of Dragon Wings

Eric and Debra fell in love in 1995 and we were married in Sept of 1997 on the grounds of the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
Debra Hathaway
Born and raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, Debra (Senter) migrated to Colorado and became a drywall finisher while still in her teens. In her early 20s she moved to Ojai, California where she ran her own business doing custom drywall and was known locally as "Drywall Debbie". It was during this time she first experienced Renaissance Festivals, when she served as a wench at the original Southern California Pleasure Faire.
Debra's next move was to Hawaii, and while living on the Big Island she became immersed in Asian design and began creating jewelry from tassels, tapestry, fans, and chopsticks. Her unique designs were marketed in boutiques and upscale department stores across the nation (including Nordstrom's and Macy's).
	When she returned to the mainland, she was juried into several Renaissance Festivals with dolls, costume accessories, and bridal wear (including feather work and her own line of porcelain jewelry)
Debra's first puss in boots dolls were created in porcelain and soon she taught herself to make them into marionettes. Her business, Dragon Wings, grew to include five Festivals and soon she had a thriving marionette and doll business as well as a successful costume accessories shoppe.
One of Debra's most special gifts is her ability is pull a vibrant person from their somber existence. When people step into her shop they become overwhelmed with the desire the try things on, pose in the mirror, and examine all the wonderful toys. The joyfulness of playing "dress-up" overcomes all who cross our threshold. Debra wears many different hats each day: Doll Maker, Milliner, Jeweler, Sculptor, Fashion Designer, Renaissance merchant, Couturiere, Mother, Painter, Seamstress and Boss Lady to name but a few. . .

Eric R. Heath

In 1981, after three years of college studying voice and piano, I took a "leave of absence" to pursue a unique opportunity. I attended and graduated from: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College When I returned to Syracuse University in 1982, I submitted a proposal for the design of a new Syracuse University "Orange" mascot costume, which was adopted and is still in use today.
My involvement with Ren Fests started in 1982 at the Sterling Renaissance Festival near Oswego, New York where I operated the Battle Axe Throw game for over a decade. In the late 80's I became a singing pretzel man at the Maryland Renaissance Fest and eventually came to operate the Battle Axe game there as well.
Below is a sampling of my occupations thereafter, many simultaneously:
* Administrative Secretary, * Piano Lounge entertainer, * University Cheerleading Coach, * Clown entertainer and instructor, * Corporate Mascot consultant, * Axe Thrower at Renaissance Faires, * Computer Engineer, * Cruise ship Singing Waiter, and * record holding Pretzel selling Guy
My current job descriptions are: marionette engineer, sculptor, bustier designer and seamster, woodworking, desktop publishing, digital photography, catalogue design, and website developer. I learn more every day. Everything you see on these 150+ web pages was done by myself using Microsoft FrontPage Until Sept of 2003 I used a Kodak DC3400 2 megapixel Digital Camera, I now use a Canon Powershot G5 with 5 megapixels.
I also have an unusual neurological disorder, called Tourette's Syndrome, which may cause me to spontaneously twitch, whirl, grimace or shout. Good thing I work in an environment where that sort of behavior is accepted, even encouraged! I spend weekends at the Renaissance Faires stringing marionettes, singing, talking to myself, twirling, shouting nonsense, and sometimes barking. It's quite a show, and some people think I'm a comic genius. . .
You can learn more about the fairytale lives of Eric and Debra in the following newspaper articles: Washington Post, September 12, 2002 Star Democrat, May 11, 2001 Star Democrat, October 7, 2001

Barbara Koppang
Beader Extraordinaire

What great Karma to own beadwork by this artist! She and Debra cherish their annual trip to the International Gem and Mineral show in Tucson where they buy beads and collaborate on what they will make for the upcoming season.

Barbara brings Debra's designs to life in many forms including a variety of styles of hairsticks and hairclips with beaded strands, beading on belts, and hatbands.

Please go to Barbara Koppang's Oddest Goddess webpage to learn more about her!