Cristy grew up surrounded by fashion and fabrics. Her mother owned a fabric store and also created custom clothing. Cristy learned how to sew by watching over her mother 's shoulder, and she was making doll clothing on a sewing machine at age six. By seven, she had received her first sewing machine. Except for a stint sewing bridesmaid dresses in her twenties, Cristy has sewn fashions for dolls all her creative life.

“ I sold clothing for the BJD's way before I ever started taking face-ups commissions. I did my own face-ups and for friends, but felt uncomfortable in the beginning handling the BJD's because of their price.” Cristy is one of the few face-up artists who uses airbrushes on the dolls. “ I used acrylics until I got into the BJD's and was totally fascinated by an airbrush after looking at dolls on Yahoo Japan that had faceups done with an airbrush. I did some research, bought one, and am self taught. I practiced every day for 8 months doing face-ups on my dolls and for friends before I felt comfortable charging anyone.”

“Painting with an airbrush is quite different than using pastels, acrylics, and brushes. An airbrush uses hand/eye coordination and it takes a lot of practice to get the color in the spot you want it.”