These Embroidered Desserts By Heather Ríos Might Make You Feel Hungry

At first glance, you might think Heather Ríos' creations belong in a bakery display. But take a closer look, and you’ll realize they’re not edible at all—they’re embroidered! Heather is an artist who uses thread, paint, and clay to make desserts that look so real, they might make you do a double take.

From frosted cakes to glazed donuts, her work is full of rich textures and tiny details that capture the beauty of sweet treats. Whether it’s the shine of chocolate or the fluffiness of whipped cream, she stitches every piece with incredible precision. It’s no wonder people often mistake her art for the real thing!

More info: Instagram | Etsy

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We reached out to Heather to learn more about her creative process and artistic journey. She shared that a few years ago, she had a pivotal moment when she decided to focus on creating joyful, uplifting art. "So much art has a dark undertone, and that's completely fine and needed, but it just wasn't the type of thing I wanted to focus on anymore," she explained, reflecting on what led her to embrace embroidered art.

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When asked if she had always been drawn to fiber arts or if she explored other artistic mediums first, Heather shared that she began her creative journey with painting and drawing at the age of 15. "My Grandmother taught me embroidery long before that, but I didn't do much with it until I was in Grad school for painting. I was going through a really hard time and just couldn't paint for some reason. So I started doing some embroidery again and ended up doing my entire thesis exhibition in cross stitch. 

Since graduation, I have been determined to find ways to combine both painting and fiber art. I've always been very experimental when it comes to art media." 

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The creative process can come with its own set of challenges, and for Heather, sometimes the work feels monotonous and tedious. "But I used to work in assembly line-type factories, so I think that somewhat prepared me for this. It can be meditative to do repetitive work. The challenge is to just get yourself into a zone of being very focused."

The finished result is Heather's favorite part. "I'm never quite sure how each piece will be received by the viewers. But I enjoyed interacting with people who like my art. So many people have connected it to happy memories from their past, and it's an honor to hear their stories."

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If you're looking to decorate your walls or cupboards with mouthwatering creations, check out Heather's Etsy shop. For more of her delicious designs, follow her on Instagram, where she shares images and videos of her work.

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