WHO: Yvette Parrish, 33

MEDIA: Sticks, Spanish moss, herbs, fabric, charms, beads, trinkets

BEST KNOWN FOR: Giving voodoo a good name. Parrish, who took up the art of making voodoo dolls about 10 years ago after visiting New Orleans, doesn't make dolls with pins, skulls and black garb. Instead, she crafts dolls that focus more on love, protection and positive vibes.

“There's a whole positive energy, rather than the stigma of voodoo dolls with skulls and pins,” Parrish said. “I wanted to eradicate that stigma and negative look about voodoo. If I'm doing a love doll or one for blessing or healing, it should look appealing and have a good energy about it.”

Even so, Parrish — who has parlayed doll making into a full-time job — still gets requests for the stereotypical voodoo doll. She just turns them down.

“I don't do that,” she said. “People will tell me, ‘He cheated on me, and I want him to feel my pain. What kind of doll can you make for him?' ..... I still get requests to do darker dolls, but that karma will be on me. It doesn't mean I don't know how to make them. I just choose not to.”

BACKGROUND: A former beauty queen, Parrish's accolades include the title of Ms. Ethnic World International 2005. She is married with three children and has lived in San Antonio for the past decade.

CHECK HER OUT: Parrish sells her dolls online at myspace.com/divinedolls and divinedolls.etsy.com. Most of her voodoo dolls range in price from $25-$60.

CLINT HALE | 210SA