Rising Stars: Meet Molly Cherry of Fruitport, Michigan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Cherry

Hi Molly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a small town in Michigan, surrounded by lakes, woods, and fields—nature was always within arm’s reach. As a kid, I loved the outdoors. The first snowfall felt like magic, a fresh start. I’d play outside for hours, but even with all its beauty, the snow and silence couldn’t always clear the fog in my mind.

For much of my life, I couldn’t truly see the beauty around me. In my twenties, I became lost in a battle with substance abuse. It was a fog that clouded my vision, not just of the world, but of myself. I kept pushing people away, especially the ones who loved me most. But my family didn’t give up on me. They stood by me during the darkest times, never turning their backs, always offering love—even when I couldn’t see my own worth. Their support was a constant reminder that I wasn’t alone. Slowly, with the grace of God, I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I made the choice to get sober in 2007, and it changed everything.

It wasn’t an easy road. There were days when it felt like I was starting from scratch, learning how to live again. But as I embraced my sobriety, something incredible happened. I started seeing the world with new eyes—the snow, the quiet mornings, the way the light glistened on the trees in winter. All of the things I used to take for granted suddenly felt like gifts.

Most of all, I started to rediscover myself. I’ve always had a deep love for creating, whether it’s through art, writing, or simply building something with my hands. But for so long, I had buried that part of me under layers of pain and self-doubt. Now, I allow myself to create without fear or judgment, knowing that each piece I make is a reflection of the strength and growth I’ve found in my journey.

Today, I am proud of the person I’ve become. I don’t take my sobriety for granted, and I never forget the love and grace that carried me through. I’ve come to understand that life is full of beauty, and it’s waiting for us to see it, even in the most unexpected places. I’m learning to be present, to embrace the outdoors that I love, and to continue creating—not just things, but a life that feels true to who I really am.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The path of substance use was chaotic and overwhelming, filled with confusion and uncertainty. I sought help in mental health institutions, trying to find clarity, but progress was slow. When I entered recovery, the road ahead became clearer and smoother. Living without substances gave me a sense of balance and ease I hadn’t experienced before. What once seemed like obstacles were now manageable steps, and each day felt lighter. Though challenges remained, the path was brighter, and each step brought me closer to a life of peace and purpose.

The death of my mother came when I was just two years sober, a time when I was still finding my footing in recovery. Losing her was a heartbreak that I didn’t feel fully prepared for, but I worked hard to stay grounded in the principles I had learned. I leaned into my support system, allowed myself to grieve, and gave myself the grace to feel the weight of the loss while staying committed to my sobriety. The experience was one of profound pain, yet I kept moving forward, learning to live through the sorrow with strength I didn’t know I had.

Ten years into my recovery, my father took his own life. The pain was overwhelming, challenging everything I knew about resilience. But recovery had prepared me to handle such grief. Instead of turning to substances, I leaned into God, sought therapy, and connected with others who understood. I learned how to grieve, honor my father’s memory, and keep moving forward with purpose.

Both losses have shaped who I am today, teaching me that healing isn’t about rushing through grief but finding strength in the process. Each loss deepened my understanding of living sober and facing life’s challenges without escaping. Recovery is more than staying clean—it’s about living fully, growing, and embracing life’s ups and downs.

Hope and authenticity are the foundation of my recovery. Hope is believing that better days are ahead, even in tough times. Authenticity is being true to myself, flaws and all, without shame. With hope and authenticity, I face challenges with strength, knowing recovery is about becoming the best version of myself.

I center my life on faith in God and the support of my family, creating space for healing and growth. With His strength and my loved ones’ encouragement, I embrace the past, trust in the present, and move forward with confidence toward peace and renewal.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What began as a small idea quickly grew. My husband and his coworkers started collecting packing paper from a local business in Fruitport, Michigan, which I transformed into wreaths and decorative trees, symbolizing resilience and renewal.

I then repurposed plastic bottles into vibrant “forever flowers,” representing hope and sustainability. What was once waste became meaningful, each piece reflecting creativity and transformation.

Expanding further, I began turning plastic scraps into beads for earrings and custom art pieces, each one telling my personal story of growth and change.

Today, my business continues to thrive, inspired by the endless potential in everyday materials. Each creation is a reminder that with creativity, we can turn the discarded into something valuable. This journey is about more than art; it’s about making a difference, one recycled item at a time, and representing transformation.

I’m honored that my work has been called “gorgeous,” “unique,” and “brilliant.” Grateful for the creative gifts God has entrusted to me, I use my art to showcase the beauty of transformation. Reflecting my own journey—once broken, now whole—it’s a testament to the healing power of creativity, helping others see beauty in what was once overlooked.

“Creating beauty from the unwanted.”

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am passionate about collaborating with non-profits and businesses focused on personal transformation. My goal is to share my artwork as meaningful gifts for team members, customers, and those they serve. While I do not currently host group gatherings, I would love to in the future to demonstrate how art can inspire hope, recovery, and transformation, showcasing the beauty of repurposed materials. In the meantime, I connect with individuals one-on-one, sharing the message of sustainability and the power of change through my creations.

As my storefront presence grows, I look forward to expanding opportunities to share my work and support local, handmade, and small businesses that foster creativity, community, and positive impact.

I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist and Recovery Coach in the State of Michigan (since 2019), W.R.A.P. (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) certified, and have coached meditative breathing and movement classes, among other things. As a member of AA and NA (Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous), and living one day at a time, I am deeply grateful to a loving, gentle, and timely God.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molly.oneself/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552254921322
• Other: molly.oneself@gmail.com