Brigit's Bears

One of the most involved and respected soft sculpture artists practicing today, Sandi Smith’s work runs the gamut from children’s book and magazine illustration to designing everything from corporate image to bridal millinery, jewellery, rag dolls and teddy bears.

The richness of her imagination reflects her lifelong interest in all aspects of design and the importance quality fabrics. Her exceptional sense of composition and design, together with her attention to proportion and detail, results in truly sumptuous visual representations of both real and imaginary worlds.

Born in England and raised in Australia, Sandi Smith worked for many years in the furnishing and fashion industries. She later, studied at Melbourne College of Printing and Graphic Arts and ran her own printing and design business for twelve years.

It wasn’t until Sandi retired from the mainstream workforce, that she became involved in designing teddy bears and other soft sculptured critters. Her early creations mixed colour (an essential ingredient in her work) and whimsy together to form bold designs, demonstrating a modernity and panache that singled them out as something special.

The year 2010 marked a time for change. Not only did her studio name change from Bearly Sane Teddies to Ess D'Ess Bears, Sandi's new patterns are slightly more traditional, the colours a little softer, and there is more emphasis on texture and accessories.

Her work has won many awards and her originals are held in many international private collections. Both Sandi and her bears have been regularly featured in teddy bear magazines in the UK, USA and Australia and Sandi also enjoys freelance writing for Australian Bear Creations and The Teddy Bear Annual (UK).

Her website showcases a small sample of her designs, to see those which are currently available for purchase please go to http/www.sdsbears.com