Susan Leigh , Bearleigh Bears (Bear Artist)

Bannister, a small town just outside of the town of Goulburn, Australia is home to Susan Leigh and her ‘Bearleigh Bears’ creations.

Susan’s great love affair with teddy bears started in 1999 when she was still living on a farm teeming with animals, 60km from Johannesburg, in South Africa. Susan ascribes her great love for teddy bears to not having a teddy as a companion during her childhood years.

After emigrating to Australia in 2004 with husband David and their two daughters, Susan joined a bear-making class. This sparked the desire to create her own unique teddy bears. It was, however, only after attending a design course in 2006 with well-known Australian bear artist Jennifer Laing, that her dream turned into reality and the first Bearleigh bear was born.

Susan trades at many shows in the various states in Australia, and has ventured to England, Germany, Belgium and New Zealand to do shows and workshops.

Susan loves teaching and sharing with fellow bearmakers the tips and techniques she has learnt along her journey and hopes that they will enjoy bearmaking as much as she does. Susan is passionate about keeping the old craft of bearmaking alive and strives to encourage new and old bearmakers to try new techniques.

Susan is always striving to create great and exciting designs. Her favourite medium to work with is alpaca. She also likes to recycle old fur coats for customers into heirloom bears.

Susan and her husband run an equine rehabilitation centre for horses with hoof pathologies. She loves growing her own fruit and vegetables. Susan also keeps chickens.

Visit her Facebook to view more of her wonderful creations:
https://www.facebook.com/Bearleigh-Bears-359927597285/