Meet Sandy Bridgett : Dollmaker
Christmas… it’s my favorite time of the year. I actually look forward to all the hustle and bustle because the memories of Christmas pasts always warms my heart and puts a smile on my face. I love taking all my favorite decorations out; it’s like greeting an old friend you haven’t seen for a while. My husband and I have five daughters and we have such fun memories of the holidays. Now, we have five son-in-laws and eleven grandchildren to celebrate this special time of wonder and joy.
I have always handmade most of my Christmas ornaments, decorations and started making Santa figures many years ago. Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and presents are always at a birthday party; and who brings more presents than anyone? Santa! To me he represents the generosity and the hope and care that we show especially at Christmas time. I started making my first Santa’s for family gifts many years ago. Before long friends started ordering them and that led to me starting a wholesale business and selling to stores around the country. My hand-made Christmas angels; ornaments and Santa’s have been shown in Country Home and Country Living magazines. I also have a few Santas at the Folk Art Museum in New York.
I took some doll making classes early on but have learned the old way, through trial and error I’ve taken some pretty crude methods to a point of good design and sculpting. I’ve "almost” refined the process, at least until next year!
I’m a life-long resident of Southern Maryland. I live in Newport, Maryland with my husband of 40 years and can be reached at sandrabridgett@yahoo.com.