britt's story

              (left) britt in august 2008 with baby matilda and (right) britt a decade ago at bondi markets

Somewhere far, far away (in Portsmouth, England) and not so long ago, a little red-haired girl was born named Britt Collinson. Britt had a natural urge to hand-make things. For as long as she can remember (even before she moved to Australia when she was 12), she loved to make people presents and now she does this for people all around the world.

Britt left school at 15 (in Manly, Sydney) with no clue as to what she was going to do with her life. She found herself working at an accounting job (at which she was actually quite good) but she found the hours and the tasks not sitting well with her free-spirited nature. So she took off to travel the world. Whilst travelling and working within the hospitality industry, Britt found that connecting with people was what life was all about for her. She learnt a lot about people, their feelings, histories, cultures, dreams and memories.

When Britt came back to Australia two years later she realised more then ever that she needed to use her creative side to be happy. Due to no formal creative training to gain a job she would want and suit, she had to rely on her instincts and her feisty, can-do attitude to get by and use her creative energy. So after trying floristry, which she loved, she started to cover things like picture frames and books in fun faux fur and went to the Bondi markets to sell them. She did this every Sunday for four years.

britt aged nine wearing fluffy slippers

She also sold fluffy animal ears at music festivals and Sydney’s Mardi Gras. As she walked around selling her “fluffy fings”, she gained huge satisfaction from bringing out a playful side in people. She saw that people had more fun if they were wearing her silly ears, creating memories and fun, lasting moments. The feeling she got when someone bought something she had hand-made was amazing and so meaningful to her. This satisfying, happy feeling is part of what drives her. In all her people watching she saw something simple: little things can brighten your day and they can sometimes matter the most.

Britt has done it her way: not thinking too much - just throwing herself in there with a smile or an eyebrow raised -working hard from home at first - taking risks - trusting her instincts - positive thinking (slight delusion maybe) and against some crazy odds. You can be assured there are some crazy stories to match.

So far, it has been an incredible, inspirational journey for Britt and those who have helped. A "winged-one" she often says, with the right people helping her, encouraging her or discouraging her. None of it was predicted or planned and it has all been mostly funded from the first sale at Bondi market.

Britt has felt compelled to create her brand and products. She has always aimed to do the right thing by people and enjoyed almost every twist of the unexpected ride. It seems other people have too due to the support from loyal customers and a great deal of word of mouth along with the feelings generated when giving or receiving a britt product. It’s what keeps it going. Britt feels the brand and products definitely have a life of their own. She doesn’t try to understand it too much, analysing it would make it go all weird.

So from a humble start at Bondi markets, Britt now employs eight full-time staff in Australia. Supplying hundreds of stores throughout Australia, New Zealand, the USA and the UK, including Harrods. Britt has also made amazing friends and had many challenges and adventures. She is proud to say that she still designs the range herself and 80% of the products continue to be made in Australia.

Britt's ambition is for as many britt bears to be loved as possible and to help create memories and keepsakes for all.