Cathy Smith studied textiles and received her degree from the Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. Since graduating she has been making fabric art for over 25 years. Her pieces have been sold by the American Museum of Folk Art, Mary Emmerling, and others. Her art has been purchased by Bill Cosby, and featured in the White House, as well as a television
sitcom's set.

Cathy Smith, the doll maker, has been working with fabric since she was a small child in Bridgewater, New Jersey. At the early age of 5, her mother started buying dolls for her to make an "around the world doll collection". When Cathy would get a new doll, she would redesign the little girl's outfit and sew her new clothes by hand. This innocent little childplay would mature into her lifework.

All of the dolls that Cathy makes are soft sculptures that she designs, sews, and creates from scratch. The process is much like the age-old tradition of making a rag doll. Cathy draws and designs the pattern for the doll, and cuts the soft cotton fabric out for the body. She then fills the doll and applies some hand embroidery for the face. To dress the dolls, Cathy sketches the design and begins working with vintage fabrics. She sews the outfit and accessorizes with hats, necklaces, shoes, and handmade scarves.