I’m Laura, wife and mother of 3 young children ages 9, 6 and 1 living in the suburbs of Rochester. I was raised in the foothills of New York, in the heart of the Finger Lakes region by a logical, practical father who made his living in the chemical sciences and a mother who was trained in biology but who's heart always wandered back to the arts. She was a skilled drawer, oil painter, seamstress and calligrapher who loved to create for her friends and family but could never trust in her abilities to elevate her art to more than a hobby. My childhood (thanks to my mother) was filled with artistic pursuits but I too always viewed my art, whether it was drawing, writing, hand lettering, photography or the fiber arts (all of which I have pursued to various degrees over the last 20 years) as a hobby.

A few years ago we were forced to consolidate our family's homestead, rehoming around 50 farm animals, leaving a newly planted orchard and our beloved garden before moving back into town. At the same time, my mother passed away suddenly at the age of 65. I was devastated. Within the next year, at the age of 33, in the middle of mourning the loss of our farm, moving our household and the third trimester of my third pregnancy I was diagnosed with cancer. While my oncologist waited for me to give birth, and while I felt rather like a beached whale, I began to explore the fiber arts again- knitting and sewing little baby things became necessary for my sanity, keeping my hands busy was the only way to keep my mind from wandering down darker paths as I awaited surgery and treatment. Next came a rediscovery of of my interest in hand lettering thanks to an auspicious gift of a beautiful calligraphers set and a guided sketchbook from my beloved aunt and uncle with their hope that I would find the act of being artistic not only meditative during a highly stressful time but that I would also find comfort in connecting with my late mother by creating with materials that she had used in her artistic pursuits.

They couldn't have been more right! I became consumed by learning how to improve my skills. Creating became a necessary part of my day, especially during my recovery, and I would often spend hours after putting the kids to bed writing and drawing. By the end of the night I would be surrounded by paper and pencils, ink and pens as well as a feeling of calm that would allow me to to easily fall asleep- something that had been elusive before. My art became the thing that centered me. Creating was what took the edge off dealing with the trials of hormone replacement in the weeks after my surgery.
My surgery successfully removed all of the the cancer cells and so far all of my markers have remained zero. We are finally settled in our new town and new-to-us home. We have been spending our days rediscovering our beautiful city and all it has to offer (we have some pretty stellar restaurants, museums and absolutely gorgeous parks and waterfalls in this area of ours, if you ever happen to find yourself in Western New York.) While still adjusting to being a family of 5 we are all absolutely smitten with our newest addition who has brought nothing but joy and light into our lives. As my skills have improved my husband started encouraging me to put my art out into the world and share it with others. He has pushed me, not wanting me to look back 30 years from now and wonder why I only ever let me art be a hobby. Why not do that thing that makes you happy everyday- do the thing that feeds your soul and share it with the world?

So that is how feather+rose designs came into being. As a connection with the past and a hope for the future. My wish is for you to find something here that speaks to your heart, inspires you, makes you smile and/or makes you laugh because if my art can bring a little joy into this world then I couldn't ask for anything more.