Laura Tandeske has been embroidering for 40+ years specializing in Surface Embroidery. She studied Fine Art at California State University East Bay, and embroidery with the Embroiderers Guild of America and San Francisco School of Needlework and Design. Her piece called “Balance” toured the United States and Canada as part of the 2 year Sixteenth National Exhibit with the Embroiderers Guild of America. She has won numerous awards including “Best in Show” at the California State Fair in Sacramento.

While Laura's first love is doing embroidery, her very close second is teaching embroidery. She developed her skills teaching and designing classes at the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design. She loves bringing this ancient healing art to students.

Laura is also a biochemist with 32 years experience at Chiron/Novartis working in early stage drug discovery research for Oncology, Infectious Diseases, and Diagnostics. She brings this scientific and experimental mind to her Embroidery work.

Laura once believed that art had to be framed in a gallery, and sold to be 'art'. In art school she pondered the question 'what is art?' After thinking about this for many years, her personal answer is 'art is communication'. Laura wears the clothes she has been embroidering on for years - her wearable art - and realized that this is a form of communication with everyone around her. It was a profound revelation for her to realize that she was already a successful artist.

Student Feedback

“Laura is an extremely patient and talented teacher and her classes have really re-invigorated my love of all things embroidered! If you’re thinking about learning to embroider, I can’t recommend a better teacher.”

Erinn Larsen, owner of Refashioning History

"Anyone available to take a class from Laura would be so lucky! She is so incredibly talented and patient with ALL learners. She has ignited an artistic fire in me that I have been struggling to get back for some time. I can not wait to take another class with her.”

Anya Zebroski

“So grateful for the teaching because I always wanted to learn embroidery.”

Constance Rincon

Feedback from Foundations Series Students at Lacis Museum

“This was such a wonderful, accessible class! Would highly recommend. Looking forward to the next classes.”

“I hope to take more classes with Laura. She is passionate, knowledgeable, and kind. It was a terrific experience. I learned a lot.”

“Laura you are an amazing teacher and artist! Loved the relaxed, no stress method of teaching! Thank you for sharing your art!!!”

“I had a great time! I’m still very much a beginner, but feel like I improved immensely and will be able to keep practicing on my own.”