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. She has been teaching embroidery for 8 years. 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 and now has 8 years teaching experience. 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.
Feedback from Embroidery Magic Students at Lacis Museum
“I had so much fun with the Embroidery Magic Group I decided to sign up with your Sampler Workshop.”
“What a wonderful way to spend a week in mindful community with other stitchers.Laura creates a lovely container and adapted so nicely to everyone’s requests.”
"Thank you for being the person I encountered embroidery through. I'm really loving it and can't wait to have the time to do more in the next couple months."
“This class was exactly what I needed this week. I learned so much about more things than I could have imagined. So very grateful for an extended time to learn and think and practice.”
“Thank you for a wonderful week long class. I came with two specific goals in mind and met them both as well as other goals I didn’t even know I had. I learned a lot and enjoyed myself immensely!”
“What a wonderful experience! I loved the openness of the teacher to let students raise topics. They wanted to learn. Laura is such a great teacher. She manages to be straightforward but kind and encouraging which is a difficult balancing act!”
“Nice flow to the class between teacher instructing and giving us time to work on our own projects. Teacher is very knowledgeable and open to hearing what students have to say. Teacher addressed a wide variety of stitchery topics.”
General 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 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.”
“Your work leaves me awed. Looking forward to learning as much from you as I can. Please put me on your mailing list!”