About Laura
Laura lives in the beautiful high desert town of Bend, Oregon.
In 2015, Branch+Barrel was a seed of an idea that came about as Laura first explored the possibilities of combining wood and metal. Although the initial creations weren’t the kind of designs she takes pride in sharing with you today, they were all she needed to realize the incredible potential and surprising harmony that these seemingly opposing materials can create when combined. Those early designs did however generate enough enthusiasm amongst friends and passers by that Laura realized she needed to pursue this passion.
Originally from Central Pennsylvania Laura has spent her life immersed in the world of Art. Her BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art along with her travels overseas have allowed her to garner inspiration and techniques from a variety of sources, all of which she pulls from when working on Branch+Barrel jewelry. From sketching out her original ideas, to hiking and exploring to find the perfect piece of naturally fallen wood, or the ideal Oak barrel stave, Laura's vision is the driving force the entire way. Beyond the design phase Laura is also no stranger to gearing up and getting dirty in the pursuit of her creative goals. She will often be found covered in sawdust in the wood shop cutting, shaping and refining each piece, or mixing up a fresh batch of striking, hand-tinted resins or hammering away forging the metal that frames each finished piece. She is in her element designing, creating and making.
