My name is Laura Crawford. I am a metalsmith, writer, and traveler. My bicycle is what connects my three passions.

As I soar down the road on my trusty touring bike, I am continually treated to moments that inspire, confound, beguile – and influence my work. Desert landscapes, overgrown forests, ghost towns, dirt roads, starry skies, campfire confessionals, homemade pie, small markets, serendipitous meetings, the way a blade of wild grass is able to push its way through a slab of crumbling concrete.

My work travels with me, and the slowness of my bicycle causes me to appreciate a slower pace of creating. Tucked into my bags are a handful of notebooks and a collection of traditional metalworking tools. I believe in craftsmanship and storytelling, taking the time to respect the details and allow whimsy to show through in her own way. From headbadges to jewelry to writing, my aim is to create a simply beautiful product that illuminates our experiences.

In July 2009, my partner and I left on an open-ended (and, potentially, never-ending) bicycle tour. Our goal was simply to explore hidden corners of the country, eat amazing new foods, and blog about it. Our rambles have taken us over 13,000 miles and continue to this day. Follow us online at: The Path Less Pedaled.

Keep up with me on Facebook.

Check out these features on me and my work:

• Wheaton Quarterly – “A Moving Experience”
• Find, Make, Wear online exhibition through the Victoria & Albert Museum
• BikePortland.org – Pedal People Profile

Watch this video to learn more about my headbadges and my process: