Laurel Anderson, proprietress and creative talent of Laurel's Originals, arrived on the Caribbean
Coast of Costa Rica 30 years ago. While working with her husband exporting ornamental plants, she started a small business
making hand painted cotton beach covers; the designs reflected the surrounding colors of flora and fauna. A small workshop
was built on the farm and the business expanded to 8 women sewing and painting clothing items for tourists.
As the women's families grew Laurel realized in order to keep her business going she would have to train them
to work in their homes. It was a way for these women to continue working and allow them to raise their families.
Betzaida Torres has been with Laurel from the beginning. She paints the canvas bags and the children's clothes.
Vera Torres, Betzaida's sister, hand traces Laurel's original designs on every item. She
also does the beautiful hand embroidery that makes the girl's dresses so special.
In
the hills of Alajuela Laurel met a woman with the dream of running her own workshop. Myriam Caranza bought 13 sewing machines
and set herself up for business. She sews the children's clothing and the canvas bags. And when the need arises her sister,
Teresa, assists with drawing and painting the canvas bags.
On Laurel's farm in Santa
Barbara de Heredia, the youngest members of the Laurel's Originals team, Jessica and Grethel, work meticulously sewing
and painting the canvas floor cloths.
Some of the women have gone on to start their own businesses and others
are starting their careers with us, learning to sew, draw and paint on textiles.
Laurel and her co-workers are
proud to share their work which reflects the beauty of Costa Rica.
