My name is Sophie and I am an artist, mother, daughter, wife, weaver, international development expert, reader of Latin - among other things….

When U.S. Agency for International Development was dismantled in January 2025, I lost my job—ending a decade leading research engagement for an anti-poverty lab at UC Davis. It was abrupt, disorienting, and required a pivot.

So what does a nearly fifty-year-old, menopausal woman—sandwiched between two teenagers and an aging father (all cohabitating)—do to replace both that feeling of doing good in the world - and her income?

She builds something.

Fera House is an inclusive, home-based studio created to invite people to slow down, make things by hand, and connect—with themselves and with one another. It’s a space for learning skills in a way that’s accessible, human, and intentionally unpolished.

At its heart, Fera House is a quiet counterargument to our dependence on screens, speed, and purely monetary definitions of value. Choosing to gather in person, to make art, and to rely on one another as a community is a small but meaningful way to reweave our social fabric from the ground up.

Over the years, I’ve learned that for me, messy art projects, learning new skills, “bestie” long weekends, and watching romantasy TV shows with friends aren’t indulgences - they’re essental to my health and well-being. Each time I prioritized these moments of connection, creativity, and relaxation, I have felt - it’s hard to describe - like myself again? Sometimes you have to do more for yourself than hide in the bathroom with your phone ;-)

Fera House is my attempt to help you find and prioritize those experiences too, that space where you can be a bit silly, meet new people, explore a new idea or talent, and take a moment to breath.

I can’t wait to welcome you into my home. If you are looking for Martha Stewart perfection, you won’t find it here. Fera House is real, a little wild, and your new refuge.