Talia Halliday is the owner of Conduit Press, an arts business specializing in hollow books and leather goods. Her hollow books can be found exclusively through Uncommon Goods and her leatherwork can be found at over 50 stores in nearly all 50 states. Halliday also organizes the Bloomington Handmade Market, an indie craft show in its eighth year in Bloomington, IN, with the help of a few very entitled and opinionated minions. She opened up her own brick and mortar shop called Gather in downtown Bloomington in fall 2014. Gather is home to nearly 200 makers from across the Midwest and beyond and continues to grow by the day. In her spare time (oh yes, there is spare time), Talia enjoys hanging out with her crafty cohorts, spending time with her loving and adorable family, and making plans to take over the world — or at least Bloomington.
At Midwest Craft Con, Talia is teaching The Organization of a Wholesale Crafts Business.
How would you describe yourself in 10 words or less?
Intense. Motivated. Creative. Mother artist.
What is your earliest crafty memory?
My gramma was super crafty in the gramma craft kinda way. We often sat around her table (which was a round upturned giant spool from some factory) and mostly painted little ceramic things, or glued popsicle sticks together. We made a lot of birdhouses together, and later, yup, you guessed it, lawn duck clothing. Classy!
What is your favorite thing about the Midwest?
Our love for the Midwest is probably the best, but also being able to get almost anywhere in a day. I mean, aside from the far West Coast, almost anywhere is a mere day drive away. I love that we have four seasons, that we have lakes and hills and cities and really small towns. It’s almost the best of every world. 😉
What would you be if you weren’t an artist/creative?
This is all I could ever be.
What three things would you recommend to makers?
- Community. I think finding your tribe, your community, whatever you want to call it, is PARAMOUNT to surviving this life (any life really), but especially a creative life.
- A journal/notebook. You always need SOMETHING to write down all your crazy in. Maybe it’s your phone, maybe it’s a stack of Post-it notes, or maybe it’s a Moleskine. Whatever it is, use it and carry it with you everywhere.
- Spotify or Pandora. I’m a horrible person when it comes to reading or listening to podcasts, but for me, listening to music (all kinds), ad free, is so stimulating and inspiring.
What are your resolutions for 2017?
Follow up. That pretty much wraps up everything I need to do in 2017 from my family and personal life to all my business personas. FOLLOW UP.
Midwest Craft Con 