We were lucky to catch up with Tabria Williford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tabria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

After graduating from college, I experienced a sense of mental burn out and lack of fulfillment in the corporate roles I was pursuing. To counter this feeling, I started spending more and more time outdoors, drawing doodles inspired by state and national parks I loved to visit. I soon discovered that this creative outlet was incredibly therapeutic for me.

As I shared some of my designs with friends, they found my art exciting and refreshing, and they were intrigued by the stories behind each piece. Encouraged by their positive feedback, I decided to take a leap and explore this passion further.

Over the course of a year, I experimented with creating smaller textile samples like bandanas. As my confidence grew, I decided to participate in a large vendor show and it turned out to be a tremendous success. The positive response from customers was overwhelming, and I sold out of my products.

This experience ignited a strong desire in me to pursue my art in a more professional manner. I became really excited about the prospect of turning my passion into a fulfilling career.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started Tawa Threads as a passion project, combining my love for travel and art with my personal experiences as a Black woman exploring the outdoors. Our main focus is on home decor, and I create various products that reflect the natural beauty of the Earth we love to explore. Using bright colors, simple shapes, and motifs, each item is designed to capture the essence of a national park or landmark, highlighting what makes it unique and widely known.

Our current product lineup includes tapestries, bandanas, and plant stations. I’m thrilled to announce that this year, we’re expanding with the addition of fanny packs and graphic prints to our collection.

More than just decorative pieces, my products carry a meaningful message. They serve as reminders of the importance of actively working towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for marginalized groups in the outdoors. I strongly believe that everyone should feel welcome and represented in nature.

To contribute to this cause, I’ve committed to giving 20% of proceeds to various organizations across the country that support leadership and healing in outdoor spaces, specifically for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with disabilities in outdoor spaces.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Show your curiosity about the art by asking the artist questions related to the process and storytelling. Inquire about the artist and what inspires their work. Moreover, support and promote their products by sharing them with your community, friends, and family. Stay connected, follow their artistic journey, and witness their growth and development over the years.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Running a business offers numerous opportunities to explore new things and expand your knowledge beyond your usual exposure. It involves being actively involved in various aspects, such as design, marketing, networking, production, negotiation, and supply chain management. Engaging in these diverse areas has significantly contributed to shaping who I am today. I feel grateful to continue independently operating my business, as I am deeply invested and passionate about every facet of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.tawathreads.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawathreads/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tawathreads/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabria-williford-63817585/

Image Credits
David Jerome