What began as a dream has blossomed into an exciting and unique new resource for handcrafts from an unlikely source - Slovenia. Inspired by her grandparents, who bravely left a country they loved for the chance at a better life, and by the Slovene women who created enchanting figures at a cornhusk workshop overseas, founder Elizabeth Talian (James) has tapped past and present to create her new business, Home From Slovena. It has been a labor of love.
"Homeland" has become a popular word these days. It inspires thoughts of protection and safety, of loved ones and of our roots. Around the turn of the century, Ms. Talian's grandparents set off from the Prekmurje region of Slovenia, near the Hungarian border, for a new homeland and all its promise - the United States of America.
Settling in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the Talians worked to bridge the daunting cultural gap. They not only survived, embraced their new citizenship and their newly adopted home. As a young girl, Elizabeth recalls the values her parents and grandparents instilled in her and her six siblings. "They taught us to respect those who came before us, to work hard at anything we do, and to value our freedom. They greatly stressed the importance of education. Though neither my parents nor my grandparents completed high school, they believed that a college education was necessary for their children - to allow us to survive, grow and succeed. On a steelworkers' salary, my parents gave seven of us that opportunity". Ms. Talian has never forgotten their optimism for their children's success.
Just as her grandparents had sought to connect with a new world, Ms. Talian sought to reconnect with the old. On an initial trip to Slovenia in August 2001, she was stunned by Slovenia's beauty and by the generosity and strength of its people. Once the idea of importing Slovenia's splendid handcrafts took shape, she decided to take the leap — and Home From Slovenia was born.
"The mission of Home From Slovenia is to allow others like myself to draw daily inspiration by reconnecting with our Slovene heritage," Ms. Talian explains. The Connecticut businesswoman brings passion and commitment to her fledging company. She hopes that Home From Slovenia will inspire modern-day Slovenian-Americans and Slovenian-Canadians to become curious about the country of rolling hills and picturesque riverside towns their ancestors left behind long ago. And what better way to reconnect with the past, Ms. Talian believes, than to rediscover the pride and craftsmanship found in Slovenia of today.
Home From Slovenia provides a portal to the talented artisans who continue in the handcraft traditions of their ancestors. "It's a modern day conduit to the Slovenia of the past and also to the fascinating, contemporary republic most people don't know much about." Ms. Talian says. "I want Home From Slovenia to keep our connection alive".
