Conspire: Contemporary Craft is a retail boutique on the square next to Starbucks specializing in high quality, modern, handmade products. It features a carefully chosen collection of functional handmade housewares, prints, paper goods, clothing, accessories and bath & body products as well as a rotating, local art space. Her Campus sat down with J.D. Grove, the owner of Conspire, to see what her store is all about!
Her Campus: Thank you so much for sitting down with us J.D.! We know you’re so busy being a storeowner, so we appreciate your time! Could you tell us how you were inspired to open Conspire?
J.D. Grove: Well, I am involved in the Bloomington Farmer’s markets and began to work with small local farmers and ended up learning how to make my own soaps, which then evolved into Teehaus Bath & Body. I began to realize that the local growers’ movement was very similar to the handmade artist movement, and I wanted to support them by offering an outlet for local handmade products to be displayed and sold to the community all from one unique place, thus the opening of Conspire: Contemporary Craft.
HC: Love this idea! Why did you choose Greencastle to start this movement?
JD: I moved here a year ago after my family finally built our home on a piece of land after 150 years, so not only were we forming roots in Greencastle again, but I also saw a need for an alternative store in the square. I wanted to offer the community and visitors passing through an outlet for handmade products and gifts and also a place for local artists to showcase their art. Not only is the store a safe place for creativity and diversity in an ever changing world, but it’s necessary for Greencastle as a community.
HC: How would you describe your store to viewers, so they know what to expect before they pay Conspire a visit?
JD: I would describe Conspire as a store that carries fine and functional handmade items that remind you that art can be used every day and be made by someone you know. It brings back the beauty in life all while allowing others to live their dreams. Our mission is to reconnect consumers with makers by bringing the best of modern, handmade art, craft and local foods in our area and to support local artisans with a venue for networking and showing their work. Our goal is to become a local destination that offers unusual, functional and high quality products as an alternative to goods that are mass produced.
HC: I love the idea of knowing where and by whom your products came from; it’s very refreshing especially in the society we live in! Do you have certain themes you support in your store, or do you rotate them depending on the time?
JD: Conspire does support many messages however more recently we have products that support pro feminist groups, the LGBT community and the Black Lives Matter movement. Not only are products offered in the store to show support, but also those same community members who need a sanctuary or somewhere to find peace during these tough times are welcome here. I wanted to take a positive action and offer a safe place not only for community members but also for DePauw students. All are welcome to sit in our library, use the space for meetings or look at some of our political art to take their minds off of the real world.
HC: That’s something I’m sure a lot of readers can appreciate. Thank you so much for being such a positive outlet in a challenging and confusing time! How do you decide which artists are featured in your unique store?
JD: Conspire has products and artwork from over 85 handmade makers and still counting! I’m always adding new artists to our collection and am very picky in choosing artists with only high quality work that will add to the broad range of pieces we offer to the public as part of our brand. Usually, I meet these artists when I travel to festivals on the weekends, and if their work has an urban energy that’s cohesive with the shop, then they join our artist circle.
HC: Do you ever display artwork or products by DePauw students or Greencastle community members?
JD: Anyone can display their work in the store as long as they apply on the website! I haven’t had any DePauw students reach out to me yet, but I would love to be that outlet for aspiring artists and help them build a platform. However, I have had a DePauw professor make wooden pens for me and a local Greencastle woman make quilts. I rotate the art displays every 3 months, so there’s also an opportunity for anyone to display their work with me!
HC: Your website showed you offered classes during the year. Are those still open?
JD: Yes we do! We host classes and demonstrations by local and regional artists, including soap making, journaling, herbalism, book arts, watercolor painting and fun kid’s workshops, which rotate every couple of months. After Thanksgiving, however, we will start focusing on workshops where you can make gifts for the holidays like body scrubs or soaps where you can create them on your own and add a personal touch.
HC: Perfect timing for the holidays for sure! What else can viewers expect during the holiday season?
JD: During small business Saturdays on the square there will be new items for the holidays along with three new jewelers displaying their work from Nashville and Danville. There will also be deals on all of our soap lines! If that’s not enough, there’s new clothing, organic coffees and herbal teas, hand carved items, handmade ornaments and decorations and even handmade sweets you can bring back home on your way out!
HC: Wow, you have so many great products to offer with so much heart and thought behind each of them! I really appreciate your time and all you’ve done for our community! Looking forward to stopping in for some holiday shopping!
Store Hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 11am to 7pm
Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Website: conspireindiana.com
Facebook: conspireindiana
Instagram: conspireindiana/
Twitter: @conspireindiana
Email: jd@conspireindiana.com
Address: 14 S. Indiana St. Greencastle, IN
Phone: 812- 340- 2259