Sharing the Love: Efflorescent Dreams

This weeks 'Sharing the Love' post features dread maker Efflorescent Dreams.

"Hi, my name is Roisin (or Rosh if you like) and I am a 20 year old psychology student / dread maker / hobby hoarder from the UK.

Efflorescent Dreams started off  a year ago as a little craft page where I posted mostly hand made jewellery, crocheted accessories and hair wraps. I have always been creative and wanted my own little shop to run in my spare time.
I'm currently a full time University student, so time isn't
a thing I have much of these days but my Facebook page is one of my passions and I always try to fit at least one project into my day.

I have recently started selling my dreads and I generally make either crocheted accent kits or full wool sets. So far, wool being my favourite to make.
I started making dreads probably around 3 years ago. I fell in love with dreads but being a poor student at home with no job I have a limited amount of money. I would have loved to have splashed out on some awesome dreads, but my lack of money paired with my creative curiosity drove me to make my own set.

From then I made multiple sets for myself and friends until I took the plunge to get real dreads. I started practising with accent sets for myself until I felt like I was at a standard to finally start selling dreads and things have really took off from there!"

You can check out the awesome creations from Efflorescent Dreams on the following sites:

Facebook Page
Etsy Shop

Sharing the Love: LS Seven

This weeks Sharing the Love post features the amazing dread maker LS Seven.

"I make synthetic dreads. Wrappy is my speciality! A style I had created all on my own. I love using lots of colour to make the sickest blends & transitionals . But I'm also more than happy to create something the on darker, or tamer-side. I'm always striving to push the limits, to do MORE! And to maintain the highest standard of quality as I do it. "

Why did you start dread making? 

" I think it's the main reason why most people start making dreads; because I couldn't afford them at the time! I had purchased a couple cheap sets off of eBay, just to be disappointed (what can you expect from cheap eBay dreads!). I've always been one for crafting, so I figured..why can't I do this??!

I also had a great fascination for wild hair. Constantly browsing through the photos on quinnster.com & google. hairextensionforum.com, I knew it was where I belonged! So many people I'm still in touch with today, I had originally met through that forum. It was a life changer. "

When did you start? 

"I mark the birth of my business on the day I signed up for eBay! May 2007. However I didn't actually start selling until that summer, around August '07. This summer will mark 7 years."

"I have been closed for custom orders since August, but I plan to reopen in June / July. Expect more surprises, more mind-melting synthetic dreads you have never thought possible! I also want to get back into dread wigs."

You can check out more photos and dreads for sale from LS Seven on the following links

Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/lsseven

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ls.seven

Sharing the Love: Dare2Wear

This weeks 'Sharing the love' features dread maker, Dare2Wear.

"I make synthetic dreads, mostly twisted natural, some twisted sleek and some crochet dreads. I make dread wigs too, though not as many as I would like. I also do human hair extensions for locals, mostly with micro ring but I use other methods too, such as sewing.

I have been creating synthetic dreads for 10 years and I have been selling them for nearly as long. I made my first set for myself to wear at the 2004 Wave Gothic Treffen. I instantly got addicted! I created a few more sets for myself and people were crazy about them. It was a brand new thing in my country, Hungary.
By popular demand I started selling them and soon came the name: Dare2Wear.
At the time I was known for my super smooth, super thin, sleek dreads. It was the only style I made for many years. Later, other sellers popped up in the country and all they made was the very same style as mine, so I decided to explore more styles and offer a wider variety.
Right now Dare2Wear is specialised in twisted natural dreads; lightweight, comfortable, bendy but sturdy dreads that will last through years of wear with little or no maintenance.
After years of experience with wearing dread extensions myself I perfected this style to meet my clients' and my own high standards. I offer other styles for variety on occasion."

You can check out more photos and dreads for sale from Dare2Wear on the following links
Website: http://dare2wear.hu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dare2wear

Sharing the Love: Peacock Dreams

This instalment of sharing the love features dread maker Peacock Dreams. 

"My name is Robin and my business name is Peacock Dreams. I specialize in wool dreads. I can do synthetic ones as well but working with wool is more of my style. I started my business last year after I ordered my first set of dreads and was displeased with them. It fuelled my creativity to make my own works of art. Other than making dreads, I am a full time body piercer."

I especially love the roving dreads that Robin made in the galaxy style, such amazing colours!

I'm also a big fan of her dread business name, 'Peacock Dreams', The Mighty Boosh fans will understand! :)

The Peacock Dreams Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeacockDreamsHair

& Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/peacockdreams333

Sharing the Love: Grumpy-Frog

This weeks 'Sharing the Love' post features Grumpy-Frog, the home of hula hoops, poi juggling, hoop fitness and handmade clothing.

Fi of Grumpy-Frog says "My business name is Grumpy-Frog, named with the help of my nephew when he was just 3 years old. He had a mutual liking of amphibians and was quite grumpy when I told him I wasn't naming my business 'Froggy".
He is now 16! So it all started 13 years ago when I got my T4 camper, Humphrey.

I started up just braiding hair an applying temporary tattoos at VW shows and smaller festivals. We still do that but along side I make and sell fluffy hats and coats, hot pants, anything festival. And of course hula hoops, that's my passion.


I create jackets and hats from my own patterns and designs, many of which are one off designs, I also offer custom orders."

You can find Grump-Frog at
www.grumpy-frog.co.uk
& their Facebook page

Sharing the Love: Hazel's Imaginarium

This weeks Sharing the Love post features Hazel's Imaginarium, beautiful handmade bracelets and necklaces.

Hazel says "My bracelets and necklaces are  macrame, which is essentially lots of weird complicated knots.

I only started out in November after being given some charms by a friend. And after being bored while ending up on bed rest after a small operation, I started out making beaded stretch bracelets and then tried making a few macrame pet collars with wool.   But I soon found out this took a lot of wool and time, so I ordered some cord and more charms and made more. Soon after I was bombarded with Christmas orders. It was amazing, I of never thought it could happen but it did."                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 You can check out Hazels' imaginarium on Facebook, where she has lots of great photos of her work and you can contact her for you very own custom jewellery.

 https://www.facebook.com/HazelsImaginarium

Sharing the Love: Erindas Dreads

This weeks Sharing the Love post features Erindas Dreads

Erinda is based in the Netherlands and makes beautiful synthetic dreads. I always drool over her Facebook updates of her latest work.

"I have always had a passion for hair and fashion. When I was little I cut the hair of every doll I owned. And I always said I wanted to be a hair dresser.

I went to fashion school and after went to to hairdressing school. I have worked in fashion but now I want to focus on hair.

I have a few clients who's hair I cut , I also make dreads and hair accessories.

My speciality is making crocheted synthetic dreads that are very realistic looking. I mix and blend colours and styles for the most creative dreads. I specially make custom dreads, so you can order anything you like! 

I also like to make hair accessories every now and then, mostly on the sewing machine. So I still use some of my fashion background / sewing skills. However my main focus is dread making at the moment."

You can contact Erinda and view her work over on her Facebook page.

 

Sharing the Love: Anmorata Dread Design's

This weeks instalment of Sharing the Love features Anmorata Dread Designs.

Elizabeth of Anmorata started out making dreads for herself in 2005 because of the hassle of dealing with her own thick and unruly hair.  After a year of experimenting she started also making dreads for friends an got more business via word of mouth.
Then in 2010 started selling dreads professionally.

Anmorata specialises in both smooth twisted and knotty crocheted dreads and dread falls.  She also offers wrapped dreads and fluffy naturals.
"I love turning ideas into reality".

Besides dreads Elizabeth also enjoys making custom head dresses using natural items such as feathers, leather, crystals and animal bones.





You can find Anmorata Dread Design's on the following links:

Etsy Shop
Facebook

Sharing the Love: Squidhair

This weeks 'Sharing the Love' Features Squidhair from Newcastle in the UK.

Squidhair  makes and sells traditional smooth style dread kits and falls including multimedia falls which consist of cyberlox and rexlace. Supplies are also available to buy, including rexlace, plastic tubing, ribbon and more.

Sarah, the face behind Squidhair, says "I started making dreads around the start of 2007/ start of 2008 for my own personal use as I am in love with big hair! After a few frustrating tries I finally got some wearable hair. Proud, I carried on and a few friends started started asking me to make them some dreads and it carried on from there.  

I have been selling dreads for just over four years and I love it. I get to channel my creativity and passion through a medium that makes people happy and feel great about themselves and in turn it makes me feel amazing. I want to keep doing it for as long as I can!"

You can find the beautiful creations of Squidhair on the following links:

Etsy Shop 

Facebook 

Twitter

Sharing the Love: Made with Love by Kat

This weeks instalment of 'sharing the love' features Made with Love by Kat.

"I make jewellery from abandoned vintage finds - I like to think of it as sparkly recycling! I use necklaces, brooches, earrings, anything I can get my hands on, which I repair and smooth down before teaming them up with semi precious stones such as amethyst and peridot or Swarovski crystals, ribbon and pearls to make really romantic, one-of-a-kind pieces. Each item is one of a kind which I love - because of the nature of my designs incorporating the vintage finds I couldn't repeat a design even if I wanted to.

I started five years ago this month, after an attempt to make fudge as Christmas presents went stickily wrong! I decided instead to make my friends some jewellery - I'd seen pieces with lots of vintage brooches stuck together but I wanted to create something quirkier and that could be worn every day. 
I got a bit overexcited after making the first necklace, bought way too many supplies and decided I'd better set up an online shop to justify all the outlay! My work was picked up by a couple of galleries in Liverpool and Manchester very quickly and it's grown from there. "


You can check out Kat and her fantastic work on the following sites

Shop: Folksy / Etsy
Facebook
Twitter
Blog

Sharing the love: Mommy's Dreads

This week's sharing the love features Mommy's Dreads.
Mommy's dreads has been around for the past 2 years and creates some beautiful dreads. Her styles include wrapped, classic/ smooth and braids.

Shannon, the face behind Mommy's Dreads, started out making dreads for her daughter and fell in love with them from there. She says "dread making is my biggest passion, I love all aspects of art and I love having a job that allows for me to be and express who I truly am."

Shannon is currently working on some new styles which I can't wait to see!

Check out her Facebook page and blog for more amazing photos and info

Sharing the Love: Acidrose Designs

Acidrose Designs is based in Toronto, Canada and offers custom made synthetic dread kits and falls.

Jen, the face behind Acidrose says she has always had a passion for hair styling, photography and clothing design. In 2009 she decided to combine them all and launched Acidrose Designs.

On her website she says "I believe that everyone has the right to feel comfortable and beautiful in their own skin. If, through my work, I am able to help someone look in the mirror and like what they see then I am happy".

There are also hopes to expand Acidrose over the next few years, into hair accessories, jewellery and a clothing line.

You can get 15% off of your custom dread order with Acidrose Designs until December 31st.


Jen's dreads are beautiful. And the photographs of them are always creative and eye catching.


Be sure to check out Acidrose Design's work and updates on the following sites

http://www.acidrose.com

https://www.facebook.com/AcidroseDesigns

Sharing the Love: Monarch Dreads

This is installment of 'Sharing the Love' is all about Rachel aka Monarch Dreads. Who hails from Blackpool in the UK.
Monarch Dreads has some really really amazing dreads sets, I always love the colour combinations and their unique look. 


Rachel started her way on the dreadlock path by having braids with wool done by her Aunty. And the started installing these on herself and later having real dreadlock about 9 years ago using wax.

After needing to give her hair a break from real dreads Rachel started making dread extensions. Starting out with wool and then branching out into making smooth kanekalon dreads. After 3 years of doing this she started on her next set of permanent dreads (no wax) with crochet and a year later started making crocheted dread extensions.

Monarch Dreads specializes in caucasian dreads, wool dreads and embellished ends.

You can check out Monarch Dreads on the following links

Facebook Page

Facebook Profile

Sharing the Love: Luci Alice Photography

Model: Hélène Atsüko
Outfit: Pandora Deluxe Latex
Plugs: Sick Plugs

Luci Alice is a female photographer from the Isle of Wight who now resides in London. She does a wide range of photography work from weddings to working with experienced models and designers.

I love the concepts she has come up with as well as the amazing models she has photographed.

I have personally worked with Luci on quite a few occasions and she is absolutely lovely to work with. I'm a very shy person so being in front of a camera is not natural for me at all but Luci makes it fun and makes you feel at ease.

Luci Alice has been featured in some great publications and is definitely one to look out for!
You can check our work from Luci Alice Photography on the following links
Website
Facebook

Sharing the Love

From now on I plan on doing a monthly blog post (or maybe more regularly, we'll see how it goes ;) ) on other dread makers, crafters and independent artists.
My plan is just to help share the love for other small businesses and artists out there.


Would you like to be featured? Just send me an e-mail blacksunshineiow@hotmail.co.uk