Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Hansen.
Hi Lauren, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started Desert Dyes in 2018 during my final year of college. I have always loved abstract art and fashion. My friends and I loved to make dyes together for fun and I found it was a much bigger passion for me than just a fun hobby. Being able to combine abstract art with fashion became my favorite medium as an artist and quickly grew into a deep obsession. I had also experienced an assault in college which affected me deeply. I suffered from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. My mind ran wild in a very sad and unproductive way. One day I decided to put all of that energy into something productive and that ended up being tie-dye and ultimately Desert Dyes. Soon enough I found myself surrounded by color, my spirits were lifted and I found a great reprieve from my struggles. This is something I hope my dyes bring to all of my customers; colorful mood boost in a variety of styles and sizes for everyone! During COVID I made thousands of sweatsuits and brought a little comfort and color to people during such a difficult time. I am thrilled that my items now stock stores around the country and uplift customers worldwide.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Small business as an artist can be a tough road when you are so personally connected to your work. My artwork has been judged by thousands of people and while most rave about their new tie-dye, some are not quite as gracious. Mistakes happen when working on such a large scale as an artist, and sometimes people can be so rude over a genuine mistake.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a textile artist and make hand-dyed apparel. I specialize in modern, pastel, and ice-dyed designs. I am most proud of my pastel dyes. As a textile artist, I have perfected the perfect pastel blends that while light and delicate will never fade through a lifetime of machine washing. I am also passionate about creating my pieces in an eco-friendly way and have created a textile studio that hardly uses any water and doesn’t use any harsh chemicals.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As an artist, social media has been the best way for me to meet other textile artists. I have a great group of women who are willing to share ideas, teach new methods, and support each other. Craft fairs have also been a fantastic way for me to get my brand out there and meet other small business owners right here in my community.
Contact Info:
- Website: desertdyes.com
- Instagram: @desertdyes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertdyes
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@desertdyes
