Dreadnaughtdarling.com was originally started to advertise my synthetic dreadlock business Dreadnaught Darling (this link sends you to Facebook, feel free to ‘Like’ me).
Muna Rain rocking her dreads at Alauda
However, so much has happened in my life since I started my side business, this website has come to represent a lot more of what I am up to.
- My journey into making synthetic dreadlocks began with a whim. I was involved loosely in the Belly Dance community as a drummer and friend to a number of dancers. This inspired me to want to dress a little more ‘tribal’ during performances in the SCA and when out and about at Belly Dance functions and at places like The World Rhythm Festival. I had previously attended African drumming classes from Bill Matthews and had also taken lessons for Belly Dancing with Sharon Moore (both fabulous teachers in the Seattle area, look them up) and attribute them partially for my influences.
I had looked into prices for synthetic dreadlocks and noted how expensive they were, so I figured I would learn how to make them myself. My first batch were floppy and annoying, not to mention something I did not want to show anyone. I put away the project in frustration and let it be.
Robyn displaying her hair falls beautifully.
These dreads seem to take forever due to all the overtime I was working at my day job. It took me a month or so to finish them. My friends were supportive, though a bit concerned, seeing how long they were taking to make. I was rather triumphant by the time I completed them. To my credit, they looked fantastic. I invited her over to view them and Kim was ecstatic. She promptly came over to have me install them a few days later.
They looked great, she rocked them very well. Additionally, you do not see light colored dreads often. So they created a buzz among my friends. I had a few people approach me and ask questions. But the next person who gave me a shot was my friend Robyn. She commissioned me to make her a lovely set of Ginger Dreads.
I got to work on Robyn’s and finished them in half the time of Kim’s set. I also added some accents here and there and was even happier with this set as it let me get a bit more creative. Her dreads created a commotion as well. Redheads are also good for advertising, fancy that.
I have been working on dreads ever since. It is slowly taking a foothold and becoming the business I want it to be. I would not be doing this without all of the love, support and enthusiasm from all of my friends and family. I thank you all so much for that, it means the world to me. Thanks for making my hobby a successful side business! I look forward to making dreadlocks for many years to come!
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