Meet the Maker: Collided Dreams

Describe what type of products you make under Collided Dreams

I started my business solely doing ice tie-dyed apparel. I pride myself on being a size-inclusive brand. For T-shirts, I offer sizes small – 6XL, and for crewnecks and hoodies, I offer sizes small – 5XL. This summer I expanded into making window cling suncatchers, too.

Tell us how you got started with your business

Like most people during lockdown in 2020, I was looking for a new hobby to keep me busy…but more importantly, I needed a distraction from the chaos and sadness going on in the world. I have always loved traditional tie dye but one day I came across ice tie dye. I was immediately intrigued and I knew I had to take a stab at it. I first tried with cheap dye from the craft store, which didn’t work out well. Instead of giving up, I did even more research and found the professional-grade dyes I needed. I bought those professional-grade dyes immediately and I was hooked. I have never looked back.

What is your personal favorite item or piece you’ve created so far?

Oh boy, that’s a hard one since every piece is unique in its own way. Probably the one that I am wearing though, do you see the face!? I have created many shirts that have had faces or animals in them. It’s so cool.

What is the most popular item you specifically sell?

If I exclude my one item that went viral, my tie-dye t-shirts and hoodies are my best sellers! I take orders on my site, but most of my sales actually come from my live sales on TikTok! In case you’re not familiar with live sales, what I do is go through each piece individually and assign a number to them. If you want the item, you simply type the number in the chat. If you’re the first person on my screen with the correct number—the claim is yours! At the end of the sale, I create invoices for everyone on my website to complete their purchase. You’re able to add designs to them before I ship them, too! I do giveaways during the lives, it’s a good time! Even if you don’t buy anything, I appreciate those who just come and hang out! It’s a fun time, I promise.

You went viral on Tik Tok! Tell us about that!

Yes! Having a video go viral on TikTok back in July was wild! It was my window cling suncatchers that went viral. Specifically, my glow-in-the-dark stars. I grew up with those plastic glow-in-the-dark stars all over my walls and ceilings… and I wanted to create something that reminded me of those stars, but with my own spin on it. So I created star-shaped sun catchers with a glow-in-the-dark outline on them. So, during the day you’d have rainbows shining through on your walls/floors and at night you’d have your glow-in-the-dark stars. I expected to get a few orders from that video… but I have sold over 600 sets! It exceeded my expectations and I still get orders from that video!

What’s something people would find surprising about ice dyeing?

I’m a little extra so I actually have two things

1. The most unique thing about ice tie dye is how some of the dyes split during the ice tie dye process. Most dye colors are a combination of pigments (for example, to make green you can combine blue and yellow) vs. a pure pigment consisting of one color. The different pigments will dissolve at different rates and will create their own flow patterns as they move through the fabric. So many of my green dyes will end up being a mix of green, blue, and some yellow! Some of the most surprising dye colors are earthy tones or greys.

2. The one thing that most people are surprised about is actually the amount of time the entire ice tie dye process takes. During the winter months when it’s colder, it can take up to three days for an item to be completed. The fiber-reactive dyes I use require heat. The lower the temperature, the longer it will take.

What is something you’ve enjoyed the most about doing this handcrafted business?

Having an excuse to be creative! I offer mystery tie dye options on my website and TikTok shop. When customers order a mystery it provides me an excuse to try color combinations and techniques.

What is the most challenging thing?

Juggling my business while working fulltime has been the most challenging thing so far. I question what my business could accomplish and blossom into if I were to step away from my corporate job… but I am just not ready to take that step yet.

What is one craft or art medium you haven’t really dabbled in yet that you want to try someday?

Silk screen printing—it would be a match made in heaven for my apparel!

What is a word that best describes you?

Passionate! I pour my heart into every aspect of my business, even down to how I package my orders.

Any specific plans for 2024 for Collided Dreams you can share with us?

Absolutely! I am excited to announce that I am in the process of having some new items created! I will be bringing in Mulberry Silk Pillowcases to dye and having my own hoodies manufactured! Excited is an understatement.

Where can people find your work?

CollidedDreams.Com
Tiktok Shop |
@CollidedDreamsLLC
Tiktok for Live Sales |
@CollidedDreams

I try to do as many Unglued events, as well! Keep an eye out for me.