Hi! Thanks so much for visiting The Dread Shed Dreadlocks (TDSD). TDSD was created many, many years ago from a little dreadlock making set up I had in a converted shed I was living in around Byron Bay (Australia), and it has now grown into a wonderful and supportive community of professional dread makers that can be found Australia wide. You can read more about me on this site, but in short Im a travel addict and dread lover first and foremost. I am also a qualified therapist & life coach, yoga teacher and Im trained in a variety of healing techniques. I am a big lover of nature and…
Why Get Dreads?
Hello loc-lovers!!!!! Here is a little glimpse into the world of the dreaded mind for those who might be wondering why people dread-up or perhaps you yourself are considering getting dreads. This is a group blog from my Facebook page, The Dread Shed Dreadlocks. I asked the dreaded community why they got dreads and the answers were random and varied - but one things for sure, we just love dreads!!!!! Thank you to all contributors. Happy reading! Sam Michael Why? The Predator. Amy It fits me. Nick Breaking away from mainstream straightness!! Sara I never did my hair anyway ... Now it is just amazing …
Dread Shampoo – Advice From The Experts
Are you looking for the perfect dread shampoo for your luscious locks? I put the shampoo question out to the dreaded panel (the good people of my facebook page) and below you will find all their fantastic shampoo wisdom. When choosing a shampoo, I personally look for something that is natural, vegan, residue-free and contains no conditioners. I also want my shampoo to dry my hair out a bit as hair that is in dry condition will dread a lot better than hair that is soft and silky. Sometimes trying out a couple of shampoos will be necessary before finding your perfect match (it’s a bit like dating), and sometimes…
Let’s talk about lice in dreads…..
Hello fellow loc-lovers! As many of you would know I recently (March 20th 2014) put up a post on my facebook page asking everyone to share their knowledge on getting rid of lice from dreads. The information gathered is so valuable that I didn’t want it to just get lost in cyber world, so I decided to turn all your fabulous words of lice wisdom into a blog so it is here and available for everyone to read and access anytime. To everyone who contributed I thank you. I have used first names only with your comment and that is to give you credit for your knowledge while maintaining your…
That Guy With The Spider In His Dreads
Scenario number 1: Imagine me without dreads. I know, I know… hilarious and spooky. Terrifying. But imagine I’m walking through the forest with my un-dreaded hair and there is a spider that decides to jump onto my head from a tree that I’ve stepped under. There is a spider in my hair and I am completely unaware of it. It is creeping around in my hair like its Tarzan swinging on vines – but I don’t feel it because its pretty small. A few minutes later I wipe sweat off my forehead and brush my hand over my hair. The spider falls out. Alternatively, I comb my fingers through my…
Dreads, passions and my (itinerant) life
If you know me either personally or through facebook, you will know that I spend a lot of time roaming around the globe. I have a gypsy spirit and I can’t seem to stay in one place for too long. My insatiable desire to explore the world overrides pretty much everything else – you could say it’s my main priority. When I was 24, I quit my job and went to India on my own with nothing but the clothes I was wearing, a small backpack, a little bit of money and no idea about anything to do with India. I just went. I wont bore you with my ‘spiritual…
Caring for dreads in a hot climate (or, moisturizing Bali crispy-dreads!!!)
There are a couple of things you probably know about me right now: 1) I have dreads (duh!!!) 2) I have bleached dreads 3) I’m a travel junkie 4) Right now I’m in Bali So, what happens to my bleached, dehydrated, damaged dreads when I’m somewhere hot? Think crispy. Think very course rope that has been never used so it’s still prickly and stiff. Yep. My dreads. I’m hoping that your dreads are not as bad as all that – but whatever the condition of your beloved dreadlocks it’s important to take some extra care of them in hot climates. Here is my anti-crispy-dread formula. You will…
The Dread Shed – Latest News – July 2013!
I guess if you're here reading this then you already know that The Dread Shed Dreadlocks (TDSD) has had a MASSIVE overhaul! I cannot tell you how excited I am about all these changes. There's nothing like a little shake-up every now and then 😉 If you've gone for a browse already you will see that really soon (hopefully by August) you will be able to do an online loctician course with TDSD. This idea was born due to lots of overseas enquiries regarding natural dreadlock training, and/or from people asking me daily how to make dreads!! SO for everyone who would like to know - stick around..... The course…
Starting New Dreads
Daily I get asked, How do I start my new dreads? So - here I will answer your question..... Starting new dreads - I kind of want to say "Come on guys, really? I'm a loctician and I love neat dreads! How do you think I'm going to answer this question??" My short answer is go see a GOOD NATURAL loctician. The days of sitting around with your friends eating pizza and watching movies while they backcomb your hair and apply wax has gone. Really. Its gone. Having dreads is much more serious than that - I mean don't you want your new dreads to be AMAZING and exactly what you're…
To wash, or Not to wash…?
Ahhhhhh loc lovers.... SO often I am asked this question - pretty much daily and sometimes a couple of times. Should I wash my dreads? What should I use? How often should I wash them? Firstly let's get rid of a really old dreadlock myth around washing. Dirty hair DOES NOT dreadlock. You may, over time, get a big chunky matted mess - or you might not.... It depends on your hair-type. If you do not wash your hair often your hair will get oily (we do have natural oil from our scalp as well so I don't necessarily mean super oily). If your hair is oily then it will…