Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Brown.
Hi Adam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I come from a family of teachers and craftsmen and have always been very into the arts and artistic endeavors. I’ve been tie-dyeing for most of my life; it’s always been something that I’ve loved to make and wear. When I started dating my wife, it became a project that we enjoyed working on together. We would set aside a few days every year to spend time dyeing and making new things.
A few years ago, I was struggling to find fulfillment and purpose in the jobs I was working. I bounced around a lot between different part-time and full-time positions. They paid the bills, for the most part, but I constantly dreaded going to work and really grappled with the need to survive and the desire to be happy with my work.
When covid hit, I lost my most recent job. I spent time applying for new work, going to interviews, and the whole process. But everywhere I went gave me the nastiest sense of deja vu. These were, basically, all places I had already been, places that didn’t make me happy.
So I tried to embrace the things I knew did make me happy. I started making things again and putting them out to the world. Luckily, I have an incredibly supportive wife, who kept our house running as I switched to something completely different and began a business for ourselves.
My little brother had already started his own business making candles and bath body products. And, shortly after I started selling tie-dyes, my dad lost his position of 15 years in streamlining layoffs and began to make personalized wood crafts. After working apart for a little while, we decided to bring all our projects together and open a store in the Oviedo Mall. There, we teach classes on making your own tie-dyes, and pouring your own candles, and have a bunch of products and projects that are all handmade, by ourselves, here in the Orlando area.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been some struggles along the way. When I lost my last job, I was struggling with my depression. I was already fighting internally about needing the job to survive but finding no happiness there. When the choice was made for me, I was partially relieved, to be honest. But, that obviously meant I now had no income which was also a problem. After a little while, aimlessly looking for new work, I decided to start sharing some of my art and dyes. Things went well, so I decided to give full-time tie dye a shot.
It was definitely a tough transition; on top of not having an income I was now spending money to start something new. I was and am lucky that my wife was able to bridge that gap for me and keep us supported while I restarted my life. After a bit longer, my brother started to float the idea of taking his online business to the next step. Our dad and I joined him. It’s been another weird transition with its own new set of difficulties but overall we are very excited to give it a try
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love to make and do things and am a musician, a writer, a painter, and of course a tie-dyer. I also love to try new things and dabble a little in a lot, but the main thing I’ve gotten recognition for is my dyes. Fantasy, science fiction, myths and legends, and stories, in general, have always been very close to my heart and, to me, are very important. I like to incorporate that into my dyes, doing designs that you don’t find many other places if at all. Video game symbols, like poke balls and triforces, Egyptian symbology, like ankhs, fantasy icons, like potion bottles, alchemy circles, D20s, etc… are my specialty. I also love to do tapestries that are dyed, washed, and then I paint fantasy scenes and characters on them with thickened dye.
I’m most excited now to be doing tie-dye classes. In our new shop, Wizards and Lizards, we have 6 classes you can take for now. Tie-dye is an art with a long and storied history, stretching back over 1500 years. Being a part of that history, however small it may be, is a huge honor, and being able to share such art with others is the dream of any bard.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m pretty easy to find. You can reach out to druidandthebard@gmail.com, find me on Instagram @druidandthebard, or @wizardsandlizardsstudio. I spend most days either at home dyeing or in the shop at the Oviedo mall.
You can find all our family brands at wizardsandlizardsstudio.com. if you want to work with me on a project, just let me know. Otherwise, we have a collection of handmade gifts and our classes in the shop and online. You can check them out, let us know what you think, and if something grabs you you can make it yours
Pricing:
- The Bard’s Standard Designs are $20
- Premium designs with more details start at $35
- Premium materials like dresses, soft cotton, etc start at $50
- Tapestries start at $30
- Classes start at $25 per person depending on group size.
Contact Info:
- Website: Wizardsandlizardsstudio.com – druidandthebard.com
- Instagram: @wizardsandlizardsstudio – @druidandthebard
- Facebook: Wizards and Lizards Studio – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089679234773&mibextid=ZbWKwL
