We have been obsessing over ice dyed apparel and were so excited to meet Riel at a Drekker Craft Market and the dyed creations (including ice dyed!) made through Time to Dye Clothing! Check out Riel’s social media for all the new things created regularly and meet the maker below.

Tell us a bit about yourselves:

Hello, my name is Riel and I’ve lived in Fargo for almost my whole life. I moved from the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation to Fargo when I was about 5 years old. In my free time you can find me at concerts, vendor events, listening to records, hanging out with my girlfriend and cats, thrifting or skateboarding around town.

Describe what type of products you make?

I make customized one of a kind hand dyed clothing. This includes reverse dye, ice dye, standard dye, bleached and other types of clothing. I sell shirts, hoodies, pants, shorts, socks, bandanas, face masks, tapestries and more. All hand dyed by myself in my apartment in Fargo. The clothing is available online and at vendor events around the Fargo Moorhead area. I also accept commissions.

Tell us how you got started dying apparel and beyond?

I love creating art and I was so inspired seeing other hand dyed clothing online that I just had to try it for myself.

What is your personal favorite item you have created?

That’s hard to choose but my favorite item that I dyed is probably a Mandalorian reverse dye shirt that someone from Norway bought off my etsy page. Either that or a shirt that was an experiment gone wrong but then turned out better than expected.

Where does your name come from?

I think of it kind of as a play on words. A play on words but with a bit of truth to it… it’s always time to die.

What is your favorite type of dying process to work with?

I love how reverse dyes look and they are what got me into tie dying. However, my favorite type of dying process is probably ice dying because I just love seeing how the colors mix together with the ice and create such unique organic colors.

What is something people might find surprising about dying apparel or don’t often know about it?

Something surprising is the amount of supplies it takes. Especially when reverse dying. Clothing, rubber bands, gloves, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, soda ash, bins, grates, squeeze bottles, and more. There is a lot of supplies that go into reverse dying clothes.

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

It’s so exciting to see how the clothing turns out once I rinse them out. Creating one of a kind items has also been artistically rewarding. Getting to know what does and doesn’t work in creating a handcrafted business is great as well. Also knowing that there are people out there wearing something that I made that can never be recreated is a cool feeling as well.

What is the most challenging thing?

One of the hardest things is when a piece of clothing doesn’t turn out as good as expected. Also understanding how to start a successful small business has definitely been a learning process.

What is a word that best describes you?

Oh man, who am I to say? I guess I would say I’m perceptive. I try to see beauty in all things and understand that death is just as important as life. I’m also kinda tall so that describes me too.

What advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I would have told myself to think less and do more. I would recommend to be less self conscious and keep expanding your perspective on life. I would also say that ten years goes by quick and that opportunities come and go. And finally I would say don’t take life so seriously and to have fun while you can!

Where can people find your work?

You can find my work for sale at Timetodieclothing.etsy.com. I sell at many vendor events around the Fargo Moorhead area. You can see my new and past work at Instagram.com/timetodieclothing and at Facebook.com/timetodieclothing

Website/social to stay in touch:
Timetodieclothing.etsy.com
Instagram.com/timetodieclothing
Facebook.com/timetodieclothing