Meet Trailblazer Tina Chavera

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Chavera.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was living and working in a hostel in central London in 2005 when I learned how to crochet dreadlocks, my manager in the hostel was working on locks and she showed me her technique with a crochet hook… Never in a million years did I think it would be my life’s work, but through helping people on their journey I have learned more about life than I ever imagined. I started working on my friend’s locks and he was the best hype man ever before I knew it people were coming from all over to sit in my chair for a spell. Through the process I’ve learned the real benefits come from breathing new life into how people see themselves and trying to pass on a little bit of knowledge to help them learn how to take care of themselves.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think the biggest struggles come from learning how our own conditioning can lead to self-imposed limitations. The fear of worrying about the future and what people might think or how we might be judged, and the biggest one for me to let go of was the idea that there is a ‘right’ way and a ‘wrong’ way to do things. That fear left me paralyzed in indecision, but learning how to let it go and realize that there are so many ways to reach the same conclusion through different paths has helped me tremendously. My advice would be when you find yourself overwhelmed, sit still and breathe through it; ask yourself where these emotions are really coming from and what do you need in order to be comfortable? Repeat to yourself: I am calm, I am at peace, all is well & I am safe. I find mantras and positive affirmations to be really helpful when we tend to get into negative thought patterns. <3

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am an artist, first and foremost. My art consists of crocheting fibers together, I specialize in making dreadlocks (locs, locks, plaits, or matts) of hair, be it human hair or alpaca fur, I use my crochet skills to join individual locks of hair into larger stronger ropes. There are so many misconceptions about dreads, they are dirty, they smell, people don’t wash their hair or take care of themselves. My job is to change these ideas and help people learn to love what exists underneath. They are an outward symbol of resistance to societal norms and familial expectations, and in most cases people find themselves in them and learn to love this idea of “self” a bit more. They are an identity and a lifestyle and I cherish the role I play as a protector and nurturer of these ideals for so many.

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Of course!! @risingwoman @the.holistic.psychologist @dreadloxoxo on Instagram. Malcolm Gladwell – Blink and many others. Anything by Tom Robbins. And of course, I wouldn’t make it without an amazing team of therapists, both for mental and physical help! shout outs to my acupuncturist Eva Stanley at Alternative Chiropractic Center, Debbie and Michelle at Bobcat’s Bodywork, my float spa (sensory deprivation) at Samana Float Centers, and Tiame my dear trusted therapist and friend <3

Contact Info:

• Address: 9373 W. Colfax Ave.
  Lakewood, CO 80215
• Email: dreadmeknotco@gmail.com
• Instagram: @dreadmeknot @clearlycrocheted
• Facebook: facebook.com/dreadmeknotco

Image Credit:
Lucas Zhao Photography

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.