Meet Sarah Blue | Holistic Hair Artist & Curator of Conscious Adornments

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Blue and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process was born out of necessity and a desire to create. I’ve always loved working with my hands and constantly have projects going on—working on my house is my fav hobby—so even after I stepped away from my career as a welder and metal fabricator in 2020 (a job I loved as the first female Production Forewoman for a Northern Colorado sign shop), my hands needed busy-work. The pandemic led me to a difficult decision to step away from my career to care for my son, who lives with Prader Willi Syndrome, a choice I made with no backup plan and with a great deal of fear, but I knew it was the right thing to do. The business grew organically from a personal need for dreadlock maintenance and my history in cosmetology, which led me to Seienstyle, a holistic dreadlock creation technique from Sweden. The idea for a home studio was almost an afterthought – a practical way to continue working in a creative capacity, while allowing me to prioritize caring for my son. From there, the vision for Riverbend solidified: to create a dedicated space where I could provide mindful, high-quality services and, eventually, a curated boutique to share the treasures I make and collect that bring beauty and intention into my own family’s life. I wanted to build a business that reflected my values—artistry, ethics, and the belief that we are all in control of creating the sanctuary we want to live in.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is not confined to one medium. My journey from cosmetology to welding, and now to dreadlock artistry and gemology, has always been driven by a deep love for working with my hands, a passion for the sciences, and the joy I feel when I create something beautiful from raw materials. Today, that art extends to the meticulous curation of my boutique, where every treasure is handcrafted or chosen with great intention.

As for what sets me apart, I’d say it’s my unique blend of skills and my non-negotiable commitment to integrity. I take a holistic approach to hair, which is why I chose to train with Seienstyle to build up my dreadlock artistry. I also handcraft unique hair wraps and dreadlock adornments, intentionally choosing my materials to create products that make people feel beautiful, confident, and powerful. For the gemstone side of the boutique, every item is sourced with a conscious heart – ethically sourced, fairly traded, and with the well-being of our planet and fellow communities in mind. Most people buy crystals without a second thought to unethical mining practices and to how the environmental, social, and ecological impacts affect the communities where these crystals are mined. I want to help change that. I offer a wide variety of ethically sourced gems and crystals, hand-poured intention candles, dreadlock beads and accessories, and spiritual tools, as well as products from CULT+KING, the best haircare products for both dreadlocks and loose hair – made for everyone, absolutely effective, planet-friendly, and boasting ingredient lists like you’ve never seen. I carry natural products that people feel good about. When you shop at Riverbend, you’re supporting more than a business; you’re supporting planet-friendly practices and a collective of women artisans and entrepreneurs.

My professional path, as I’ve shared, was far from easy. But the pivot from a stable career to a new, unknown path wasn’t a lesson in resilience—it was a testament to it. Having already seen what I could accomplish with determination, I knew there was only one right step forward. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that when my heart is in the right place and I’m taking action for the well-being of others, I can really make sh*t happen. We can overcome challenges if we face them head-on with greater purpose. We’ve got to be our own greatest advocate.

Ultimately, what I want the world to know is that Riverbend Dreadlocks & Gemstones is more than just a business. It’s a testament to the belief that in every aspect of our lives, we can create the positive energy we want to live in. My mission is to provide beautiful tools for that journey of self-love, healing, and conscious adornment.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
That’s a fun question, and honestly, the best time for me is spent at home, relaxing in my own little world. J and I love walking, so my first recommendation would be to start our mornings with coffee and a walk along the trails at Riverbend Ponds, in my beautiful backyard. It’s a peaceful, grounding way to start the day. We also love the mellow nature walks at the CSU Environmental Learning Center trails (but leave the pets at home for that one – no dogs allowed).

For food, we’d keep the energy high and the choices simple. Healthy, delicious grub from Mad Greens or Tokyo Joe’s is always a go-to. For a special, more relaxed meal, we’d absolutely head to Tasty Harmony for their unforgettable ginger-peach kombucha and a slower atmosphere.

The week would be filled with a vibrant mix of activities. We’d spend an afternoon at Pinball Jones, competing against each other in Old Town Square. We’d hit a Saturday morning class at Trials MMA Gym, where their 9am adaptive boxing class is open to drop-in participation. The most fun part is that the classes are open to all people of all abilities & ages, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to join in. And we’d absolutely make a stop at The Lyric for a movie, or just to hang out in their rad indoor environment with a snack and a board game. The best part is that all of this would be about sharing the things I truly love, showing that the most fun, interesting, and exciting people and places are right here, where we are.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Above all, I want to dedicate my shout-out to my son, Jayden. He is always at the center of everything I do. When I became pregnant with him, I was 20 years old and living on the streets, and everything I owned fit in my backpack. His presence became the sole motivation I needed to transform my life, and I did it the same way we do everything else, one step at a time, with hard work and some occasional help from kind people. It’s been a long road over the last 25 years, and my love for him has always been my driving force. It was that same courage he gave me that allowed me to step away from a career I loved and create a new chapter where I can do what I am meant to—being his number one cheerleader and supporter. Being able to work at home is a huge gift and has been such a positive for us both. I would also like to shout-out to Seienstyle for their holistic dreadlock method and superior training, which provided me with the skills and confidence to begin Riverbend Dreadlocks. Lastly, I want to shout out to the inspiring artists and companies that I am proud to showcase at Riverbend—HanaHonua, TwinMoonMagick, and CULT+KING—whose shared commitment to ethical creation inspires me every day. My success is a true reflection of the love and support from my son and the community of creators who believe in the same values I do.

Website: www.RiverbendDreadlocksAndGemstones.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverbenddreadlocksngemstones/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverbendDreadlocksandGemstones/

Other: Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RiverbendDreadsNGems