Burnout can be a beginning…if we let it be.
Hi, I’m Carin—Master Dyer and Founder of Dye on the Side. I spent years in the high-pressure world of corporate fashion, chasing success in an industry that often ignored the impact it had on people and the planet. When I became a mom at the start of the pandemic, everything shifted. The burnout hit hard. The disconnect from my creativity, my body, my truth, it was undeniable.
That’s when I returned to the roots of who I really am.
Dyeing with nature became my way back. Back to my breath. Back to beauty. Back to myself. What started as a quiet act of resistance against toxic systems has become a joyful, liberating practice, and now, a business built around creative connection, healing, and art.
I’m a mother, maker, and master dyer with 25+ years of experience working at the intersection of art, sustainability, and textile innovation.
I lead immersive dye workshops that help people reconnect to creativity and the Earth through color and play. I've partnered with teams at Apple, Facebook HQ, Airbnb, and Athleta, guiding everyone from toddlers to tech leaders in the magic of natural dyeing.
Before launching my own practice, I was Manager of Surface Development at Athleta, leading sustainable textile innovation. I’ve also designed for brands like Old Navy and Free People, always championing materials and methods that honor both people and the planet.
My journey with dye began as a teen under the mentorship of dye master Karen Skoglund, traveling the country to learn from masters and creating rainbows for festivals and community events. That early magic led me to a degree in Textile Design from Jefferson University and to curating historic collections at The Paley Design Center—work that deepened my reverence for traditional printing techniques.
Rooted in joy, color alchemy, and a belief in the healing power of creative practice, my work continues to hold space for others to reconnect with nature, color, and themselves.
Creating with Purpose
At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to creating with integrity for people, for place, and for the planet.
My workshops and collaborations are more than just creative experiences; they’re rooted in care, connection, and advocacy. I’m proud to work alongside local businesses and organizations that share these values—like Avenues of Change, Save the Meadows, Half Mad Honey, Yin Your Way Through, Alchemy X, and Main Line Shift, Kith + Kin —amplifying each other’s work and weaving a stronger, more sustainable community.
From the plants we forage to the partners we support, every decision is intentional. I believe creativity can be a form of resistance, a return to nature, and a tool for healing, not just for ourselves, but for the world around us. The learning never stops, and I remain committed to evolving in ways that uplift community, protect the earth, and support those doing the deep work of change.