Allan1972 Report post Posted May 22, 2014 (edited) I started off by having a strap made for me 8 months ago by a well respected maker. I had spent almost two years looking on his website and finally justified the cost. I really like quality and craftsmanship, I was not disappointed. I have always been good working with my hands and thought I could do this if I had the tools. A couple weeks later I showed my bff the strap and he immediately stated that I should be making these as he felt this kind of work was right up my alley. This was the added bump I needed to take the plunge. So now at this point I was 5-6 straps in really only for my own guitars and the fun of it(just proving to my self I could do it). I run a menswear store and have a tailor shop in the back, I brought a few straps to show my tailor and other staff my hobby. My UPS driver stops for his daily checkin and he sees the straps and says I should take them to a local guitar builder. I state that it is just a hobby and I am not looking to turn it into business, he reluctantly accepts my answer. Up till now I have been getting a lot of urging from family and friends to start selling these, my response has been who is crazy enough to pay $250 plus for a guitar strap. My family has politely pointed out…. YOU DID. A couple weeks later my UPS guy comes in as usual and says that he has talked to the guitar guy. I am to take my straps to show him as he is interested. So I take my straps to show the guitar guy stating I am not sure why I am there as I am not looking to start a business. Turns out he likes them and wants me to make a few and he will hang them in his shop. If he sells them he would take 30% for consignment. I said that the whole point of making a custom strap is to get to work with me and pick all the details, otherwise a person might as well buy a good strap at a store for way less. I decided this was not how I wanted to sell straps if I was to sell them at all. As we were finishing our talk he stated that he really liked them and that he liked to support local business as that is how he makes a living(he builds acoustic guitars). We came up with a strap idea and he stated that he had a friend that he knew would want one. So here are my first commissioned works. This is a modified version of his logo, a challenge to get the narrow font and no room for glaring mistakes as you only get one chance here(I did one practice go on a coaster). This keeper was added later. This cord keeper was also added with the new strap keeper. This is the strap his friend and I came up with. Before:) After… still needs end pin hole. They loved them and were happy to part with there money….. Kinda like when I got mine. I hope this is not too many pictures or too many words, as I know when I read other posts I like to see the details. Allan Edited May 22, 2014 by Allan1972 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hi Im Joe Report post Posted May 22, 2014 Congrats! Sounds like you are well on your way to having an unintended business! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eccho Report post Posted May 22, 2014 Beautiful work! you have a great talent, no wonder people are drawn to your creations. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidL Report post Posted May 22, 2014 Really stunning pieces. I would strike up a consignment deal to place regular non tooled strap w/ just your logo for 100-120 dollars (use a sewing machine to save time). Not such an outrageous price for a strap and you might as well put the other straps in the store and it would be free advertising for your product that you can add signage stating that custom work is available. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allan1972 Report post Posted May 26, 2014 Thank you guys…. David that is not a bad idea, just need to get a sewing machine. Allan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
