Search results (tags) for: "music"

Making Handmade Musical Instruments

2008-09-12T16:42:00Z

You don't need a lot of cash to make music. The folks in these videos all made their own instruments and are sharing them with the world through video. Check the related items for some fantastic handmade musical instruments on Etsy. If you know of a great handmade music video or item on Etsy, share the links in the comments!

What do you get when cross an oil can with a banjo? The canjo!

Wow, it's an upright bass made of cardboard and it sounds pretty good!

I've always wanted to make a cigar box guitar. This one sounds amazing!

Dennis Havlena makes all sorts of instruments and shares them in this video.

Electric Junk Guitar Workshop from ranjit on Vimeo.

Inspired? On October 14th, you can take the guitar making class at Etsy Labs featured in the above video.

Also if you haven't seen the Etsy Handmade Portrait about Armor Guitars, check it out.

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events September 6 - 12, 2008

2008-09-04T11:00:00Z

Summer is winding down, and the holidays are soon approaching. Why not start planning early and take a peek at what your favorite art and craft lovers are up to? Here are a few of our picks. Let us know what's happening in your area by sharing in the comments below.

Providence, RI: September 6 - 21, 2008

The 10th Annual Pawtucket Arts Festival kicks off this week with a wide variety of visual, performance and participatory arts events by regional, national and internationally-known artists. Be sure to stop by and visit the RI Etsy Team on September 13 and 14, where over ten local Etsy artists will be representing Arts In RI with a huge booth set-up.

This week's line up of events includes Dragonboat Races, an antique and classic car show, antique appraisals, children's theatre, music, poetry, dancing, juried art exhibits and design competitions, film screenings and walking tours. Be sure to check out the schedule of events for all the dates and details.

Northampton, MA: September 5 - 6, 2008

Get away for the weekend and check out the adorable little town of Northampton, MA. Home to thousands of students, artists and musicians, the town is filled with great shops, restaurants, bars and coffee houses as well as several performance venues.

This weekend the Twist Fair will be showcasing original handmade goods and art from over 50 of the region's most talented crafters and artists. Two days of shopping start Friday evening on September 5 with DJ beats and adult beverages. It's less than two hours from Boston and only three hours from NYC, so it's a great excuse to escape the city and plan a weekend getaway. Check out the related items below for a sneak peek of the fabulous crafters and artists who will be there representing their work.

Asheville, NC : September 7

Arts 2 People is excited to bring you the seventh annual FREE, Lexington Ave Arts and Fun Festival. Three blocks of Asheville's scenic N. Lexington Ave will be lined with local art, food, beer and street performers on Sunday, September 7 from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm. (Located between College Street and the I-240 overpass.) The street will be brimming with a celebration of Asheville's diverse and unique culture.

The entertainment schedule includes three stages and two courtyards of music and performance, featuring rock and roll, indie pop, funk, folk, ragtime, reggae, world beat, singer songwriters, bluegrass, old time, drummers, clowns, magicians, contortionists, belly dancers, modern dancers, vaudeville actors, fire dancers, break dancers and hula hoopers.

The Asheville Etsy Street Team will be making an appearance at LAAFF, bringing hands-on demonstrations on upcycled no-sew grocery bags, a community art project resulting in a creature from the briny deep and an on-site display of their team members' handmade arts and crafts.

Washington, DC : September 10-13

Phase 1 Lounge presents Phasefest, an annual Queer music and arts festival dedicated to the development, exposure and interaction of queer and queer-allied musicians and artists, both national and international. The entertainment schedule includes a line up of talented musicians, crafters, artists, performance artists, activists and comedians.

If you are an artist or crafter who would like to participate in Phasefest, they are still accepting applications for unique local artists, artisans and crafters who also happen to be queer or allies in the gay/lesbian community.

That's all for this week! Are you doing something crafty this weekend? Let us know in the comments below!

You be the Judge: Judging Pretty Woman

2008-09-02T11:00:00Z

Sometimes in order to play judge and fully investigate a situation, I have to acquire evidence. And so, many times when I read an intellectual property dispute regarding a musical work, I purchase and listen to the music at issue. Yes, truth be told, I have an “infringement” section on my MP3 player.

Unfortunately, more often than not, I will later learn that parties settled out of court and cannot discuss the details of the case. So then when my play list brings the allegedly infringing song back into my legal ears, I am left to wonder what exactly happened. Thankfully I am also often left with some pretty cool music.

To me, the only thing worse than a song stuck in your head is not knowing whether or not that song is legit. To avoid this situation, this time instead of us Etsians playing judge I’m going to leave the job to a select few: the Supreme Court of the United States. However, please feel free to comment on this case and let us know what you would decide if you were the judge.

In 1964, Roy Orbison released a song titled “Oh, Pretty Woman” which reached number one in the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s lyrics paint a romantic picture of a man watching a beautiful woman and at the last minute she turns around.

Here’s a sample of Orbison’s lyrics:

Pretty Woman, walking down the street,
Pretty Woman, the kind I like to meet,
Pretty Woman, I don’t believe you,
You’re not the truth,
No one could look as good as you

In 1989, 2 Live Crew recorded a song titled “Pretty Woman” and sampled the distinctive baseline from the Orbison song. 2 Live Crew’s lyrics describe a “bald-headed woman” a “two timing woman” and a “big hairy woman.”

Here’s a sample of 2 Live Crew’s lyrics:

Big hairy woman you need to shave that stuff
Big hairy woman you know I bet it’s tough
Big hairy woman all that hair it ain’t legit
‘Cause you look like ‘Cousin It’

Almost a year later, after nearly a quarter of a million copies of 2 Live Crew's recording had been sold, Orbison’s publisher, Acuff-Rose Music sued 2 Live Crew and argued that the fair use doctrine did not permit commercial reuse of copyright material. District Court granted summary judgment for 2 Live Crew, reasoning that the song was a parody which “quickly degenerates into a play on words, substituting predictable lyrics with shocking ones” to show “how bland and banal the Orbison is” and its commercial purpose was no bar to fair use. The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed and remanded finding that “every commercial use … is presumptively … unfair.”

In 1994, the United States Supreme Court heard the case and in a seminal fair use decision decided in 2 Live Crew’s favor, thus greatly expanding the fair use doctrine to protect parodies created for profit.

According to the court,

“[i]t was error for the Court of Appeals to conclude that the commercial nature of 2 Live Crew's parody of 'Oh, Pretty Woman' rendered it presumptively unfair. No such evidentiary presumption is available to address either the first factor, the character and purpose of the use, or the fourth, market harm, in determining whether a transformative use, such as parody, is a fair one. The court also erred in holding that 2 Live Crew had necessarily copied excessively from the Orbison original, considering the parodic purpose of the use. We therefore reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Check out this site to hear the songs for yourself. So, although the judges have spoken, you be the judge!

Handmade Music Night 2008.07.08

2008-07-08T11:22:00Z

Handmade Music Night at the Etsy Labs is back on Tuesday July, 8th 2008! Brought to you by the usual suspects Etsy, Make Magazine, and Create Digital Music, this mid-summer Handmade Music Night is bound to be a #1 stunner! Here's a video about making your own instruments that features a past iteration of this event:

TUESDAY, TUESDAY, TUESDAY: artists, crafters, makers, musicians, and hackers unite to bedazzle you with chiptune gaming systems for music, strange alternative MIDI controllers and sound-mangling custom software, repurposed vintage synthesizer chips made famous by the Commodore 64, digital visuals, a musical Nintendo Wii balance board, wireless sensing controllers, and much much more! Come on down and check out this F-R-E-E community event, right here in Brooklyn at the Etsy Labs space.

If you have an awesome instrument that you made and would like to share, feel free to bring it on down and share in the community fun, if not just bring yourself and enjoy the festivities!

Handmade Music Night
7/8/08 - 7pm
Etsy Labs
325 Gold St., 3rd floor
Brooklyn, NY

Map

See our past coverage of these musical evenings.

Also, if you are in the Brooklyn area and want to learn to make your own guitar, be sure to sign up soon for this class taught by Ranjit of Handmade Music Night.

Etsy Finds: Mary Ford

2008-07-07T08:40:00Z

Mary Ford (1924-1977) was one half of the duo Les Paul and Mary Ford, and along with her more famous guitar-designing ex-husband, helped pioneer a ton of recording techniques that are now common practice like multitrack recording and close-miking. I'm a big fan of her vocal style — I always thought she sounded so downright bored, or half asleep, harmonizing with herself in her version of the Tennessee Waltz ... and there is something really appealing about a song where your sweetie leaves your butt on the dance floor for your friend, sung in a totally but-I-could-care-less, pass-me-another-mint-julep way. Happy Birthday, Mary! This Find is for you.

Song To Sing Cut Paper Art Giclee Print

Print of an amazing cut-paper illustration by colorflystudio, $12.

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Sterling Silver Les Paul Electric Guitar Pick Personalized with a message of your choice on the back. Made with love and care

The perfect gift for any Les Paul fan. By AndrosCreations, $55.

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She Is Bad to the Impeccably Manicured Bone . . it is an ART MAGNET for girls who get their nails done.

For the ladylike guitarist in us all. By allisonstrine, $5.

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Old School Record Player in Olive

I invite you to stare at this print while humming How High the Moon. By johnwgolden, $20.

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Golden Tie Strap

Kaceydilla (um, great username) has a shopful of guitar straps made from vintage ties. There's something for everyone here. $20.

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vintage transistor am radio

Over in the Vintage side of Etsy, I've found this totally beautiful transistor radio. As shopowner moxiethrift says,
"A transistor AM radio reminds me of less chaotic times. Markets, talk radio and a country station or two. That is it. It's kind of....quiet....to think about those times. Those times make me happy." $14.41.

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Eat Your Heart Out. Semi-hollow Electric Guitar in salvaged wood

Look at this beauty! Completely amazing and special. By westcorinthstudio, $1,750.

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Hand Quilted Queen Size Quilt, Tennessee Waltz pattern

I can't write a Find honoring Mary Ford without a nod to The Tennessee Waltz. Even if I mean the song and not the intricate quilt pattern. This gorgeous piece was hand quilted by annesquilts, $425.

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W E D D I N G --- Vintage Slipdress

Modern-day Marys need a custom lacy dress by ktjean. Get it made as demurely long or scandalously short as you like! $160-$300.

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p.s. Please check out this Youtube video I found of Les and Mary's television show where she's crafting (and singing)! It's so good.

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Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events July 4-July 11

2008-07-03T12:54:00Z

So many great handmade events on the horizon, so little time...

Chicago, IL: July 10

For all of you in the Chicago area, the upcoming DIY Style Party is not to be missed! This sew-in will be held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare-Rosemont. Join in the fun and create your own DIY fashions at the DIY Style design labs and stitch stations equipped with all the supplies. DIY Style gurus will be on hand to guide you through such projects as t-shirt surgery, sewing underwear, making an eco-friendly tote bag, and giving your jeans a distressed look. Be sure to visit the local Etsy sellers on hand and before you go, check out The American Sewing Guild's National Convention, also at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The ASG Marketplace opens its doors at 7:00pm. Stock up on the coolest sewing tools, patterns, and gadgets around!

Golden, CO: Call for Entries

If you live in Colorado, it's time to take off your sunglasses and start thinking about the winter holidays. Foothills Art Center, in Golden, Colorado, is looking for talented new artists to join their annual Holiday Market. They are now offering a 10% discount on the application fee for all Etsy artists! The market fills Foothills with unique arts and fine crafts for gift-giving. Admission to HART is free to the public and special programming helps attract over 10,000 shoppers! Works by nearly 200 Colorado artists will be displayed in a stunning holiday setting. If you'd like to apply to have your work in the Holiday Market, download the prospectus and mail it in by the July 31 deadline.

Brooklyn, NY: July 8

Create Digital Music, Etsy, and MAKE join forces once again to bring to life another Handmade Music Night at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn (325 Gold St, 3rd floor, Brooklyn). Join us Tuesday, July 8 at 7pm for an evening of Chiptune game-music wireless sensor driven sound, Wii balance board instrumentation, custom software for sound-mutation, and much more! Learn more details about this month's Handmade Music Night here.

See our previous Etsy in Action posts.

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events June 20 - 26

2008-06-19T12:21:17Z

Ah summer, and another weekend full of handmade goodness. The toughest part will be deciding what to do first! (Perhaps geography will whittle it down for you.)

Baltimore, Maryland; June 20

Baltimore, Maryland's Charm City Craft Mafia presents Pile of Craft this weekend. Fair organizer Annie Chau of Imogene has this tip for visitors:

"We are huge fans of the Waverly Farmer's Market that takes place just a few blocks north of the event. It opens up at 6 am and runs until noon. It's a great place to pick up some local produce, flowers, and munchies before the show!

Our tip: check out the list of vendors (including lots of Etsians) to plan your shopping in advance!

Montreal, QC, Canada; June 21-22

Heading north, there's Fringe Bazaar, brought to you by the dangerously talented ladies of Craft Mafia Montreal.
With sixty exhibitors and a chance to win one-of-a-kind goodies, you're sure to make a killing — in crafty finds. And if that's not reason enough... Valerie Parizeault, of the Montreal famiglia offers:
“To buy handmade is to participate in the local economy, to pose an ecological gesture and to encourage the culture and artist from here. So buy handmade, Capiche?!”

...You won't get any trouble from us.

Philadelphia, PA; June 20-22

POPPED! Music Festival, a 3-day, all-ages festival aims to focus on environmental sustainability and highlight Philadelphia's local flavor. The lineup includes Vampire Weekend, Mates of State, Gogol Bordello, Slick Rick, Daniel Johnston and more.

Las Vegas, Nevada; June 20-21

The Green Living Expo and Eco-Job Fair
On hand: over 100 exhibits, including organic health and beauty products, an eco-fashion show and green kids' zone. Make sure to print your resume on recycled paper, because top green companies will be represented at the Eco-Job Zone and accepting applications.

None of these near you? Tell us what's happening in your area by leaving a comment below. Better yet, why not show us? Share your photos at the Etsy in Action flickr pool.

Check out the related items for a sampling of the vendors representing at Pile of Craft and Fringe Bazaar!

Featured Buyer: Tall Firs

2008-06-18T13:02:00Z

This week's Featured Buyer is Dave Mies of the band Tall Firs. Tall Firs are a Brooklyn-spun band of three. Their roots, though joyous, often feel like punk ghosts in a dusty room at magic hour. Layers of folk and country ease you into the darkness with remarkable tenderness, but there is always hope in their songs. Like any band, they've taken their show on the road and know the pain and glory of being on tour. We thought they'd give a fresh perspective to our Gotta Travel On series.

You can find out more about the band at their website at TallFirs.org or check out their record label for tour info and CDs.

Dave, who does guitar/vocals in Tall Firs, answers a few interview questions and highlights his Etsy picks below.

Do you make anything crafty?
I've made our last two album covers. The first was a logo arranged out of the fallen needles from my wife's and my first Christmas tree, and the second was carved from a piece of cherry wood which was a gift from our friend Peter.

In addition, Ryan collects found photographs from all over the place ranging from graduations, to graduations from sanity. Technically, he didn't make them, but the art is in the tenacity and the hoarding.

How did you meet?
New York City, man! Just like any city, it works like a vacuum; sucks up detritus from all over and forms tightly knit clumps.

What was your weirdest place on tour or craziest story?
We stayed in an abandoned Ramada in Detroit once. Long story short, we spent most of the night chasing a runaway flying squirrel owned by our squatter hosts. I'm serious.

Where would you like to live (if not where you live now?)
Speaking only for myself, somewhere totally antithetical to New York. Nothin' but trees and breeze, I guess; only I like it here just fine for now.

What's your most cherished family item?
I have my great grandfather's railroad watch. I inherited it when my granddad died. If only it was as reliable as he was, damn thing hasn't told time for years.

What do men want?
That's easy, the same things women want: love, sex, protection, freedom, restraint, decadence, bigger dreams, better memories.

Figuring out what we really need is the tough one.

Aaron (the other guitar/vox) is on a street hockey league called The Unicorns. This print of a unicorn retching up a rainbow by nutandbee describes them effortlessly.

Pink skeleton lady's tank top by moresassvintage: it's so hot. Just imagine hot girl bullies in the Karate kid.

Crazy hippie guitar strap? Totally, man. Aaron and I pride ourselves on expressive guitar belts: it's the power tie of rock guitar. This one is by FatPatch.

Rad wooden pinball machine by DamonMcIntyre. It's a little pricey, but really neat. I thought Pinocchio was cool, but this thing works without magic.

This handmade wooden guitar stand by Ltnwoodworks would improve the look of my living room dramatically. Instruments look cool, the stands usually don't.

Purple Pie Man, man! This is the only French beatnik the old shortcake ever knew. I don't collect vintage toys myself, but if I did this dude would be "shortlisted." Found in trunkofprettys' shop.

Not sure if this dress is my girl's style, but holy smokes, these vintage rags will surely draw stares. Found in BlackandBrown's shop.

Looking for past Featured Buyers? Check out our archive! We've interviewed other musicians like Leslie Hall of Leslie and the LY's, John F. from They Might Be Giants, Lavender Diamond...The list goes on! Also, check out our other music related content here.

Gotta Travel On | Travel Showcase | Featured Buyer

My Visit to a Luthier in Tennessee

2008-06-13T15:24:00Z

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In early May I went to Barren Plains, Tennessee to visit James Peters, a luthier and Etsy seller Armor Guitars. He plys a trade after my own heart, as a fellow woodworker, though I’ve yet to muster the patience required to build a fine instrument.

I remember when James first joined Etsy and listed a guitar. It was something I’d been waiting for with patient curiosity – when would the woodworkers appear? (There are now dozens of them, I’m happy to report.)

To coincide with the re-launch of Alchemy, I requested a custom guitar from James. The supreme benefit of a handmade guitar is working with the maker to spec out the instrument. James asked a lot of questions and I answered as many as I could. I knew I wanted something smaller than a dreadnought, and with a well-defined “waist” (in geetar terms).

He told me what he had, including wood from an old piano that would be used for the soundboard (the top). He mentioned things I had never heard of, like a side port so the player can better monitor his or her own sound.

At the heart of Etsy is the connection between the maker and the buyer. So when James began building my guitar, I asked if I could drop in for a visit. We’d recently begun making our Handmade Video Portraits, and I thought he would make a rich subject for such a portrait.

Tara and I headed to LaGuardia airport here in NYC, and a couple hours later were “deplaning” (when did this become a word? they used it over the intercom) in Nashville. James lives about an hour north of the city, so we rented a car and drove through the flat countryside up to Springfield.

We drove past James’s house a couple times before catching the entrance to his gravel driveway, where a large ruddy dog named Jazz announced us. After meeting James and his family (who are also Etsy sellers), he led us over to a small structure beside his house. Inside, a cornucopia of tools and the smell of sawdust greeted us.

James gave us an eight foot by eight foot tour, up and down the woodshop. Everything inside had a story behind it, including his handmade jigs.

Day turned to night, and we ate a home-cooked dinner around the fire pit on his back porch. A musical family, James, Laura, Cody, and Carson, played songs until a light rain began. It felt like a Tennessee night as we drank Tennessee moonshine; it felt worlds away from my Brooklyn home.

That night Tara and I drove back to Nashville through the winding country roads, missing most major turns at least once. We were staying at a B&B that looked like something from a children’s doll closet, and smelled like old books.

The next day as we pulled into James’s driveway, he greeted us with his morning coffee in one hand, a cigarette in the other, and this prediction: “Looks like a tornado later today.”

Tara set up the lights and camera in his woodshop while James and I paced around the several-acre property. Towards the back was a half-standing wood-framed hut, looking tired in the tall grass. Jazz scouted the perimeter for intruders and small game as James talked about the future. The hut could be a guest house, I could help fix it up.

When the filming began, James sat in the bright studio light, facing me and trying not to look at the camera. This took a bit of getting used to, but he soon settled into his easy wisdom and the portrait proceeded. At the end he played a couple songs for us which is all I’ll say about that. Nothing I type can color them in. (Watch the videos for South and Let Her Go.)

The day ran on like days are wont to do. The sky that foretold a tornado gathered but did not fall, and after a thunderstorm it was a big blue expanse again. James and his family went about their daily work: he carved, she painted, others read and like a subway platform, every now and then I heard live music from somewhere in the house.

I was looking forward to another night around the fire, but there were things to do back in Nashville. Tara and I met up with several other Etsy sellers, Mary Ink and Betty Turbo, and then went down to Broadway for a night on the town. All I can say is, where have all the acoustic guitars gone in Nashville? It was all flash electric whizzin’.

I miss James, his family, his house, his woodshop and Jazz. I left Tennessee with the hope that my guitar, as I’d left it, would be completed over the next month. James even hinted that he might deliver it in person to Brooklyn.

Packing up that hope, I flew back home just in time for a board meeting and the noisy hustle of New York City.

Postscript:

Alas James had to mail the guitar because he had some gigging to do. Here it is, in its new Brooklyn home. James keeps checking in, making sure I'm feeding it well and giving it plenty of exercise.

[photo by Vanessa]

See our other post with ArmorGuitars and other Handmade Video Portraits.

Etsy Finds: Something for Dudes

2008-06-12T10:10:00Z

So, it turns out, I'm a dude.

Yup, while it may come as a surprise to some, it wasn't much of a surprise to me. When I was a youngin', I had pretty much gotten used to the idea before it was really clear to me what a dude was. Not that a dude should be anything specific: I mean, anybody can be a dude if they really are inclined to be one. That being said, if you know someone who strives to be a dude, but is unsure how to best do so, I'd suggest they heed the following facts.

There are two things that make dudes "dudes," and those two things are undoubtedly smokin' and rockin'. Cigars and guitars are about the two most important things in any dude's life, so any potential dude ought abide by those rules. Other things include drinkin', shootin' and breakin' stuff. What y'oughtta take away from this is that above all else is smokin' and rockin'.

Which brings me to my Etsy Find, which combines the best of both worlds into the utmost manifestation of dude: kwithrow's cigar box guitar. This guitar is what any dude is lookin' for in life, or at least what any dude oughtta be looking for in said dude's duty-cycle.

Here's a video of a dude livin' the life right here:

If you've made the acquaintance of a dude that can play a lick or two, my suggestion would be to get one of these puppies in his hands. Otherwise, some cigars, smokin' related items, and/or rockin' paraphernalia. As I have duly stated, I am a dude. A dude with his ears pierced would gladly wear those guitar pick earrings you see below. In fact, I might just go buy them for myself right now...

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Father's Day Showcase | Gift Guide for Him | Father's Day Gift Guide | A Dude's Perspective

Geekery Abounds at NYC's Internet Week Maker Faire & Beyond

2008-06-10T13:00:00Z

Last week, we attended a special Maker Faire here in NYC. There have been rumors of trying to get an East coast Maker Faire going and perhaps Internet Week was a good time to give it a test run. The event, held at Saatchi & Saatchi, was full of fascinating gizmos and the friendly people who make them. Phil Torrone from the Makezine blog was on hand, of course. Create Digital Music had a strong contingency there, and we saw our friend Peter Kirn from Handmade Music Night. There was also a great turn-out of projects from NYU's ITP (Interactive Telecommunications Program), an awesome graduate school program where students from all backgrounds collaborate in hands-on, creative engineering work — projects often have a cultural commentary twist.

Here's a Make podcast from the event:

We also saw Becky Stern from Craftzine, who was demoing her LED-embroidery mash-ups, to very blinky and delicate effects. Conductive thread opens up a whole range of possibilities. Here's her podcast video on Electric Embroidery:

What other inventions did we get to play with? There was ice cream being made with liquid nitrogen!

A Repstrap robot that would draw what you input into a laptop!

LED hula-hoops!

Potted plants called Botanicalls that sent you a twitter or called you up if they need water!

And so much more.

Also buzzing around the blogosphere: geekery from Etsy was popping up in my Google Alerts. You can vote on IndigoDaydreams' Handpainted Bluetooth Earpieces: "Totally Geeky or Totally Geek Chic." I vote Geek Chic — why not customize the mundane electronics in our lives?

Gizmodo points out some of bettydeath's accessories for the Duck Hunt gamer enthusiasts. She's got some other items in her shop, like this NES Power glove cuff.

ShinyShiny wrote about 16BIT's shop and some of the geeky items offered up there. Who is a fan of Looooong Cats?

Got some solid geekery goods to share? Post in the links below!

Handmade Portraits: Armor Guitars

2008-06-09T18:24:00Z

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James Peters enjoys what he does. Waking up every morning and working in his woodshop in the back of his house is the "bees knees" as James says. Once there, he makes custom acoustic guitars. He is, as it's called, a luthier based in Springfield, TN.

After moving to Nashville in 1989 and having some success in the country music songwriting industry, a friend asked James to repair his guitar. It was after that experience that he realized it would be easier — and more enjoyable — to build acoustic guitars from scratch rather than repair old ones. That's when James started Armor Guitars. He's never looked back.

It turns out that James and Laura Peters (and their sons Cody and Carson) are one of the first families making a living selling their handmade wares on Etsy. Laura's Etsy shop is EarthArt (recently profiled as an Etsy Success Story) and Cody, one of their sons, is BarbedWire. They reside in the country, make music and art together, and live in what Laura calls "a little Shangri Las." Laura's advice to everyone is to turn off your television and she cites this as one of the many reasons that the Peters family is so close and creative.

James Peters doesn't just make guitars: he has been a musician most of his life. Below are two songs performed by James.

This song is called "South" and was written by James Peters, Gerald Guinn and Yvonne Guinn

The song is called "Let Her Go" and was written by James Peters and Susan Gilbert.

Watch our other Handmade Video Portraits and subscribe to our Youtube Channel!

Etsy Finds: The Mountain Goats

2008-06-05T10:07:00Z

This is hardly exclusively the domain of males, but on occasions when I have been forced to enumerate my interests, "music" has never failed to breach the top two or three. So let me tell you about my favorite band.

"Band," of course, is a peculiar way to describe The Mountain Goats. For all practical purposes, the story begins and ends with John Darnielle. Peter Hughes's contribution to the band's live sound is significant and appreciated, as is the work of Vanderslice, Franklin Bruno, et al in the studio, but none would dispute that these play second fiddle to John's lyrics.

My efforts here are a gross simplification, as there is no alternative for an artist with north of five hudred songs, many of which were recorded on a boombox. You may have to take my word for it. Caveat emptor: this band requires effort.

But in broad strokes, the world that emerges from Darnielle's songs is one of bargained-price Travelodges, prison, Möbius highways, paranoia, rejoiceful subservience to television, and sea monsters. The recurring themes are numerous and include insane optimism, the cleansing qualities of fire, failure, and redemption. There is the deranged triumphalism of "Up the Wolves," "Hawaiian Feeling," and "Heretic Pride," and the perfect pathos and gut-shaking desperation of "Going to Georgia."

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I struggle and inevitably fail to adequately communicate my enthusiasm for Darnielle's music, but if you are a smart kid with an occasionally rocky past it is probably not something that requires explanation. Not surprisingly, there appear to be more than a few of us here on Etsy! Check out nateduval's shop for awesome handmade tMG gig posters.

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

Father's Day Showcase | Gift Guide for Him | Father's Day Gift Guide | A Dude's Perspective

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events & Call for Vendors

2008-05-29T12:37:00Z

Check out what's next in Etsy-sponsored events...

Saturday, June 7th, marks the 7th Indie Craft Experience (or ICE), kicking off in Atlanta, Georgia from 11am - 6pm in Centennial Olympic Park. In addition to an amazing assortment of handmade goodies, ICE offers crafting workshops, vegan baked goods, live bands and a clothing swap benefiting local charities.

Organizers Shannon Mulkey and Christy Petterson, (who also stay busy producing the Starlets of Craft Calendar), will be on hand running the show and representing their lines, Patina and a bardis, respectively.

If you haven't heard, Monday Craft Night is back! And, to help keep you in the loop, The Etsy Labs is now on Meetup.com! So if you're in the NYC area, dust off your crafty pants and come by June 2nd, from 4-8pm. This week: learn the Pamphlet Stitch, an ever useful bookbinding technique. Or, if you'd rather work on your own project, you are welcome to use our sewing machines, Gocco machines, buttonmaker and paper cutters. Just bring your own supplies! The Etsy Labs is located at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor. If you're not in the area, join us live online in the Virtual Labs.

In other local events, the Brooklyn Tee Party, still has a few spots available. It's free and open to ages 12 and up. (Got a crafty kid — or niece or nephew? Bring them on down!) June 1, from 1-3pm, in The Etsy Labs and live in the Virtual Labs.

Call for Vendors! We love it when the music scene wants to share in the handmade love...It's time to apply for the DEPART-ment off-site show, at the Pitchfork Music Festival – July 18, 19 & 20 at Chicago's Union Park. Check out their FAQ for details.

UPDATE: The American Craft Council kicked off it's Summer in the City Salon Series with furniture designer Tyler Hays, of BDDW. If you missed it, you can listen to the podcast from the discussion about handmade work and its relationship to industry.

Mark your calendars now for the next ACC event, July 24th, exploring the broad spectrum of craft makers today, including the lovely Chanel Kennebrew of junkprints.etsy.com.

Visit the American Craft Council for more information and to view the complete series' schedule.

Check out the items below to get a sneak peek at the Etsy Sellers who will be selling their handmade wares at the Indie Craft Experience.

Featured Buyer: John F. from They Might Be Giants

2008-05-28T12:01:00Z

This week we have a very special treat for music fans and hip parents the world over: John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants is our special Featured Buyer in honor of Father's Day. They Might Be Giants, an art rock band specializing in nasally-delivery, catchy lyrics and accordion-accompanied tunes, holds strong as college radio favorites. Interestingly, John and John have segued their career into creating children's music, and recently, worked on a children's book with Marcel Dzama. Public radio listeners may also be keen on their dial-a-song project. We find their creativity to be boundless and so we voted them the coolest dads ever. Read on for John F's favorites from the Etsy marketplace.

John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants here. Recently I was hanging out with my friend Flora, who is turning four in a few weeks, and she saw my photograph on the cover of a magazine. She asked me why I looked unhappy. I told her I wasn't unhappy, I just was making my "artist face." Then I opened my email, and saw I was invited to selected a bunch of artist-made products in honor of Father's Day for Etsy, a website my family wholeheartedly supports. So now I ask for you to do your part for Dad and all your artist-faced friends and get some of these recommended gifts available right here, right now on the one and only Etsy.

Squirrel Greeting Card by ArtByMarilyn. Perfect for your nature lovin' dad. An interesting piece of art with a simple but touching story behind it, reproduced on a card for a highly reasonable, and highly specific price of $1.52.

Does dad love his wine? winecorkcreations' Zen 3 Stone Wine Bottle Stopper (for a fin) adds a contemplative touch to Dad's grown-up time.

Dad bugged by beasts? Get him a can of EyeOfNewt's Beast Be Gone, a anti-fear of the dark spray! Just seven clams!

Words can not explain Ole' Crazy Eyes by ThingsThatBling. Just groove on him a while, and you'll understand. Just twelve bucks.

Perhaps your dad is a They Might Be Giants fan and wants a piece of memorabilia that is graphically arresting and reasonably priced? Check out They Might Be Giants/ Chopping Block party posters for a mere $30.

If you're traditional in your gifts, but your dad has a sense of humor that runs to the very loud side, may I suggest moesewco's Ugliest Tie in the World, for twenty smackers.

If you enjoy traditional gift giving, and your dad is into simulacra this tie themed tie is a must at $35.

Keeping with the simulacra theme, who wouldn't love a camera-shaped camera-case? Created by my pal hine. It's a steal at $38.

hine did an animated video for TMBG.

Turns any home into a faux shaux-place. It's very contemporary, but still very cool. Chandelier Vinyl Wall Decal, thirty five big ones, by BadassCustomDecals.

If your Dad is a warlock or a wizard and needs to upgrade his magic wand, why not this maple number by IsleOfAvalon for seventy-five bucks?

For the Dad who has everything but an incredibly beautiful, high-end mod coffee table. I humbly submit the Diversion Coffee Table by upcycler.

And finally, for the Dad who has everything but is nuts for full-functioning, oversized, mechanical dragonflies made of gold, may I introduce the coveted Anax Imperator Machina selling for a reasonable fifteen thousand American dollars...

JesseDanger made this video to reveal the inner workings of the dragonfly.

We gotta say, John picked some of the most intriguing items! You can see our other Featured Buyer posts here.

Father's Day Showcase | Gift Guide for Him | Father's Day Gift Guide | A Dude's Perspective

Handmade Music Night Featured on Current TV

2008-05-16T12:01:00Z

Current TV visited Etsy, Make Magazine, and CreateDigitalMusic's Handmade Music Night at the Etsy Labs this spring. It's an experience of wonder and geekery! Their video has been posted...Perhaps it will make it to their TV channel if you give it some love on their site!

Here are some more posts about Handmade Music Night.

Hey! Log into Current.com to give us a thumbs up on this page!

Handmade Weddings: Red Flags When Hiring A Wedding Band

2008-04-04T12:16:00Z

One of the ultimate goals of a wedding? Creating an atmosphere in which your friends and relatives will dance like maniacs. Who else should coach us on this fine art, dear Handmade Wedding Series readers, but our resident admin Matt, rockstar and wedding band freelancer.

Being at the age where many of my friends are getting married, I spend much of the summer overheating in a rented tuxedo, traipsing through fancy hotel lobbies and botanic gardens, and trying not to laugh at the best man’s inappropriate speech. Nevertheless, I love weddings, specifically because it gives me an opportunity to “shake what my momma gave me.” I am a marvelous dancer, you see, and given the fact that I am unwilling to go out in Manhattan on a Friday or Saturday night (thanks for ruining that, New Jersey), weddings are my one opportunity to get down.

Clearly, I am not alone here. Even your grandma likes to shake it a wedding. That is why when selecting a band for your wedding you must be very, very, careful.

One need only spend about 15 seconds searching on Youtube to realize that just about every wedding band in the entire world is completely brutal. Theirs is a world of soulless renditions of James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)," painfully ill-informed covers of “Hey Ya” by Outkast, and vomitory synthesizer horns.

As an occasional performer in the only good wedding band in New York City, I feel qualified to offer the following five warning signs that the band you are thinking of hiring are maybe not so hot.

1. They have a name that speaks of wizards, heraldry, or medieval times.
2. They cover “To Be Real” or "Lady Marmalade."
3. They have a name that ends in a “z” or an exclamation point or both, as in Hitz!
4. They live with their parents.
5. They rap.

Ok, all my snobbishness aside, the best practical advice? If you can not find a good band, do not hire one at all. Instead, rent a loud sound system, ask your friends with good taste in music to do short DJ sets, and make room for me on the dance floor.

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Etsy Finds: Homebrew Music, Prim Rock Style

2008-03-26T10:23:00Z

One of the realms I'd personally love Etsy to further expand into is the homemade music scene. We’ve got a few front running visionaries as it stands, and one of them is Shane Speal.

Mr. Speal creates original music on handmade instruments — he’s known in the underground Primitive Rock world as the “King of the Cigar Box Guitar." His music is raw but nuanced: brooding, but plucky. There’s a deep texture to these tracks that speaks to a lifetime of sonic experimentation and invention.

Shane also sells a homebrew zine called Uncle Enos, which offers a rare look into the “Prim Rock” movement. Inside you can find interviews, instrument building how-to guides, and a deep abiding love for the music.

If you’re looking for a unique sound you won’t find on the mass market airwaves, check out Shane's shop at cigarboxguitar.etsy.com.

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Etsy Find: Analogue Ring

2007-12-13T04:15:00Z

This ring — which doubles as a working * microphone * — is so awesome! It is truly one of the "man-made miracles." Maker AnalogueAesthetics expertly combines modern jewelry with recording gizmo in one tiny finger-sporting package.

Great gift for so many people that love gadgets and for people that like to rock out!

Album Review: Heart Comma Heart

2007-12-12T10:58:00Z

Emily Easterly of Smuttons is not only the mastermind behind the cheeky button business, but also a multi-talented singer/songwriter and musician. She has been working hard over the past year on her fourth album entitled Heart Comma Heart, and we at Etsy were lucky enough to snag a copy for review before its release this Saturday!

Heart Comma Heart is a 12 track album with 41 minutes of diverse tunes that keep you interested and wanting more (kind of like a titty pack). It displays evident influences from Emily’s musical history, the most apparent being Neil Young and The Beatles. You won’t be able to get cleverly melodic tunes like “Shotgun Wedding” and “Shadows” out of your head.

Emily gives a brief peek at her more serious side with haunting ballads like “Heart, Heart” and “Maryland to Texas.” She comes across as a risk taker, not only with the scandalous nature of her Smuttons here on Etsy, but also due in part to her systematic refrain from including any bass guitar on the entire record. Her efforts definitely pay off in the eclectic sound that is Heart Comma Heart, with traces of piano, percussion, banjo, Rhodes and whistles each making an appearance, alongside Emily’s mainstay of electric guitar and drums.

Emily's sound is frequently referred to as "what a redhead should sound like;" redhead or not, this is without question a sound worth hearing.

Watch Emily’s newly released video for "Shadows" below.

If you’re in the NYC area this Saturday, December the 15th at 9pm, do check out Emily at her CD release party at Crash Mansion, located at 199 Bowery, NYC. She will have loads of Smuttons with her and says you’ll get your own free smut pack if you say the magic word (Smuttons) when buying your copy of the CD.

Can’t make it to the show? Listen to, download, and/or buy a few of the tracks on Heart Comma Heart and more of Emily's albums here!

Heart Comma Heart.

Etsy Finds: Handmade Music-makers

2007-11-19T07:38:00Z

Do you have a hard-to-shop-for musician on your gift-giving list this holiday season? A sardine can turned handmade thumb piano from RootsProd sounds like the perfect gift!

Andrew Masters of Roots Production is an artist who has been building musical instruments out of found and recycled objects for more than 12 years. Many of these amazing sound-makers are in the lamellophone family, which typically have a series of thin tongues that are plucked with the fingers or thumbs to create sound. Andrew's instruments also feature his own original artwork in vibrant colors and often have playful faces that give life to the "voice" of each piece.

Check out this video that demonstrates how these little beauties sound:

You can see and hear more about Andrew and his creations on his website, RootsProduction.com.

Etsy in the Press: New York Times Geekery

2007-11-15T05:45:00Z

Etsy was mentioned in a New York Times article today, November 15, 2007. Read the piece, Tinkering at Home, Selling on the Web, at this link.

"Etsy (www.etsy.com) is a popular e-commerce site for people to sell their wares. Alongside more traditional items, it offers a scattering of tech-oriented accessories, including handmade iPod cases and charms for cellphones like those favored by Japanese schoolgirls."

Our good friends Phil Torrone of MAKE zine and Limor Fried of adafruit.com, are prominently featured in the article. We'll see them tonight for Handmade Music Night at the Etsy Labs, wherein NYC geeks share their hacker musical finery.

Handmade Music Night- Thursday 11/15 8:00pm

2007-11-14T09:57:00Z

Handmade Music Night is back!

The semi-regular evening of DIY musical oddities brought to you by Etsy, Create Digital Music, and Make Magazine, will mercilessly descend upon yet another peaceful Brooklyn evening. Expect an informal, free party + show and tell + science fair featuring self-made electronic musical projects.

Already confirmed for the lineup:

The MIDI Pick, a pressure-sensitive DIY digital guitar pick by Roy Vanegas
Mystery musical controllers from Eric Singer, the mind behind the world-infamous LEMUR, an educational outlet in Brooklyn and collective of musical robot/electronics-creating artists
Theremin-playing robots and possibly other surprises from series favorite Ranjit Bhatnagar. (See the Theremin robots in action, covering Gnarls Barkley. If we’re really lucky, Ranjit will bring his students. Students, if you’re listening, we’d love to have you there!
David Brynjar Franzson with a generative piece using custom software built in Max/MSP

Also, CDM's Peter Kirn will have a new iteration of his video/gesture-controlled musical creation, which allows users to virtually navigate musical structures via a webcam/DV cam.

Please join us!

Thursday, November 15, 8PM. Etsy Labs. 325 Gold St. 6th Floor. Brooklyn. See you!

Etsy Finds: FluteTronic

2007-11-05T01:46:00Z

As a wanna-be musician, I'm always on the lookout for new-fangled ways to make unusual sounds. This electronic flute, the FluteTronic, by rarebeasts caught my eye as I was taking my daily jaunt through Etsy listings. You play it like a normal flute, but the noise that comes out is something akin to a heavy-metal tune by the band Air. Perfect for someone who has no idea how to really play a woodwind, but wants to lay down some radical sounds. Flute-style.

A Moment with the Monome

2007-10-19T14:32:00Z

I recently visited Brian Crabtree and Kelli Cain at their loft in Philadelphia. Located within earshot of the rattling El train, their home also doubles as the laboratory for their unique digital creation, the Monome. Part looping station, part scientific gadget, the Monome is a simple white square filled with several rows of buttons that can be programmed for a myriad of sounds, samples and functions. "People have used it as a drum machine, sequencer, as an egg timer..." said Crabtree. The open-source software can be used and altered by anyone.

Crabtree and Cain assemble most of the Monomes at their loft, a daunting process that involves countless hours of wiring and soldering. A new Monome, the 256, was about to be released to the public when we visited. Crabtree assembled one for us on the spot. Click the video below to watch several performances and some of the other creations Crabtree and Cain cooked up including silk-screened shipping boxes, felt electronics, and a mud oven for cooking homemade pizza!

Calling all musicians, composers, rock stars and maestros!

2007-10-11T14:43:00Z

Etsy is looking for a few good music tracks to score our videos spotlighting the handmade world.

We're looking for anything country, ambient, classical, metal, rock n roll, techno, rockabilly, emo, punk and more! Pieces can be any length and preferabley without vocals. Pass the link to this article on to your friends in bands! "Handmade" music will complement our videos perfectly — pieces by you and your friends.

Here's what to do:

Write us an email with a little bit about your self and/or your band.
Write "music for videos" in the subject line of your email.
Include your name, band's name, and contact info.
Please don't email us mp3s directly, because our email hoster will get very, very mad at us and charge us lots of money.
Rather, email a link to your website or Myspace page where you have samples of your music online.
Please, only email us about music that you own the copyright to.
Send your email off to storque@etsy.com!

Show us whatcha got and, if we think your music is right, we'll get in touch with you to give you our FTP info in order to get your mp3s.

Unfortunately, we cannot compensate you at this time, but Etsy will feature you in the credits of the video as well as link to your website or myspace profile. And with Etsy's 137 million page views per month, we can guarantee you more exposure!

And hit us with your best shot — errr, tune!

Quit Your Day Job: sunnyrising

2007-10-01T13:36:00Z

Quitting your day job to follow your artistic endeavors can be a mirage – blurry but still recognizable – but to Allison Sattinger of Sunny Rising Leather (sunnyrising.etsy.com), it’s now crystal clear. Allison, an LA-based singer/songwriter and leatherworker, knew this change was inevitable for her, since her heart’s desire is to create as much beauty as she possibly can in her lifetime.

Since appearing on Etsy only eight months ago, Sunny Rising Leather has attracted a steady stream of satisfied customers, all affirming Allison’s unique take on shaping, tooling and painting leather. Graciously embracing custom orders has helped boost her sales, as well as grassroots word of mouth advertising.

Allison, a musical theater major in college, was working as a receptionist up until six months ago. In preparation for leaving her unsatisfying post, she paid off all her debt and squirreled away two and a half months of living expenses. Realizing that she had to jump before she could feel secure, Allison declares this transition both simple and desperately hard to do. She did it, and she hasn’t looked back.

Allison freely shares her experiences with others who are considering the leap from day job to self-supporting artist. Regarding the drudgery of a day job, she offers the following advice: learn to love what you wish to let go of and have an amicable parting. Have as much fun as you can. And most importantly when looking to your future, trust in both yourself and your products. In her own words, “There is also the matter of faith and belief in your product: you have to love it to pieces, enough to believe it will go far.”

Allison is now working out the process of balancing goal-setting with giving her spark of creativity adequate breathing room, along with staying focused so the fear of failure will not get a foothold. “It's a matter of focus,” she explains, “and since the details surrounding the art and the day-to-day are constantly changing, it requires dexterity and patience.”

Allison stays motivated by planning her dreams of having a sizeable leather and metalworking studio, plus developing and marketing her unique musical sound. Dreams reaching further into the future include a move from Los Angeles to a smaller city where she can expand her studio to include a brick and mortar storefront, as well as being signed to a music label.

This confident artist proclaims that she lives to create. After holding and touching one of Allison’s leather creations and listening to her powerful singing voice, I can only agree. Perhaps the most important ingredient to a successful transition from day job to committed artist is what Allison embodies: a sincere body-and-soul devotion to creating beauty.

More on Allison:

www.myspace.com/allisonsattinger
www.sunnyrisingleather.blogspot.com

Search results (tags) for: "music"

Making Handmade Musical Instruments

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events September 6 - 12, 2008

You be the Judge: Judging Pretty Woman

Handmade Music Night 2008.07.08

Etsy Finds: Mary Ford

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events July 4-July 11

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events June 20 - 26

The Green Living Expo and Eco-Job Fair

Featured Buyer: Tall Firs

My Visit to a Luthier in Tennessee

Etsy Finds: Something for Dudes

Geekery Abounds at NYC's Internet Week Maker Faire & Beyond

Handmade Portraits: Armor Guitars

Etsy Finds: The Mountain Goats

Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events & Call for Vendors

Featured Buyer: John F. from They Might Be Giants

Handmade Music Night Featured on Current TV

Handmade Weddings: Red Flags When Hiring A Wedding Band

Etsy Finds: Homebrew Music, Prim Rock Style

Etsy Find: Analogue Ring

Album Review: Heart Comma Heart

Etsy Finds: Handmade Music-makers

Etsy in the Press: New York Times Geekery

Handmade Music Night- Thursday 11/15 8:00pm

Etsy Finds: FluteTronic

A Moment with the Monome

Calling all musicians, composers, rock stars and maestros!

Quit Your Day Job: sunnyrising