WellHungStrapLab

I began making my own guitar straps around 2011, because I was finding purchases a few inches too short, or not offering much in regards comfort and style I wanted. At that time I was refinishing / customizing guitars, craving theme straps to accent my builds. "Mom" gave me some sewing lessons, and I picked up an old Singer from the early 60's, hot-rodding it enough for a few years of leatherwork. Learned a lot, came up with some uniquely ergonomic and sexy designs, made some templates. Soon, I began offering custom straps to online acquaintances, mostly for their own customized guitars. Much of the leather and vinyl used back then was "upcycled" from leather jackets, or discarded sofas. Soon, I was selling between 3-5 a month, while running my small newspaper empire. Eventually this hobby got me offering my work to a mass audience on Reverb.com and I began purchasing leather hides, more fabrics, and started in on learning simple leather tooling. It was in my mind to eventually to turn all this into a small craft business, possibly my "retirement job."

Over time, I found myself struggling with the Singer, it was holding me back from improvements with thicker leather and better fabrics. I splurged on a high-powered industrial machine which almost immediately pushed my creative options and build quality three steps forward. During this time I also began developing "PRO-PINS," a larger, more secure guitar strap button, and also designed my own version of the "Old School Leather Strap Locks" familiar to those who remember the late 70's early 80s. Not real big on modern metal strap locks, they've failed me.

During the Covid times my online sales surged. I found myself pleading for my boss (auto sales) to just lay me off so I could serve the growing online customer base beating down my virtual door. Ended up, I never went back.

Been a Reverb vendor since 2014, well over 1,000 guitar straps sold. Eventually Etsy purchased Reverb, so it made sense to join this platform. I won't be cross-selling items. Most of my items are one-offs or short run and I don't want to risk inventory confusion. But, I am offering select PREMIUM CUSTOM craftworks here, (my more labour-intensive pieces), in an effort to showcase what I can do, and offer my work beside the many other talented leatherworkers here.

They sell the "Home-Based Internet Marketer" real good, but it ain't near as easy as they make it look! Still, if it's a dream come true, I guess I'm living it. Definitely not getting rich at this and not interested in becoming a factory or an importer. I more desire a simple, low stress, self-directed career with no commute. It's important I carry my weight, be able to save a little and contribute fairly towards my share of the household bills. But, the awesome people I meet, customers, vendors, all that... while being able to feed my inner creative monster and pursue my passion? These are the real benefits and makes being the "Well-Hung Guy" kinda great.

KEY Well-Hung FACTS
* Personally, I'm just of average size, nothing too special I don't think LOL!
* I'm a guitar player of 40 years, which makes a real difference in my approach.
* From day one my focus has been: more comfort, longer straps, robust & trusty.
* I want to be known for pushing "strap tech" forward. My workshop the StrapLab, is where I've "invented" several extreme comfort guitar strap designs not on this platform. These 100% extend careers and can enhance guitar enjoyment.
* Relationships... most of my customers repeat, 3,4 even 10 times over. This speaks also to my consistency / quality. A large number are working stage / studio pros. I'm told at least 2-3 times a month nobody else makes a strap as comfortable as I do. That's all I got to say about that!

You can become, comfortably-hung!