tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91831787592964640372024-03-13T00:53:48.116-07:00Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar StrapsI have been creating custom handmade guitar straps since 1998.I'd like to show them to you. Thanks for taking a look!
<a href="https://reverb.com/shop/coolstraps-custom-handmade-guitar-straps"><img alt="Shop My Store on Reverb" src="https://static.reverb.com/assets/shops/buttons/215x65-orange.png"></a>Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-15454394453762786622018-01-01T06:25:00.002-08:002018-01-01T06:25:52.185-08:00Peruvian Loom Woven Guitar Strap Series<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I have been working on a series of straps from some of my wonderful Peruvian fabric. While they are similar in some ways, they are sufficiently different from each other that I don't feel I can list these as multiples of the same strap. So, as I list them and show them to you, you will see the similarities but you will also see the differences and perhaps prefer one over the other. In any case, all of them are absolutely luscious in their thickness and in the boldness of their colors. Happy New Year to everyone!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">https://reverb.com/item/8323246-peruvian-loom-woven-guitar-strap-artisan-handmade-black-orange-purple-stripes-wool-cotton-blend</span></span><br />
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Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-25196441488626745732017-08-31T05:56:00.000-07:002017-08-31T05:56:15.673-07:00A Beautiful Embroidered Flamingo Handmade Guitar Strap on Coral Ultrasuede<span style="background-color: white; color: #414141; font-family: Lato, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16.002px;">Who can resist flamingos? They are elegant, beautiful, exotic, and positively enchanting. This artisan handmade guitar strap taps into our mesmerizing fascination with flamingos. The front fabric of the guitar strap is gorgeous coral ultrasuede embroidered with four classically posed flamingos in rich shimmering threads of fuchsia, pink, and black. Above the front flamingo are overlapping palm fronds embroidered in variegated threads of green, yellow, blue, and pink. The back lining of the guitar strap is lush pastel pink Duchess satin and the pin tabs are double thick hand punched and hand stitched top quality black Brazilian textured leather. This guitar strap is absolutely dazzling and is one you will be proud to put on your shoulder. <a href="https://reverb.com/item/6443540-embroidered-flamingos-guitar-strap-on-coral-ultrasuede-artisan-handmade-one-of-a-kind">Beautiful Flamingo Handmade Guitar Strap</a></span><br />
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<br />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-11398485027100051862017-08-24T13:46:00.000-07:002017-08-24T13:46:51.374-07:00When a color feels peaceful<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Just listed this new guitar strap on Reverb. The design is classic Native American but it's the colors I like so much. There is something very "peaceful end of day" about taupe, which is the dominant color in this strap. Anyway, I really like it. It has a quiet quality to it. Thanks for taking a look! <a href="https://reverb.com/item/6392466-earth-tones-native-american-motif-guitar-strap-handmade-artisan-black-brown-taupe-cream-turquoise">Peaceful, kind of end-of-day handmade guitar strap</a></span><br />
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<img src="https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--WeLAkge2--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1503596797/mvltqnq3tmxifvcaps86.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-40732313541905213392017-08-21T10:38:00.000-07:002017-08-21T10:38:09.171-07:00Guitar Straps With A Cool Back StoryI love fabrics that have a fascinating back story and this near vintage material I used to make this guitar strap has exactly that. Just click on the link to the strap. I've included the story in the description of the strap. I think you'll nod and say, "Yeah... kinda cool." Thanks for taking a look!<a href="https://reverb.com/item/6365874-near-vintage-handmade-guitar-strap-shades-of-gold-sage-dusty-rose-with-lace-inserts-limited-edition">Near Vintage Guitar Strap With A Supercool Back Story</a><br />
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<img src="https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--EZ9j1Fog--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1503323892/mnzyepxwfr2vmzzycqo9.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-26948807102677302082017-08-20T04:36:00.002-07:002017-08-20T04:36:56.114-07:00Perfection!Oftentimes, I make a guitar strap based solely on the fact that I like the fabric. I figure the right guitar will eventually turn up and my buyer will be able to see, better than I can, the possibilities. This is one such combination. You can't argue with perfection! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzp9uwaeUCtTh05qAZYjZtSl4TLXGdLPz7rEaHiZa8D7GXmCEAeViORe02Ba9A8mYYE0IZEXxxbzT7F4zLF6J32P5sVXu4heDTFcOO4y3MyVe1yonkg4GO8hYOJlGLYQenl1rN9-YjNBW/s1600/Shemeley+Friend+paisley+strap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzp9uwaeUCtTh05qAZYjZtSl4TLXGdLPz7rEaHiZa8D7GXmCEAeViORe02Ba9A8mYYE0IZEXxxbzT7F4zLF6J32P5sVXu4heDTFcOO4y3MyVe1yonkg4GO8hYOJlGLYQenl1rN9-YjNBW/s320/Shemeley+Friend+paisley+strap.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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You can see more about this strap <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V57TD8C">here</a><br />
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Thanks for taking a look!Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-71328110665088914852017-08-16T10:16:00.001-07:002017-08-16T10:16:23.859-07:00Matka Silk and Plum Embroidered Guitar Strap<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Just finished this luscious matka silk embroidered guitar strap. Boy, do I love this matka silk! The wheat color is so wonderfully neutral that anything I embroider on it absolutely pops! Thanks for taking a look! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://reverb.com/item/6327664-plum-and-wheat-silk-guitar-strap-handmade-embroidered-variegated-floral-design-one-of-a-kind">A gorgeous one of a kind matka silk and plum embroidery handmade guitar strap</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WQbvviZq3HcFtDhfG_7AFOmkhvvioiFwUqmkTVu6leEkh8WAF176VjuOte7IdwWWgz_7bslBIrvOYFUCw_9XsrlycFzeZBqJ69yeUkP-NQWmUOd770wtOoYYKqOCnoXqN2Ds3CYNnYD5/s1600/DSCN1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WQbvviZq3HcFtDhfG_7AFOmkhvvioiFwUqmkTVu6leEkh8WAF176VjuOte7IdwWWgz_7bslBIrvOYFUCw_9XsrlycFzeZBqJ69yeUkP-NQWmUOd770wtOoYYKqOCnoXqN2Ds3CYNnYD5/s320/DSCN1861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-88579315308026559942017-08-12T10:51:00.001-07:002017-08-12T10:51:50.669-07:00Crazy Fun Guitar StrapSometimes a guitar strap should just be crazy fun! This is that guitar strap! <a href="https://reverb.com/item/6298853-pinwheel-fireworks-guitar-strap-artisan-handmade-fuchsia-pink-turquoise-blue-green-purple?publish_confirmation=true">Crazy Fun Handmade Guitar Strap</a><br />
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<img src="https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--dlYgTHFo--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1502559006/awueygtxoaotjtsrbudb.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-74126527905801987902017-08-11T11:01:00.000-07:002017-08-11T11:01:02.695-07:00When My Patrons Share Their Happiness!I love when my patrons send me pictures of their new strap with the guitar they bought it for. Those pictures absolutely make my day! Here is a picture one of my patrons sent me earlier today. I am just thrilled!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkON090bmsT31gSaeWcTPo_-SCteCdK1MjK1OmdmShtq9UPaBQqgAd7yci8YBiw0WjI8WdpHP5IK6d7Dsqr27vBfPsbbQ27kuczdbte6imR6_f6ORL4ePWpQBBgwu5RoWTYrmxlo8ybdvB/s1600/Robert+Shemeley+Blue+Silver+Guitar+Strap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkON090bmsT31gSaeWcTPo_-SCteCdK1MjK1OmdmShtq9UPaBQqgAd7yci8YBiw0WjI8WdpHP5IK6d7Dsqr27vBfPsbbQ27kuczdbte6imR6_f6ORL4ePWpQBBgwu5RoWTYrmxlo8ybdvB/s320/Robert+Shemeley+Blue+Silver+Guitar+Strap.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-76899190114284509192017-08-08T09:29:00.000-07:002017-08-08T09:29:46.486-07:00A Handmade Guitar Strap for Pixies and Secret Gardens<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Just love this new strap! Airy, whimsical, reminds me of pixies and secret gardens </span><span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/f4c/1/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:-)</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> I just think it's really cool! Thanks for taking a look! <a href="http://fit%20for%20a%20pixie--%20a%20beautiful%2C%20unusual%20handmade%20guitar%20strap/">https://reverb.com/item/6237220-fuchsia-green-filigree-guitar-strap-artisan-handmade-fuchsia-pink-orange-lime-green-grass-green</a></span><br />
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<img src="https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--7Qi07JZW--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1502208545/x8ziqs3rfovhrropki7a.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-54463193202217022012017-08-05T04:52:00.000-07:002017-08-05T04:52:03.671-07:00When It All Comes TogetherOne of my buyers sent me this picture, his new custom guitar strap with his new custom guitar. The combination is perfect and absolutely stunning. That's what happens when it all comes together.<br />
<img alt="Image may contain: guitar and indoor" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20638631_1666797523331733_1223524370471105021_n.jpg?oh=e540ff06f348f5c1030d3579eb916230&oe=59EF7B55" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-79102768311340709942017-08-03T12:52:00.003-07:002017-08-03T12:52:59.866-07:00Midnight Rainbows and Handmade Guitar StrapsI am always thrilled when I find a really unique and visually striking material to use in making my guitar straps. This is one of those materials. The vividness of the colors is awesome but it's the faux French knots that make it really stunning! <a href="https://reverb.com/item/6200913-colorful-stripes-guitar-strap-faux-french-knots-artisan-handmade-blue-turquoise-green-burgundy-pink">Midnight Rainbow Artisan Handmade Guitar Strap</a><br />
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<img src="https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--35gSBkLb--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1501788083/qeb8wqszpxrg1ozllymi.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-42724551800796682762017-08-01T09:10:00.002-07:002017-08-01T09:10:57.378-07:00The Plaids Have ItI really love working with plaid and this particular design I just found especially striking. The colors are elegant and understated, the lines precise, it's just a lovely design and one I'm really proud to offer on this limited edition custom handmade guitar strap.<br />
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<a href="https://reverb.com/item/6170704-brown-black-teal-blue-plaid-guitar-strap-artisan-handmade-scottish-tartan-motif">Elegant Plaid Artisan Handmade Guitar Strap</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipIrPRK7njbLQjstMs2lGQny4-UiAariQyX5yAxMGFFxYU8M_cP3qgH47hD0D_StdGio1x9ylPJ4nc-PxEWNM4zKOS40Yg_Z5_fQE4YVbIY3vhZHkkdFkmQR1v5Ch5dRtdVNc1RIcFsLn/s1600/DSCN1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipIrPRK7njbLQjstMs2lGQny4-UiAariQyX5yAxMGFFxYU8M_cP3qgH47hD0D_StdGio1x9ylPJ4nc-PxEWNM4zKOS40Yg_Z5_fQE4YVbIY3vhZHkkdFkmQR1v5Ch5dRtdVNc1RIcFsLn/s320/DSCN1825.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-36084236487003623732017-07-25T08:26:00.002-07:002017-07-25T08:26:39.667-07:00A Gorgeous Vintage Africa Print Artisan Handmade Guitar Strap<span style="background-color: #bcc5c1; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I am always searching for unique materials for my guitar straps and found this really cool vintage fabric from 1989, a remarkably complex Africa print design on a luscious, soft, substantial cotton. It has an interesting little back story that I hope you take a minute to read. Thanks for taking a look!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #bcc5c1; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://a%20beautiful%20vintage%20africa%20print%20artisan%20handmade%20guitar%20strap/">https://reverb.com/item/6109627-vintage-african-print-guitar-strap-artisan-handmade-earth-tone-brown-black-cream-terracotta</a></span><br />
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<img src="https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--ICnx9F3M--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1500992304/ypjqrvvm79zlw1vpzyoz.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-44202017048905201502017-07-16T09:01:00.000-07:002017-07-16T09:01:11.838-07:00A One of a Kind Custom Length Handmade Tapestry Guitar StrapI LOVE unusual fabrics, distinctive patterns, just materials that go way outside the bounds of what is generally available to the public in the way of guitar straps. I make semi-annual pilgrimages to Milton, Florida, a wonderful little artisan community that has, among other things, an amazing selection of vintage fabrics. This is one of those awesome finds-- a gorgeous vintage tapestry that is just luscious in its design and weave. It is so thick that it won't fit through the triglide length adjuster so I am offering it as a custom length guitar strap. This being the only section I could salvage from the tapestry with absolutely no flaws, this is the only strap I could make so it is a one of a kind strap. I really hope you like it and I would love your comments on it! Thanks!! <a href="https://reverb.com/item/6015404-custom-length-tapestry-guitar-strap-artisan-handmade-forest-green-tan-ecru-tapestry-one-of-a-kind">A stunning custom length one of a kind handmade guitar strap</a><br />
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<img src="https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--4odTpK6K--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_1600,q_80,w_1600/v1500212048/r2931aykngkawgpkwpp3.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-47653649123766355282017-07-13T06:34:00.001-07:002017-07-13T06:34:22.440-07:00Whimsical Vintage Artisan Handmade Guitar Strap with a Victorian Floral MotifThe Victorian era is best known as a time of demure prudence even as it was also an era of hopeless romanticism. Victorian textiles and designs communicated that sense of innocence and sweet romantic naivete', of ladylike swooning and hearts beating with concealed anticipation for a glimpse of that object of affection. This artisan handmade guitar strap captures all of that-- the delicacy of love, of infatuation and, most of all, the dreamy ethereality of romance. Enjoy! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WXH3FC">A Sweet Vintage Cotton Victorian Floral Guitar Strap</a><br />
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<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61CW6wVO7KL._SL1000_.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-30330318643145835762017-07-09T10:44:00.000-07:002017-07-09T10:44:14.313-07:00Plisse', Please đListed a vintage plisse' cotton guitar strap that is just super cool. Plisse' is a fabric treatment to create creases or puckers, making the material more unique and interesting The Egyptians first did this using raw eggs and a special wooden dowel with a narrow groove for creasing the fabric. In the modern era, a strip of sodium hydroxide is poured onto the fabric, causing it to shrink, thus creating puckers. This type of fabric is not seen much anymore because it is so expensive to produce. So, finding a swath of plisse' cotton was like Christmas to me. Thanks very much for taking a look! <a href="https://reverb.com/item/5868196-vintage-plisse-cotton-guitar-strap-artisan-handmade-pastel-blue-cream-red-orange-design?utm_campaign=FBshare&utm_medium=FB&utm_source=FBshare#">Vintage Plisse' Cotton Artisan Handmade Guitar Strap</a><br />
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Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-38481391547127329002017-07-07T07:09:00.003-07:002017-07-07T07:09:46.763-07:00Bunnies and Kittens and Baby's Breath-- a Gentle Artisan Handmade Guitar StrapMy guitar straps tend to be visually bold-- bright sharp colors, exaggerated designs. But every now and then I come upon a material that is so different and I just must make a guitar strap with it. That's the case with this fabric. The colors are soft, subtle, reminiscent of springtime in a way. It was just so lovely, so sweet, I had to make a strap with it. Thank you very much for taking a look! <a href="http://rvrb.io/new-pastel-plaid-i-1r7">A Lovely and Delicate Pastel Plaid Artisan Handmade Guitar Strap</a><div>
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Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-60603104231194880622017-07-06T05:10:00.003-07:002017-07-06T05:10:47.762-07:00The Rich Paisley Designs of India in A Unique Handmade Guitar Strap<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the fascinating aspects of India is the intricacy of their designs. While paisley as a design element originated in Persia (today's Iran), it was, over the course of centuries, adopted and embellished by Indian artisans. It is now a staple of India art and textiles. This handmade guitar strap captures a bit of that ornate artistry. That the color combinations are so classically India really reinforces the sense of the exotic origins of the design. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V57TD8C">An Orange and Teal Artisan Handmade Guitar Strap </a></span><br />
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<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/612RWiw-8GL._SL1000_.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-36704659297312201352017-07-04T08:44:00.001-07:002017-07-04T08:44:46.275-07:00A Glorious Morning Artisan Handmade Guitar Strap<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Morning glories! They are rich, colorful, romantic, and speak to a sweetness of life that is hard to describe. It is ironic in a melancholy way that morning glory blossoms bloom only once, in the early morning, then curl closed and die by the end of the day, making their beauty all the more poignant because it is so short lived. This artisan handmade guitar strap captures that delicate and passing beauty. <a href="https://reverb.com/item/327471-blue-morning-glory-folk-country-artisan-handmade-guitar-strap-luminous-look">Sweet Morning Glory Guitar Strap</a></span><br />
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<img src="https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--fgDQ3Mhe--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_1600,q_80,w_1600/v1414526116/bx3uwpdd8nigaicfginm.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-43327159384759710242017-07-03T14:12:00.003-07:002017-07-03T14:12:32.342-07:00Sunflower Guitar Straps and Maybe A Little Lesson About Life<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sunflowers are very trendy right now and since I love them, I had to make a sunflower guitar strap. It's available on Reverb.com at this link</b>: <a href="http://rvrb.io/brand-new-sunflowe-d8w">Coolest Handmade Sunflower Guitar Strap Ever</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What makes sunflowers so popular is that they are shamelessly proud. They feel like they are celebrating existence in an unselfconscious, joyous way that can be hard for people to understand. But, we learn from the world around us and maybe one thing we can learn is to still be excited by life, by its possibilities, by its extravangance. I hope you like this guitar strap. Thank you very much for taking a look!</span><br />
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<img src="https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--Dea_zaNR--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_1600,q_80,w_1600/v1413226844/fdgse9cv4eidzqquqt1q.jpg" />Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-59326142253966107172014-07-26T05:56:00.001-07:002014-07-26T05:56:38.388-07:00Designer Fabrics and My Guitar Straps<div id="blog_post_top" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 535px;">
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Published On: 07-26-2014 04:47am</div>
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If you've looked around my shop at <a href="http://www.coolstraps.artfire.com/" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(246, 141, 34); color: #18457c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">http://www.coolstraps.artfire.com</a>, you can tell I try to use unusual, off-the-beaten-path materials for my guitar straps. Those materials tend to be ornate, highly detailed, and very stylized. What I have always had difficulty finding is a material design that has those qualities but is, at the same time, visually stark, pure, something with a kind of unvarnished clarity. I recently came upon a fabric design that does exactly what I want, that is just chocked full of subtlety and detail but still has that sharp intensity that has been so hard to find.<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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The fabric itself is absolutely exquisite-- a thick, soft, glossy crepe de chine sateen that is simultaneously both meaty and elegant. But even more impressive is that it has captured the hand of the artist in such humanizing, intimate detail. </div>
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When I first saw this design, it looked for all the world as if the fabric had actually been drawn on and colored, that what I was getting was not a print but actual original art. I could see the movement of the colored pencil tip back and forth; I could see where the artist's hand had applied more or less pressure to achieve a saturated or pastel shading; I could see how fine or blunt the edge of the pencil was against the side of the guide used for drawing the straight lines. I simply could not stop studying the detail of the artwork.</div>
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Because this is a limited edition fabric, I will not be able to make more than a few guitar straps with it. But, oh, what beautiful guitar straps they will be! My plan is that each one will have a back lining unique to the shades of blue, peach, and yellow on the front-- a guitar strap that is utterly original, truly one of a kind. Having made the first one, I am so completely thrilled with how it looks, I can't wait to make the others. You can see my listing for this guitar strap here: (<a href="http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/Coolstraps/9576629/ultra_modern_custom_design_handmade_guitar_strap_pastel_pencil_artwork/handmade/music_instruments/string" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(246, 141, 34); color: #18457c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/Coolstraps/9576629/ultra_modern_custom_design_handmade_guitar_strap_pastel_pencil_artwork/handmade/music_instruments/string</a>) and I hope you fall as profoundly in love with it as I have. Thanks for reading! Terri</div>
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Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-31789153747966181982014-07-26T05:54:00.000-07:002014-07-26T05:54:10.950-07:00<div>
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I've worked with a lot of guitarists who have a mental picture of what they want to look like onstage. They think that since they play a certain "type" of music, that they must sport a certain "type" of image, right down to their guitar straps. But, when they really go through my guitar straps, they'll often say, "Oh, I really like that one but I could never wear it. It's too (insert your own adjective here--pretty, classy, quiet, odd, weird, just too unexpected)."<br />
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A very successful musician who had bought one of my straps said to me, "I want the girls to like me. I want the guys to want to be like me. Part of why they want to be like me is that the girls like me." He then proceeded to buy a red satin and tulle guitar strap with one single hand embroidered and beaded long-stemmed rose on it. I asked him why he had chosen that particular strap since he was a heavy metal musician. He said, "Because it will confuse the girls. I'm dangerous and I'm somehow approachable all at the same time. They love that." I had not thought of that particular manipulation and, while I canât say I endorse it, I can say it seems to work pretty well for him.<br />
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So, I am on a mission to try to teach musicians to try to think out<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRm6w5gE_hLYakv3VLelVXvOdg6hT8LYp6UGJSdw-Fg89x51gMN7ezPYVEMxEFR2x6YRKrzUdbSD0ssFgU-C1zXUULC5yFRPMqSmo4eM4KB-xRwYGGWMxzWrwkR66aFL7IMn3ZMoKFyF0F/s1600/Jynette's+StrapFullLength.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRm6w5gE_hLYakv3VLelVXvOdg6hT8LYp6UGJSdw-Fg89x51gMN7ezPYVEMxEFR2x6YRKrzUdbSD0ssFgU-C1zXUULC5yFRPMqSmo4eM4KB-xRwYGGWMxzWrwkR66aFL7IMn3ZMoKFyF0F/s320/Jynette's+StrapFullLength.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523936276172734722" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 201px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a>side the</div>
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image box. One of the fun aspects of my guitar straps is that they are elegant, beautiful, attention-grabbing, but they are not conventional. That means youâre already thinking outside the image box just by looking at my guitar straps (Good for you! Gold star!) But, if youâre going to buy an unconventional strap, how do you choose it? First, of course, it has to complement your guitar. If you have a dominant color in your guitar, you can choose a strap that matches that dominant color; however, this is the fun part. If you have minor colors in your guitar, a neutral guitar strap with dominant imagery in those minor colors is just an awesome look! It shows that you really thought about it and didnât just grab something off the rack. Letâs say you have a black guitar with a tortoise shell pick guard and abalone inlay in the fret board. This leopard print strap would be perfectâ picks up the shades of brown and black in the tortoise shell and the cream white portion of the print picks up the abalone inlay. The other thing you have to give some thought to is how your strap coordinates with your stage wardrobe. One musician bought this Donât Tread On Me guitar strap and always coordinates with it, wearing a black and yellow checked shirt or black shoes with yellow shoe laces. Heâs even worn a black and yellow knitted indie stocking cap. But the strap has a particular dominance that he likes and he works with because itâs part of an overall stage persona. One musician bought four different straps from me all at the same time and each was vastly different in color and imagery from the other. When I asked him about it, he explained that he wants a more refined look for his acoustic sets and a more visually aggressive look for his amped sets. Same music, just a different feel and a different personal presentation. Another musician who bought one of my straps just said, âI want to look like I have some class, some taste.â That statement was a real honor to me, that I could produce something that made somebody feel cool like that.<br />
Because my straps arenât excruciatingly expensive Iâm able to offer well made, fine looking straps at a price that gives you some real choices, and because my straps are pretty much one-of-a-kind, you truly are unique when you step out onto the stage. And, I bet those confused girls will love it! Thanks for reading! Terri Hearne </div>
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Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-62968584741568203842014-07-26T05:53:00.000-07:002014-07-26T05:53:09.576-07:00The Changing Face of the Music Industry<div>
Because I have two sons who are struggling to be successful musicians, I do pay attention to the winds of change in their chosen profession. The music industry has been in a state of flux for decades but the advent of the digital download has turned it completely on its head.</div>
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When I was growing up in the '60's, full length vinyl albums were the musical currency of the era--usually 11 or 12 songs (half on Side A of the album, half on Side B). Singles (45 rpm vinyls) were available but you only bought them because you couldn't afford the whole album. Nobody actually wanted singles; they settled for them. There were only a few major record labels and the industry and radio gurus told you what to like by playing the same songs over and over and over during the course of the day. The radio was the place-- the only place-- you got your music.</div>
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The medium of music purchasing changed a bit with the advent of the 8-track tape player but the power of radio was still supreme. The major disadvantage of the 8-track was that, on occasion, a song cut off in the middle in order for the tape to switch over. No wonder 8-tracks didn't last long. They were exasperating.</div>
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<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/these-charts-explain-the-real-death-of-the-music-industry-2011-2">http://www.businessinsider.com/these-charts-explain-the-real-death-of-the-music-industry-2011-2</a></div>
Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-33188699370099601322014-07-26T05:52:00.001-07:002014-07-26T05:52:54.323-07:00Unique, Affordable Christmas Gifts--How About A Handmade Guitar Strap?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xOdjyuGylOcDPZX1dZnDNVf2XX0ou7SW073o-fYL7Bnp_L5A2U6d4yzz9Coz8YOD2C-ShunXhamgTF1jWXTZB0f8I2DrpOU4bvaSfoAjRvVD3uJb_L75KqUapahAebxDKgz9w-Vw-88i/s1600/Artfire+Certified+Handmade+Emblem.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xOdjyuGylOcDPZX1dZnDNVf2XX0ou7SW073o-fYL7Bnp_L5A2U6d4yzz9Coz8YOD2C-ShunXhamgTF1jWXTZB0f8I2DrpOU4bvaSfoAjRvVD3uJb_L75KqUapahAebxDKgz9w-Vw-88i/s320/Artfire+Certified+Handmade+Emblem.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667387692638610786" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 120px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 154px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xOdjyuGylOcDPZX1dZnDNVf2XX0ou7SW073o-fYL7Bnp_L5A2U6d4yzz9Coz8YOD2C-ShunXhamgTF1jWXTZB0f8I2DrpOU4bvaSfoAjRvVD3uJb_L75KqUapahAebxDKgz9w-Vw-88i/s1600/Artfire+Certified+Handmade+Emblem.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">Christmas will be here soon and, like most of us, you're probably trying to figure out how to buy gifts that have quality and meaning without breaking your Christmas budget. It's tough times right now. Most of us understand that. Being immersed in the local and regional music scene, I am especially sensitive to the fact that there are fewer gigs out there, smaller draws, less money at the end of the night. What was once a struggle to move forward has become a battle just to survive.</span></a><br />
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When I started making handmade guitar straps in 1998, those musicians were exactly the ones I had in mind-- people who were getting started, didn't have much money, but needed and wanted to bring a distinctive persona to the stage. I've never abandoned that group of musicians because they have always been special to me, people with goals and hopes and the talent to make them real, and that's why I've tried to keep my guitar strap prices within their reach. So, here are links to a few of my guitar straps that are at or under $50, Maybe you'll see something that's perfect for the struggling musician in your life, maybe you won't. Don't just shop at my studio; look around Artfire (www.artfire.com), where I sell my guitar straps. You'll see all kinds of really cool, well made, affordable creations.</div>
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When you visit Artfire, be sure to look for the Certified Handmade Artifact in the artisan studio you're visiting. Check their feedback by clicking the gold stars in the Seller Information box. Be especially sure to check their check in date just above the gold stars. If it's been a while since they checked in, unless they are on vacation and have a vacation message in their studio, move on to another studio. Some sellers conceal their check in date and I honestly don't know why. But, if you see something you just must have, check their sales numbers for some assurance that they're active, or message them before you buy to make sure they'll be responsive. Read the descriptions carefully to be sure you are getting what you think you are getting. </div>
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Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183178759296464037.post-26566843061360672262011-11-13T06:57:00.000-08:002011-11-13T08:39:04.562-08:00Daddy's Junky Music Closes--An Object Lesson For Us All<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Daddy's Junky Music, a New Hampshire icon since 1966, recently closed its doors for good. To hear Daddy's owner, Fred Bramante, tell it, they were unable to overcome a poor economy but, even more importantly, they could not overcome their internet competition and the lack of sales taxes charged by many internet businesses. A costly labor dispute also contributed to Dad</span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">dy's insolvency. Troy Richardson of LA Guitar Examiner has <a href="http://www.examiner.com/guitar-in-los-angeles/elvis-has-left-the-building-daddy-s-junky-music-closes-all-locations?goback=%2Egde_991807_member_79103750">a particularly in</a></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVRqWh-eESyZdmYylqFFkN71LXSBRJVeR5jHRcYr3CPSOBC1wT8deHdMzHFkKrEOlIoLtQ0qrVabDP3yfLO81oU0KOI4tD8cq-L_nMC43cZGhfNYbP6jzR9ljpHB6R6jxhuVQND4GF1KO/s1600/ClosedSign.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVRqWh-eESyZdmYylqFFkN71LXSBRJVeR5jHRcYr3CPSOBC1wT8deHdMzHFkKrEOlIoLtQ0qrVabDP3yfLO81oU0KOI4tD8cq-L_nMC43cZGhfNYbP6jzR9ljpHB6R6jxhuVQND4GF1KO/s320/ClosedSign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674509522850172594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/guitar-in-los-angeles/elvis-has-left-the-building-daddy-s-junky-music-closes-all-locations?goback=%2Egde_991807_member_79103750">sightful article</a> that closely scrutinizes and dissects Daddy's explanations of their demise:<br /><br />In order to survive, every business needs four things-- products people want at reasonable prices, a means of letting people know what they offer, convenient shopping methods, </span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">and service that makes the customer feel valued after the sale. At the heart</span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> of those parameters is the need to be able to adapt to a constantly changing business environment and mastery of the newest business tools.<br /><br />Richardson describes a business that failed to keep up with its p</span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">roduct line, offering a narrower and narrower range of mediocre products over the years, both new and </span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">used. Says Richardson, <span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline ! important; float: none;font-size:85%;" >The product lines left werenât supported wit</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline ! important; float: none;font-size:85%;" >h any depth. With only mid-level product offerings at best, the quality of used gear coming in spiraled down to where most musicians were hard pressed to find anything worth owning.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span><br /><br />Customer service lies at the heart of every successful business, and the quality of customer service is a direct function of a business's employees, their own sense of v</span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">alue and their pride in the products they are pushing. Staff turnover is a significant indicator of employee morale and Daddy's had a problem. Again, Richardson offer the following: <span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline ! important; float: none;font-size:85%;" >Reviews on Yelp.com show post after post by unhappy customers encouraging others to shop elsewhere, with only the most glowing reports coming in at three stars and stating 'it wasnât that bad.' While there were a few die-hard employees there for years, the company retained few others, having turnover that rivaled the big chain stores they were trying to beat. Many industry professionals got their start at Daddyâs, only to move on to w</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline ! important; float: none;font-size:85%;" >ork for manufacturers, rep firms or, unfortunately, the competition.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:14px;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >"</span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br />Daddy's claims internet competition undermined their success, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" >especially the absence of an internet sales tax, but Daddy's had several opportunities to capitalize on the internet as a business tool. Successful businesses try and tweak, try and tweak, until they find what works. Daddy's apparently skipped the tweak part, tried and abandoned online selling strategies on more than one occasion. Richardson lays out a time line that put Daddy's at the forefront of the internet commerce</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > revolution, and certainly at the vanguard of the brick-and-mortar alternatives, that</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > they simply failed to capitalize on. Used Gear by Mail, RockAuction.com, and Daddysonline all had promising platforms but, rather than fine tuning, it seems</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" > Daddy's simply abandoned them. Observes Richardson, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:verdana;" >"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >Possibly too little too late, Daddysonline.com never seemed to get the push the other web-based programs received and faded away with th</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" >e rest of the business."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheSy4uSaETf6SE7NWaDUHohr8KgrxJRRRwOQGLrtMS8u7To6lHYnnB_M-3HiAwJ0hSFhMsIFw4O8JMQWmgiBXA1UK-bVTBtnIvmv9OEhRmEPNH-LGCUdLW1iDlm9f0AItItnkDQntyhJD/s1600/Internet+Incompetence.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheSy4uSaETf6SE7NWaDUHohr8KgrxJRRRwOQGLrtMS8u7To6lHYnnB_M-3HiAwJ0hSFhMsIFw4O8JMQWmgiBXA1UK-bVTBtnIvmv9OEhRmEPNH-LGCUdLW1iDlm9f0AItItnkDQntyhJD/s320/Internet+Incompetence.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674519903554528818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">It is profoundly significant that in 2008, Daddy's settled a<a href="http://exeter.patch.com/articles/nh-daddy-s-junky-music-stores-close"> l</a></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://exeter.patch.com/articles/nh-daddy-s-junky-music-stores-close">abor dispu</a></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://exeter.patch.com/articles/nh-daddy-s-junky-music-stores-close">te</a> involving two employees and a manager for between $600,000 and $700,000, a not insubstantial sum. Said Bramante in an interview with Jake O'Donnell of <a href="http://exeter.patch.com/articles/nh-daddy-s-junky-music-stores-close">Exeter Patch</a>, "I didn't want anyone to think they'd been cheated... It cleared my conscience." It also probably cleared out most of the bank account. Entering a recession with cash reserves so seriously depleted was probably the final, though not the only, nail in the coffin for Daddy's.<br /><br />On the surface, Daddy's was a business that succumbed to the vagaries of the economy and changing ecommerce technology. But, a little digging suggests a business that survived in spite of itself until it couldn't anymore. Bramante is quoted as saying, "It's a miracle we got this far... Ultimately, this didn't need to happen." No, no, it didn't. It didn't need to happen.<br /><br />So, what is the object lesson for us? I sell guitar straps. Odds are, you sell your music. We are all bound by the same requirements for success-- a product people want at a reasonable price, an effective means of spreading information about our product, customers and fans who feel appreciated, and using the latest available technology to make that product available for purchase. It doesn't matter what you sell. The rules are the same. Learn from Daddy's. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span> </span>Cool Straps Custom Handmade Guitar Strapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768676863725936078noreply@blogger.com0