Wallpusher

I, ___Margot__, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I’ve learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Jackie: Hello and welcome.  I always admired people who could make things.  From the time I was a girl scout or went to camp, kids who had such a talent for art.  Now when I go to craft fairs and see so much handy work, from quilting to embroidery, jewelry making to woodworking.  I admire and am fascinated by what people can do, what they can create.  My guest today has a unique talent.  I bet he was one of those kids who really did well with arts and crafts projects.  He is Matthew Rogers of Gloucester.  He makes bass guitars from scratch.  Matthew, a very warm welcome to you, great to meet you.  Matthew, we’ll be talking about the creating project you go through to make your guitars.  First, let me ask you of your thought process, how did you come to this and when did you begin focusing on this art of bass guitar making?

Matthew: We are all made differently.  It wasn’t until recently that I recognized it was something I had talent for.  I have gifts in ways other people aren’t talented, just as they have gifts I don’t have.  It is natural for me to be adventurous with murals and venturing the thought to come up with ideas and invent things, imagine things and make them.  From murals, to garage, to leftovers.  Now being self-employed, you can buy your own materials and bring them to life.  Coming to know how you’re made…

Jackie:…how you’re made.  Was there a point where you made a decision to do this as a vacation and not a hobby?

Matthew: Being under the radar, it’s interesting.  Advertising, why you’re going word of mouth.  Time would come and it would bloom.  It’s been happening automatically.  Committed to making good work and doing everything you can to make instruments, the binding, painting, furniture and all the things I do for clients.  Knowing that these instruments have a synthesis.  From electrical to carving, to playing music– are the perfect length to all my talents.

Jackie: You’re a graduate of Gordon College.  Talk a little of you interests.  I know philosophy and theatre, book binding, furniture.  What are your passions?

Matthew: I think it narrows down to two.  I can list things but to live and be honest with what makes me care of love.  Those things you knew you need challenge them.  I am trying to live deliberately and seriously.  So paint one yourself….

Jackie: And you do it.

Matthew: You do it, it’s just stuff.

Jackie: I see you brought in one of your bass guitars.  That’s not just stuff; it’s a work of art.  A base guitar with the most beautiful wood.  Are there major differences between making guitars and bass guitars

Matthew: The difference is as a player, the guitar is limited by what it could do.

Jackie: Guitars or bass guitars?

Matthew: Guitars, I didn’t get my creative, artistic juices flowing.  Suddenly I was thinking:  What if we moved it around, put this over here, cut this off, shorten it a little.

Jackie: And that happened with the bass guitar.

Matthew: Oh my goodness, it got me flying, so I just started making them when I was 14 or 15.

Jackie:  Really?

Matthew: It its one of those things that gets you created.  If you change the tools, you change what you can do musically.

Jackie: Give me an example of that.

Matthew: My musical talent, whatever level it is at, there are people that area better than me of course.  We’re all different levels.  My musical talent can do what it can do.  And the instrument you buy, it can do things.  You’re limited by the tool and your talent.  Of course in a performance, excitement factors in.  But if you can alter the instrument, location of knobs and strings, it changes the dynamics of the instrument.  It changes the kind of residence.  Longer strings have different response than shorter strings.

Jackie: Those are really technical things, not just the aesthetics.

Matthew: Aesthetics matter; you want to hold it and squeeze it and enjoy doing.  It is the blend of art and utter freethinking, taken for granted.  Any store wall, you see the same instrument.  Take for granted, the Spanish guitar mixed with the Hawaiian guitar.  Recognize our assumptions, rethink those things.

Jackie: So you do things that would make a difference in the sound.  Handmade versus factory-made guitars, what is the most glaring difference; aesthetics and structurally?

Matthew: One of the most humorous distinctions knowing it was made or made just for you.  The size of your hand, length of your arm, type of music you play.  Those are fine tuning things you can’t get on the shelf.  When you take how you play and you’re raw and honest of what to say.  Custom is the area where you say what if and play higher stuff.

Length of neck affects the sound and width of fingers that spread.  I like playing a faster, more melodic.  I would prefer a shorter neck, narrower spaces so fingers can move faster.  I make 30” necks, it’s a scale length, makes for faster playing for me, makes the instrument explode.  If other people like a different length, that is what brings them out.

Jackie: Do you model your guitars after any factory made instrument?  Can you translate any particular aspect of guitars into your own process?

Matthew: I think we all learn to play instruments on instruments.  When we have existing conditions of these instruments, they’re there for very good reason; it has to be able to sit on your lap, be able to be close to you body.

Jackie: So you don’t change things just for the sake of doing things?

Matthew: There are reasons these things exist.  So I found as I was letting myself go.  You find people that are already doing that.   It comes out of a fresh part of you.  You have to except and enjoy it.  There are ideas I have for instruments that I need patens for.  I ran into a technical wall, needing those ideas to be protected.  I know some other companies are trying to develop the same idea.

Jackie: You do need to paten them.

Matthew: That’s a very different process from just making things and selling them.  You can have them stolen or copied.

Jackie: That’s the reality of art.  It’s not probably your favorite part.

Matthew: It’s enjoyable but it takes a lot of time.  Bought brand new building, empty space built all second floor, molding, to make an environment that is gorgeous.  I make all my own tools.

Jackie: You make own tools!!

Matthew: You start over, start fresh, make what want to use.

Jackie: Do you buy anything?

Matthew: I buy materials.

Jackie: What about wood for guitars?

Matthew: It can come from other people’s scrap lumber yards, trees taken down.  It’s just wood.  It’s just metal.  It takes longer to make some parts machines do well.  You don’t need to make some parts, the electrical magnetic pick up.  You can buy fine pickups.

Jackie: We’re talking about the fabrication of bass guitars.  Matthew, can you take us through the basic steps to begin and finish one of your base guitars, just so we get a sense of sequence of what you do?

Matthew: Think of what the instruments capable of or what it could be capable of.  Something you’d like to play, then think of an instrument that could pull it off.  Design work on paper, location of items.

Jackie: So before you pick up materials at all you have that all in your head and on paper.

Matthew: Then you begin with the aesthetics, the beauty of the wood, and the shape of the instrument, carved she’ll pattern in the top horn.   Website is Wallpusher.com

Jackie: So people can see the shape and wood.  They’re just beautiful.

Matthew: You start with aesthetics and blend those two.  You’re limited by shape of guitar, thickness of wood.  Fit into dimensions, the physical limitations inside this piece of wood.  Can you carve it? Fit into space you have?  Sometimes you have to rethink some things.  Everything is done by hand, unless I can avoid it.  Large machines good for getting work swiftly done.

Jackie: How do you get the wood?  Many different shades, meshed perfectly together?

Matthew: When lay out wood, find something beautiful.

Jackie: Then start with hardware

Matthew: We glue it together, have rough shape.  Rest if shaping it by hand, treat like carving work of art.

Jackie: What can’t you do by hand?

Matthew: Things like ban saw, cuts straight down like laser cutting down very versatile; cuts curves, if not; use hand saw.  Larger saws still achieve work, but saw is time saver.

Jackie: Talking about time, what is the time frame for making a guitar?

Matthew: I can make them very quickly, in 1 week; give self month or more depending on parameters.   Fun and simple process for me to carve, easy like breathing.  Difficult in cerebral process where really trying to invent new things and answer questions.  That can take a lot longer.  That can take years to explore an idea.  In terms of actually fabricating a piece, you’re only limited by time.

Jackie: Do you work by yourself?

Matthew: No, I delight in community.  Trying to hire people is difficult.  People have woodworking experience but not in etching, metal, lapidary

Jackie: Have facilities to do anything?

Matthew: Why don’t you look for retirees?  Skills not commonplace.  That’s what I would love to hire.

Jackie: Materials you use…woods generally use.  Reason prefer one to another, or matter of taste?

Matthew: Denser woods reflect sound differently.  Reasons why newer spruce is inferior to older denser, higher grain.  Hard to get stuff.  Instrument makers look for wood

Jackie: Do you use same wood for body and neck of instrument?

Matthew: Debate over neck should be solid.  When a string is played, is vibration, movement of air, electrical current down the wire, pushes another magnet, pushes air, ear pick up, ea r is another speaker.

Do you want body to vibrate? Hollow is hard to vibrate.  Solid absorbs some.  Different vibrations.

Jackie: These are kinds of questions you ask to get preferences.

Matthew: Total virginity to type of sound coming out.

Jackie: How does size affect guitar?  What’s normal?

Matthew: Bass guitars have 12 strings, concept that has audible range from low to high. Reason for stopping arms length; is it audible useful notes (play but no hear, only feel).  Decimal can make house vibrate, but don’t hear sound.

Jackie: Can go to extremes.

Matthew: Yes, still want to hear.

Jackie: Who do you most admire?

Matthew: I love music, things that make jump, has exuberance for life, first to run and climb.  Can criticize music all want but for me, best to be allowed to be me, things that potentially only I can do.

Jackie: How relate?

Matthew: Can see his influences immediately, for him, music was fresh, rhythmic, punchy, and very creative.  Whole experience is what can do with item.

Jackie: You are talented guy.  Terrific to hear of specialized field.  Must feel incredibly good when completed instrument.

Matthew: When I finish something, I can get on to next thing, move on, and let myself sleep.

In fine arts, when make something, can edit self to death.  My job is to make something and let others tell what means.

Jackie: …and judge.

(Transcribed by Chrissy Bongiorni)

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

What more could celebrate our country’s independence than music?  The fourth of July in Boston proves to a day jammed packed with music.  Located on the Esplanade, the day begins at 9am with Oval opening.  At 12:00, Boston plays recorded music.  4:30 begins recorded music in Cambridge.  As the evening settles in, WBZ News Radio starts at 7:00 pm.  The music returning, the Boston Pops spectacular broadcast begins at 8:00.  This includes the Boston Pops Concert at 8:30, having originated in 1973.  At 9:30 pm, the 1812 Overture is played.  This night of celebration ends with the fireworks show, beginning at 10:30.  The featured performers of this event still are yet to be announced.

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Need a personalized father’s day gift? We’ll get it to you with “dad” or initials- STAT.

Choose color: red, yellow, black (or COW!)

Choose message: Dad, i love you, initials, whatever

Get Free Shipping until June 20!!

Sounds like a great deal for Dads and everyone.

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

What is the best gift idea for dad? Something he’ll use, love, and that will make him feel great?

Surprise your dad, husband, grandpa, or dad-friend with a gift that will make them smile, then laugh, then drop their jaw. BEST gift for dads- leather, made for the guitar, black. What could be better?

Here’s our top 5 best ideas for dad all handmade from recycled leather:

(find these or order them custom on etsy!)

1.Wallpusher handmade Guitar straps

2. Wallpusher handmade leather belts

3. Wallpusher camera straps

4. Wallpusher wrist cuffs

5. Wallpusher Guitars (of course!)

These are gifts which your dad will love. These gifts will make him light up, and make him feel like a million bucks.

We’d be happy to include FREE gift wrap and a personalized note for Fathers’ day. Make him feel special!

Wallpusher adjustable straps have been designed to solve a single problem inherent in every other strap they’ve used: the ability to vary the height of the instrument up AND down during a musical performance.

Product Features

* Our guitar straps offer easy one-handed adjustments in seconds!
* 2″-wide guitar strap
* Classic look comes in black, red, yellow, and green to suit your personal style.
* Provides a comfortable fit while you’re playing guitar
* Color: Black
* FREE Shipping

Sometimes a certain section demands more technical work and we would like the instrument to be higher on the body while other times we like the instruments to rest lower and more relaxed. The guitar straps Wallpusher has designed function QUICKLY and EASILY to allow a player to raise or lower the instrument almost instantaneously.

* Organic Leather
* Perfect tool for solo gigs and all musicians
* Made in MA, USA
* Wipe with damp cloth
* Item Weight: 1.5 pounds

This guitar strap is so simple, so basic – yet so perfect. The price is perfect too. This guitar strap is like no other in that it is adjustable and can be altered during play. Musicians everywhere love the ability to effortlessly adjust the guitar or bass higher to solo and then drop down easily on stage. Light, beautiful, easy to clean, easy to store, not big and bulky.
Sometime you just have to get back to the basics. Sometimes, it’s the simplest design that works the best. Sometimes, all those fancy, additional features offered are just not worth it.

Each strap comes with a tag stating the number in the series, date of creation, and my signature. As always, being a handmade strap each one is unique, and the color and cut may vary slightly.

Please visit www.wallpusher.com for more views.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, dreams, designs, shipping concerns,
or comments of any kind, always feel free to email us
info [!at] wallpusher.com and we’ll do anything we can to help.

*** Everything found in this shop is handmade by Wallpusher from our original copyrighted patterns. Please do not attempt to copy them or ask anyone else to do it for you. ***

*These straps are not intended for re-sale.*

Thank you for shopping handmade!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Yes,  it’s that time again, everybody’s graduating!! One of our interns just graduated from High School, we are so proud of his work at Wallpusher, and excited for his future.
What do you do after high school? If making things is in your blood, art school might be the place to hone those skills on your way to making a career in the many fields. As guitar makers, we give internships to highschool and college students in the local schools to give back to the community, and help students get concrete experience in fields that they may become leaders in one day. As artists and creative people, we are so excited about all the options available to students in our area. Who knows what the future creative professionals will come up with, when their starting point is as wonderful as it is! We have interns interested in continuing their careers as sculptors, guitar makers, leather workers, furniture makers, and even as professionals in Pixar and animation!

Local Art Colleges abound for people with interest in the creative field. The study of art is a growing focus for many students.  These students interested in art have a collage of different schools to choose from in the Massachusetts area.  Montserrat College of Art, in Beverly MA, was in fact started by a group of artists in the Boston area in the 1960’s.  Montserrat College offers an extensive curriculum, collaboration with other artists and a community of artists all developing their talents.

MassArt is located in the heart of Boston, founded in 1873.  This school offers one undergraduate degree and three graduate degrees.  Mass Art holds the mission of providing experience with the community, creating a diverse perspective on art, establishing value for this artistic work and the incorporation of art with the economy.

The SMFA, in Boston, provides a wide range of education in art.  Founded in 1876, education here includes the study of ceramics, drawing, film/animation, glass, metals, painting, performance, photography, sculpture, sound, image of art and video.

Gordon, founded in 1889, is located in Wenham, MA.  Artists here can develop their skill in design, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and art education.  Gordon’s art major is focused on traditional artistic skills.  This college proves to be well-known among other Christian art colleges.  The education in art is forever endless.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Montserrat College of Art’s Successful ARTRAGEOUS 24! Auction Raises $225,000 for Student Scholarship Programs (eon.businesswire.com)
• Fine Arts Schools: Tips and Stats (usnews.com)
• Obama to grads: ‘Don’t make excuses’ (msnbc.msn.com)
• Story Time at MassArt: MFA Students Mount an Ambitious Exhibition (bostonist.com)
• Academy of Art University’s 2010 Spring Show Awes Creative Professionals (prweb.com)
• Glimmer of Hope (jobsearchingblog.com)
• Graduation Gift Ideas: 12 Great Books For Grads (PHOTOS, POLL) (huffingtonpost.com)

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Guitar Hot Spots

How better to celebrate summer than by musical events.  The Boston area is the host of several musical events.  The Paradise Lounge is a small spot in Boston, originating in 1977.  At 967 Commonwealth Ave, this Lounge is often a concert spot for visiting bands.

Scullers Jazz Club is a music hot spot, originating in 1989.  Being the host to many famous artists, such as Harry Conick J; this club has become a landmark of Boston.

In Foxboro, Showcase Live features many artists, including hip hop, country, jazz, rock and R+B.  It also provides delicious meals.

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Keep up with the latest guitar news on playing, vintage collecting, and innovative new guitars like Wallpusher. The art of guitars today is “tuned” to several publications. Here are the best places to go for info. Acoustic Guitar is a magazine

• 

• 

  Image by Getty Images via @daylife

founded in 1990.  Consisting of magazines, e-newsletters, digital services and books, it made the leap to an online companion in 1995 (acousticguitar.com).  This site hosts sheet music, song transcripts, reviews and interviews. Guitar World (guitarworld.com) is a magazine located in New York, NY; offering tuning advice and products.  This magazine prints articles on artists/guitarists, rock albums and videos; also blogging on different brands.

Finger Style Guitar (fingerstyleguitar.com) covers all styles and music types of guitars.  Located out of Bedminster, NJ; this magazine is in fact connected with Facebook and Twitter.  While covering all musical genres, Finger Style Guitar features a style of playing that consists of plucking strings with fingers. Vintage Guitar Magazine (vguitar.com) has been published monthly since 1986.  It consists of information/history on instruments, entertainment, interviews and famous players.  Connecting with maintenance, it contains descriptive articles on instruments, gear, music and artists.

TC Guitar Magazine (tcguitar.com) connects musicians to types of playing, tuning, accessories and tips to left handed players.  This publication gives links to buying guitars and guitar lessons. Canadian Musician (canadianmusician.com) has covered Canadian artists, technique, gear and new releases/products since 1979. This publication covers guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, brass woodwinds; also featuring vocal, song writing, recording, artists, blog and schedule of events.

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Check out the gorgeous items that all made it to Etsy finds today, along with Wallpusher’s own quality strap!

Wallpusher is featured today in Etsy Finds!

We are so excited to be featured on the Etsy blog, it is such a fantastic community of people, and we love seeing what they all have to offer. We are honored to be chosen as one of the quality items in the “Leather and Lace” category,  we love both media, and are always striving to create a quality product!!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Wallpusher is now on etsy! Find out about all the ways your can save the planet, buy reused, handmade, support your community and connect to other creatives like yourself! Wallpusher is dedicated to reusing materials and creating quality handmade solutions! Have you heard of Etsy? It’s a site dedicated to creative handmade goods of all kinds.

Wallpusher has recently opened a shop on etsy that features our handmade guitars and guitar accessories.

Since opening our shop, we’ve been stunned by all the great messages, “hearts” and treasury listings from fellow members.

This month Etsy is making some important changes that will streamline the site.

We’re so impressed by all the different ways that Etsy is keeping sellers, shoppers, and all people who make or love handmade things connected! There are great tools such as the “voter” where you can vote for the best gift for mom, accessories for prom, and more. Anyone can make a treasury, which is a collection of items within a theme that you like, forums, and much more! We’re enjoying our etsy adventure, These are just some of the great instruments and accessories we’ve listed, click on the pictures to look at

the listings, and of course we’d love it if you could give us a heart!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Look for our guitar straps in a recent treasury on Etsy called “Lovely Leather.” What’s a treasury? It’s a “treasure trove”

of items that shoppers on Etsy have thought are worth sharing and putting in categories!

The writer of this treasury was focusing on the wonderful world of leather, and all its uses, and itcluded our straps!!

So whether you’re shopping for Mom, mother’s day, a birthday, an upcoming gig, or you just need something that will make your life easier, check out our straps!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Finding your style is crucial to becoming a musician. Every musician sends a message visually which can complement on accentuate the message your music sends to your fans. From grunge to metal to disco glam to hip hop, style has been a crucial factor for every musician that has made it. Your your guitar strap, style of dress, your guitar, everything on stage sends a message. Some parts of your style are functional too, your guitar may produce exactly that sound that you’re looking for, but not look the way you want it to. Wallpusher guitar straps look great, and work great too- so you don’t have to choose style or function, they have both. Now you can use the adjustable guitar strap to raise and lower the guitar effortlessly, to change heights while playing or soloing. Wallpusher Guitar Straps are a great price, find them at Etsy.

AND since today IS EARTH DAY celebrate the planet with great goods made of recycled wood–

Wallpusher guitars are made ofwood that would have been thrown into a landfill. Every guitar is hand made with pieces that were salvaged from churches, schools, homes, storms, and more. It’s always great to know that the instument that you express yourself on stage with is not only great style, and sound, but also a great message of saving the planet and an example of making beautiful things with already existing materials.
Yeay for earth day!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

As spring draws to a close and internships wind down, we are so proud of all the hardworking students who have devoted their time to learning a new skill at Wallpusher.

Leatherworking is an ancient art, and our interns have worked hard to master sewing, die cutting, riveting, and more. Working with our brand new vinyl strap design, available on Etsy for $29, interns worked to integrate the two materials seamlessly and create a beautiful affordable product.

We’ve had students apply to our internships from Massart, Montserrat, Gordon College, and more. You can find our postings at the links below.

Carving http://www.gordon.edu/apps/pjobs/ViewJob.cfm?ID=39161

http://www.collegecentral.com/CCNEngine/JobSDetl.CFM?SecTag=ZEDNfQC6cN&JobID=1853268

Wallpusher is a private business offering solutions for musicians. If you are interested in attaining the skills to create things you think should exist, then Wallpusher is the place to look. The intern will be assisting in several tasks at Wallpusher that will help them to learn the more refined elements of leatherworking including preparation of the leather, basic cutting and sanding, shaping with a plane and chisels, etc. On-site, intern will work with the master woodworker on prototypes, assist with the setup and dismantle of projects; create designs, and complete tasks as assigned. The purpose of this leatherworking internship is to acquaint the individual with the coordination and implementation of certain aspects of leatherworking and product design and fabrication through experience with a professional leather

worker and guitar maker at Wallpusher in Ipswich, MA.

Matthew Rogers has taught at the MFA, MassArt, and Gordon College. His guitar making classes are of the highest quality. Matthew has collaborated with world-renowned guitar makers on innovative designs. Alongside the creative solutions that Rogers has introduced in his design company are prototypes for guitars that unleash the potential in every instrument. For more information visit www.wallpusher.com. Please email info@wallpusher.com with your resume and cover letter if you are interested, please be sure to put “Wallpusher Internship”.

Leather

http://www.gordon.edu/apps/pjobs/ViewJob.cfm?ID=39162

http://www.collegecentral.com/CCNEngine/JobSDetl.CFM?SecTag=ZEDNfQC6cN&JobID=1905454

http://www.salemstate.edu/3256.php

Wallpusher is a private business offering solutions for musicians. If you are interested in attaining the skills to create things you think should exist, then Wallpusher is the place to look. The intern will be assisting in several tasks at Wallpusher that will help them to learn the more refined elements of leather working including preparation of the leather, basic cutting and sanding, shaping with a plane and chisels, etc. On-site, intern will work with the master leather worker on prototypes, assist with the setup and dismantle of projects; create designs, and complete tasks as assigned. The purpose of this leather working internship is to acquaint the individual with the coordination and implementation of certain aspects of leather working and through experience with a professional leather worker at Wallpusher in Ipswich, MA. Matthew Rogers has taught at the MFA, MassArt, and Gordon College. His leather working classes are of the highest quality. Matthew has collaborated with world-renowned designers and tailors on innovative designs. Alongside the creative solutions that Rogers has introduced in his design company are prototypes for leather products that unleash its potential. For more information visit www.wallpusher.com. Please email info@wallpusher.com with your resume and cover letter if you are interested, please be sure to put “Wallpusher Internship”.

Business

Wallpusher is a private business offering solutions for musicians. If you are interested in attaining the skills to to market and advertise things you think should exist, then Wallpusher is the place to look. T

In this 12-week internship program you will be offered an opportunity to be involved in meaningful work/projects; be exposed to daily operations; attend informational sessions; participate in networking activities with professionals, and business leaders. You’ll learn from the best minds in the industry and have a unique opportunity to use your Marketing knowledge and skills in an environment dedicated to maintaining industry superiority.  You will be introduced to useful tools and resources that will help you grow both professionally and personally throughout the program. So why wait, APPLY NOW!

he intern will be assisting in several tasks at Wallpusher that will help them to learn the more refined elements of marketing a product line in the arts and entertainment industry. On-site, intern will work with the marketing head on networking projects; create designs for advertising, and complete tasks as assigned. The purpose of this marketing internship is to acquaint the individual with the coordination and implementation of certain aspects of marketing and through experience in marketing the products sold by Wallpusher in Ipswich, MA. For more information visit www.wallpusher.com. Please email info@wallpusher.com with your resume and cover letter if you are interested, please be sure to put “Wallpusher Internship”.

This is an ongoing internship, we are looking for people to begin as soon as possible.

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Another happy customer: Jim Trick, came to the shop for his custom adjustable guitar strap the other day.

What’s in a strap? Your guitar strap is perhaps the most important accessory to your guitar playing, and should make your playing easier, not harder. Wallpusher Guitar Straps are designed to give maximum flexibility to the player, so they can change the height of the guitar at anytime during play. If you want to make your playing easier and more fun, you can order your own handmade guitar strap on our etsy page.

Jim Trick with his Wallpusher Guitar Strap

We had fun with Jim, showing him the shop and many guitars in different stages of production. He played us several of his newest songs, and really loved the ease with which he could change the height of his guitar for solos or rhythm playing.

He was impressed by all the stages of making a guitar, and loved seeing the tools we use. He tried his hand at a Japanese Pull Saw, and did a great job! We ended the night with a ceremonial trashing of the old guitar strap, Jim was so happy with his new Wallpusher strap, he won’t need the old one again!

We love sponsoring our favorite musicians, and Jim is definitely one of them. We met Jim and his wife Alison at Soulfest 2009, were impressed by his playing and stage presence. Jim is an accomplished acoustic guitarist / singer who is able to weave real life stories into melodies ranging in style from contemporary folk to acoustic rock. Jim sings and speaks at concerts, retreats, colleges, churches, Mens ministries,  Singles groups, keynote addresses, leadership training, workshops and youth groups. Find out more about his work and talent at www.jimtrick.com or listen to his latest album on myspace.

If you want to make your playing easier and more fun, you can order your own handmade guitar strap on our etsy page.

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Monday is a great day to sharpen your tools– and keep them razor! Check out these great instructions to get a visual of sharpening tools.

Tools should be sharpened often, the sharper your tools, the higher quality your work. All our interns at wallpusher have learned 3 types of sharpening which help them to keep chisels, plane blades, saw blades, cabinet scrapers, gouges, leather dies, and even scissors razor sharp!

Sharpening involves different components for different tools but there are thr

ee types of sharpening that we use:

Japanese Water Stones

Oil Stones

Water Grinder

Keep posted as we add how-to instructions, videos, and more!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Gosh it’s been a crazy spring!! Wet, then sunny, then wet again…so we decided to make our first item of clothing to welcome in spring: a reversible hat! Available from our homegoods shop Thus and Therefore on Etsy, find all our non-guitar related products including everything you need for the home: clothing for adults and children, toys, art, tables, rolling pins, spatulas, and more.

Need a lift? Our reversible Rain Hat Sun Hat made from recycled materials keeps the sun and heat away with a breathable weave that has a SPF rating of 50+. On the reverse, a sturdy rip stop nylon keeps you dry on wet days. A soft stretch hand sewn head band makes for a comfortable fit, and the 2 inch brim keeps your eyes happy. Folds easily for travel.

These Rain AND Sun Hats will give you a smile any time of day. Handmade from recycled cloth, these reversible hats will make your next party, wedding, shower or birthday lighter. for you, family, and friends.

Each one is hand cut from recycled materials and sewn by hand. Also ideal for use as baby shower, wedding, house warming, graduation, wedding, and birthday gifts. Gift wrap available!

We’ve been innovating fun clothes, accessories and kitchen goods for almost 20 years with comfortable french rolling pins, striking animal and guitar shaped cutting boards, and other products that make perfect companions in the kitchen.

Each hat comes with a tag stating the number in the series, date of creation, and my signature. As always, these items are handmade works of art, and so there is some unique qualities that vary from item to item.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, dreams, designs, shipping concerns,
or comments of any kind, always feel free to email us
info@wallpusher.com and we’ll do anything we can to help.

Thank you for shopping handmade!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Happy Monday everybody! So to wake up this week, we started playing music in the shop, OF COURSE, but since we’ve looped our ipod several times in all the weeks of carving, gluing and clamping, finishing, guitar setup and electrical, we were at a loss as to which album to start out with.

Google to the rescue! Or more specifically, Digg. I grew up saying “dig it?” and  still do when talking to interns about my patterns and ideas for guitars, but I haven’t gotten around to using the program too much…until today.

I came across (stumbled? how can you stumbleupon digg?) a list of the 50 best guitar albums of all time, with Led Zeppelin IV being named #1. 50 greatest guitar albums Since I had decided to play my luck this morning, I went with it without questioning the order.

What do you think? What IS the best guitar album? REALLY tough question, maybe subjective, maybe impossible, but for a Monday, this article got me thinkin’ and did the trick.

Thanks for reading! I’ll be adding more how to make guitar, how to play guitar, and more, so do subscribe and send your friends to wallpusher!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Welcoming Spring with Whimsical Cow Pattern Straps! Find out more at our Etsy page!

This guitar strap is like no other in that it can be adjusted during play. The design offers one handed adjustments for the player to raise or lower the guitar in seconds. This guitar strap is so simple, so basic – yet so perfect. The price is perfect too. Musicians everywhere love the ability to effortlessly adjust the guitar or bass higher to solo and then drop down easily on stage. Light, beautiful, easy to clean, easy to store, not big and bulky. Handmade by artisans from 100% organic leather.
Sometime you just have to get back to the basics. Sometimes, it’s the simplest design that works the best.

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Wallpusher interns

Have you heard about the Wallpusher Intern Program?

Wallpusher is a private business offering solutions for musicians. Our interns come to us from multiple sources,  from Art Schools such as Montserrat, the MFA and MassArt, traditional colleges such as Gordon College and Endicott, and the occasional highly motivated highschool student. Many other professionals take time out of their week to learn the skills that are offered at Wallpusher. All of our interns are motivated,  enthusiastic, and work hard. So far in the Wallpusher Intern to Learn Program, we have been focusing on the ancient woodworking and guitar working techniques of making guitars and guitar straps. We are interested in branching out in other directions, and seeking  individuals with basic electrical guitar wiring skills who would like to experiment in creating new possibilities for wiring and tone options. Email info@wallpusher.com if you or someone you know is interested in this opportunity

If you are interested in attaining the skills to create things you think should exist, then Wallpusher is the place to look.

The interns assist in several tasks at Wallpusher that will teach them the more refined elements of wood and leather working including preparation of the wood or leather, basic cutting and sanding, shaping with dies, etc. On-site, interns work with the master woodworker or leatherworker on prototypes, assist with the setup

and dismantle of projects; create designs, and complete tasks as assigned. The purpose of this leather working internship is to acquaint the individual with the coordination and implementation of certain aspects of leather working and through experience with a professional leather worker at Wallpusher in Ipswich, MA. M

Woodworking Interns

atthew Rogers has taught at the MFA, MassArt, and Gordon College. His guitar making classes are of the highest quality. Matthew has collaborated with world-renowned designers and tailors on innovative designs. Alongside the creative so

Wallpusher leather interns

lutions that Rogers has introduced in his design company are prototypes for leather products that unleash its potential. For more information visit interntolearn.wordpress.com.

Emaiil info@wallpusher.com with your resume and cover letter if you are interested, please be sure to put “Wallpusher Internship”.

Here are a few more photos of the interns hard at work. Enjoy!

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz