Daily Inspiration: Meet William Demarest

Today we’d like to introduce you to William Demarest Jr.

Hi William, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I always have had a creative mind. Prior to becoming a leather crafter, I had entrepreneur dreams of starting a clothing brand but never felt satisfied to invest in it. I felt stuck with my creativity. On the 1st of January 2020, I watched a random YouTube of Leo 2020 predictions before bed. Leo is my birthday month for those into astrology. With never looking up a prediction video before, I figured, out of curiosity to check it out. I watched one video and this lady said this is my year for my creativity to explode and actually everything else about what she said, about what the year will bring, was on point throughout my 2020.

It kinda creeped me out how everything fell in line that year. But anyway, the next day after watching that YouTube, I got up for work, looked on Instagram, scrolling and I come across one of my favorite Nashville musicians known as Yelawolf. I noticed a picture he just posted of some new exotic boots and it came to my mind instantly that it would be fresh to have a wallet and belt to go with those boots. I felt attracted to the idea and started picturing ideas, and buying leather craft tools and leather off of Amazon. By February 2020 were my first time touching and sewing leather. Every day after work, I would come home and work on leather, trying to make whatever I had in my mind of a wallet, but my own style.

I rarely watched anything about how to make a wallet. But from the fabrication skills I made as a welder and doing concrete, I just implemented my own thoughts to what makes sense to me. In March 2020 I got fired after 9 years of employment because I admit that I couldn’t pass a drug test after a forklift incident. At that moment, I had my full focus on making a brand out of my leather goods. I worked on my leathercraft all summer, using my 401k to live off of, and never even got unemployment because of the reason I got fired for. Over Marijuana. I hustled hard with my work ethic and stayed humble with my spending. I got noticed on my personal Instagram by a jeweler called Grit House.

They make turquoise jewelry for Struggle Jennings and Peter Keys and many other musicians. They invited me to meet them in Nashville in October 2020. This was a huge break for me, and the crowd I want to be around. I don’t look to fit in with the leathercraft crowd. I want to be part of the music. Which is my inspiration to be the best. I took everything I had made with me to Nashville at that time and started meeting some other people I met on Instagram that lives in Nashville. Just a shot in the dark to make that drive to Tennessee from Michigan. I believed in myself that this is my calling in life. As soon as I got to Nashville, I hit up Brandon Kirtsey that I met from Instagram. We met up at his buddy’s store called Travis Austin Customs. I never knew of him. And he was just setting his new store up on 3rd and Broadway.

But as soon as I met him I felt like I was around my type of people. I have a love for design and fashion. It was so cool to see someone doing something that I could only dream of. Later that night I met up with Too Grit and Big House, which is the two guys from Grit house. That weekend we both showcased our work at his store and Grit house did a jewelry demo. I wouldn’t have met Struggle Jennings without having Grit House with me. Huge thank you to them. But I started making my name this first time in Nashville. Some of the guys that were at Struggle Jenning’s house recognize me from Instagram. So meeting all of them was a crazy moment for me. I’m a quiet guy until I get comfortable around others.

So word of mouth gets around to others about my wallets. And once I’m back in Michigan, get hit up here and there to make a custom wallet. One was Rico, Yelawolf’s son.. and by the next time I made it to Nashville, Rico and I met up to discuss what he wants for a wallet. Just another moment that I felt was so right for me. Since October 2020 and throughout 2021 I’ve drove to Nashville four times. Meeting people, making friends, and connections. Recently I started a gun holster for Robert Deardorff, Ryan Upchurch’s best friend. I came down in June, I posted up at Obrien general store in Cheatham County. I didn’t want to spend money so I straight up had a tent with me and camped my first night in Ashland City. That night I went to a bar knowing Upchurch was there. I was so exhausted from the drive and hanging at the store all day.

But still went out because of a gut feeling. Deardorff introduced me to Ryan and I have never seen someone that excited about my leather goods before. He bought a bunch for him and his buddies. I relate to them because of my roots, and it felt right to be able to have that moment. I have come a long way in a short time because of a vision, my drive, and because my craft just lets me just be me with my designs. I live life on the edge and I take risks. I believe in myself and take on opportunities that most would be scared to try.

I make blind moves that have yet to steer me wrong. And it started with a YouTube video, a love for music, and creating something new for the world to enjoy as a true passion from an artist/designer’s mind.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road, leathercraft is unforgiving when you make a mistake. Mistakes is time and money. I have scrapped over two dozen products my first year. I don’t sell anything that isn’t up to my quality standards. Trying to make this happen full time has made me sell my beloved Harley Davidson to keep pursuing. Sales don’t come that quickly starting off and building your name on Instagram is definitely a challenge that I still deal with. It’s a very stressful situation to have no backup plan with just starting a brand. Just never give up.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I felt that I specialize in true self-branding. I care about how others view everything I do, and I want it to catch attention from what I envision and execute. I made my website in a way to show and tell my story as I grow. As a personal exclusive brand as an artist. Not just as a brand. As my designs, it sets apart from others from the unique exotic skins I use, leathers, and hardware I use to catch an image I have in my mind of a one of one leather good.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is to live a humble life doing what I enjoy. And that is creating. Creating something new for others to enjoy owning. It matters to me that people want a leather good made by me. It’s the best feeling ever to get compliments on my style.

Contact Info:

• Email: Williamshandcraftedco@gmail.com
• Website: Www.williamshandcraftedco.com
• Instagram: Wucci_offical

Image Credits:
Brianne Crandall & Eric Schultz Picture.