COMPLACENCE BREEDS MEDIOCRITY.
WHAT IS THE EXCUSE FOR NOT
STRIVING FOR THE GREATER THING?
IT CAME FROM THE GARAGE…
THE ORIGINS OF A THOUSAND ARMSWhether we were hammering out riffs in a cluttered garage or learning to screen print shirts one layer at a time, A Thousand Arms was built by doing the work ourselves. We figured things out as we went, used what we had, and made it work.
Those early days in tight, imperfect spaces taught us the value of persistence and craftsmanship. Over time, the process became more refined, the tools got better, and the scope expanded, not for the sake of growth, but to make the work stronger. What we learned along the way now shapes how we help artists and bands bring their own ideas into the world.
BUILDING A BETTER BAND SHIRT
OR, "WHY DOES OUR MERCH SUCK?"It’s a question we asked ourselves more than a few times over the years. Like a lot of bands, we wanted our merch to reflect who we were. We wanted it to look right and feel right. But every time an order came back, something was off.
At first, we blamed the printers. The truth was simpler. We didn’t yet know how to communicate what we wanted, or what actually went into making it happen. That realization pushed us back toward our DIY roots. We bought a press, learned to print, and took control of the process ourselves.
Years of trial, error, and refinement brought us to where we are now. Doing the work firsthand taught us what matters, what doesn’t, and where things usually go wrong. Today, we offer the kind of services we always wished we had. Reliable, intentional, and built on the kind of trust that comes from showing up and doing the job right.
BEYOND THE TEE…
RETHINKING WHAT MERCH CAN BEWe started our first band on Myspace and adapted as the digital landscape kept shifting. But somewhere in the constant push for convenience, we started to feel disconnected. The physical experience of music was slipping away.
That realization became a driving force behind what we do now. We’ve worked to bring back the tactile side of music not just through vinyl and shirts, but through limited edition releases that go far beyond the norm. Over the years, that’s meant everything from coffee and ceramic mugs to custom coins, wood slipcases, honey, vodka, and tea.
Each item is chosen with intention. Not as an add-on, but as a way to turn listening into something immersive and meaningful. Something you can actually hold onto.
WHO’S BEHIND A THOUSAND ARMS?
A Thousand Arms was built from the ground up by hand, with intention, and without shortcuts. At the center of it is C.J. Blessum, a longtime musician and creative who has spent the better part of two decades learning how to bridge the gap between artistic vision and real world execution.
What began in high school bands and DIY print setups grew into a full scale operation supporting artists through screen printing, design, fulfillment, and record label services. Every part of A Thousand Arms is shaped by firsthand experience and a belief that music and art deserve to be experienced in tangible, meaningful ways.
C.J. is also the guitarist in RANGES and remains closely tied to the music world not just as a facilitator, but as an active participant. That perspective informs everything here. The work is approached with patience, care, and a willingness to put in the hours. The focus is always on doing things right without unnecessary delays, moving projects forward with care, clarity, and momentum.
A Thousand Arms has never been about a single person or a single project. It has grown through collaboration with bands, labels, designers, and friends who share a common goal of building something meaningful with care and purpose. At its core, this is a community built on loyalty, trust, shared effort, and the belief that the music world is stronger when people show up for one another.
LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS
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