About MTNEARZ

MTNEARZ started with a move to the Sierra Foothills and a soft spot for long ears.

When we relocated from the Bay Area, we settled into foothill life with a growing crew of animals — including the miniature donkeys and mule that became our "long ears." We named the place Mountainears Farm, a nod to both the animals and the mountains we'd moved to, and shortened it to Mtnears. When I went to put it on a license plate, that spelling was taken — so Mtnearz it was. The "z" stuck, and when I started making and selling things, it became the natural name for the business: same roots as the farm, just its own identity.

How it started

After more than thirty years in the Bay Area tech industry, I retired early following the loss of my wife and started spending time on something new: 3D printing. It began with a single printer and a hobby.

Around the same time, I'd been volunteering at our local fire department. One of the medics there competed in Working Equitation, and she asked if I could make her a garrocha ring. I could — and that one question set everything in motion. A little over a year later, the hobby had grown into a full shop: five 3D printers, a UV ink printer, a Siser cutting machine, and a laser.

What I make

MTNEARZ is a small, home-based shop in Georgetown, California, where I design and build custom small-batch merchandise — one order at a time.

The heart of the shop is Working Equitation gear: made-to-order garrocha rings, mounts, and training accessories, printed in durable, UV-resistant ASA and built from real-world feedback from riders. Alongside that, I make custom printed and 3D-printed merchandise for clubs, events, fundraisers, and small businesses — everything from decals and magnets to stainless steel prints, stall plaques, and specialty parts. My background at the fire department also shaped a line of gear for fire and EMS crews.

How I work

Because it's just me, every order gets personal attention. I'd rather make something right than make a lot of it — small batches, honest pricing, and a real person behind the work. If you've got an idea that doesn't fit neatly into a product page, that's usually the fun stuff. Reach out and let's figure it out.

Small Batch. Big Quality. Built for You.

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