When Ray and Sue Mooers started Dusty Strings in 1979, Ray built hammered dulcimers in the couple’s basement, and the two played and sold them at festivals and craft fairs. After they switched to selling through acoustic music retailers, the business began to grow, adding employees until the basement no longer sufficed.

Dusty Strings moved to its present location in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood in 1982, and Ray began experimenting with building folk harps the following year. An accomplished hammered dulcimer player, he had never played harp, but was fascinated with the instrument and had long been collecting information on harp design and construction.