Gawdy Goodness Please!

[chriselle]

Hey folks. I got a call from a lady I made a mother of pearl Jr. Statesman FP for and she is looking for another pen for her friend. This time in ballpoint.

She doesn't want an Urushi...rats.

But rather she wants something bright, shiney and gawdy with less girth than the Jr. Statesman. I have another couple abalone pens..one in a Sierra and another Statesman but I was wondering if any of you have any other suggestions for something thin, special, and somewhat attention getting. Also, her budget is around $400.

Bring on the ideas....

 

[Curly]

The Art Nouveau / Deco come to mind and they do take to colorful and blingy materials or classy like Casein.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner because I can't reach my desktop!

 

[chriselle]

Thanks Pete, but isn't the Nouveau a pretty hefty pen?

 

[Curly]

I suppose they are but they fit the gaudy part of your request. There are the ones that are similar in size and weight to the Majestic Squire. The capped 2 piece ones use a 10.5 and a .492 drill bits. I'm not sure were they fit size wise to the Jr. Series. Marla "flogged" some at a show last Christmas and people either went straight to them or never showed any interest. She dressed them with some Brooks blanks.

Penn State Industries: Product Search

Penn State Industries: Product Search

The hunt continues, eh? :tongue:

 

[chriselle]

There are a few pen styles with crystals at PSI that would probably make her happy. In all these years of pen turning I don't think I have ever ordered from PSI....nothing ever seemed to appeal to me.

 

[MarkD]

There are a few pen styles with crystals at PSI that would probably make her happy. In all these years of pen turning I don't think I have ever ordered from PSI....nothing ever seemed to appeal to me.

The Majestic Squire has a crystal in the clip. It might work well in this instance. The Majestic Squire is from Penn State but you can get it at some of the other places that resell Penn State products.

 

[Katya]

CUSA has a pen kit called "Venus" that is quite stunning- lots of crystals. The illustration shows it with blue glass fibre blanks.. I thought it would look kinda tacky (I don't really like bling). But I made that pen and it is quite elegant and a real attention-getter. But oddly enough it's just slightly larger than the Jr. Statesman, so it might be too big for your use. But worth looking at. Good luck!

 

[Parson]

I was going to recommend the Venus as well. Lots of bling and not too large or heavy... Except the price tag!

 

[Dustygoose]

Other than Sierra sized, The Classic Elite or the New style ?? The Clasic uses a 10mm bit for both body and cap.

 

[DestinTurnings]

Princess pen from PSI. 50 crystals, twist parker, great clip(spring loaded). Get the purple with an abalone resin blank or you can go a less gawdy route with something like the pink w/pink acrylester.

 

[PenMan1]

Good luck, Chris!

In smaller ballpoints, the pen component industry is sorely lacking. The choices are those which take Cross style refills or considerably larger pens that use Parker styles. Most of my customers nix the Cross style due to poor writing performance.

I have found the upgraded platinggs of the Perfect Fit Convertible to be an adequate frame for those wanting smaller "blingy" pens. The PF has a 3 part center band allowing for easy customization. Additionally, the "flat top" uses a standard European stud (available at CSUS and likely UK), which allows you to simply and quickly fabricate a domed top that looks in line with many of the "upscale" Mont Blanc, etc.

I made a PF from Abalone, with a matching center band and a color coordinated domed top that literally sold the minute is was put on the display table. This pen screamed "elegent" and brought a very nice price.

FWIW: I've found that when I take most of the "flair" out of the Parker type pens and slim them as much as the frame hardware allows they move faster to women and men who perfer slim pens.

Good luck! It looks like you have plenty of budget, so let your imigination run wild.

 

[Brooks803]

Chris, in a ballpoint I'd have to say the majestic squire might fit the bill. It's 3/8 tube so it is smaller than the Jr. It does have a bit of weight to it, but it feels good in the hand. Majestic Squire 22kt 2-micron Gold & Rhodium Ballpoint Twist Pen Kit at Penn State Industries There are other vendors that carry this. Anthony over at The Golden Nib being one. Here's one done in a similar fashion to your statesman. It's not the real shell type blank, but close enough to get the idea:

If you are looking to have the real shell type blank you'll probably have to find someone to custom make one for you. I don't believe I've seen any that'll fit this style.

 

[PenMan1]

If you are thinking of a small pen with many pimp stones, you may want to consider your customer. My customers for those are almost always women. Women love to put unprotected pens into purses. Pens that have rhinestones adhered to plated surfaces with double stick tape don't like being held captive in purses. The stones want to "be free". DAMHIKT

 

[DestinTurnings]

If you are thinking of a small pen with many pimp stones, you may want to consider your customer. My customers for those are almost always women. Women love to put unprotected pens into purses. Pens that have rhinestones adhered to plated surfaces with double stick tape don't like being held captive in purses. The stones want to "be free". DAMHIKT

The stones I see used are for the most part hotset...as in they are placed in a detent then touched briefly by something such as a soildering iron or woodburner. I regularly replace the Swarovskis in the Majestics and David Broadwell pens by heating the existing crystal and popping it off with an exacto blade. You can get the genuine heatset Swarovskis in just about any color at Michael's for about $5 for 50. Put the new stone in the hole, touch it with a woodburner to melt the glue and you are done.

As far as women and purses, nothing is more true than what Penman said. Even my wife drops her $350 pen right in her purse without a second thought (yes, its scratched up). The best way to keep them from ruining the pens is include the cheap sleeves or velvet bags with the sell. I find they will use these at least for a short time.

 

[Curly]

Honey, does this pen make my purse look fat?

Another choice but is it too big?

William Wood-Write Ltd.

 

[The Penguin]

If you are thinking of a small pen with many pimp stones, you may want to consider your customer. My customers for those are almost always women. Women love to put unprotected pens into purses. Pens that have rhinestones adhered to plated surfaces with double stick tape don't like being held captive in purses. The stones want to "be free". DAMHIKT

The stones I see used are for the most part hotset...as in they are placed in a detent then touched briefly by something such as a soildering iron or woodburner. I regularly replace the Swarovskis in the Majestics and David Broadwell pens by heating the existing crystal and popping it off with an exacto blade. You can get the genuine heatset Swarovskis in just about any color at Michael's for about $5 for 50. Put the new stone in the hole, touch it with a woodburner to melt the glue and you are done.

As far as women and purses, nothing is more true than what Penman said. Even my wife drops her $350 pen right in her purse without a second thought (yes, its scratched up). The best way to keep them from ruining the pens is include the cheap sleeves or velvet bags with the sell. I find they will use these at least for a short time.

I don't understand - why do you remove a Swarovski crystal and replace it with a Swarovski crystal?

 

[PenMan1]

It sounds like David has had to replace a few pimp stones, too. I find this so aggrivating that I just replace the trim.

 

[qballizhere]

The venus is a JR Gent2 with bling,,,, same size tubes for both.

CUSA has a pen kit called "Venus" that is quite stunning- lots of crystals. The illustration shows it with blue glass fibre blanks.. I thought it would look kinda tacky (I don't really like bling). But I made that pen and it is quite elegant and a real attention-getter. But oddly enough it's just slightly larger than the Jr. Statesman, so it might be too big for your use. But worth looking at. Good luck!

 

[PenMan1]

Venus is not a ballpoint. It is only available as a fountain or roller ball.

 

[DestinTurnings]

I don't understand - why do you remove a Swarovski crystal and replace it with a Swarovski crystal?

I custom match the crystal to the material. Something so simple and inexpensive can REALLY set it apart from the crowd.

 

[Brooks803]

I turn my own replacements:

 

[chriselle]

Thank you so much for the ideas everyone and sorry for my delayed responses. Part and parcel for living on the other side of the planet..:wink: The client wants a shell blank(s) and the finest refil available which I have to do a little more research on...maybe something in a .5mm that might fit from Pilot.

Good luck, Chris!

In smaller ballpoints, the pen component industry is sorely lacking. The choices are those which take Cross style refills or considerably larger pens that use Parker styles. Most of my customers nix the Cross style due to poor writing performance.

I have found the upgraded platinggs of the Perfect Fit Convertible to be an adequate frame for those wanting smaller "blingy" pens. The PF has a 3 part center band allowing for easy customization. Additionally, the "flat top" uses a standard European stud (available at CSUS and likely UK), which allows you to simply and quickly fabricate a domed top that looks in line with many of the "upscale" Mont Blanc, etc.

I made a PF from Abalone, with a matching center band and a color coordinated domed top that literally sold the minute is was put on the display table. This pen screamed "elegent" and brought a very nice price.

FWIW: I've found that when I take most of the "flair" out of the Parker type pens and slim them as much as the frame hardware allows they move faster to women and men who perfer slim pens.

Good luck! It looks like you have plenty of budget, so let your imigination run wild.

Thanks Andy and I agree with you on all points. I've turned my fair share of Euro style pens in the past with custom bands and finials and using them in this case never entered my mind....something to consider given the parameters.

Chris, in a ballpoint I'd have to say the majestic squire might fit the bill. It's 3/8 tube so it is smaller than the Jr. It does have a bit of weight to it, but it feels good in the hand. Majestic Squire 22kt 2-micron Gold & Rhodium Ballpoint Twist Pen Kit at Penn State Industries There are other vendors that carry this. Anthony over at The Golden Nib being one. Here's one done in a similar fashion to your statesman. It's not the real shell type blank, but close enough to get the idea:

If you are looking to have the real shell type blank you'll probably have to find someone to custom make one for you. I don't believe I've seen any that'll fit this style.

I think I have someone who can do it and the Majestic squire might work very well. I just put a nice abalone blank on a Virage and it's pretty attractive. I'll show her this one as well if you don't mind :wink: and the Virage. Thank you, much appreciated.

 

[chriselle]

This is all really difficult when the past few months have been all about perfecting my kitless skills. It's not a step backwards or anything just feels weird to be concentrating on some sort of funky bling slimline..haha. I would LOVE to start incorporating the shell stuff into a kitless ala Nakaya and Pilot.

 

[PenMan1]

This is all really difficult when the past few months have been all about perfecting my kitless skills. It's not a step backwards or anything just feels weird to be concentrating on some sort of funky bling slimline..haha. I would LOVE to start incorporating the shell stuff into a kitless ala Nakaya and Pilot.

ROTFLMAO!

Welcome to the world of professional pens sales, Chris:biggrin:.

Most of my customers could CARE LESS that the "Plain Jane", with the impossible to find vintage materials, that pays hommage to the "old masters" and originated from my shop (with the exception of a nib or a refill, of course), THEY WANT BLING, and they want it to "write good". My whole world quaked when a customer handed me a "Viagra freebie pen with a Pilot G2 refill and said "I want one that writes as well as this one, I don't care what it costs, but I'm NOT gonna keep up with a cap".

I'm NOT laughing at you, I'm laughing at myself and my customers. When I do find THAT one customer that appreciates the blood, sweat and tears that went into my "customs", I'm so happy that I almost want to give them the pen.

And, for the record, it is HARD to find a better writing refill that the Japanese made Pilot G2 .7 roller ball refill.

 

[Brooks803]

Don't mind at all Chris. Good luck with the sale!

 

[chriselle]

This is all really difficult when the past few months have been all about perfecting my kitless skills. It's not a step backwards or anything just feels weird to be concentrating on some sort of funky bling slimline..haha. I would LOVE to start incorporating the shell stuff into a kitless ala Nakaya and Pilot.

ROTFLMAO!

Welcome to the world of professional pens sales, Chris:biggrin:.

Most of my customers could CARE LESS that the "Plain Jane", with the impossible to find vintage materials, that pays hommage to the "old masters" and originated from my shop (with the exception of a nib or a refill, of course), THEY WANT BLING, and they want it to "write good". My whole world quaked when a customer handed me a "Viagra freebie pen with a Pilot G2 refill and said "I want one that writes as well as this one, I don't care what it costs, but I'm NOT gonna keep up with a cap".

I'm NOT laughing at you, I'm laughing at myself and my customers. When I do find THAT one customer that appreciates the blood, sweat and tears that went into my "customs", I'm so happy that I almost want to give them the pen.

And, for the record, it is HARD to find a better writing refill that the Japanese made Pilot G2 .7 roller ball refill.

I'm laughing with you too, Andy. Some of the interesting comments and requests we get are just hilarious and actually keep all this "fun" and lend a great deal of perspective that we as makers often lose touch with.

Oh...did you end up using a G2 refill?

 

[chriselle]

Don't mind at all Chris. Good luck with the sale!

Thank you Jonathon..:good: