Brian G
Member
[SIZE=+3]2016 Summer Extravaganza Pretty Wood Pen Contest[/SIZE]
In Remembrance of Lou Metcalf (DCBluesman)
In Remembrance of Lou Metcalf (DCBluesman)
Sometimes in making pens, we get wrapped up trying the newest techniques, exploring fancy (and even a little gaudy) pen kits, chasing the next greatest manmade blank medium, or losing ourselves inventing new styles or looks. Those are great pursuits, and they help advance our craft. There are times, though, where getting back to basics is refreshing, relaxing, and rewarding. That's the purpose of this contest: [highlight]Make a Pretty Wood Pen[/highlight]
[highlight][SIZE=+1]What is a Pretty Wood Pen?[/SIZE][/highlight] We may have differing opinions of what makes a wood pen pretty, but we probably can agree that a Pretty Wood Pen comprises an elegant piece of timber, complementary hardware (kit, if you prefer), subtle shape and masterful fit, and an impeccable finish.
[highlight][SIZE=+1]Need Inspiration?[/SIZE][/highlight] Lou Metcalf ([profile=DCBluesman]DCBluesman[/profile]), who recently passed away, likely coined the "pretty wood pen" description that accompanied his posts.
[highlight][thread=68221]This Pink Ivory pretty wood pen[/thread][/highlight] should inspire you.
[highlight][thread=63828]Maybe this Snakewood pretty wood pen[/thread][/highlight] catches your fancy.
[highlight][thread=63889]Single barrel pens can be pretty wood pens[/thread][/highlight]
[highlight][SIZE=+1]The Rules[/SIZE][/highlight]
In addition to the [highlight][thread=133052]Universal Contest Rules[/thread][/highlight], the following rules apply:
[SIZE=+1]Blank Material[/SIZE]
- Your blank material must be wood. No plastics, no composites, no metal, no casting, no mixed wood and plastics, nor any material other than wood is allowed.
- No embellishments to the blank are allowed. This means, for example, no inlay, onlay, overlay, stickers, oops bands, CNC, laser art, segmenting, lamination, celtic knots, burning, engraving, or carving is allowed and will cause disqualification.
- Stabilized wood is allowed.
- Dyes, stains, pigmentation, paints, or any other colorants are not allowed.
- Any commercially available kit/component hardware may be used, whether ballpoint, fountain, or rollerball.
- No modification to the kit/component hardware is allowed. You must use all parts of the stock kit/component set.
- Kitless pens are not allowed.
- Two photographs are required for entry. One photograph must be clip up, nib to the left. The second photograph must be clip up, nib to the right. This gives a view of both sides of the pen.
- You may submit a third photograph showing your pretty wood pen in any orientation of your choosing.
- Consider a photograph size of 800 x 600 as ideal. The contest chair reserves the right to resize photographs or slightly crop them to achieve a consistent image size.
- You may use a commercially available, clear plastic pen stand as a prop.
- You may use a small off-cut of your pretty wood blank as a prop.
- No other props are allowed.
- Use a single-colored, plain background. The color and intensity of the background affects the highlights of your pen. The background should let your pen stand out, not interfere with it.
- No montages, watermarks, or any other identifying marks that might reveal the identity of the maker.
- Name, Username, email address,
- a statement that describes the pretty wood you chose to use for your pen, and
- attach the two pictures required, plus the optional third picture of your choosing.
One entry per person
Please send a private message to [highlight][profile=Brian G]Brian G[/profile][/highlight] after you submit your entry to help ensure that your entry has been received.
[highlight]The Pretty Wood Contest begins August 1, 2016, and ends August 21, 2016, at midnight CST.[/highlight]
Prizes will be announced at a later date.
Please post questions in this thread, by private message to [highlight][profile=Brian G]Brian G[/profile][/highlight], or by email to prettywoodpen@earthlink.net. I appreciate your patience as you wait for a response. I have limited forum access during business hours.
Get busy, good luck, and let us see your Pretty Wood Pen.
Prizes
First Place - A $50 Gift Certificate from Robutacion + a Pretty Wood Pen made by Lou Metcalf
Second Place - A $25 Gift Certificate from an Anonymous member
Third Place - A BOB from member stonepecker
In addition, participants that do not finish in the top three will be entered for a random draw of a SFRB of an assortment of some pretty wood pen blanks (and maybe some non-wood pretty pen blanks)
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There should be a prize for that.
