White Alabaster--my first

[Gary Max]

This looked cracked when I started and ended up looking the same way.
White Alabaster---very hard stuff----I just don't know about the cracks/lines????
What do you think????

 

[potter]

i like it, it looks like ice ....winter is coming!
greetings Harry

 

[ed4copies]

Gary,

I would LOVE to say it doesn't matter, but it does.

When prospects have seen the occasional "hairline crack" in my pens, they have nearly always walked away without buying ANYTHING.

BELIEVE me, when I put the pen OUT, it wasn't cracked!!! But it makes them suspect EVERY product in the booth.

IT'S a beautiful pen. Keep it for your private use, OR, keep it in the "back" and only introduce it AFTER the prospect has agreed that cracks in stone are natural and NOT a flaw (good luck with that)[][]

If you successfully sell it, PLEASE post how you did it - I would be truly interested!!!![]

 

[ed4copies]

oh, as an "aside".

I have had some success with PLANNING the blanks. When I know it will be difficult to avoid a crack, I glue on "oops rings" at all four ends. (Price goes UP accordingly). So far, this has always produced a non-cracked pen (the pricing issue has NOT always been resolved, however).


Just a thought!!

 

[Gary Max]

Ed this looked cracked before I started---heck I figured if it was, the blank would fall apart on the lathe. There must be 10 cracks/lines in the pen. I know what you are saying about trying to sell it--- on the other hand it is a nice pen---but you are right ---ain't no one going to buy it---glad I bought extra tubes.

 

[ed4copies]

Originally posted by Gary Max
<br />Ed this looked cracked before I started---heck I figured if it was, the blank would fall apart on the lathe. There must be 10 cracks/lines in the pen. I know what you are saying about trying to sell it--- on the other hand it is a nice pen---but you are right ---ain't no one going to buy it---glad I bought extra tubes.

Gary,

That's not exactly what I am trying to say. IF you find the right "collector" type and suggest to him that he might like "gemstones" and the like, for example, have you thought at all about alabaster? Of course, you know that "natural products" may have cracks and crevices, just like maple is more expensive when it is spaulted???

This would be MY approach, but I would only let him SEE the pen, after we have had a conversation much like this.

FWIW!!!

 

[Gary Max]

Ed ---SWMBO already has a price tag hanging on it and in the case----the blank was a given to me free as a sample so I ain't out anything by leaving it alone. Plus it was fun to turn something different.

 

[rhahnfl]

I have to side with Ed on this one. I'd make it "disappear" [}][] somehow before it tainted the other pens. Good luck... it's not SWMBO for no reason...right? [][] It is a nice looking pen though.

 

[rherrell]

It's because of the cracks that I like this stuff. It's rock man, it's supposed to have cracks. I flood it with thin ca then sand it off and polish leaving a natural finish. I'm hoping the ca will help stabilize it but I'm still afraid if I drop it it's all over.
Tell people it's rock and they can't believe it. Whenever I show somebody my pen case the Alabaster pens are usually the first one's they pick up. For me the WOW factor is there. So far I've made five. They're all gone.

 

[arioux]

Hi,

It's sometimes a question of marketing strategies. Don't put it with your other pens, set it aside, in a nicer display, with a "collertor's item" sing above it. If you have more than one, it's great so they can see that they all look cracked and it's a characteristic of the material. Put some of your most dramatics burl, with voids and crack beside it. Just try to show them that this pen is out of the ordinary, not a reject.

Alfred

 

[Gary Max]

I was shocked when I drilled the blank----I knew that it was going to blow up. I really believe that the story about ---Hey it's a rock---works for me.
For now the pen stays---I need the inventory anyway----sales have been good.

 

[rhahnfl]

Good to hear your sales have been good. Not surprised though with your workmanship...

 

[johncrane]

What Chris said also congrats with your sales Gary.[]

 

[ed4copies]

Originally posted by rherrell
<br />It's because of the cracks that I like this stuff. It's rock man, it's supposed to have cracks. I flood it with thin ca then sand it off and polish leaving a natural finish. I'm hoping the ca will help stabilize it but I'm still afraid if I drop it it's all over.
Tell people it's rock and they can't believe it. Whenever I show somebody my pen case the Alabaster pens are usually the first one's they pick up. For me the WOW factor is there. So far I've made five. They're all gone.

Looks like it COULD sell, Gary!!!

Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!1