How do you answer?

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unclefuzzy

unclefuzzy

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I have done several shows over the last 2 years and the same question keeps being asked. "How long does it take to make a pen?" I usually tell them that different ones take different amount of time. I seems like they are trying to put an "hourly rate" on my work. Most do not understand that I have other costs associated other than the wood. I just wanted to know how some of you handled this .
 
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I usually say between 1 to 3 days and some times longer, I am including casting time glue up time and segmenting time for custom blanks. I have put in as long as a week on HB blanks.
 
In my case, I tell them "four years". There was no way I would have been able to make these pens with this quality even a few years ago.

In Ed's case, since the Dawn of time! Sorry, Ed: couldn't resist. :biggrin:
 
unclefuzzy said:
I have done several shows over the last 2 years and the same question keeps being asked. "How long does it take to make a pen?" I usually tell them that different ones take different amount of time. I seems like they are trying to put an "hourly rate" on my work. Most do not understand that I have other costs associated other than the wood. I just wanted to know how some of you handled this .
Click to expand...

Same answer I always use "somewhere between 30 minutes and 3 years."

Try to make it about the art, not the clock.
 
I have a photo album titled "Birth of a Pen" It details the steps needed to make the pen from the raw parts, to the finished product.

I usually take between 4-16 hours total work time.
 
Thanks to all you wise guys!!!:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

I eventually said the same thing that most are suggesting: Well, I make them in steps, so I really have not made ONE pen in a long time.

But, it's probably a couple hours to many hours--and even then, some NEVER become pens.

The thing that makes me most irritated is getting to the very LAST steps and making a mistake that ruins the pen---then it's all WASTED time.

So, the ones that are displayed here probably average a few hours. Why do you ask?

(Open end question, starts conversation)

Usual answer will be "Just curious".
One way to "tie in"--well, I use a lot of interesting materials--do you know what THIS is? (antler, snakeskin, feather)---you have opened a conversation---remember you are here to SELL pens. they are here to BUY gifts---even gifts for themselves!!!

You just need to find out where you meet.
 
I moved to a new office and a guy said his pen ran out of ink. That was my que... "Well maybe you need a refillable one like this".... I got the thing we hate hearing the most "I MAKE PENS TOO" then I got the surprise of a lifetime, "BUT NOT AS NICE AS THIS!" Sadly he didn't buy a pen.
 
My answer is always tempered by the context, as I perceive it. (Why is he or she asking?) I do not want to give even a clue about how quick I can do a simple pen. So I point out some of the complexities, etc., involved, using some as the pens as examples. I then refer to the PROCESS, which is typically 2 or 3 days. This leads to MY questions, as Ed mentioned, to get 'em talking. I rarely fail to mention how nice a gift this (or that) pen would be from the receivers viewpoint.
 
maxman400 said:
I usually say between 1 to 3 days and some times longer, I am including casting time glue up time and segmenting time for custom blanks. I have put in as long as a week on HB blanks.
Click to expand...

I don't cast, but I also tell people it takes a day or two... I usually drill and glue up blanks one day, maybe turn and finish the next day and then assembly on the third... sometimes assembling same day as turning, but always wait a day for the glue to set... even though I use CA and it will set in 10-15 minutes.
 
Best I heard was Steve Roberts line "If I charged for these pens by the hour most couldn't afford them",and he sold them for more that most did.
 
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