Hi Allen, Great 1st Acrylic Pen,
Spectacular Blank, and Excellent Finish.
From your photograph, it looks that might have turned down the upper Blank a little too much at the Centre band. If so you should work closer to the bushes, or better still use a venier caliper to obtain the correct diameter to match the hardware component.
Not to worry, that is a common problem, and just something else to get your mind around.
Regarding the smell, sorry I can't give you any relief, It just goes with the Territory.
Wood is Good. (mostly)
Congratulations,
Brian.