AN IDEA

[Ted iin Michigan]

On Thursday this week I had the nice experience of a visit from our own Mark James. He's a really great guy (as all of us are) and a super pen turner (as all of us are) and a great supporter of IAP (as all of us are). But that's not the point of this message. The point is that Mark and I were discussing the IAP and both of us noted that the community has changed. Maybe we are "gentrifying". We could recall a couple years ago when there seemed to be a LOT more pens being displayed and a lot of them were the result of (successful) experimentation in segmenting, use of non-traditional pen materials (say, like aluminum cans) and stuff like that.
I miss that, so I'm throwing out a suggestion - how about posting the most unique pen you've done recently? No poll, no contest, no competition. Just post something you've done recently. The only "rule would be to post it in your own thread here in "Show Off Your Pens". Ill start it off in a separate post.

 

[jttheclockman]

Ted, this site has changed in many different ways. I am not sure pen turning is a thing any more. just like I have seen with the scrollsawing hobby. That has just about faded away. Much of it has to do with the inventions of lasers, 3d printing machines. and cnc machines. I see it in the woodworking genre as well. What I see here is that the collection of inventors for lack of a better word has diminished. The lets try this attitude has not followed the new group. We all talked about the new wave of pen turners coming when we put on those Bash contests for kids. Where are they today? We do see new members joining and that is always good. We hope they bring new ideas with them. That was a montra that I preached many times here.

I can speak for myself and say I am one for stepping away from pen making for some time. I have come upon health reasons as well as other projects I need to get done hopefully while I am still able to. There are others who are segmenters such as Mark that have had to step away also. I am sure there are other old dogs from here that moved on for various reasons. I will say this that I still have the desire but lack the time. I try do use my winters to do special hobby projects. I got hung up this past year with the reorganizing my shop for safety sake and sanity. It took basically all winter for I do not work long hours any more. I do have some great ideas in the hopper that I need to attempt. I had noticed over the years if a new idea shows up that the forum gets interested and we get people wanting to try. I liked that and that is why I never hide any of my work from anyone. I will share and actually hope others would take the idea and run with it and improve it or expand it. Segmenting and unique pens in general can take on many looks and use of many materials. That is why I try to make one of a kind pens because I liked using different materials and different designs. I get bored by making basic pens all day long to sell at shows or web sites. I could not do that with my scrolling days and carried it to pen making. I promise you I will return but at this time I have nothing new that has not been seen here. I did my latest work for the last Bash party we had. You can look at some of those entrys and some of the blanks I cast for prizes. I hope your quest gets noticed.

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

John - I've read (and enjoyed - although I've differed in opinion on occasion) your input here for a LOOONG time. Sorry to hear that you are facing a health issue. But my basic message stays the same. When I was new here, I was amazed at the creativity and craft that was on display. It kept drawing me back. I am hoping we "seasoned" folk can display the same stuff to attract the next batch of "newbies" who will, in return, do the same thing.

To start things off, I'll share this guy:

If it looks familiar, you're probably in my generation. It's the "battle ribbon" from the Viet Nam conflict (actually one of several, but the one awarded by the US). I make them and offer them when I do a show. But, more importantly, if I see a person staring at it, I engage and if they're a vet who served in Viet Nam, they get the pen. I also keep one in my car in case I run in to a vet while I'm out.

 

[wolf creek knives]

Great looking pen! And John, I've always taken your words here to heart. Always good advice. Here's my pen for this post and I do agree that this site seems to be moving away from Pen Making and into other things (to the point I've ignored some people on this site).
Do you make these blanks for sale?

I was just the demonstrator at our monthly meeting of the Great Falls Wood Turners Club and demonstrated how to turn a simple comfort pen. I was amazed at the questions I received during the presentation about pen turning. I actually sold two on the spot to a member. I was happy!

Here's a pen I just did a couple months ago. It's a Tycoon done in Curly Koa. The other ones are Koa that I sell in Hawaii and are comfort pens.