Cataloging Pens

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wyone

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I have done a search without success. I am looking to see if anyone has created or uses a program to keep track of their pens. I am not selling any currently, but have given a LOT away as gifts, and as I sit here thinking, I think I should be cataloging details of each pen, or perfume pen, or whatever.

I do take a picture of each pen I make, so I would love to include that as well. I know there are ways to create an inventory so to speak.

Anyone have a program they use? I know I can create an Excel spreadsheet, but I was thinking maybe someone had something a bit, shall we say prettier.

I am thinking it would also let me put my pens that I have in reserve on as well, and could have access to them on my laptop, tablet or phone in case I had an opportunity to make a sale.

Thanks!
 
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I don't know if it's the kind you're looking for but I use Go Payment from Intuit in my IPhone and IPad when I sell my pens. I can categorize my pens according to style as well as add a classification "gifts" and "sold". You have a place to add the pictures of your pen as well. It's been pretty helpful for me. I only been selling less than a year and I make my pens still mainly for gifts. Now the only thing I need is to also find where I can put in my expenses, profits, etc. I am just starting so right now is not big deal. I just love making pens. Selling them is an extra treat, actually getting money for them is priceless!
I hope it helps you as well.
Maria
 
The pen inventory is pretty close to what I am looking for, but seems way more in depth than I need. I really only need a form with like 12 fill in blanks and a place to put a picture, preferably imbedded so it does not need internet connection.

But very close...
 
I did the same thing Mike.. and I do like the pen inventory that was pointed out, but would love to have the same thing, only locally stored instead of online. I am often without internet and the pictures, and data would not be available. I would like to be able to put my info on a thumb drive eventually. I would like to be able to create a slideshow using the data I input, and have it on a thumb drive

I am wondering if the pen inventory can be modified for LOCAL instead of internet use. hmmm
 
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This is a stand alone, free, fountain pen database program I've been meaning to try out.

I've only looked at it quickly, but it seems pretty simple. I think it is very adaptable to what we do, and it can even be run from a usb stick.

downloads
 
This is probably a little over the top, but it's a good example of the possibilities:
http://www.amazon.com/Radium-Technologies-Inc-Home-Inventory/dp/B005MQKDPE

There are a bunch of home inventory software solutions on the market. Some of them are for your PC, others are android based for use on a phone or tablet, and still others allow for use of both devices. While they're not built for specifically for pens, you ought to be able to create a category for them and make it fit your needs. As a side bonus, you can upload the contents of your house for insurance purposes, back up the file off-site, and have the data should the worst ever happen (fire, theft, flood, etc.).
 
What I used to do was to create a simple web page for each pen with a picture and the info I wanted. For a while I actually made two pages for each pen, a private (how to page for me with my shop notes) and a public page (left out all the how to info).

I could post the pages to a server if I wanted to share them or I could display them on my computer using a browser pointed to the local files on my computer. No internet needed.

It was a lot of work keeping it updated and I don't do it anymore. Now I just save pictures. I suppose I could edit my pictures to include any descriptive text that I wanted, but I might just be too lazy for that.

Ed
 
The Fountain Pen Database is exactly what I was thinking, only with the proper fill in the blanks for pens, not necessarily fountain pens. I just do no have FileMaker Pro to make that or know how to modify his. Sigh
 
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I use square and put it all in there. Pics, descriptions, everything. And if I sell one it is easy to mark it sold. Plus it stays there so you can still show it off as an example of one you can make if the one they are looking for isn't just right.
 
I don't think anyone mentioned MyPenBox, which is a local database for recording pen related information. There's an old version 2.0.2 that's free (although contributions are appreciated), and a current version 4.1.3 with an asking price of $75. You can download at My Pen Box A Pen Maker's Database. I use it and it works perfectly for me.
 
My PenBox is awesome. I think the $75 is a bit steep in price when it appears the last update to the file was in 2010. I am a bit hesitant to even try to pay for a program that is 4 years old at the last update.

Any thoughts on that? When did you purchase your program?

It seems for $75 there should be some tech support and 4 years is like 5 lifetimes in software.
 
I use the older free version. Try it. My needs were greater than those you stated and it works for me. If you like it, then you can donate whatever you want to the author.
 
wyone said:
My PenBox is awesome. I think the $75 is a bit steep in price when it appears the last update to the file was in 2010. I am a bit hesitant to even try to pay for a program that is 4 years old at the last update.

Any thoughts on that? When did you purchase your program?

It seems for $75 there should be some tech support and 4 years is like 5 lifetimes in software.
Click to expand...

I'm still using the older free version on my Windows 7 system, it works just fine. Try it. My needs were greater than those you stated and it works for me. If you like it, then you can donate whatever you want to the author. I have not found I needed tech support.
 
wyone said:
The Fountain Pen Database is exactly what I was thinking, only with the proper fill in the blanks for pens, not necessarily fountain pens. I just do no have FileMaker Pro to make that or know how to modify his. Sigh
Click to expand...

You don't need Filemaker pro. His program works on its own. I dont have filemaker, and it opens for me.
Off the top of my head, i cant remember the file i clicked to open it. Im not near my computer right now, but i will check today and post what info i can find.
 
Thank you all for your ideas. I have created my own Excel spreadsheet, but it is not great. No pretty about it, mostly just info. That is good, but not so good to show others.

I do like the PenBox best so far! I am experimenting with the Free 2.0 older version and I really like it so far. I would love to get the 4.1 version, but the cost seems high, plus I am not even certain it still is in production so to speak. I did send a message to the author asking him about it. I certainly do not expect something for nothing. :)
 
darrin1200 said:
wyone said:
The Fountain Pen Database is exactly what I was thinking, only with the proper fill in the blanks for pens, not necessarily fountain pens. I just do no have FileMaker Pro to make that or know how to modify his. Sigh
Click to expand...

You don't need Filemaker pro. His program works on its own. I dont have filemaker, and it opens for me.
Off the top of my head, i cant remember the file i clicked to open it. Im not near my computer right now, but i will check today and post what info i can find.
Click to expand...

I found the info.

When you unzip the the downloaded file, it will create a folder. (1st image)
Inside that directory, you will find and .exe file called "Fountain Pen Inventory". (2nd image)

This is the file that you double click to start the program. Follow the instructions when it opens, and it will start.

These screen shots are taken from my laptop with the Directory located on a usb stick. I do not have Filemaker installed. (3rd image)

Hope this helps.
 

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Thank you Darrin.

I really wish I could get the info fields from PenBox merged with into the Fountain Pen Database so I could use the thumb drive, etc. Here are a couple of screenshots of the free version of PenBox. I really like the fields in PenBox, but really wish it was more mobile so to speak and would run off a thumb drive rather than requiring installation. I know I am just being WAY picky here, but hey, I was taught if you don't look, don't ask, you may never find what you are looking for. :)
 

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darrin1200 said:
wyone said:
The Fountain Pen Database is exactly what I was thinking, only with the proper fill in the blanks for pens, not necessarily fountain pens. I just do no have FileMaker Pro to make that or know how to modify his. Sigh
Click to expand...

You don't need Filemaker pro. His program works on its own. I dont have filemaker, and it opens for me.
Off the top of my head, i cant remember the file i clicked to open it. Im not near my computer right now, but i will check today and post what info i can find.
Click to expand...

Where do I find this data base?
Thanks
 
The Fountain Pen Database is available for download here

Downloads | jonro

It is AWESOME if you are primarily doing fountain pens, or collecting them.

The PenBox Database is here

My Pen Box A Pen Maker's Database

I have been experimenting with the FREE version at the bottom as it does not really look like they have done much with it for years (the last update was 12/24/2011) and I cannot see paying $75 for that old of a program. But I like the fields a lot. I just wish it would run like the Fountain Pen Database above.
 
wyone said:
Thank you Darrin.

I really wish I could get the info fields from PenBox merged with into the Fountain Pen Database so I could use the thumb drive, etc. Here are a couple of screenshots of the free version of PenBox. I really like the fields in PenBox, but really wish it was more mobile so to speak and would run off a thumb drive rather than requiring installation. I know I am just being WAY picky here, but hey, I was taught if you don't look, don't ask, you may never find what you are looking for. :)
Click to expand...

If you can get a copy of Filemaker, He allows his software to be modified under some guidelines. There is a pdf file in the directory, "FMPA Acknowledgements" that outlines the public license.

Another cool part of this database is that there is also an Ink database.

Go to the menu tabs at the top. The one called "Navigation" allows you to switch between a Pen Database and an Ink Database.
 
I think Filemaker Pro is a really great product for forms. I used to use a form created with it for some other inventory needs I had. I really need to figure out how to get a copy and modify this to fit my needs, and then share it with IAP. :) :)
 
wyone said:
Thank you Darrin.

I really wish I could get the info fields from PenBox merged with into the Fountain Pen Database so I could use the thumb drive, etc. Here are a couple of screenshots of the free version of PenBox. I really like the fields in PenBox, but really wish it was more mobile so to speak and would run off a thumb drive rather than requiring installation. I know I am just being WAY picky here, but hey, I was taught if you don't look, don't ask, you may never find what you are looking for. :)
Click to expand...

Penbox does not have a very sophisticated install process, I figured you must be able to run it from a thumb drive, even if it wont allow you to install it there. Sooooooo, I copied the entire Penbox installation folder to my thumb drive, the launched it by running (double-clicking) the bdb_wp_engine.exe file (the file name has a left pointing arrow as the first character, I can't reproduce it here but you will see it when you open the install folder). I was able to modify some of the entries, close and reopen the program, and the changes were still there. So you CAN take it with you.
 
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