The only way I got 10 done in one evening is because I did all the drilling & milling beforehand. I live in Wisconsin and I have an unheated garage. That in mind I just went to work and used their toolroom all winter long getting ready for "turning" season in my garage. I've got about 150 blanks all ready just to turn. I'm not as hardy as you guys...I need it to be at least 40-45 degrees in my shop for me to be out there.
I spent this last winter tracking down good buys on exotic material and then doing all the prep work. Quite honestly, I believe anyone can make anyone of the materials I used above look good. I'm more impressed when I see someone make a nice looking laminate, dye their own material, stabilize their own blank, somehow turn an old corncob into art, or design their own pen via AutoCad (or Solidworks) write the code and put it on a Lathe or VMC. Heck, I just turn wood.
Thanks again and Happy Easter