Gotta love the IAP. Thank you!

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Jontello

Jontello

Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2015
Messages
479
Location
USA, Ohio
I have been part of the IAP for a couple years now and there is nothing like it anywhere. There is a wealth of knowledge but not just knowledge. I have met some amazing people and made great friendships. I have been off the site for the last couple months because of a huge move I just made with my family. The people here have been a great encouragement along the way. One of the reasons we moved to Italy is to help victims of sex trafficking to rescue them from what they have been coursed into. I am in the process of starting a micro enterprise business to help the women have an alternative form of income. I will be helping by teaching them to make pens. I just bought the lathe today. Super excited! Still need to figure out a lot in terms of legal stuff and registering and more paperwork but the ball is rolling.

I wanted to give a shout out to the IAP cause there was an anonymous donor who gave some money to help out with this work as well as kits and materials. So blessed by the community and support in what we are doing. Thank you IAP for being here and what you do. Thanks to the donor as well. Know you are making a huge difference in women's lives. If you are interested in helping in any way let me know. Excited and crazy nervous about all of this but I know that is what we are to be doing. I already miss the Ohio chapter meetings and will miss the mpg but at least I still have you all virtually.

If you want to learn more about the pen work here in Italy here is a link:

Italy - Girl Set Free

Thanks for reading.

Jon Tello
 
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Hey Jon,

We miss you too! The web site is beautiful. I sent the link on to a few of my friends who support similar causes. When you get set up and are producing pens, let me know. I'd like to order a few.
 
G'day Jon,

Yes, we miss your presence on IAP but we know (most of us) that, you have been busy moving to a different country and setting up again not only your workshop but, your life.

I have been aware of your venture for quite some time and I believe, the idea is simple but with a lot of potentials and I only hope, things go well and as the way you planned.

Teaching these girls to turn pens to change their lives is an interesting concept and something that will require lots of determination, after all, your biggest barrier is to convince these girls to exchange a life of easy money and lots of it, to a modest and less dangerous life style with also a more modest income.

The psychological side of the issue will be either a deterrent or a motivation, those that feel trapped and unhappy will be your best raw canvas and I wish you the best of luck.

On the other hand, you have been buying my blanks for some time and I get great personal satisfaction seen many of those blanks on your web-site, I only wish you were a little more descriptive and accurate with a description of the material used.

Why do I say this? because, the one thing that people keep reminding as to the reason they like many of my blanks, is due to their story and what they actually are, not your typical material one would expect in a pen so, you could maybe give a small and more accurate description, it would make a difference in my view.

For example, the pens made with the Australian Shiraz red Vine, you have "Australian Wood Cast in Yellow and Green Resin", the pens made with Huon Birdseye burl, you have "Burl Wood Caps cast in Resin".

These are only an example of what I'm talking about, the same apply to any pen made regardless from who made them or who they come from, your clients will fell more attracted if they know what they are made of, some people have special personal tastes for certain woods, that alone will be a good excuse to buy the pen.

I'm not saying that you are not describing all the materials correctly, from those I had a look, I saw the cork wood pen that did have a correct description so, you can do it and if you forget what the blank was, if is one of mine, you can ask at any time and I will clear that up for you.

Because you are an IAP member (I wish you continue to be), I would like to offer you a little help with blanks from George's stables, anything you like and up to a value of AU$150.00 which will be given to you as a "discount code" immediately. You have 3 months to use it so, don't forget...! (I'm sure you won't, huh...?):smile:

As for my suggestions, they are just that...!

Be well and take care...!

PS: I'm pretty sure you would know that, any shipping incurred from your order, you will have to pay...!sorry.

Cheers
George
 
Jeff,

Thanks so much for your kind words. I appreciate you passing things along. I will definitely let you know when things are fully up and running. Might be a little bit cause things happen slowly here. We are trying to raise the capital to buy the machinery and initial seed money to make everything happen but am confident that it will happen. If you are ever around these parts let me know. You have a place to stay here!

Jon
 
George,

Thanks so much for your generosity! Know that it will get used and be put to good use.

Thanks so much for clearing things up on that blank and for your willingness to clear any other questions for the blanks I may have in the future. I am not that great with identifying wood and have mixed up so many of your blanks that I do get them confused. You are right about the story of the wood. People are always curious about it. I will make sure to do a better job with it and thanks so much for the suggestion. I really appreciate it just know, I absolutely love your blanks! Thanks for making a great product!

Jon
 
George, just bought some stuff from you. Thanks again. Had to use it right away otherwise I might forget. Thanks again. Have a happy new year! Blessings to you.

Jon
 
Jontello said:
George,

Thanks so much for your generosity! Know that it will get used and be put to good use.

Thanks so much for clearing things up on that blank and for your willingness to clear any other questions for the blanks I may have in the future. I am not that great with identifying wood and have mixed up so many of your blanks that I do get them confused. You are right about the story of the wood. People are always curious about it. I will make sure to do a better job with it and thanks so much for the suggestion. I really appreciate it just know, I absolutely love your blanks! Thanks for making a great product!

Jon
Click to expand...

You're welcome mate...!

One of the good ways to remember what the blank is, particularly some of the Resifills (all other raw or stabilized blanks have their species numbers on them) to write on the blank what it says on the invoice as soon as you get them or on the web-store listing. Sometimes making a quick note on a piece of paper of something important that you want to make reference to, on the web-site, that way you have something to use as a guide.

One of the things I forgot to mention before on the pens descriptions is that in general (I know that from experience) people overseas love to have a piece of OZ or something that connects them to it, I have sold many regular/raw pen blanks to people overseas only because they are native to Australia and not so much because they have pretty colours and or grains, if they believe is genuine, they don't hesitate.

From your next post, I can see that you are one of those guys that don't like to leave for tomorrow what they can do today and more precisely and interestingly, not leave till next year what you can do this year...!:eek::wink::biggrin:

Either way, have the most fun with them and when you have one of the girls turning one of these blanks, please remind them from where they have come from...!:smile:

Best of luck...!

Cheers
George
 
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