Hybrids For Sale

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JoeCallahan

Member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
235
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
#1-3: Maple in transparent blue and purple resin. 7/8" square x 5 1/8"

#4: Mini pinecones in multicolored resin. 3/4" square x 5 1/2"

#5: Cocobolo and holographic glitter in clear resin. 3/4" square x 5 1/4"

#6: Cocobolo in blue and clear resin. 3/4" square x 5 3/4"

#7: Cocobolo in gold and clear resin. 3/4" square x 5 3/4"

#8: Cocobolo in blue and red resin. 3/4" square x 5 1/8"

Blanks are $12 each. Shipping is an $8 SFRB.

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JoeCallahan

Member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
235
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
I'm kinda new to selling blanks here on the forum. Am I asking too much per blank? I know that part of my difficulty comes from not having the reputation as more well know sellers in the IAP. Any and all advice is more that welcome.
 

magpens

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2011
Messages
15,913
Location
Canada
I think your price is bordering on the high side but that's not the main issue. . It's hard to say what the real issue is, or maybe there are several issues.

Usually, I am a sucker for a pretty blank but, to be frank, the blanks you show do not turn me on. . Based on colors, the first view of blank #8 comes closest, but the second view does not help. .The colors of the others do not appeal. . The blanks with the mini-cones have an uninteresting arrangement of cones and the color of the resin is not inspiring. . For the other blanks, the large wood piece has a boring shape and I do not find the color (or color mix) in the resin portion to be an appropriate match or contrast to the wood.

I would recommend you try for a more "natural" appeal ... random arrangement of cones, "natural edges" and shapes for the wood fragments, perhaps a bit of glitter and also some swirl patterns in your resin. . Take care that any color mixes are artistic. . Emphasize the grain of woods.

For blank #5, the white needles do not add anything.

I fear that I may be coming across as "brutally critical", and I am sorry if I do. . I am sure that if I had made those blanks I would be quite pleased.
I speak as one who has never done any of my own casting. . And I do appreciate the challenges of blank casting as a general artistic endeavor.
I also speak as one who has made over two thousand pens, using blanks from nearly every vendor that I have encountered.

There are lots of examples of appealing custom-cast blanks at the various vendors, as well as here on IAP. . Check them out. .
Also, try making some pens from your blanks and learn from how those results turn out. . I think that the "art" of blank making is strongly coupled to the visual appeal of a finished pen and you have to make your blanks with that in mind. . In my view there is more to it than just placing some bits into the mold and adding some resin. . You need to think of the end results, and you can do that only if you have some experience to go on.

I don't recall seeing any previous blank offerings from you, although I could have missed them. . Also, I don't recall seeing many finished pens made by you. . Some of the latter would be quite a help in selling blanks, I would think. . There are a large variety of pen styles, ranging from the elementary slimline to the full-size Emperor and Statesman. . Different pen styles often dictate to the pen maker what is an appropriate blank to go with them, especially when you are considering a custom-cast blank.

So I would encourage you to make a few pens with your own blanks and also to look around at what else is available from custom casters at some of the major pen-supply vendors. . Keep trying. . Don't be discouraged. . Keep your eyes open for what pen makers are using on their pens.

It's not an easy job for pen makers to sell the pens that they make. . Perhaps you can make that job easier by providing some really eye-catching blanks. . And sometimes it is the most simple ... and novel ... ideas and designs that sell the best. . I know it is not easy to be an artist, and making pen blanks is very much an artistic pursuit.
 

JoeCallahan

Member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
235
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
I think your price is bordering on the high side but that's not the main issue. . .
I don't think you're being "brutally critical" at all Mal. You're just a straight shooter, which I always appreciate.

To address a few of your comments though: I have turned 150+ pens from my own custom cast blanks, which has helped me get a good idea of what patterns work with what kits. At this point, I have just as much fun casting blanks as I do turning them. I realize now that these may not have been the best blanks to try posting, as photos dont really do justice to blanks like #5-7. The "white needles" in #5 are actually a holographic glitter that shimmers in all kids of colors. #6 and #7 have an awesome color separation with distinct pockets of dead clear resin. This is difficult to show in a photo, especially with my mediocre camera skills.
 

JoeCallahan

Member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
235
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
I think your price is bordering on the high side but that's not the main issue. . .
I don't think you're being "brutally critical" at all Mal. You're just a straight shooter, which I always appreciate.

To address a few of your comments though: I have turned 150+ pens from my own custom cast blanks, which has helped me get a good idea of what patterns work with what kits. At this point, I have just as much fun casting blanks as I do turning them. I realize now that these may not have been the best blanks to try posting, as photos dont really do justice to blanks like #5-7. The "white needles" in #5 are actually a holographic glitter that shimmers in all kids of colors. #6 and #7 have an awesome color separation with distinct pockets of dead clear resin. This is difficult to show in a photo, especially with my mediocre camera skills.
 

JoeCallahan

Member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
235
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
I think your price is bordering on the high side but that's not the main issue. . .
I don't think you're being "brutally critical" at all Mal. You're just a straight shooter, which I always appreciate.

To address a few of your comments though: I have turned 150+ pens from my own custom cast blanks, which has helped me get a good idea of what patterns work with what kits. At this point, I have just as much fun casting blanks as I do turning them. I realize now that these may not have been the best blanks to try posting, as photos dont really do justice to blanks like #5-7. The "white needles" in #5 are actually a holographic glitter that shimmers in all kids of colors. #6 and #7 have an awesome color separation with distinct pockets of dead clear resin. This is difficult to show in a photo, especially with my mediocre camera skills.
 
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