I get it...

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This is a boys game.:rolleyes: I will go back to anything but pens.
After showing my last pen around(the green one), it doesn't seem there is any interest in pens anymore. Everything is electronic now days.
Not much more interest around here either it seems. Maybe I haven't been around long enough. I will finish what kits I have and a friend of my husband has been asking about buying the lathe.

I had fun trying something new, I just don't need a bunch of pens laying around.
 
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Did you start making pens for the purpose of selling? Or to try a hobby?

I posted my first couple of plain slimline pens on my Facebook page when I first started and people were saying things like 'you're my hero'. Silly but I think the majority of people think are pens are cool even if they don't want to buy them.

I don't think electronic revolution is the main factor. People who would appreciate our pens ten years ago are the same ones who appreciate them today.

If you don't enjoy turning, then give it up by all means. But don't discount your work just because other people don't seem interested.
 
Not sure what you were or are looking for. You made 3 pens or at least 2-1/2. What do you want people to say or do. They are not going to be falling on the floor because you made a couple pens sorry to say. I made hundreds of pens and I still have not had to pick anyone up off the floor:smile:

You have to ask yourself what did you get into this for. Fun and a hobby to make something with your hands and be a bit different. The pens you made are not easy especially for a beginner or even for some season pen makers. But remember you are showing your pens to people who turn them here so having that WOW factor will bring greater reviews. Yes get a bit more established and not make one pen every 6 months and you will get noticed more here. It does not have to be a boy girl thing. We have some very well established women pen turners here. Granted there are not many but they are here. Bring a product that we all can enjoy and the reviews will come in.

I know myself I am not into that saying the pen looks nice just for the sake of saying it. When I see a pen I enjoy I make comments but never every pen shown here. So either you are overthinking this or looking for something that can not be found doing this. Good luck in whatever you choose to do. Nice half a pen by the way.


Can't comment on the electronic thing because I have no idea what you are refering to. But welcome to the electronic world.
 
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Kelly,

Pen making is gender neutral. Just ask Pat Lawson, Toni Ransfield, Cricket and PRPrincess. Pat and Toni are members of the Pen Maker's Guild - an exclusive club of pen makers who are voted in because of the excellence of their work.

Your first few pens show you have artistic talent and understand the skills necessary to take you to the next level. Don't be influenced by lack of comments -- it may just stem from the inability of others to have the right words to express their awe.
 
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:redface: Kelly; We don't want to loose you !!!! I think the problem is that you don't see many gals that are interested in woodworking of any kind PERIOD. I started a woodworking guild over 30 years ago, and I don't think we have had more than 5 female members in all that time. I think the ladys are a little gun shy when it comes to moving machinery that could mame them. The ladys that we did have were excellent woodworkers, quick learners, and, had a womans slant on things that men don't see. In the old way of things, the man was the hunter and builder, while the woman was the gatherer and care giver. Today we have Mr. Mom and the woman is the bread winner of the family. It takes time, but we are getting there. Please don't feel that you aren't being taken seriously as a pen turner because your not one of the " boys ". I post a lot of threads and photos, and some get little or no replys. Makes me feel like I'm not one of the " boys " either. Sometimes it makes me feel like just packing it up also. Stay with it !!! Jim S
 
Kelly, are you giving up on turning because the only items you can turn is a pen, or, are you giving up turning because you don't enjoy it? I don't believe for a minute in the that it's a mans world bull, there could be nothing farther from the truth than that statement. But, if you can give up turning because you've not gotten enough responces to your limited postings, then I'm sorry to say, but, your not much of a turner at heart, if that's all it takes for you give it all up!!!! From what I can see of your work you really know how to make beautiful pens, and I'd hate to see you quit, but, if turnings not your thing then I understand your reason for throwing in the towel.
Len
 
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Sorry to say, I didn't know you were/are a girl. I just knew that each of the pens you posted intimidated me because they look to be so blasted good. I would think that being that you are one of the few women who is turning pens, you may be able to use that to your advantage when it comes to selling your pens. (As if you need any advantage given that you turn some amazing pens.)

I encourage you not to have your feelings hurt if you don't get a lot of comments. I posted three pictures at about the same time you posted and yours garnered almost three times the views as two of mine. You have done well. I hope you rethink your judgment on the "boys club."
 
The "BEST" pen turner we know is a retired school teacher. She is a member here.
SHE is just one of our mentors. Fantastic work ... words don't begin to tell the quality of her pens. They have to be seen in person to believed.

And as an instructor of the hobby..........there is none better.
 
Hi Kelly: Two things. One, in our local pen turning group, we have seven women out of the 25 members. Their skills are outstanding and two of them have given demonstrations to our group so that we can learn their technique. So please don't think this is a guy thing....it isn't.

Two, a lack of response my have been pure coincidence. All of us from around the globe have different lives and not all of us gather here at the same time. When spring arrives, some of us who haven't been able to get into the ice-cold shop are now out there making pens, and might forget to keep tabs on the rest of us. I for one have never seen one of your posts, so it would be hard for me to comment. I would say that given some time you will see that there are lots of people here who will offer comments or support.
 
Hi Kelly,
Well... it can seem like a boy's club at times. But I don't think it really is at heart, and most folks here are incredibly supportive. Taking the number of comments to heart isn't a good measure of their support, really.
If you're enjoying the hobby, why not keep at it? And your enjoyment may change as you make more pens, too. I've become interested in elements that I had no idea existed before I made pens- like segmentation, casting and even pen accessories.

PM me please if there's anything you'd like to know...
Cheers
Catherine
 
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