Inspirational Pens - Where do you get your ideas?

[jrista]

I was browsing around today, looking at various pens from some of the big name manufacturers. Lot of amazing pens out there! Lot of amazing materials. One of my favorite things is chasing, which you can still find on some pens these days, although sometimes its a bit more advanced than how it was in the past. Anyway, I get a lot of ideas from these....was wondering what other people do for inspiration. I haven't gotten into 100% custom pen making yet, however I am starting to work on chasing and chasing-style engraving of some of my pens, along with some what I hope are unique segmenting ideas.

Here are some of the intriguing and interesting pens I found lately:

Onoto Magna Classic Fountain Pen Black Chased

The design of the Onoto Magna Classic is based on one of the most famous fountain pens ever made - the Onoto Magna of 1937, which some have dubbed 'the best fountain pen ever made'. Made from high density acrylic, this is a satisfyingly robust pen, with the chased barrel nicely set off by...

cultpens.com

Conklin Mark Twain Black Chase & Rose Gold Fountain Pen

This Conklin Mark Twain Crescent filled fountain pen in Black Chase pattern features a rocker clip, gorgeous rose gold trim, and a stainless steel nib.

www.truphaeinc.com

Conway Stewart Churchill Quartz White Pen | Fountain Pen

Add a touch of sophistication to your writing with the Conway Stewart Churchill Quartz White Pen. This luxurious pen is made with high-quality materials and features a unique quartz white colour. The pen's sleek design and smooth writing experience make it a must-have for any collection. Order...

conwaystewart.com

This MontBlanc has some really interesting engraved design in it:

Montblanc Meisterstuck 146 Around the World in 80 Days Year 2 Solitaire LeGrand Fountain Pen

Montblanc's Solitaire LeGrand Fountain Pen: A literary masterpiece, inspired by Jules Verne's adventures, with wood accents and a unique hot air balloon nib.

www.truphaeinc.com

As does this Starwalker:

Montblanc Starwalker Space Blue Resin Fountain Pen

Explore the futuristic Starwalker Space Blue collection, with a deep space blue design and ruthenium-coated gold nib.

www.truphaeinc.com

This ONOTO is hand guilded!

The Robin Pen - Luxury, Handcrafted, British Fountain Pens | Onoto

Celebrate the festive season with The Robin Pen. Exquisitely engraved and hand-gilded robin design which comes in a Silver and Gold Edition, each available in a limited edition of 22.

onoto.com

And this one is engraved:

The Platinum Jubilee Sterling Silver Fountain Pen | Onoto The Pen

To commemorate 70 years of extraordinary service and devotion to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, we celebrate this historic anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne with the Platinum Jubilee Sterling Silver pen. The Platinum Jubilee Sterling Silver pen...

onoto.com

And this one is more classic chasing:

Onoto Magna Classic Blue Fountain Pen

This pen has been lovingly used. It is equipped with a Steel Fine nib. There is some patina on the sterling silver, but we are happy to polish it prior to shipping if you would like us to. It comes complete with box and papers.

chatterleyluxuries.com

Love this style of pen design!!

 

[jrista]

Couple more:

Pelikan - Gunther Wagner Rolled GOLD 520NN - Fountain pen

Alb: 0100023845 Location: A3308 Pelikan Gunther Wagner 520NN Rolled Gold double fountain pen Material: Gold plated. Nib: Pelikan, 14k Gold. Refilling system: Threaded piston Accessories: Without box Observations: Slight wear and bumps due to use and the passage of time. Luxury&Collections...

www.catawiki.com

 

[TDahl]

I think this may be a difficult question to answer because inspiration is created by emotions which more than likely are very fluid and change dramatically. With that said, I find my inspirations come from color combinations in my surroundings that jump out and grab my attention. Most of my sources come from nature as there are vast combinations of not only colors, but textures and patterns as well. It is from there that I will design a pen that begins to tell a story. This usually involves cast a blank with the color combinations is saw, and then selecting and designing the metal accents to compliment the colors. I try to finish the story with some kind of engraving, or other embellishment (i.e. an engraved cabochon) to complete the story.

 

[jrista]

The answers do not need to be timeless... Was just curious what kinds of pens people like, where they draw their inspiration from (even if that is just right now), what specific design elements intrigue them, etc.

 

[Alan Morrison]

Jon, here are some links to where I get challenged/inspired.......

Inlay Strips PDF

At Inlay Product World, find the largest product selections in the very specific world of flooring inlay and furniture marquetry in quality wood, stone, vinyl deck and metal. We deliver in stock and custom designs of inlay medallions, parquet flooring, borders, cornerstones, banding, compass...

www.inlays.com

or search......Tunbridge ware.....Yosegi zaiku.......Laguna taracea.......tile flooring design.....Art deco and art nouveau design.....quilting patterns.......
knitting patterns......khatam marquetry.....bead loom patterns...etc. etc. etc.

Hardwood Floor Borders and Inlays by Czar Floors.

Wood Floor Borders, decorative inlays and wood strips. Made in U.S.A. by Czar Floors.

www.czarfloors.com

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/8f/9b/ce/8f9bce56d97af01486e31f99f7a5b55b.jpg

These are some just off the top of my head.

 

[jrista]

Jon, here are some links to where I get challenged/inspired.......

Inlay Strips PDF

At Inlay Product World, find the largest product selections in the very specific world of flooring inlay and furniture marquetry in quality wood, stone, vinyl deck and metal. We deliver in stock and custom designs of inlay medallions, parquet flooring, borders, cornerstones, banding, compass...

www.inlays.com

or search......Tunbridge ware.....Yosegi zaiku.......Laguna taracea.......tile flooring design.....Art deco and art nouveau design.....quilting patterns.......
knitting patterns......khatam marquetry.....bead loom patterns...etc. etc. etc.

Hardwood Floor Borders and Inlays by Czar Floors.

Wood Floor Borders, decorative inlays and wood strips. Made in U.S.A. by Czar Floors.

www.czarfloors.com

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/8f/9b/ce/8f9bce56d97af01486e31f99f7a5b55b.jpg

These are some just off the top of my head.

Thanks Alan! I have always loved your blanks...I can see now why they are so intricate. The inlay stuff is REALLY amazing. Some of those designs have almost a floral or grass like look. That is GREAT inspiration for blanks. Something I intend to get into this year.

 

[Alan Morrison]

Looking forward to seeing them, Jon.

 

[Penultimate]

My inspiration comes from wanting to learn something new and try to make as much of the pen as possible. That's led me to make clips, rings and filling systems. The artistic part of pen making still alludes me after all these years.

 

[jrista]

This thread hasn't received much response... FWIW, I am not really looking for "answers" or anything like that. I was more just, trying to start a discussion. I guess maybe sources of inspiration might just be more of a private thing to people, which is ok. Still...I don't think there are answers here, or right or wrong in any way...if that's what's holding people back.

 

[jttheclockman]

Not sure what you want but I get inspiration from everyday life. I get many pen ideas and inspiration from many members here past and present. I have over the almost 20 years I have been here, bookmarked a few outstanding ideas that I would love to try and some will be coming up. I also have bookmarked a couple that unfortunately the ideas passed with the members and this is one huge reason I will always explain any pen I make or any project I show here. There are no secrets I am hiding. I am currently casting many on tube clear cast pens with various themes from everyday encounters. Most have watch dials as the main object and trinkets built around them. But one thing I have always done and that is use the top brand pens as inspiration and ideas for segmenting. Just look up highend brand pens and you will see a ton of ideas. what you are going to get into is something I could never do so I stick to things I know I can do and that is true segmenting and not laser work. My mind is constantly coming up with ideas and I will never live long enough to complete what I want so I have to choose carefully. Some of my work gets good reviews here but I also know it is not what everyone looks for. I use pool cues of all brands as inspiration for segmented work. I stay away of locking into one form or style. I need to spread my wings and try new things but things that I know I can do. I am too old to learn new methods like what you are attempting or laser work or CNC work. There are too many things within my style of pen making that can be done and improved on. I love what I do and as I said anyone with questions I am right here. Not going anywhere. Ask away.

 

[jrista]

Not sure what you want but I get inspiration from everyday life. I get many pen ideas and inspiration from many members here past and present. I have over the almost 20 years I have been here, bookmarked a few outstanding ideas that I would love to try and some will be coming up. I also have bookmarked a couple that unfortunately the ideas passed with the members and this is one huge reason I will always explain any pen I make or any project I show here. There are no secrets I am hiding. I am currently casting many on tube clear cast pens with various themes from everyday encounters. Most have watch dials as the main object and trinkets built around them. But one thing I have always done and that is use the top brand pens as inspiration and ideas for segmenting. Just look up highend brand pens and you will see a ton of ideas. what you are going to get into is something I could never do so I stick to things I know I can do and that is true segmenting and not laser work. My mind is constantly coming up with ideas and I will never live long enough to complete what I want so I have to choose carefully. Some of my work gets good reviews here but I also know it is not what everyone looks for. I use pool cues of all brands as inspiration for segmented work. I stay away of locking into one form or style. I need to spread my wings and try new things but things that I know I can do. I am too old to learn new methods like what you are attempting or laser work or CNC work. There are too many things within my style of pen making that can be done and improved on. I love what I do and as I said anyone with questions I am right here. Not going anywhere. Ask away.

Thanks for the response, John. I was just looking for some discussion, which you've offered. I think you offer up some wisdom here as well...spread your wings, but focus on the things you know you can do.

I have only a couple of years or so under my belt. I haven't really found my groove like you yet. I love looking at the high end classic pen brands and their designs...I have been getting most of my inspirations there. Maybe I will find my groove this year, and I'll be able to find that focus.

FWIW, I have always found your pens inspirational.