It's amazing to me...

[betwisted]

I started this hobby a couple months ago (55 pens and counting...). When I first told my wife about it (witholding the cost of tooling from that conversation) she was like, "what?! pens?! really?! Who's going to want that?"

Well, at the time, I held fast with my belief that people like to have a nice pen, something unique and personal. I've come to realize it's like any accessory, a handbag, watch, or sunglasses come to mind. And really, as I write this I'm realizing, even using the component kits, with the wide variety of blank materials we use, the pens are more unique than the average aforementioned retail accessory.

Since I started turning out the pens in their variety of styles and materials my wife has come on board. In fact, she's sold more of my pens (and garnered more commissions for pens) than I have.

I just recently read a post here where a Harley rider commissioned a pen in Harley colors. I've never met this person, but a classic biker image popped into my head (I used to ride). And I realized, just like my wife has over the past couple months, that many (most?) people like to have the kind of custom, personalized accessories we craft.

Thanks for lettin me ramble,
Joe

 

[Haynie]

My experience is just the opposite. People LOVE the pens, they oo and ahh them, they can't imagine paying for them. Those who do offer to pay want to pay less than kit price. I am getting very discouraged. That discouragement has effected my pen making. I am considering stepping away for a while.

 

[NewLondon88]

My experience is just the opposite. People LOVE the pens, they oo and ahh them, they can't imagine paying for them. Those who do offer to pay want to pay less than kit price.

This will seem 'cold' but .. really. Don't sell there.

If your area isn't the market for your product, then don't try to sell it
there! You'll do nothing but harm your own reputation. You don't buy
a Brooks Brothers suit at Wal*Mart (oops, sorry.. they changed it to Walmart* and that threw me all off!) and you won't find chateaubriand at Mcdonalds. Then again, McDonald's won't put a store in the Four Seasons Hotel and you won't find Walmart setting up shop on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, either.

In my area, people will ask me about making them a pen. Now I just
tell them that they're not really affordable. But if they want to look online,
they can make the decision themselves. I rarely sell locally though.

Martin Osborn made me a Cigar Illusion pen. When I showed it to
someone, he went nuts over it! He even offered me $20!

 

[Haynie]

No other place to sell except online and will need to build up stock. This means I need to get over myself and the self built walls.

Sorry to take the thread off track Joe.

 

[CharlesJohnson]

My experience is just the opposite. People LOVE the pens, they oo and ahh them, they can't imagine paying for them. Those who do offer to pay want to pay less than kit price. I am getting very discouraged. That discouragement has effected my pen making. I am considering stepping away for a while.

Make your beautifull pens for the joy and enjoyment of it. "All ways" carry at least one. (Wish I was better at remembering it.) Never miss a chance to use it around others. Even if it takes making unnecessary notes on the piece of paper you carry with it. Of course you carry it for 'Necessary" notes,LOL. I do. And you will learn how to present the pen with out being so obvious. Naturally,a lot of people will never be our customers. But you may be surprised how many will admire your work to you. 'That' is worth a lot to me . But I have sold guite a few this way to. And felt like I gained some towards making a Friend in the others. Those want forget your pen either. Who knows, some of those may be future customers. Or talk to others about you and the beautiful pen you showed them. Maybe even the nice visit they had with you. We never know when we plant a seed how it will grow. In truth I really enjoy people. And I use this at least as much to meet people as to sell pens. Lets enjoy our craft as much as we can. Both in the shop and out. Have a wonderfully day. And give some one a Smile. Both on your face, and, theirs.

 

[betwisted]

Something I'd like to add also is that a fair amount (1/4) of the people that have seen my pens and have spoken with me or my wife about them, may not purchase a 20-30 dollar pen for themselves, but come back later and purchase them as a gift.