Should members innovate

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beck3906

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2005
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2,166
Location
Belton, TX 76513
A thought was posed to me in another thread suggesting all I do is make things round. That my main interest is to profit.

I work a full-time job that often requires travel. My non-work hours are then divided to personal things, family things, house/yard maintenance and occasionally some turning.

While I could learn some of the most recent techniques of casting, custom pen making, and such, I feel more productive and enjoy things more by using other folks blanks so I can maximize my time in the shop.

And, yes, I do enjoy making money. I enjoy attending shows and have people offer their hard-earned money for the fruits of my labors. Making money allows me to pursue this as a part-time business. The business part is just a way of allowing me do something I enjoy after spending my work hours assisting folks with their software needs.

So, the question is, does a member here have to innovate? Does innovate mean you're advancing your skills, and the skills of others? Does participation on this forum require you to offer some new skill for the benefit of others?

Can a member be content in supporting other members by buying their goods and using those goods?

Can the only pens felt worthy of recognition be those that push the envelope of innovation?
 
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Call it a hunch but this could be turning a powder keg.

I would say at this point it is more "pushing the envelope" than being innovative. We are at a point where people try to enhance things that have been done, and make them look good. Now the level of ability may vary. I can take some polimer clay, stick it on a tube, but it will not be at the level of some of the people in here that do it. Now let's just say I had the skill of some of the others and did one with a portrait of every president (if someone does that I claim dibs LOL). I don't consider that being innovative, eventhough to the best of my knowledge that has not been done, that is just pushing the envelope.
 
In a word, No.

Just don't be a Troll or a Lurker. Give back. If you have a way of doing CA and someone is looking for help give it to them. Give feedback on pens, even if its just a simple "Like".
 
One persons opinion:

Does a member here have to innovate?
No, but you shouldn't be surprised when those who do innovate get more attention than you.

Does innovate mean you're advancing your skills, and the skills of others?
Your innovation will always advance "your" skills. Unless you keep your innovation a closely guarded secret, it will also advance the skills of others. Even if you never share the details.

Does participation on this forum require you to offer some new skill for the benefit of others?
Obviously no. But if you want to be everyone's favorite pen maker, sharing won't hurt.

Can a member be content in supporting other members by buying their goods and using those goods?
Each member needs to answer this for themselves. Your description of your situation would lead me to believe you are content. Your questions lead me to believe that you are not. This is something members have to figure out for themselves.

Can the only pens felt worthy of recognition be those that push the envelope of innovation?
Of course not. Beautiful pens will always be recognized. But the "maker" of a well executed pen that represents the creative talent of that "maker" in its entirety will likely be more "recognized" than the "assembler" of a well executed pen that represents the creative talents of others.

Ed
 
You make money from your turning, but I suspect that is not WHY you turn. You turn because you enjoy doing it. I rarely "innovate" but I derive great enjoyment from what I do at the lathe. If you love what you do, and it makes you happy, you are doing exactly the right thing, and I love to see what you produce.
 
Absolutely not. I like to try new things because I find it fun and it makes my pen turning time in the shop more interesting. Also the theory is it also makes my funds for this hobby go farther. It doesn't, you just spend it on different stuff. A well made pen with a cool blank is worthy of recognition. As a pen maker the only person you have to answer to is you. If we all agreed on everything there would only be one style of pen being made.
 
Personally, I'm not much of a sales person. In fact, I'm not at all, a sales person. But, I guess I get bored easily. After being shown another way of making a pen, it was quite a change for ME. And, the timing was quite right, as after many hundreds of kits, it was very refreshing to try something different. Nothing against making pens from kits (I still do) but, that was when I went from pen turning to, pen making. Some like the pens, and some do not. I don't claim any innovation efforts, I just like to see what ELSE I can come up with.

I say, do it YOUR way, and be happy!:biggrin:
 
I agree with Dale. I am probably the least effective salesman you will ever encounter.

But, to the point. One Must be by nature, innovative/push the envelope, or whatever label one chooses to use. Not to be, says one is static, never learning thru his experience or that of others. In my opinion, this is almost an impossible thing to do, especially among folks, as most if not all of us are to some varying degrees, naturally artistic.

In the end, it doesn't matter. We all do the best we can, trying new things, looking at what other, obviously more talented folks are making. Many are better than some of us are making and we then make some attempt at doing something similar. Or developing ideas and building on those of others. Maybe, at least for me, even beyond what I thought my abilities were. Sometimes failing, sometimes doing a good job. Always competing with myself. Being innovative. Pushing MY personal envelope.

Look at what the caliber of pen was/were when you first started turning and look at what your current pens look like. You had to be innovative, for you alone, to have gotten better at turning.

Just my 2 cents worth,

Russ
 
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Whoever said you are "just making things round" doesn't get the point of a lathe :biggrin:
Do what you enjoy, and have fun! Sometimes I really get tired of the "artist at large" attitude. Almost all of the coolest, most artistic pens I've seen come from the people with the "just having some fun" attitude. I love it when I sell a pen, then I have the resources to make a better pen!
 
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beck3906 said:
A thought was posed to me in another thread suggesting all I do is make things round. That my main interest is to profit.

I work a full-time job that often requires travel. My non-work hours are then divided to personal things, family things, house/yard maintenance and occasionally some turning.

While I could learn some of the most recent techniques of casting, custom pen making, and such, I feel more productive and enjoy things more by using other folks blanks so I can maximize my time in the shop.

And, yes, I do enjoy making money. I enjoy attending shows and have people offer their hard-earned money for the fruits of my labors. Making money allows me to pursue this as a part-time business. The business part is just a way of allowing me do something I enjoy after spending my work hours assisting folks with their software needs.

So, the question is, does a member here have to innovate? Does innovate mean you're advancing your skills, and the skills of others? Does participation on this forum require you to offer some new skill for the benefit of others?

Can a member be content in supporting other members by buying their goods and using those goods?

Can the only pens felt worthy of recognition be those that push the envelope of innovation?
Click to expand...


This one sort of sticks me in the side. If you are buying premade blanks where is the fruits of your labor????? Taking a piece of wood or a piece of acrylic is what artistic value??? No fruits there either. Now if you are strickly doing a pen manufactoring business than spin away and don't ask.

Being you took the time to ask you are questioning yourself.

To me there is always a bit of remorse when I sell a blank I did not make but I am sure to mention I did not make it to the customer. There are some fantastic blank makers out there and I would never be able to recreate their fine work so I do not try and I support them. But my time in the shop is much more pleasurable when I am creating something weather it is flat work, scrolled work, or a clock of some sort or other type turning other than pens. I love making blanks for pens and pushing my abilities to the limits and beyond. I would get extremely bored spinning pens. I would never take on a contract for no amount of money that require 100 or more pens. I will leave that for you guys.

Of course a pen that was created as opposed to the everyday wood or acrylic pen is going to get more accolades and it should hands down. Tired of seeing boring pens.

Does advancing your skills push innovation. It could and it will in your eyes but could also be helpful for others if you are willing to share. And yes sharing is what forums are all about.

The things you mentioned about full time jobs and all I am sure 80% of the people here are in the same boat and I will add my job runs into alot of overtime so that cuts shop time even more so don't use that as an excuse unless if you are looking for one.

To each his own as they say but like I said you must be questioning your habits if you posted this question and abit of guilt is surfacing. :smile:
 
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