So Long

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gerryr

gerryr

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2005
Messages
5,353
Location
Billings, MT, USA.
About 8-1/2 years ago I discovered this place and was immediately intimidated by the work I saw here. I had a Jet mini lathe, a couple very crummy lathe tools but somehow I could actually make a pen. I think there's a photo of my first pen, a slimline, in my album and what a POC it was. Why anyone recommends people start by making them is beyond me, a cigar is a much better starting point.
Over the next several years I managed to get a bit better at making pens and became friends with some very talented pen makers who were also great people; like Eagle, DC Bluesman, William Cavanaugh, Oklahoman, BRobbins629, ed4copies, PR Princess, VisExp, Skiprat and others. I even managed to be invited to join the Pen Makers Guild. But, times change and people change. I very possibly burned myself out on making pens, or maybe it was something else. Whatever the reason, I found myself less and less inclined to make a pen. It was no longer fun, it had become a chore. My web designer apparently died, she went into hospice a couple of years ago and now the code is at least that far out of date and will soon no longer be supported by the hosting company. So, it was decision time. Either I build a new website and probably still not maintain it or pull the plug and admit that I have no more interest. I'm in the process of selling off everything, pen kits are mostly gone and blanks will be next.
It was a good ride for a few years and now I won't have any reason to feel guilty while I'm out skiing or crashing through the trees on my mountain bike or doing a 3-4 day backpack trip. Although most people here now probably have no clue who I am, I wish you all success and hope you get a lot of pleasure out of making pens.
So long and thanks for all the blanks.
 
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Hi Gerry,
Hate to see you go but I wish you well in your new hobbies and interests. I will miss making snake blanks for you...actually was wondering a few months back if you were still making pens. Michael is still a good customer. Thanks.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
I don't know you but enjoy life it is to short not to enjoy what you are doing, and our interest change just as the seasons do as life progresses. I am sure IAP will miss you and your talents.
 
Gerry,
I remember you from when I first joined up. Your skill was one of the things that inspired me to do better. Not only your pen turning skill but your photography skill as well. You always had a level head and common sense. Traits like these should not go unmentioned. I wish you well in this next phase of your life. God's richest blessing on you.
 
Gerry, as Jack Benny used to sing "Thanks for the memories", Eagle's gone,DC Bluesman, VisExp and Cav no longer come around. You go and enjoy life but you have been and will be missed. Thanks for the hours spent with me teaching me that by damn I could use a camera.
 
Wishing you and yours all the best Gerry. You haven't been here for a while, but it doesn't make your leaving any less sad.
Keep well old buddy.:biggrin:
 
Tell us it ain't so , Gerry. My wife and i met you down at the Provo penturing conference in 07. I have enjoyed your photo tutorials and pen turning advice. Off you go now and enjoy the rest of the adventure.
 
I never met you Gerry, but the list of your old friends gives me an idea of your character...if you ever get back this way put me on the list of people that would like to meet you and get to know you better..meanwhile the best of luck in your new endeavors!:smile::smile:
 
Thanks to everyone for the warm wishes. I'll be posting blanks for sale probably the first week in March, after I get back from a week of skiing at Grand Targhee and Alta with my son.
 
Good Luck, have fun. Our desires and likes changes with the seasons of life which we are in at the time. The people here are great and you will be missed. You can still keep the rest of the crowd focused by checking in every once and a while.
 
Hey Gerry,

Been around here for awhile myself, I too have gone through phases like this, went about a year once without making a pen, but I came back.. Sometimes it's good to step away and focus energy on other passions, you'll be happier and get great energy back.. I hope we cross paths again, you're a good egg, time is a great thing, enjoy the things that make you feel alive!

Take care, Jim
 
Blessings on your future -- Enjoy Montana and all the good things it offers

Have learned from you -- and for that you have my heartfelt thanks.
 
Good luck and enjoy yourself Gerry. It's been a pleasure knowing you. I hope you still get to build a rod or two every now and then.
 
I get it. Been hanging around that thought for some time myself. Can't remember when I made a pen last. Trying hard to stay in the tool making side of it, but even that gets to be un-fun at times!
 
We all change hobbies from time to time. Mine have been numerous and varied from turning pens to making cottage furniture, to race horses, to boating and a few others along the way. Never feel bad when it's time to move on hobbies are to give pleasure, if they stop doing that let them go.
 
You need to go where the inspiration leads. It's been a while since I've done a pen too. Most days, I'm just trying to stay on top of work, and by the end of the day, I'm so exhausted that inspiration for new stuff is hard to come by.
 
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