So sorry to hear that Jason.
I received an unexpected Departure, after that Y2K Universal Kerfuffle.
I don't know if it was fortunate or not that I was 62, so I was getting close to the normal retirement age of 65.
Long story Short, I contacted a number of business contacts I had, including some Management Consultants, with whom I had previous professional interactions, and was quickly installed in a Part Time Job, as a Contractor in the Logistics Arena.
This gave me the time to get over the Emotional Reaction of the Retrenchment, and gave me the confidence that at 62 I was still Employable. It also gave me the time to reassess what did we need to live on, and with the aid of a Financial Adviser, how to structure our Finances, to be able to exist comfortably.
I could not consider trying to make an income out of Pen Turning, as our costs in Australia including Freight and Currency Exchange makes a kit from PSI approximately double the USA List Price, so to sell that Pen, is rather difficult starting so far behind the 8 ball, also when the total Population in Australia is around 25 Million, compared to the USA of around 225 Million.
Obviously I am not in any position to give you advice, all I can do is give some of my thoughts.
As to your ability to make a suitable income, one has to consider what differentiates your Pen to any other Pen, offered for sale in the USA, when there are so many pens made from so many makers?
Admittedly there are some very successful Pen Makers, selling at Shows, on Web Sites, Association and Commissions, the question would be "Are you prepared to become the New Guy in the Market Place"?
I would suggest that you consider what your options are, in the Educational, or Musical Arena's, and start to consider the What About's, for your Principal Income and hopefully your Pen Making can become your source of Funds for your Shop Upgrades.
I hope I have provided somethings to think about, and apart from being available as a sympathetic and empathetic ear (or in the case of emails eye) is about all I can offer.
I wish and pray that something promptly opens up for you.
Kindest regards,
Brian.