Making Memories While Making Pens

Since I started making pens and pencils I've given a lot of them as gifts. Recently I gave my nephew a pen for his birthday.

Zane's Pen

He loved it but asked if I could make him pencil, I suggested that next time he was up that we could make it together.  His older sister liked that idea also, she even picked out the blank she wanted to use.

I got the blanks ready and next time they were up we made the pen and pencil. I had each of them start out by practice turning a piece of scrap before turning the actual project.

Trinity ready to turn

Zane concentrating on the work at hand

Zane's Cherry mechanical pencil

Trinity's confetti pen

It was a lot of fun to work in the shop with the kids. They both seemed very proud of what we made together.

Bethlehem Olive Wood

Olive wood from Bethlehem is available from many vendors. The wood available comes from trimmed branches and dead trees, no trees are killed to provide the wood.

The grain in the olive wood is beautiful. I've made two pens from it and each have turned out great.  The olive wood turns very nicely and smells wonderful while working it.  I look forward to making some more items from it.

This blank had some exceptional grain, and even has some figure and curl to it.

More turned gifts

I turned a lot of pens and other items for gift this year.

Leopard wood seam ripper

Red acrylic Pocket stylus

Crushed Turquoise Slim pen

Teacher pen made from Red Acrylic, Apple Wood, and Walnut

Purpleheart twist pen

Raging Rapids Acrylic slim pen

Bethlehem Olive wood Designer pen

Nuclear Grape mechanical Pencil

A walnut slim pen, and a cherry slim pen

Birds Eye Maple Fountain Pens

A friend of mine from high school contacted me about making some fountain pens for him. I had never made a fountain pen, but it wasn't different to make than a regular pen. I used birdseye maple on this set of pens.

all the blanks with the layout done

the first finished pen

the completed set

I really am happy with how these pens came out. I have never used a fountain pen, but plan to make myself a pen like this but as a roller ball pen. 

Season of Pens

Pens are a very popular gift which means I've been busy making pen.  I really enjoy making pens here are some of my recent pens.

Top to Bottom: Gun metal camo bolt action, Chrome Brazilian Cherry bolt action, hickory pencil, purple heart pencil

Acacia Wood Pen

Camouflage designer pen

An order of supplies

I ordered more acrylics to try out.

Bolt action pens, Left to right:
Brass with Walnut x2, Brass with Cherry, Gun Metal with Hickory, Gold with Bird's Eye Maple, Chrome with Tiger Wood

Two Cocobolo pens and a Brass Bolt Action with Tiger Wood.

A photo essay of what I've been doing

Turned a mallet from a piece of maple firewood

pallet wood planter

Mother's day planter made from cedar fence picket

Raise bed garden built from cedar fence pickets (6' by 3')

My wife and I built this clock for our back porch

Turned my first yo-yo

This froe belonged to my great-great great-grandpa

more family tools

My Great Grandpa built this table, I plan to clean it up and fix the loose joints. 

This saw was my uncle's grandpa's.

The spoon on the bottom is Red Bud and was carved for my Mom's Birthday

Zebra wood pen

Me at the age of 4 helping Dad build his garage

Tigerwood bolt action pen

Old Craftsman block plane that belonged to my grandpa

My co-worker was remodeling a 140 year old building and gave me some wood from it.

Wine bottle holder made from the 140 year old wood.

I finally got around to build some wood working for mere mortals inspired clamp racks

Pumpkin decoration to pain with the kids