One-Of-A-Kind Segmented Wood Pens

If you've never held a turned wood pen, you really don't know what you're missing. Wood has a natural warmth that you feel - if you don't believe me, try holding your cheap plastic pen, or a metal desk pen, and then switch to a wood pen and you'll see what I mean - it feels natural, warm, organic. And when it's shaped for the way you grip a pen, it's like putting on those comfortable, broken-in, old boots that just fit right. You grow attached to your wood pen, and find yourself finding excuses to carry it in your pocket - and why not? They're cool!

As a gift, a wood pen says a lot - it's something that is truly a unique present - good for the person who seems to have it all and is hard to shop for. It shows personal attention and carries with it meaning - good for any number of occasions - graduation, Fathers Day, birthday, anniversary, wedding, or just so say Thank You in a special way.

I've enjoyed turning pens for as long as I've had my lathe. They're small discrete projects that I can start and finish in a single sitting if they're from solid wood. For a busy working father of five, long processes and detailed projects are few and far between. That's why it took me so long to move into doing segmented pens. It's a move I'm glad I made. I think the results are stunning. Each pen is completely unique. Here you will see three different patterns for segmented pens, each using completely different glue-up techniques, each with its own unique challenges. Shop for segmented pens here, or email me and we'll design something completely unique for you.

If you want to know how to make a segmented pen, email me and I'll be happy to give you a step-by-step. I don't mind sharing trade secrets!

Fathers Day Sale 2010

Well, it's too late to order a unique personalized gift for Mothers Day, but hey, we all have dads too, right? Gifts from department stores or electronics stores, yeah, they're cool, but not so personal, and definitely not unique. Now's your chance to say "Love ya, Dad" in a way that he will treasure.

So here are the terms:
$10 off of any bowl, limit 10 bowls,(place order by May 24 for a segmented bowl, June 1 for other turnings.) This means bowls start at about $15.00.

Seriously, what dad doesn't need a place to put his keys and wallet when he comes home from work - no more "Honey, have you seen my wallet?" Or a candy bowl for his desk at work (my problem is I eat it all myself).

$10 off of any pen from the "Design Your Pen" page (place order by June 1) This means pens start at $15.00. If you've never used a hand-turned wood pen, you don't know what you're missing. The heft of the pen in your hand, the comfort of the wood, the shape designed for your hand, and the smooth writing tip - they're really cool, and it's nice to be the one at the conference table with the classiest pen. And in the shirt pocket, it's subtle bling that a man can be proud of.

For those LDS dads out there, $5 off any Consecrated Oil Vial - so this means that consecrated oil vials start at $20.00. More subtle than a pen, these become a treasured charm on dad's keyring that he will see and feel every day. Not just a utilitarian aluminum cylinder, these are little pieces of natural beauty befitting of the holy purpose for which they are used.

And last, but not least, order a double-shot rubber band gun rifle (including file-folder sized rubber bands) so Dad can go postal without actually getting in trouble - Fathers Day Sale price $12.50.

To cash in on this offer, don't use the "Order Now" buttons on my individual items - email me with your order and I'll send you an invoice. Thanks!!

Corporate Gifts - Hand-Turned Wood Pens

As the holidays approach, businesses often look for a special way to thank key clients, employers wish to thank their staff, and employees often contribute as a group for gifts for their bosses. There are a myriad of companies out there that offer cheap products, mass-produced marked up drastically in order to include a painted company logo. If it is the thought that counts, well, perhaps such gifts represent an opportunity lost. Why not give something unique that shows real thought?

My hand-turned wood pens are all made from natural solid wood, and finished with clear natural shellac for a glossy-finished, one-of-a-kind pen. Parts are the Artisan brand components, for quality and durability. You can choose from one of ten part finishes, and any number of native or exotic wood species. And each one can be shaped differently for comfort and style. The result is a unique, beautiful, personal gift that shows the recipient that what they do maters. I had one client say about his pen, "It's a bit of a conversation starter. Not to mention it looks great, and is an addition to any well organized desk. I also like to think it shows a little something about the person who carries it. Gives off a refined professional touch to any aspiring entrepreneur. Shows class and style. Accents your intentions as a businessman." I couldn't have put it better myself.

So visit my pens page today and design the pens you want. Email or call me for a price quote. Give a gift that they'll appreciate for years to come and show those whose business or service you appreciate that they matter to you. Happy Holidays!

What's in a Pen Anyway?

Earlier this week I got a phone call one evening, while helping a kid with homework, from someone I'd never met before, who immediately apologized for interrupting me at home. "That's the cost of having a home-based business," I said. Well, his name was Omar and he was after a specific pen. He had browsed through my Pens page pretty thoroughly, and told me exactly what he wanted, from the type of wood to the shape and finish and type of metal components.

I worked with Omar to get it just right, and made his pen, which you see above. Honestly I think it turned out great. I picked the most interesting piece of Carob wood I've ever seen, and it turned and finished nicely. I thought, though, that Omar might have a story behind his order, so I asked him. This is what he had to say:

"Well as far as my story goes regarding wooden pens. About 5 years or so ago, my father gave me this Semi-assembled build your own pen kit. So I decided to make this pen. I had to sand the wood and finish the wood and just snap it all together. When this pen was finished, I was hooked!! I wrote with this pen for about 4 and a half years!! I refilled it when needed, and my pen was good to go. I appreciated the pen because my father gave me the kit and I put it together. I always carried it at work, and brought it home with me. Whenever I took my pen out to write something people would comment about it, and ask me where I got it. Its a bit of a conversation starter. Not to mention it looks great, and is an addition to any well organized desk. I also like to think it shows a little something about the person who carries it. Gives off a refined professional touch to any aspiring entrepreneur. Shows class and style. Accents your intentions as a businessman.

Now anyone, can just go buy a nice pen, which leads me to you and why I chose you to help me replace my 'little heirloom' Originally i was looking on line to find the same kit so I could make the pen myself. That's was a huge reason why its was important to me. I checked all these sites and I could not locate it, only the kits where you built it from raw materials. Then I started to lean towards buying a finished pen. I again searched several sites, and I came across yours. Nice web-layout by the way! I started to read the descriptions of the pens and was intrigued behind the story's of the different woods. So I again hit the Internet looking at and reading about different woods. I'm a spiritual person so I was drawn to the wood referred to in the bible. Thus I knew what kind of pen i wanted.

I was looking to order right away!! I found some on some other sites, but as I read your site I seen an evening PH# so I called, and the person who answered the phone said that you were busy helping your kid with his or her homework. I pretty much decided right then and there to order from you. Once you got on the phone and we were talking about the different woods and metals, I felt comfortable ordering. I could tell you are detailed craftsman that takes pride in his work, and also makes time to help the kids with homework!!! Awesome!!! Can't wait to get this pen."

Omar, the pen ships Monday morning, and thanks for your business. You know, my wife thought I was a little nuts when I started marketing pens, because it's true that a Bic that comes in a pack of 12 for $1 will do the job. But then, of what practical value is a necklace? Or why buy an expensive watch when for $5 you can get one that will tell you the time as good as any? It's nice to see someone else who appreciates a nice custom-made wood pen for all the reasons I keep saying they're great. Thanks again, Omar, and it's been a pleasure.