Thread: Pen Information

Here's what I do. Don't look for the web site. It isn't up yet. Shooting for October. I just have a file of the different wood species and I type in their pen info in the top of it. I actually print it out on glossy paper and it looks like a million bucks. I actually photograph the blocks of wood before I cut it into blanks. It really impresses them if I start with a log with bark on it. When I finish a pen, I spend 10 minutes printing out it's fact sheet and file it in a folder. Buy the pen, get the sheet. Extra work, I know, but the people get really excited when they see it. They probably lose it or throw it away but it leaves them with a "last" impression.

Gidday. I just write on the back of my business card what the pen was made from, the metal plating, and the refill type. Customers appreciate that info, at the same time having my card and info if something goes wrong or for future orders. Regards, Denis

I think just keep it simple on a card with details of the timber used and metal fittings and refills needed.

G'day MIK

I just print off a label on a strip of nice parchment paper with words as follows (according to the species):

"[NAME] turned the wooden barrels of this pen for you from a burl off a Coolibah Tree (Eucalyptus coolabah), an arid country species often found along watercourses, such as billabongs (hence the Jolly Swagman’s choice of its shade for his campsite). A burl is a freakish growth on a treetrunk which yields dense, convoluted grain patterns in the wood. If the wood becomes scratched or dull, gently rub back with a very fine abrasive (eg Scotchbrite), apply carnauba/beeswax and buff to a high sheen. This pen takes a standard Cross refill – install by gripping the bottom section and firmly pulling the top section off the mechanism."

This label is printed small enough to fit inside a pen box, but I must say I am impressed by Ed's generous information sheets, which really help the recipient to appreciate the tree behind the wood. I think I might draw up some similar sheets of my own, to include with my bowls and other larger pieces.

thanks for all of your replies

its a hard one to work out, some people don't care about the wood, they buy it because they like it and yet others who are giving the pen for a present would like more information

i think i am leaning towards a small booklet at this stage with some info about the wood and not so much about the pen parts, that way you can have a few books to suit any number of pens

when i finally decide i will post what i come up with could takes a couple of weeks though

and with christmas coming there will be a few pens sold as prezzies i am sure

thanks again

MIK

I'm still developing my style, at the moment I have a tag with the price common name and Latin name of timber and where it came from attached to each pen. Then I give them a little note telling them of any significants to the pen also if it was recycled wood etc and say that it was hand crafted by me

I am the same as you guys in that I put wood type, where it was from, coating on kit, turned by me of course and also how to maintain the finish. I also put with the timber pens to avoid cracking, keep them out of direct sunlight as the wood is only one mm thick. Then if they do crack, you can at least explain why and not have to take all the blame. Having said that, I have had a couple with slight hairline cracks and replaced them both without question. Also some sort of warranty makes the customer feel a little at ease.
Kim

this is what i have come up with so far, the top half is one side and the bottom part would be printed on the inside, i would print it on a system board which is around 135-200gsm

i would punch a hole in the top folded corner to attach on the velour bags that i put my pens in when i sell them

i am interested in your thoughts

MIK

Looks good, are you going to put some info on the inside right panel?

Looks pretty good MIK and has all the information required for the prospective buyer. I like the design of it too.

thanks guys

i am going to have a number of different ones, some will have info abuot the type of wood, where i can find it, initial searches shows that to be hard than i thought

i am also going to have one with To and From on it for presents

will have to see what feed back i get from the customers

is there a wood database online that anyone knows of???

MIK

Originally Posted by MBUMIK

is there a wood database online that anyone knows of???

MIK

There used to be an excellent one called the Australian Woodworkers Database, with sample pictures of wood, but it became corrupted by a virus attack and I haven't been game to visit it since all the alarm bells rang last time I went there.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens has a database at http://www.anbg.gov.au/common.names/, but this is just for relating common names to botanical names.