Thread: How Do You Sell Your Pens?

Try making and distributing some pens,worry not if you suspect a gift will be overused or underused,every time the receiver sees the gift they remember the giver.Been married 52 yrs could not guarantee my wife shares my understanding of colour,design etc but never fails to remember the giver for the thoughtful effort.One time I gave one of my sons in law a shirt it turned out according to my daughter who said do not worry he treasures the gift anyway,when he sees it it reminds him of the giver who bothered.Two years ago I made pens for all the men and boys in our 50 strong family for our 50th anniversary,that also was worthwhile all from 1000 yr old Huon Pine Burl.My daughter visiting last year from USA took back a suitcase of bowls made by her Dad.
My experience is in the worth of a pen always given from the pocket to use not in a fancy box indicates here use it and remember me.
Peter

Hmm... I've made enough money to cover costs and to give away a few pressies to "the worthy" along the way. Not that it was planned that way, for me it's a hobby; it's not meant to pay for itself although I'm pleased that it has, of course!

It hasn't made me a profit though... well... it has, but the profit is all invested in the next round of kits, blanks and a considerable amount of "display stock." (ie. my pride'n'joys that I can't bring myself to give away and won't sell for a sensible figure. )

I have 3 wooden pens. They each came from someone I hold in dear regard. One lives in my handbag and two on my desk at work. No one is able to take my pens as everyone knows that they are mine. I also have a daily reminder of my fellow woodworkers

cheers
Wendy

Well I sell plenty of them I have 2 markets that I go to and have no difficulty getting great comments about my work, yesterday I got an order for 150 pens from a fella that imports radiators he is having a dinner for all his suppliers that are coming down under and wants to give each one of them a pen in a case as a gift, those things in the window aren't the same as a pen that has been hand made anyone can go to a gift shop and get one of those, but they are cheap if you want to see what a real good quality pen will set you back you need to take a look at a place called the pen shop in Sydney their cheapest high quality pen is around $400.

Froggie

Here in the States, it differs geographically. Where I am, I can hardly give them away, but the ones I do sell pay for more supplies so that works for me. I do have customers all over the states that buy our blanks and they have great sales of their pens.
For me, pen turning is really an art form. Some may see one and love it, and others don't like them. I guess to explains the term starving artists. I don't know that I would want to do pens for a living as i would be afraid it would take away from the pleasure of making them.
I can't count how many I have given away, but everytime I run into somebody to whom I gave one, they still have it and think of me whenever they use it (poor people).


Rick

well all I can say is nice job on your "hobby"..you could make more by going to camberwell market and selling them direct to the public there ....thats where the "money" is .....and from what have seen you severly underprice yourself, I bought 20 pens last yr as token gifts to fellow workers ...reasonably cheap stuff for $25 a piece and no where near the quality product you have ...each one being unique being "handmade"......think about it