* Pen Making

Not much on the pen making front this week. I started work on a pen using the blank in the cover image. It’s a black coloured one with an orange swirl going through it. I intend to make a pretty standard pen with it to be honest. It is going to be a pretty straight barrel with a minor taper to it so the cap posts and the end will have a circular based pyramid shape to it. The end of the cap is just going to be flat and I am pondering whether to put a clip on it or not, I have some black clips I can use but the black lacquer is coming off to reveal the copper underneath, which will kind of go with orange swirls in the blank. That is what I am thinking anyway, and the overall look of the pen won’t be harmed by the black coming away. I think this is the last time I will be using the black clips. I am working on a way to get a decent finish on repainting silver ones so I can match the clips to the individual pens but that is still in the works. God every time I think about what I have planned for the plans my to do list gets longer and longer.

Anyways, the reason why I have not done much is that I am waiting for some taps and dies to come in the post. As I think I discussed last week they should sort out the problem I am having with sections. I am really eager for them to turn up because I want to finish the ebonite pen I am making for myself. It will be my first ebonite pen as I sent the last one to u/newtonpens for his auction.

I shipped out [both](https://i.imgur.com/40J3Tm0.jpg) of the

[pens]

(https://i.imgur.com/E2MCeOA.jpg) which I had made to the clients who bought them. Which is one of the hardest parts for me. I get really nervous sending them through the postal system, I mean I package them in boxes stuffed full of bubble wrap that they can survive being thrown around but god, I put so much work into them I don’t want them to get damaged. Oh and a customer review, I got a great customer review! If you didn’t see it then you can check it out

[here]

(https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ckqycy/just_received_my_custom_pen_from_usecurity_man2k/), it was one of those deliveries which seemed to take forever to get there but finally it arrived safe and sound. That is it for pens this week.

* Workshop and Website

I started to alter the door I got from work, it’s a solid wood fire door so it should be easy to alter. I took the frame apart today without damaging the finger joints so all I need to do is cut the jambs down to the right height, cut the head and the threshold down to the correct width, reform the finger joints and put it back together. Once that is done I just need to run the circular saw up the hinge side and across the top and I will have a fully working door. It’s probably about 2 hours work in all, and I have managed to solicit the help of a client from work to fit the door in the aperture when it is to size. Since work has said they don’t like me turning pens on my lunch break I will just work on the door and the website.

Talking about the website I have uploaded a bunch more pictures for you all to peruse at your leisure. All of the materials I currently have are listed up there and I would much rather use those blanks to make people custom pens rather than use them all up practising, so if any peek your fancy drop me a line and we can work something out.

* Personal

So I have had a week without my brain rebelling. Woo hoo! I have been more stable and feel a lot more grounded. I think it helps that I have something to engage my brain again. Learning pen making and starting this venture has helped. My sister has MS and has been studying art since she was in school (she is older than me) she has been using her knowledge of art to work with therapy through artistic means. Once I have my own lathe I am thinking of sort of seeing if I can research into following in her footsteps and seeing if there is anything I can do to help others suffering from depression, ah but that is just a thought and something to think about further down the line.

Anyways as usual you can follow me on instagram @denscustompens

and my website is open for business too

[here]

(https://denspens643598967.wordpress.com)

Sorry there weren’t too many pictures this week but take care and have a good weekend.