I didn't know if the email listed in the thread was any good, yet, but I sent an inquiry to Bill asking him if he could create a couple of pen stands for me. Luckily for me, he said yes. About the only information I provided to him was what size stand I wanted to accomodate what size pens. He did ask me if I had a wood preference, but seeing his stands in Southpaw's thread, I figured whatever he thought would be good to work with would be great. I really like to give artists freedom in their media, whether wood, digital art, pencils and paintings, etc. I find that I so much more enjoy a piece I commission when the artist can express themselves in their work, and not just have to follow my plans set to the letter. I also don't like deadlines, so I give all the freedom possible in that regard, as well.
Well, yesterday, I received my stands from Bill. I wish I had pictures of them for you, but I've already taken one to work, as well as putting the second to use at home, but my camera work leaves a whole lot to the imagination. ahem. But I will tell you that I got some very fine stands! The first is just a 5-pen stand that I wanted to hold my current rotation of pens at work. It is compact enough to fit in the space of a coffee cup, yet still shows off my pens beautifully. This small stand does not rotate on a base, but it is really cute and will fit even my largest pens with plenty of room left for wiggle. The contrasting wood knob had an interesting surprise - it had been inset with pyrite, fool's gold. Sparkly and pretty, and I've already gotten some wonderful compliments at work on it. It was a little added artistic touch that just really made my day when I saw it.
The second stand is a full-size, 12-pen stand with a rotating base. It's made out of beautiful sassafrass wood with a really nice dark grain. For a little color and contrast, Bill used a nice royal blue felt for the pens to rest on. I have it fully loaded, and it is wonderful. All my pens (currently inked pens, that is) are now in a compact space in a wonderful art stand, handy at my fingertips. No more stray pens rolling around the desktop.
Bill wondered if I'd planned to give one or the other away. Uh, nope. These great stands are mine and no one would be able to talk me out of one. I might refer them to Bill, though, for their own stands. He did fantastic work on pieces that I just don't know how I lived without before.
Bill graciously let me use his pictures. These and others' stands can be seen at his photobucket gallery.
5-pen stand with pyrite insert in knob:
12-pen stand:
