The Talent On These Forums.

[unclepoop]

I have been haunting the pen turning and making section since I joined this site. I am amazed and jealous at the talent people have at creating things like fountain pens. I have seen some gorgeous pens posted by members. How do you come up with your design ideas? Do you copy other pen designs and tweak them? Are they just original off the top of your head ideas? I have some ideas for pens that I will never see come to fruition and would like to live vicariously through others.

I may not post in all the topics here, I usually have limited time online but you all are a very talented group of people. Thank you for sharing your creations with us.

[Carl Fisher - F3 Pens]

I can only speak for myself, but I will say that some of mine are definitely inspired by vintage pens with a few tweaks here and there to adjust for size or filler style or a certain nib selection while others are completely unique designs that just sort of happen while turning. Sometimes the choice of material dictates a size or shape while other times the sky is the limit.

[linearM]

I'm not a pen turner but have had the opportunity to work with a fantastic craftsperson to create one and now my second pen. Both of the pens are the work of Renee at Scriptorium Pens. The first started with a pen model that Renee had and I had the chance to pick the color of the materials, the clip, the cap rings, and how the colors would be used for cap lip and finials. The result was a pen I couldn't be happier with. The second pen is being created by Renee right now. It started with a Carter's pen that I liked the shape of and it wasn't one of the models normally offered by Scriptorium pens. I let Renee know what I wanted in terms of color and looked for possibilities and she offered several options. Then there was a special clip. So often I think that the pens are the result of a collaboration between a person wanting a pen and the craftsman who has the talent and ability to help realize the idea.

 

Then there are the craftsmen who simply create the pens for their own enjoyment. It is the exploration of form and color and trying ideas to see if they work. There are some real artists among the pen turners who push the envelope in creating truly unique pens.

[mmg122]

+1 for Rénee at Scriptorium who recently created a fabulous pen for me. Also props to Shawn Newton who not only creates lovely pens but also uses his craft to support kids to attend college who might otherwise not be able to due to economics.

 

We are lucky to be surrounded by many skillful and creative turners on FPN.