First show of the year

[RDH79]

Had my first show of the year yesterday. Its only been 5 weeks since my last chemo treatment and it reallytired me out. But it was a really nice sunny day and lots of people. I done this show last year and sold mostly novelty things. Key chains, kalidascopes ,deer horn pens things like that.So this year I was ready for them. But as everyone says you never know what people are going to want. I sold mostly mid-priced pens. And had more people (7) ask about fountian pens than I have had all last year.I only had a couple made because I really dont know much about them. One was an Imperial and the other was a PSI kit. One guy really liked the Imperial but it was to heavy for him. He is a song writer an a instructor at a fine arts college. He took a fountian pen from his pocket and handed to me. It was a cross fountian pen. I wrote with it and it wrote so smooth.Then he said he paid $500 for it.I sure wish I would have had some lighter and better qualityfountian pens made. Would have definitly made a sale.So now I am looking for a good lighter fountian pen kit. any suggestions?
My next show is 6 weeks from now so I want to get a few more fountian pens made and learn more about them. So the fountian pen makers out there can you give me some kit ideas to get started. Mid priced kits Thanks Rich H

 

[ngeb528]

Congratulations on making it through your chemo. :bananen_smilies051::bananen_smilies051:

I know that will sound strange to someone who hasn't 'been there' but I felt like I won a race when I finally completed mine.

As for your show, good going. Do you offer custom pen making? I have a couple orders from a flea market because I offered to look into what they wanted.

Lou Metcalf (DCBluesman) suggested making and using a fountain pen for myself. It gives you a very good understanding of how they work and the different nibs, inks, etc.

I decided, because of the advice and comments on this forum, when I was first looking into making a fountain pen for a custom order, to throw away the nibs & cartridges that come with the kits and replace them with Lou's steel nibs and better quality inks. Some things to think about.

Get lots of rest (not that you have much choice) to start getting your energy back before your next show.

 

[rjwolfe3]

Grats on the show. I believe the Baron is the lightest fountain pen out there but I could be wrong. For some reason all of my fountain pen sales have been the big ones and mostly to female customers.

 

[ldb2000]

As far I know the ElGrande and a few of the clones are the lightest of the Large FP's . Most of the other large pens have too much metalwork which makes them heavy .

 

[wdcav1952]

Rich,

I think it is wonderful that you are doing a show that soon after chemo! You have visited my thoughts often after our correspondence a year or so ago.

The advice to make and use a fountain pen is excellent. You should also consider the Jr Gent II for a fountain pen. As Butch mentioned, the El Grande/Churchill kits make great light fountain pens.

 

[RDH79]

Thanks guys for the comments and the info. I had bought a couple Jr Gent fountian kits but never made them. I cut some blanks for them today and am going out to glue them up tonight.
I will have to order a couple other kits and see how they are. I dont want to get too many different ones.I did that with pens. I think I have about every different style made. I think there is just too many different kind of pens on my table to choose from.
The chemo was not hard on me as it is for some people. I never got sick just really tired.
Pet scan and cat scan came back clean so now its just trying to learn to eat small meals every hr or so. lost 65lbs so I need to gain a little of that back.
So I really want to thank everyone for there prayers while I (and my family) went through this. I spent alot of time reading and buying things on IAP this winter It helped get me though this Thanks Rich H.

 

[CSue]

Glad you made it through chemo.

I was hesitant about the fountain pen stuff as well. But someone had given me a Baron fountain pen kit when I first joined IAP. I finally made it and bought some Waterman Ink Cartridges. All those penmanship lessons came back.

I think the El Grande is the lightest "medium" size. Baron or Navigator are smaller in size but about same weight as El Grande. Of course it really depends on the type of wood or acrylic you use as well. Lou's wisdom and products really improve the quality of whatevr pen you make.

Have fun with it.

 

[mrcook4570]

As others have said, the El Grande is the lightest kit as it has a plastic endcap and finial. All of the others have metal which makes them heavier. If you want a truly lightweight fountain pen, make closed end or double closed end pens and replace metal components with wood or acrylic parts.