LenKaltman
Member
Hi everyone,
I didn't plan on becoming totally addicted to making pens, but I am. I am a photographer and do a lot of portraits and some corporate work out of my studio in Monroe, OH. (Len Kaltman Photography - Monroe Ohio) I always enjoyed woodworking and have a shop in my basement where I build some furniture pieces, mostly Shaker style. And I just built a very cute bed for my dog and got brownie points from my wife for that. (her life revolves around the dog)
About six months ago, I saw an article in a magazine about a teenager who was paying for his college education by making and selling pens. I have a 13 year old son who is spending way too much time on the usual moronic video and computer games, so I thought I would try to get him interested in making pens.
I purchased a lathe, (one of the few tools I didn't already own) all the goodies and supplies, and had high hopes that my son would be putting himself through college with sales from his new hobby. Or at least getting his butt off the computer.
Unfortunately his interest lasted about three days. He got bored, and is back at his computer. However, I am totally hooked - and now instead of making furniture and small craft items - I'm turning pens.
I keep making them, and they are starting to pile up. So I give them away to friends, donate them to local churches and schools for door prizes, and will probably soon put up a small website and sell a few online. I really don't care if I make any money at it - but as the pile of pens get larger my wife asks "how much is this hobby costing you". So at least I can tell her that I'm selling some and breaking even.
I enjoy looking at all the different types of wood that are popular for pens, and have been scouting various sites like Etsy, Ebay, for good bargains. I don't like acrylic pens, but that's my personal taste. Boxes from Penn State Industries are delivered regularly, and I try to hide them before my wife sees them!
Well, that's my story. Have a great day!
I didn't plan on becoming totally addicted to making pens, but I am. I am a photographer and do a lot of portraits and some corporate work out of my studio in Monroe, OH. (Len Kaltman Photography - Monroe Ohio) I always enjoyed woodworking and have a shop in my basement where I build some furniture pieces, mostly Shaker style. And I just built a very cute bed for my dog and got brownie points from my wife for that. (her life revolves around the dog)
About six months ago, I saw an article in a magazine about a teenager who was paying for his college education by making and selling pens. I have a 13 year old son who is spending way too much time on the usual moronic video and computer games, so I thought I would try to get him interested in making pens.
I purchased a lathe, (one of the few tools I didn't already own) all the goodies and supplies, and had high hopes that my son would be putting himself through college with sales from his new hobby. Or at least getting his butt off the computer.
Unfortunately his interest lasted about three days. He got bored, and is back at his computer. However, I am totally hooked - and now instead of making furniture and small craft items - I'm turning pens.
I keep making them, and they are starting to pile up. So I give them away to friends, donate them to local churches and schools for door prizes, and will probably soon put up a small website and sell a few online. I really don't care if I make any money at it - but as the pile of pens get larger my wife asks "how much is this hobby costing you". So at least I can tell her that I'm selling some and breaking even.
I enjoy looking at all the different types of wood that are popular for pens, and have been scouting various sites like Etsy, Ebay, for good bargains. I don't like acrylic pens, but that's my personal taste. Boxes from Penn State Industries are delivered regularly, and I try to hide them before my wife sees them!
Well, that's my story. Have a great day!
