Is it just me,or........???? a bit long

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LostintheWoods

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We do quite a few "street fairs" out here, with varying degrees of success--sometimes very busy, sometimes we wonder why we even came. On the really bad nights, as well as the good ones, I've noticed one interesting phenomenon--even when no one else is even looking any further than "oh, its pens." there is one demographic that is ALWAYS interested--little-league-aged boys! These guys stop by, hands behind thier back (so I don't think they're trying to pocket merchandise???) and gaze longingly at every pen on display! Striking up a conversation with them, I find they are totally in awe of the entire penturning process, and some really struggle with whether they should ask for money from their parents, who probably won't give them the money. But this is not only occasionally, its every single fair we do! If I am reaching no one else, that demographic is there every time. If what I've observed is any indication, in about a decade, we're going to have an influx of young, eager competition! Should make AS, CS, Woodturningz, Beartooth Woods, PSI, Berea, and all others very happy as well. By the way, make a note to buy stock in CA, BLO, and DNA! Has anyone else noticed this, or [see title]
 
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Shannon,
When I was living in Houston, I did several shows that were school sponsored.. as you said, sometimes I did well, sometimes, not so well, but the young boys were always in awe of the turned pens... some were especially fascinated with the fountain pens. When I was in school, through senior year, we were required to do all English papers in ink pen... NO Ballpoints were allowed. The youngsters are just beginning to learn about the ink pens again. Sometimes I would get a Jr. High or Freshman who was in a shop class where they made pens... you would be surprised at how many had their pens on them and wanted to show them off.
 
I was fascinated as a kid by making your own pens and taking the ones I had aprt. I got the itch when I was a kid and my dad turned a thin stemmed goblet with a captive ring. From that day on I was hooked. I wonder what level of pen kits they will have when they start.
Andy
 
We have several young people who have been buying pens from us for years---there are two brothers that even get thier parents to buy them Christmas gifts from us. One neat side affect is they now have sevearl of thier friends buying also. So these kids (between 12 and 16 years old) have become pen collectors. I always try and have something special put back just for them---I know they can't afford the high end pens but I make sure they get something special.
 
Did a street fair last year, sold a few pens and had that 10 year old come by several times. I had plenty of time-unfortunately- to answer his questions and eventually gave him a slimline...gave dad a business card but nothing from it yet.

If today's kids are like us, it will more typically be another 30 years before they get into turning.
 
Never really thought about it until I read your comments, and I think you are right. Don't really have an explaination but that demgraphic always wants to hang around and talk. They dont' spend much money but they are at least friendly and usually polite.
 
One of my Grandboys is fascinated by my pens and pencils. I gave one to him last time I saw him. I didn't know if it was just because Grandpa made it or if he really was interested. Thats good to know.
 
We in the UK do a lot of "Craft Fairs" and have also found this phenomina about school aged boys, the girls are not so interested for some reason. I usually give the boys one of my "BIC" refil type pens free, (they cost very little but catch the eye well) and have found that most always the parents come back to buy a pen or two, and take a card to pass on. It seems to work for me anyway.[;)]
 
If it were not for one of these guys, one craft show would have been a total bust. He was totally consumed with a magnifying glass. He had to have it for his dad for Christmas. He kept after his mom until he had the money.
 
We've seen the same thing... Many times these are kids of other vendors and we end up doing a trade with the parents. Others we offer (with their parents consent) to let the kid make "payments" on a pen. We figure up the bare minimum we could take for a pen - say $3 - and tell the child that they may buy the pen on "credit" if they promise to make payments. This gives the kid the pen of their choice (within reason) and gives them some exposure to the responsibility of making payments.

Mark
 
We had a show that we do every year some good years some not so good but we really like going and its only one mile from home and free. This one show I had a little girl say 10ish that really liked the pen and box I had. she came back many times to see if I had sold it yet. she only had ten dollars. Just before she left she came back and I sold it to her. I figured I lost nothing. the cost of the box and pen kit and wood was probably that amount. I figure I'll see her again some day.
 
Most of our shows require the customer to pay at the door, between $5 and $10 entry "fee", so there are few kids.

Those who DO come are drawn to pens, in my opinion, because it's one of the few things at a show that a child KNOWS or CARES about. Interesting you say the girls don't seem as interested - mom is "priming" the girls on the jewelry they will be NEEDING. Boys want TOYS - pens are as close as they can get to TOYS in an Art & Craft show. Moral of the story, why bore the kids, leave them at home with DAD (when I was a kid, this meant I could play ball all day while dad worked in the yard - those were good times!)

FWIW
 
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