Pen Exchange Idea

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Would you be intrested in any of the swaps below

  • Yes, but need work (will post ideas)

    Votes: 1 6.3%

  • Yes, Kids-Kids

    Votes: 2 12.5%

  • Yes, Kids-Veteran

    Votes: 6 37.5%

  • No, why would i want to do this?

    Votes: 6 37.5%

  • I have an addon or a suggestion, and i will post

    Votes: 2 12.5%
  • Total voters
    16
R

RyanNJ

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Messages
780
Location
Burlington, New Jersey
I am not sure of the number of kids who are making pens that are on this site but i was thinking it would be cool if there was enough interest in doing a kids swap where we can see what our peers are making

and another idea along the same lines is do an exchange between a kid and veteran pen maker

what does everyone think
 
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I voted no the reason being that I'll swap with any one, this is almost getting into the same discussion that's intimidating people about the PITH, I will swap with any one that is truly willing to put forth their best effort, be they some one who recently started and they are 60 years old or whether they have made a hand full of pens and are teenagers. The swaps are about having fun and giving your best effort period! But this is just the opinion of a ornery old man.
 
Ryan, I think if you contacted any of the "veteran" pen turners, they would be happy to do a swap with a kid(not all, but most). The kids need to fill in their profiles so we know who they are though.
 
bitshird said:
I voted no the reason being that I'll swap with any one, this is almost getting into the same discussion that's intimidating people about the PITH, I will swap with any one that is truly willing to put forth their best effort, be they some one who recently started and they are 60 years old or whether they have made a hand full of pens and are teenagers. The swaps are about having fun and giving your best effort period! But this is just the opinion of a ornery old man.
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I would also do a trade with anyone. I think that pen swaps with anyone are really great. I have found that it is all about just doing your best and it is amazing what that can do to someone's ability to make a pen of quality. It is fun to swap irregardless of experience, everything is a learning experience. What constitutes a kid?
 
Hey it was just an idea. i agree, i am willing to swap with anyone, i am working on my pen for another site now. i think it is going to be great seeing what someone else can create
 
Ryan , you do realize that we already have a pen exchange right here starting in one more day ? It's called the PITH and it is open to all members of this site , young and old . You just have to sign up and you will be paired with another member from almost anywhere around the world . This way both kids and veterans get to join in the fun .
 
OK, the problem is that we are taking this issue about the veteran, kids, and pro and middle of the category pen turner way too far than it should go. There are no definition of who is who, then there are some people who don't even put their profile on line, so how are you going to stick with your category. Just keep it simple let the ones who want to swap just do it and don't create all these debates. You don't see the so you call veterans chime in on this issue do you, so I would just leave this categorization alone. Plus how do you know who is who anyways?
 
RyanNJ said:
Thanks for all of the input. it does not seem like this is a good idea.
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Ryan,

An "unpopular" suggestion is not, necessarily, bad. Watch the forum and see who you would LIKE to trade with (young or old) and send them a PM. I'm betting they will be happy to do an informal "pen trade".

In today's "politically correct" terminology, a "young" person would have to be "defined". No matter where you set that limit, SOMEONE will object. So, the "forum management" could run into difficulties with the waves of emails.

Private transactions are not a problem---so HAVE AT IT!!!:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
 
Ryan,

I have done several trades, both "Pith" and private.

I'd be happy to do one with you, if you like.

Yes, usually, I call or write the trading partner to see what THEY like to make and receive. My last partner was in Australia and said he made very simple pens, so I made a Jr. Gent ballpoint--from Mammoth ivory in polyresin.

He fibbed. He made me a gorgeous hexagonal pen, a technique I could NEVER match. And we both included an "extra" pen. Now, we exchange items from time to time, both of us seem to feel we have the "better" of the deal and so we send "extras".

I have gained a good friend, and a couple of VERY nice pens.

MY comfort level is making simple cigar pens. I have made and sold hundreds. For pen swaps, I usually use "resins" that are not readily available---but then, I import a lot of "stuff".

I hope this leads you to the conclusion that there are no "rules". My most treasured pen came from a friend who used small pieces of diamondwood that I sent him and designed a pen (built on a cross "slimline" body), incorporating the diamondwood into walnut, he called in "not all Brown". My friend died, his pen reminds me of our friendship every day.

So, there can be a lot more meaning than you anticipate---we all make pens cause we enjoy it--we make friends because we communicate in the penmaking process.

Go for it!!! You WILL have fun.
 
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RyanNJ said:
Thanks for all of the input. it does not seem like this is a good idea.
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certainly can't call it a bad idea! My son actually got me started in turning! He has moved on to "other projects" (most of which seem to be about 5' 2" and blonde). I think it would be a great way for "kids" to make a friend in a world where there is far too much isolation. Common interests can be a great start for a long term friendship and while it may not make much difference for a 35 and 60 year old to become friends, when you're a "kid", closer ages generally are easier to start with.

That being said, I would also be happy to do a swap with you (and I failed the OLD COOT test skippy posted)...PM if interested.

jon
 
RyanNJ said:
...if there was enough interest in doing a kids swap ...

what does everyone think
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:eek: Is this legal??? :eek:

I have two teenagers in my house that run cross country. After a run, they can consume all the groceries in one massive gulp.

Who wants to be my swap partner? :biggrin:
 
THarvey said:
:eek: Is this legal??? :eek:

I have two teenagers in my house that run cross country. After a run, they can consume all the groceries in one massive gulp.

Who wants to be my swap partner? :biggrin:
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Not me , I've already got two of my own and they don't need to run cross country to consume all of the food in my house in one massive gulp :eek::befuddled::beat-up::biggrin:
 
Phillip, I make a fair portion of my money selling my pens, I'm not sure that makes me a Veteran or a professional, and the rest of my income (besides my Social Security) comes from making what is a very popular wood turning tool, still not sure if I'm a professional or a veteran, I was in the United States Navy, so I guess that makes me a Veteran that is a professional, I was one of the first ones to comment on Ryan's idea. And I must be a young person because my wife keeps telling me to Grow Up!!! So my question is where the hell does a conundrum such as my self select a bracket to participate in.
I do like Ed said and have traded several pens with other people, and I have never been disappointed. My last trade was with a 17 year old from Australia, he sent me a scratch built Stainless Steel Roller Ball , and asked for a Gentleman Fountain pen. all he told me was he was going to make something different. I was amazed when I got my pen from this kid.
 
bitshird said:
Phillip, I make a fair portion of my money selling my pens, I'm not sure that makes me a Veteran or a professional, and the rest of my income (besides my Social Security) comes from making what is a very popular wood turning tool, still not sure if I'm a professional or a veteran, I was in the United States Navy, so I guess that makes me a Veteran that is a professional, I was one of the first ones to comment on Ryan's idea. And I must be a young person because my wife keeps telling me to Grow Up!!! So my question is where the hell does a conundrum such as my self select a bracket to participate in.
I do like Ed said and have traded several pens with other people, and I have never been disappointed. My last trade was with a 17 year old from Australia, he sent me a scratch built Stainless Steel Roller Ball , and asked for a Gentleman Fountain pen. all he told me was he was going to make something different. I was amazed when I got my pen from this kid.
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Ken, my thoughts are in line with Ed, there should be no categories just everyone put pen in the hat and exchange and make friends that's what I am saying then with this no one would get offended. what I meant by Veterans is (Veteran pen turner) nothing mentioning about their age or gender or ......... just the ones who have turned lots of pens. To me you are a pro as well as Ed. what I am concerned about is all that visit to this thread and the ones who visit are the ones who have been member for a long time and they are not posting anything. what I meant to say that they are not chiming in on this idea. I didn't mean you or Ed or the ones that are kind enough who respond to most of the posts. They know who they are. Because when I needed their help on a thread I created I was bombarded with lots of criticism and I am trying to save Ryan from same thing. Simple is the best way to go in this Politically incorrect world, plus we don't know everyone's age from their profiles.
In addition, ken you know I have made some very good friends here that as as soon as I start turning they all have some surprises from me ( I let the cat out of the Hat). That's just me, I am not saying everyone should do what I do. That's my way way of thanking for their friendship.
 
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phillywood said:
Ken, my thoughts are in line with Ed, there should be no categories just everyone put pen in the hat and exchange and make friends that's what I am saying then with this no one would get offended. what I meant by Veterans is (Veteran pen turner) nothing mentioning about their age or gender or ......... just the ones who have turned lots of pens. To me you are a pro as well as Ed. what I am concerned about is all that visit to this thread and the ones who visit are the ones who have been member for a long time and they are not posting anything. what I meant to say that they are not chiming in on this idea. I didn't mean you or Ed or the ones that are kind enough who respond to most of the posts. They know who they are. Because when I needed their help on a thread I created I was bombarded with lots of criticism and I am trying to save Ryan from same thing. Simple is the best way to go in this Politically incorrect world, plus we don't know everyone's age from their profiles.
In addition, ken you know I have made some very good friends here that as as soon as I start turning they all have some surprises from me ( I let the cat out of the Hat). That's just me, I am not saying everyone should do what I do. That's my way way of thanking for their friendship.
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I did not think of it that way, thanks for opening my eyes to that point of view. PITH seems like a much better idea then something like this now that i look at it from your prespective
 
"What constitutes a kid?"
I was only being sarcastic, not confrontational. I often feel like a kid at things that are new to me, despite my age. I think that the idea was put forth with earnest intentions and in now way would find it offensive. I happen to have seen in person some of the pens made by the kids and they are actually much quite amazing. Pen swaps are a great way to make new friends, all over the world, and get some really cool pens.
 
Last year I participated in a pen on the SMC forum. I got to meet one of the guys I exchanged with (I was in for two exchanges) and had a great time talking pen making. It was a lot of fun exchanging.

I have a few pens acquired in trades and some of these are my favorites.

I'd be happy to exchange pens with anyone that's willing to do trade.
 
RyanNJ said:
I did not think of it that way, thanks for opening my eyes to that point of view. PITH seems like a much better idea then something like this now that i look at it from your prespective
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Ryan, the other thing was that about 3-4 weeks ago we started having real young people who joined the IAP, which I am all for it to see them learning an artistry. they started asking for stuff. I commented about one of them that was 15 yrs old. what I was concerned about was that if any adult in his house was aware of his intentions to start this craft. You know and have read many threads that adult turners even with experince have had mishaps happening in the shop and I hate to see an unsupervised child get hurt because of their curiosity. Since we can not be there physically it can creat problems. Unless, you do this within local to local community basis with their parents or guardians consent then you would have some liability issues. But when you put it all in one hat then we don't worry abot age or hwo does what.
 
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