PMG Member Questions

[davinci27]

Originally I thought pen making would be an easy and fun way to make money. As I got started, I discovered A) I made less money making pens than I would just doing my regular side work and B) I like making more intricate and uncommon pen. While making more complicated pens is fun, I don't have any clients that would be willing to spend what the pen should cost.

That being said I've decided to set a different goal and that is to get into the Pen Maker's Guild. So now for the questions. I'm still a long way from being ready to submit something, but I was curious about other members. How many times did you submit before you were accepted? How long after you started turning pens did you make your first submission? Are there any pointers or special techniques I should look into to improve my pens?

I figure I need to be turning at least a year or 2 before I'll be ready to try to submit something. I figure it will be even longer before something actually gets accpted. I also need to figure out some concept that would be original and start practicing it. Are there any other suggestions of things for me to look into.

Thanks
Ben

 

[ldb2000]

Just keep going the way your going and you'll have no problem getting in . The way I understand it , they are looking for a pen that can be a kit pen but you must show that you are capable going beyond just a great blank on a kit pen . I chose a kitless because that is what I have been working to perfect and what I knew best , but you have done some nice kit pens that might just get you in from the art of the pen .
It took me about a year before I thought I was ready but could probably have gotten in with several pens I had made before that .

 

[btboone]

The key is thinking outside the box and coming up with your own technique to make something. If you are the one writing the instructions instead of just following instructions made by someone else, you will be more than halfway there. Of course, it needs to be well crafted as well. The only real option for selling higher end pens is to venture away from the kit and what others are doing. You are free to see what it took for others to get there by looking at their gallery. Do something equal but different.

 

[jkeithrussell]

I don't know a thing about the selection process for the PMG, but I do know from the pens you have posted here that you are naturally talented at pen making. Your pens are far more advanced and unique than is the norm here (myself included). I predict that you will be a member of the PMG much sooner than you think.

 

[workinforwood]

I have been turning pens less than a year and was in on my first try. It's like they already said, you have your niche and you are good at it and then you're in. You have to build a name to make good money selling pens, and you do not have to be in the PMG to do it. It is good to be in the PMG though because it distinguishes you from the rest of the pack...all part of self promotion. Self promotion is the key to making money, and it takes time and effort to promote yourself. PMG has a member competition is Provo UT. I'm working on that pen right now, but I don't need to win to win. I do it because I want my pen to be seen by pen people and pen afficionado. I always have done at least one major competion every year for my art work too, because it offers opportunities to be in a magazine, not because of all the blue ribbons. Unfortunately, now I have too many articles and can't compete in those competitions any more because I'm a so called professional. But there's many other competitions..I have expanded and started competing state and multi-state wide in all art mixed media competions. Took some nerves to do it, but it was worth it because now I'm cleaning up against all art forms which means people notice me. I have 5 articles and a feature article coming out in a magazine. They pay me, but I don't care about it, I just want to be seen so that people want my offerings! That is how you make money, and it doesn't matter if you are making pens, or making cars, people need to know your value.I

 

[davinci27]

Thanks for the comments. I've really enjoyed wooden pens. I've talked about making pens since I was in college. I always thought I would enjoy it, but never took the plunge. I've tried turning a few other things since I got my lathe. I specialize in puzzle bowls, if I can find enough of the pieces to glue them back together.:wink:

The suggestions are really helpful. I saw somebody in another thread refer to a pen as kit-little, and i think this is close to my style. I haven't really had a desire to make some of the metal parts(nibs, threads) but I do enjoying replacing most of the other parts. To be perfectly honest I'm a little bit intimidated by threads. Maybe I need to come up with a good way to present the kit-little pen as a furthering pen making

I don't mind making and selling the more classic pens, but at this point its a matter of which one do I want to make with my limited time in the shop. We've got a new baby coming in May so I know I will be completely distracted for a while. When I do get a little shop time, I could make a stock of pens and spend time setting up and selling at show, or I could spend several hours making what I think is a really fun pen. I'm leaning towards the fun pen.

On top of all that I've never been much of a marketer. The "Self promotion" is where I start to fall apart. I don't enjoy the sales game. I enjoy showing people things that I've made but that is about as far as it goes. I think entering contests is a great idea. I am really competitive when i do things, so that drive would probably help me improve my pens. I'll start looking for contests to enter. I know That the Georgia National Fair has several turning categories, but that's not till later this year. I'll look around for other contests as well.

Thanks for all the comments. I'm going to think them through and make some more pens.

 

[leehljp]

On top of all that I've never been much of a marketer. The "Self promotion" is where I start to fall apart. I don't enjoy the sales game. I enjoy showing people things that I've made but that is about as far as it goes. I think entering contests is a great idea.

Thanks for all the comments. I'm going to think them through and make some more pens.

Do what interests you! Go for the contests! I am not a self promotion or sales kind of person either. I enjoy the creativity in making a pen, and attention to details that requires so much time that is not usually "cost effective". (Read that as correcting mistakes) :wink: Strange thing about this is that I am NOT a "detail" kind of person in my work life.

 

[spiritwoodturner]

Ben, I've been thinking about the exact same question you bring up. I don't yet do anything "totally" unique, although I'm the first one I've seen (someone commented to that effect here) make Lucky Charms blanks, but that wasn't exactly a brainstorm! I do shows, do OK, but they're time consuming and take me away from what I love too-my family. Websites are a crapshoot, and the economy's not helping any right now.

It's a puzzle. But you do lovely work, just keep moving, in any direction you're led. I don't believe in an "end", more a constant journey. You're obviously on one, so enjoy it!

Dale