Hey good to see you posting. I can not answer your question but it is good to see you still are pen turning. I would ask how you are and all those war related questions but I know you probably would not want to talk about it. But hope you are well and hope the New year brings peace and resolve to a war torn nation that is fighting for not only their existence but for the good of the world. Stay safe.
Thanks a lot my friend, it took a toll on me. But truth be told, I am recovering. For me, the last four years were hard, as a year before Covid I suddenly became very ill (as it turned out almost a year later - Lime disease). While I was recovering, Covid hit my pen making business (a sole source of income) very hard. And a war now...
I've been very lucky - - in March warzone was 5km from my house near Kyiv. We flew west of Ukraine to my parent's house, and my village was blocked between armies, but thanks to God and ZSU russians were stopped there, and our village, my house and my workshop are intact. I've spent 3 months serving in voluntary territorial defense (me, the most pacifist guy ever), my brothers from our group went to serve in ZSU, one of them just returned from Bakhmut (the hottest place now) with a light injury. I returned home to heal heart problems that become obvious (Lime aftermath, as it seems).
Just now started to make some pens and took some orders for New Year presents and now making them hastily. My prices are always higher than most American friends, but it's the only way to make a living from pens and provide premium customer support. My packaging costs more than a lot of etsy pens
)) So even 10 pens sold would greatly support me financially to the point of looking for some premium materials
))
Will post in SOYP some recently made pens, all Ukrainian-themed.
