#292

Sharron's Pen

Sugar Pink Acrylic and Titanium colour Ballpoint Twist Pen

Whenever I start to make a pen from an acrylic blank I always remember the negative points. Acrylic turning is messy, I really try to clear every last scrap of it up; it can also be smelly; the sharp little chips get everywhere and it can blunt the turning chisels really quickly. By the time the pen shape is turned and I start the messier job of wet sanding through about fifteen different grades I'm usually trying to convince myself that maybe its better to just concentrate on turning wooden pens.

Then the final grades of sanding and polishing start to reveal something special and I really like acrylic again... until the next time.

Having left our fellow traders after a great weekend at Burton On Trent floating market we made our way to Alrewas. Its not a long cruise, only about four hours but there are not too many mooring options if you decide to shorten your trip. Not far after the delights of Branston water park the A38 dual carriageway hugs the side of the canal for several miles until you lock up to the river Trent for a short hop up to the Alrewas visitor moorings. 

I would have loved to spend some more time looking around the village or even returning to the National Arboretum a few miles away, but I had pens to turn. I'd spent a few evenings getting ready cutting, drilling, gluing and trimming the pen blanks ready for turning so I was already ahead of the game.

#292 was turned just above the river lock on the edge of the village of Alrewas on Thursday 28th May 2015. To make the most of the good weather I decided to leave assembling the pen barrels onto the furnishings for a day or so as I can do that part of the process inside the boat.

#291

NOW SOLD

Pink and Teal Acrylic with Gun Metal Colour 

Ballpoint Twist Pen

Whenever I start to make a pen from an acrylic blank I always remember the negative points. Acrylic turning is messy, I really try to clear every last scrap of it up; it can also be smelly; the sharp little chips get everywhere and it can blunt the turning chisels really quickly. By the time the pen shape is turned and I start the messier job of wet sanding through about fifteen different grades I'm usually trying to convince myself that maybe its better to just concentrate on turning wooden pens.

Then the final grades of sanding and polishing start to reveal something special and I really like acrylic again... until the next time.

Having left our fellow traders after a great weekend at Burton On Trent floating market we made our way to Alrewas. Its not a long cruise, only about four hours but there are not too many mooring options if you decide to shorten your trip. Not far after the delights of Branston water park the A38 dual carriageway hugs the side of the canal for several miles until you lock up to the river Trent for a short hop up to the Alrewas visitor moorings. 

I would have loved to spend some more time looking around the village or even returning to the National Arboretum a few miles away, but I had pens to turn. I'd spent a few evenings getting ready cutting, drilling, gluing and trimming the pen blanks ready for turning so I was already ahead of the game.

#291 was turned just above the river lock on the edge of the village of Alrewas on Thursday 28th May 2015. To make the most of the good weather I decided to leave assembling the pen barrels onto the furnishings for a day or so as I can do that part of the process inside the boat.

#290

Reserved - Blue Acrylic and Platinum Colour Ballpoint Twist Pen

Price ~ £15

Whenever I start to make a pen from an acrylic blank I always remember the negative points. Acrylic turning is messy, I really try to clear every last scrap of it up; it can also be smelly; the sharp little chips get everywhere and it can blunt the turning chisels really quickly. By the time the pen shape is turned and I start the messier job of wet sanding through about fifteen different grades I'm usually trying to convince myself that maybe its better to just concentrate on turning wooden pens.

Then the final grades of sanding and polishing start to reveal something special and I really like acrylic again... until the next time.

Having left our fellow traders after a great weekend at Burton On Trent floating market we made our way to Alrewas. Its not a long cruise, only about four hours but there are not too many mooring options if you decide to shorten your trip. Not far after the delights of Branston water park the A38 dual carriageway hugs the side of the canal for several miles until you lock up to the river Trent for a short hop up to the Alrewas visitor moorings. 

I would have loved to spend some more time looking around the village or even returning to the National Arboretum a few miles away, but I had pens to turn. I'd spent a few evenings getting ready cutting, drilling, gluing and trimming the pen blanks ready for turning so I was already ahead of the game.

#290 was turned just above the river lock on the edge of the village of Alrewas on Thursday 28th May 2015. To make the most of the good weather I decided to leave assembling the pen barrels onto the furnishings for a day or so as I can do that part of the process inside the boat.

#289

NOW SOLD

NB Dane Elm and Chrome Rollerball Pen

(25% of which will be donated to The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation for the continued upkeep of NB Dane)

EUROPEAN ELM - Ulmus procera

European Elm has is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. With an oil finish, it can turn a beautiful golden brown colour. Unless, of course, it's been kept at the bottom of a canal for an awfully long time.

Narrowboat Dane was built by the Mersey Weaver and Ship Canal Carrying Company and used as part of their fleet. She was built in November 1946 and first registered on January the first 1947. Ade from A P Boatbuilding is currently restoring her on behalf of The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the work being done is rebottomed with new chine planks, kelson, stem post and soon to receive two new bow planks, gunwales, decks, new back cabin and engine room. The pens that I will be making from Dane are all from a heavy lump of Elm bottom plate.

Having left our fellow traders after a great weekend at Burton On Trent floating market we made our way to Alrewas. Its not a long cruise, only about four hours but there are not too many mooring options if you decide to shorten your trip. Not far after the delights of Branston water park the A38 dual carriageway hugs the side of the canal for several miles until you lock up to the river Trent for a short hop up to the Alrewas visitor moorings. 

I would have loved to spend some more time looking around the village or even returning to the National Arboretum a few miles away, but I had pens to turn. I'd spent a few evenings getting ready cutting, drilling, gluing and trimming the pen blanks ready for turning so I was already ahead of the game.

#289 was turned just above the river lock on the edge of the village of Alrewas on Thursday 28th May 2015. To make the most of the good weather I decided to leave assembling the pen barrels onto the furnishings for a day or so as I can do that part of the process inside the boat.

#288

NOW SOLD

Wenge and Titanium Colour Ballpoint Twist Pen

WENGE - Millettia laurentii

Usually pronounced WHEN-gii or WHEN-ghay, the wood has excellent strength and hardness properties, and is also dark enough to be used as a substitute for ebony. Heartwood is a very dark brown with black streaks. Upon application of a wood finish (particularly an oil-finish) the wood can become nearly black. 

Having left our fellow traders after a great weekend at Burton On Trent floating market we made our way to Alrewas. Its not a long cruise, only about four hours but there are not too many mooring options if you decide to shorten your trip. Not far after the delights of Branston water park the A38 dual carriageway hugs the side of the canal for several miles until you lock up to the river Trent for a short hop up to the Alrewas visitor moorings. 

I would have loved to spend some more time looking around the village or even returning to the National Arboretum a few miles away, but I had pens to turn. I'd spent a few evenings getting ready cutting, drilling, gluing and trimming the pen blanks ready for turning so I was already ahead of the game.

#288 was turned just above the river lock on the edge of the village of Alrewas on Thursday 28th May 2015. To make the most of the good weather I decided to leave assembling the pen barrels onto the furnishings for a day or so as I can do that part of the process inside the boat.

#287

NOW SOLD

Padouk and Chrome Ballpoint Twist Pen

PADOUK - Pterocarpus soyauxii

Padouk has a very unique reddish orange colouration, and the wood is sometimes referred to by the name Vermilion. Unfortunately, this dramatic colour is inevitably darkened to a deep reddish brown colour. Heartwood colour can vary, ranging from a pale pinkish orange to a deep brownish red. Most pieces tend to start reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening substantially over time to a reddish/purplish brown

Padouk is moderately heavy, strong, and stiff, with exceptional stability. It also has a beautiful aroma when turned and sanded. It is closely related to Amboyna. 

Having left our fellow traders after a great weekend at Burton On Trent floating market we made our way to Alrewas. Its not a long cruise, only about four hours but there are not too many mooring options if you decide to shorten your trip. Not far after the delights of Branston water park the A38 dual carriageway hugs the side of the canal for several miles until you lock up to the river Trent for a short hop up to the Alrewas visitor moorings. 

I would have loved to spend some more time looking around the village or even returning to the National Arboretum a few miles away, but I had pens to turn. I'd spent a few evenings getting ready cutting, drilling, gluing and trimming the pen blanks ready for turning so I was already ahead of the game.

#287 was turned just above the river lock on the edge of the village of Alrewas on Thursday 28th May 2015. To make the most of the good weather I decided to leave assembling the pen barrels onto the furnishings for a day or so as I can do that part of the process inside the boat.

#286

NOW SOLD

Zebrano and Chrome Ballpoint Twist Pen

ZEBRANO - Microberlinia brazzavillensis

Also called Zebrawood, Zebrano is a pale brown colour broken up by parallel darker streaks which create the zebra pattern that gives this timber its name. Zebrano has a coarse texture, and the interlocking grain is generally straight. With an oil finish, Zebrano can turn a dark brown colour.

Having left our fellow traders after a great weekend at Burton On Trent floating market we made our way to Alrewas. Its not a long cruise, only about four hours but there are not too many mooring options if you decide to shorten your trip. Not far after the delights of Branston water park the A38 dual carriageway hugs the side of the canal for several miles until you lock up to the river Trent for a short hop up to the Alrewas visitor moorings. 

I would have loved to spend some more time looking around the village or even returning to the National Arboretum a few miles away, but I had pens to turn. I'd spent a few evenings getting ready cutting, drilling, gluing and trimming the pen blanks ready for turning so I was already ahead of the game.

#286 was turned just above the river lock on the edge of the village of Alrewas on Thursday 28th May 2015. To make the most of the good weather I decided to leave assembling the pen barrels onto the furnishings for a day or so as I can do that part of the process inside the boat.

#285

NOW SOLD

Padouk and Chrome Ballpoint Twist Pen

PADOUK - Pterocarpus soyauxii

Padouk has a very unique reddish orange colouration, and the wood is sometimes referred to by the name Vermilion. Unfortunately, this dramatic colour is inevitably darkened to a deep reddish brown colour. Heartwood colour can vary, ranging from a pale pinkish orange to a deep brownish red. Most pieces tend to start reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening substantially over time to a reddish/purplish brown

Padouk is moderately heavy, strong, and stiff, with exceptional stability. It also has a beautiful aroma when turned and sanded. It is closely related to Amboyna. 

Having left our fellow traders after a great weekend at Burton On Trent floating market we made our way to Alrewas. Its not a long cruise, only about four hours but there are not too many mooring options if you decide to shorten your trip. Not far after the delights of Branston water park the A38 dual carriageway hugs the side of the canal for several miles until you lock up to the river Trent for a short hop up to the Alrewas visitor moorings. 

I would have loved to spend some more time looking around the village or even returning to the National Arboretum a few miles away, but I had pens to turn. I'd spent a few evenings getting ready cutting, drilling, gluing and trimming the pen blanks ready for turning so I was already ahead of the game.

#285 was turned just above the river lock on the edge of the village of Alrewas on Thursday 28th May 2015. To make the most of the good weather I decided to leave assembling the pen barrels onto the furnishings for a day or so as I can do that part of the process inside the boat.

#284

NOW SOLD

NB Dane and Black Titanium Colour Ballpoint Twist Pen

(25% of which will be donated to The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation for the continued upkeep of NB Dane)

EUROPEAN ELM - Ulmus procera

European Elm has is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. With an oil finish, it can turn a beautiful golden brown colour. Unless, of course, it's been kept at the bottom of a canal for an awfully long time.

Narrowboat Dane was built by the Mersey Weaver and Ship Canal Carrying Company and used as part of their fleet. She was built in November 1946 and first registered on January the first 1947. Ade from A P Boatbuilding is currently restoring her on behalf of The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the work being done is rebottomed with new chine planks, kelson, stem post and soon to receive two new bow planks, gunwales, decks, new back cabin and engine room. The pens that I will be making from Dane are all from a heavy lump of Elm bottom plate.

This pen was made on the 25th May 2015 opposite Shobnall fields in Burton On Trent. Where we had set up a floating market with fellow boaters from the Roving Canal Traders Association. We really had a great time with our fellow traders and enjoyed the company of some fantastic craftsmen.