Author Archives: Patrick Sikes
The Importance of Pens
Author: maxine greco
Have you every wondered why pens are such popular gifts? Think graduation, new job, special birthday or promotion. The pen is the perfect choice for each occasion. You try to convey a certain polished and professional look in business. You make sure your shoes are shined, and you always want to carry a nice briefcase. You know that your clothing and appearance says a lot about you. Do you realize that every time you have to fill out a form or write down a note the pen you use makes an impression? Pens also make ideal corporate gifts because they can have a company name or logo engraved or silk-screened. They can also be individually monogrammed with your name or initials. Women and men in business will pay attention to the pen they are carrying as well as the jewelry and clothing they are using. They want the overall picture to look professional and well polished. Nothing says ‘re serious about your profession more than a fine writing instrument.
Pens are available in every price range. There are the very inexpensive type that is give always at trade shows and hotels. There are also beautiful pens by Cross for under $25.00 and there are very elegant pens from Mont Blanc that can cost as much as several thousand dollars. There are brands in between such as Waterman, Vantaggio, Waterford, Parker, Sheaffer, Fisher and Movado. You’ll find these pens in a wide array of colors and patterns, as well as the traditional gold and silver tone. Passport cases with a matching pen are one of the most useful of your travel accessories. There are also journals with matching pens and the very handy pad cover with a similar pen. Every time you take out your pen to make a note, you’ll be showing that you’re a professional.
Some pens will be dual purpose. There is a pen from Sheaffer that has a highlighter and a ballpoint in one. Cross-makes a tech-3 pen with a red and black ballpoint, and a pencil. The Movado pen comes in a case with a Movado clock as part of the presentation. This is a really impressive gift set. Cross and Waterman still offer the very traditional pen and pencil gift sets. Accountants and Architects will often request pencils as their usual writing instrument of choice. Crossword puzzles aficionados will write with either a pen or pencil depending on their confidence level. One of the most popular pens to always have available is the Fisher Space Pen. This pen is only four inches long when closed, easily fitting in your pocket, in your discount luggage pocket or in any carry bag. Since it will write in any direction, even upside down, it is especially handy when traveling. Those familiar with the pen know it has traveled a very long distance since it is the pen used by Astronauts on all space flights.
Graduation is the time of new beginnings. Pens are very popular at this time because we all realize the importance of the first impression. Everyone wants the first time employee to look professional and ready for business. Somehow carrying a neon inexpensive pen or a broken pencil will not convey that impression. It doesn’t matter what your credentials are, you need to show you are ready for business. Fine writing instruments are also the perfect gift for your boss for the same reason. Busy executives often have several different pens. A lot of them are collectors and love to purchase the newest of the pens offered. They’ll carry several of them in their pocket and also in their briefcase. There’s nothing worse than having to ask someone else for his or her pen. It shows you are not prepared, and often no one wants to lend to his or her pen for fear they will not get it back. After all, it’s not just a pen; it’s a fine writing instrument.
Article Source: http://www.articleclick.com/Article/The-Importance-of-Pens/953643
About the Author:
Maxine Greco has been in the luggage and travel business for over 38 years. She is currently working at Village Luggage and Gifts.
Thank you for all your support through Facebook over the past month! It was announced this morning that I had one the Woodcraft Leap Day Contest with my natural edge Black Ash Burl Lidded Bowl! The design was inspired by a piece by Cindy Drozda.
Check out the runner up and other great turnings at here.
Step right up! It’s the big top spin off! Win a $25 gift certificate to use on handcrafted fountain, rollerball, and ballpoint pens just by guessing how long the big top spins! Watch the video below to learn about the top, the giveaway, and see it spin. Visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/norskwoodshop to see what you could be winning!
How To Enter
Leave a comment on this post with your guess of how long the top spun and be sure to include the number of minutes & seconds and your email address so we can contact you. Then be sure to Like our FaceBook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/norskwoodshop for updates & more contests. Don’t delay, the contest ends at midnight on Saturday January 14th, 2012.
Fine Print
The contest is open to anyone over the age of 18 years anywhere in the world. The gift certificate has a value of $25 that can be used for merchandise & shipping charges on my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/norskwoodshop. The gift certificate expires 6 months after the date of issue. One guess per person. Contest ends midnight January 14, 2012. Winner will be notified by email. If they don’t respond in 1 week, the next closest time will be notified. If there is a tie for the closest time, I will use a random number generator to pick the winner.
Another great etsy treasury featuring gifts for the guy in your life including my amboyna & gold box elder burl fountain pen! Do you see something your guy would love?
‘Gift Ideas For Him’ by kellyos
 iPhone case, cell phone case… $35.00
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 Key Ring Secret Compartment … $12.50
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 Leather Journal Dark Chocola… $42.00
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 Amboyna & Gold Box Elder Bur… $75.00
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 Man Cave Enter at Your Own R… $10.00
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 Reserved: Soap for men SEXY … $72.00
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 Shaving Kit Set, Custom Craf… $279.95
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 Leather Briefcase Messenger … $299.00
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 FATHERS DAY – Airplane PROPE… $19.99
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 Black Bird Handmade Glass Co… $33.00
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 Hand-Stamped Men’s or Wo… $22.00
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 Acoustic Guitar Case – Pick … $20.00
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 Rice Bowl with Chopsticks/Wh… $26.00
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 Men’s Silver Diamond Sha… $82.00
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 Handknit Striped Scarf Mens … $25.00
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 Men’s Steampunk Gear Nec… $40.00
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New etsy treasury featuring my Black Ash Burl and Mother of Pearl Fountain Pen. What’s your favorite item on this treasury?
‘The unisex gift guide’ by YellowBugBoutique
 Felted Cobweb Scarf Unisex /… $58.00
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 Textured Ring-sterling silve… $41.00
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 EBONY: retro modern mail let… $62.00
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 Single Bulbosa Air Plant Pod… $11.00
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 HOME with Diagnonal Stripes … $28.00
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 Blackcurrant Souffle Cushion… $98.00
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 30% OFF- White Water Bottle … $17.50
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 Original Collage Art for Rol… $78.00
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 cereal bowl soup bowl ice cr… $16.00
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 Vintage 1918 Gray’s Anat… $12.00
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 Vintage RUBBER STAMP Stand H… $30.00
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 VEGAN Steampunk Motorcycle D… $140.00
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 Metal Wall Art Abstract Deco… $110.00
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 Smart Simple Secure.5 slot d… $22.00
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 Crouse Hinds Search light Vi… $550.00
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 Wood Fountain Pen Turned fro… $95.00
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Here are a few of the upcoming pen shows in 2011. While I will not be attending any of these shows with my fountain pens, I wanted to suggest you attend a show in your area to meet some great people and look at some fantastic pens.
Washington DC – August 11th, 12th (Preshow), 13th and 14th, 2011 – http://pencentral.com/
Dallas, Texas – September 23 & 24 – http://www.dallaspenshow.com
Troy, Michigan – October 14 & 15 – http://www.michpens.com/html/mi_pen_show.html
San Francisco, California – October 14, 15, & 16 – http://sanfranciscopenshow.net
Columbus, Ohio – November 3, 4, 5, & 6 – http://www.ohiopenshow.com
Join me at the Miami Pen Show next weekend (July 16 & 17, 2011) at the Biscayne Bay Marriot right in the heart of Miami. There will be many vendors selling many pens from vintage, to new factory made, and of course I will be there with my handcrafted fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and rollerball pens.
For more information including hotel information, ticket prices, classes, and location, visit www.MiamiPenShow.com.
See you there!
Caran d’Ache Amazon is the first green colored ink that I have tried. This is a great color and has awesome shading! This test was done using a Pelikan Script 1.5 pen on a A5 Rhodia lined pad. This was another sample from the Goulet Pen Company’s Ink Drop program.
This is the second Diamine ink color that I have tried out and I like this one a bit better than the Diamine Syrah I reviewed last year. This sample was written with one our our Baron style fountain pens with the included medium point nib on Rhodia lined paper.
I liked the blood red color very much however it’s darkness left little room for shading (at least with this medium nib pen). There was no evidence of feathering and the dry time was fine for what I normally see with Rhodia paper.
All in all, I think I will keep the rest of this Goulet Pens sample and may purchase a bottle at some point.
