Six Months Into and A Website

[penwash]

This months marks my sixth month into FP hobby.
Six months ago, I wouldn't have thought that I'd be immersed in this wonderful world of fountain pens and "meet" such wonderful people in the community.

During this six month I've had so much fun with this hobby that culminates in a website called Redeem Pens that I finished developing recently.
A website for what?

For the two things that I love to do with fountain pens:
1. Sketches
2. Restoring vintage ones

Why? Part of the reason is research on the framework that supports the website to see if I can use it in my next business applications. If the website also can help me keep track of pens that I sold and are selling, even better.

I'm not good with words, so I'll just be brief (but no less heartfelt) and say THANK YOU to all the members here who have fed me with good knowledge about fountain pens and inspire me with your wits, passion, and camaraderie.

[Marsilius]

Nice looking website, Will, and great to see all your sketches in one place. And the writing samples are compelling adverts for the pens.

[fountainpagan]

Nice site.

Does this mean you not be feeding the sketchs thread anymore?

[Marsilius]

Nice site.

Does this mean you not be feeding the sketchs thread anymore?

A little cross-referencing and redundancy never hurts on the internet. A picture here can easily link to your sight, but assume you already thought of that.

[penwash]

Nice looking website, Will, and great to see all your sketches in one place. And the writing samples are compelling adverts for the pens.

Thank you! I enjoy doing the writing sample. I can only write The Quick Brown Fox... so many times (hahaha)

Nice site.

Does this mean you not be feeding the sketchs thread anymore?

I'll address this with my reply to Marsilius comment below.

Nice site.

Does this mean you not be feeding the sketchs thread anymore?

A little cross-referencing and redundancy never hurts on the internet. A picture here can easily link to your sight, but assume you already thought of that.

Good idea.
I'll put my website link in my signature, and I'll keep posting sketches in FPGeek.

[fountainpagan]

[Anne]

Nice site and beautiful sketches as always!
Inevitable question, do you accept pens for restoration work?

[penwash]

Anne, Thank you kindly!

The answer is it depends, at this time this is just a fun hobby for me. The beauty of restoring pens that I find on my own is that it follows my pace. Sometimes it would be a month before I find a nib that fits a certain barrel or a barrel that fits that beautiful orphaned nib. But I don't have to worry about time because I can sell whenever I have something to sell.

If I start accepting restoration work, then I will be obligated to put priorities on the commissioned work.
I don't know if I can afford to do that in addition to running my business (my real day -- and night -- job, hahaha)

But I welcome requests if anyone would like to get a certain kind of pen, it'd be fun for me to try to find it.

Hope that doesn't sound too wishy-washy

[Anne]

Anne, Thank you kindly!

The answer is it depends, at this time this is just a fun hobby for me. The beauty of restoring pens that I find on my own is that it follows my pace. Sometimes it would be a month before I find a nib that fits a certain barrel or a barrel that fits that beautiful orphaned nib. But I don't have to worry about time because I can sell whenever I have something to sell.

If I start accepting restoration work, then I will be obligated to put priorities on the commissioned work.
I don't know if I can afford to do that in addition to running my business (my real day -- and night -- job, hahaha)

But I welcome requests if anyone would like to get a certain kind of pen, it'd be fun for me to try to find it.

Hope that doesn't sound too wishy-washy

Not wishy-washy. It might take the fun out of it if you started getting bogged down with requests. I think that happens with full time restorers!
I know exactly how you feel about not wanting time constraints. I think working at your own pace as you say is a good way to go.

[penwash]

Anne, exactly.
Another goal of mine is to introduce younger generation to vintage pens.

You would think that's an easy task, but apparently not.

[Deb]

Very nice, orderly website. Best of luck with your pen sales and I so enjoy your sketches.

[penwash]

Thank you, Deb. Coming from you, it means a lot.

That website is work in progress. I hope one day it'll become as elegant as yours

[katherine]

You're only six months in? Amazing! How did you get started with restoration work?

[Anne]

Anne, exactly.
Another goal of mine is to introduce younger generation to vintage pens.

You would think that's an easy task, but apparently not.

I know - I have a lot of respect for people who get their friends, family, coworkers, etc. into fountain pens.
Therefore, your goal is definitely a worthy one.

[Sailor Kenshin]

I can't see the web site.

[penwash]

You're only six months in? Amazing! How did you get started with restoration work?

I collect and (to some degree) fix vintage cameras, so I am not a stranger to ebay nor restoring vintage stuff.

Once I get into FPs, I start getting them from ebay. I sold some extra lenses to fund the purchase, and I start tinkering with them, in the process, I get to know and got pointers from a local pen restorer and collector (now he, is a real deal).

Then I realized that if I pace myself, learn from mistakes, and not hurry, I ended up with restored pens that works. Sure I kept some, but I can't keep them all, so I start selling them (you can see them in the Sold Pens page on my website). Most of my clients told me that they liked the pens. The ones who didn't respond to my "How do you like it" inquiry, well, I don't know.

But one thing is certain, pens that I sold has been tested by me for days, sometimes weeks. I never sell pens that I won't keep myself. Sometimes I wish I kept them (hahaha).

[penwash]

I know - I have a lot of respect for people who get their friends, family, coworkers, etc. into fountain pens.
Therefore, your goal is definitely a worthy one.

I do too. I am not one of them
But at least I can supply those with nice, working, and most of the time unique vintage pens.

[penwash]

I can't see the web site.

Oh no. That's odd, what browser do you use?
What does it say when the website didn't load?

[Sailor Kenshin]

Safari....and all I see is a blank page.

[penwash]

Yeah, me and Apple stuff are not getting along too swimmingly.
Grrr... it works fine on Chrome (which incidentally uses the same engine as Safari).

Thanks for letting me know. I'll fix it ASAP.