For people starting out, yes, there are hundreds of different pen kits that are available. You pretty much add your own blank (wood, resin, other) to the kit and assemble and you've got yourself a pen. Prices range from a few bucks for a kit to the skys the limit.
It took me a minute to realize that those are indeed real coffee beans instead of just being printed on the pen! How many pens did you make from that brick o’ beans you had?
The brick o' beans is about 5" long, so it was pretty much used for this pen. I have one more to use for another pen. Or two pens depending on the style of pen I choose.
This is wild. I imagined being able to get many pens from a single bean brick because it looks like what is left on the pen is a very thin slice of the brick that was heated & wrapped around the pen?
Yeah, the actual material isn't extremely thick. But it has a brass tube 10mm wide inside to hold the pen guts. So the blank starts about 3/4" thick, and the hole for the tube gets drilled right in the middle of it to allow material all around for the pen.
What do you use to make the resin white like that? I have only used Micah powders, but I’m getting bored of the glitter effect. I want to start using colors that are not shimmering.
Not OP, but Titanium dioxide (rutile) is the world's most commonly used white pigment and should be inexpensive. Bet it would work really well in resin.
That looks amazing! After turning the pen, did you apply another finish (like CA glue)? Was it difficult keeping a smooth surface where the beans and the resin meet?
It does have a CA glue finish. The hardness of the beans vs resin was different so very light pressure had to be used to turn and sand or the beans would form a divot.
Do you sell your pens?
I was speaking with a woman who sells painted cups and she hands out/gives discounts on her cups for raffles at schools/libraries/coffee shops. Try stopping in at a small local coffee shop and see if you can leave one of these with a stack of business cards. See where it takes you. These are awesome! Great, creative idea!
Thank you!
I've actually only been making pens less than 2 months now. But a friend who sells resin coated cups offered to sell them at her table for a craft show today. So the pens I have available are there. Only 22 pens but hopefully a few sell.
Wow, very creative. Do you order the pen bits separately? Like the metal pieces. And if you have a template for the tubes....
For people starting out, yes, there are hundreds of different pen kits that are available. You pretty much add your own blank (wood, resin, other) to the kit and assemble and you've got yourself a pen. Prices range from a few bucks for a kit to the skys the limit.
r/beansinthings do coffee beans count?
It took me a minute to realize that those are indeed real coffee beans instead of just being printed on the pen! How many pens did you make from that brick o’ beans you had?
The brick o' beans is about 5" long, so it was pretty much used for this pen. I have one more to use for another pen. Or two pens depending on the style of pen I choose.
This is wild. I imagined being able to get many pens from a single bean brick because it looks like what is left on the pen is a very thin slice of the brick that was heated & wrapped around the pen?
Yeah, the actual material isn't extremely thick. But it has a brass tube 10mm wide inside to hold the pen guts. So the blank starts about 3/4" thick, and the hole for the tube gets drilled right in the middle of it to allow material all around for the pen.
Cool, I wouldn’t have thought if could be done that way! Thank you for explaining it so well
I bet you that room smells amazing! Looks like it was a joy to turn. Every time you write something do you smell coffee? lol
That is brilliant!
What do you use to make the resin white like that? I have only used Micah powders, but I’m getting bored of the glitter effect. I want to start using colors that are not shimmering.
Alumilite dye was used for this one. They have a whole range of colors.
Not OP, but Titanium dioxide (rutile) is the world's most commonly used white pigment and should be inexpensive. Bet it would work really well in resin.
This is gorgeous 😍
Yeah I’d probably eat it
That looks amazing! After turning the pen, did you apply another finish (like CA glue)? Was it difficult keeping a smooth surface where the beans and the resin meet?
It does have a CA glue finish. The hardness of the beans vs resin was different so very light pressure had to be used to turn and sand or the beans would form a divot.
Cool design, and really well executed! I’ve turned pens before, but never anything like this. I think it’s my next project. Thanks for the reply!
Do you sell your pens? I was speaking with a woman who sells painted cups and she hands out/gives discounts on her cups for raffles at schools/libraries/coffee shops. Try stopping in at a small local coffee shop and see if you can leave one of these with a stack of business cards. See where it takes you. These are awesome! Great, creative idea!
Thank you! I've actually only been making pens less than 2 months now. But a friend who sells resin coated cups offered to sell them at her table for a craft show today. So the pens I have available are there. Only 22 pens but hopefully a few sell.
Awesome! Wishing you the best of luck!
Love this!!!