Category Archives: education

Watch Out For Fraud!

December 1, 2014education, Marketinggrossbar

A lot of my customers make money from their pens either full or part time. Sometimes we see a large order come in, and get so excited about it. But please look much closer before you start to fill the order.

I have had four of these types of proposals (two from Germany, one each from Finland & Spain) the last few days, so I thought I would pass this along to you as a public service announcement.
The latest scam is for a “buyer” from “overseas” to place a large order by credit card (which is stolen) for your pens or your supplies, and then ask you to use their shipper! This is the red flag! They will tell you to include the shipping in with the order, and usually tell you that his shipper will avoid all the “customs hassles” etc. That is why he uses their shipper, to avoid all the trouble and waiting time for UPS or USPS, and that is why it costs so much more.
The buyer will also tell you that his shipper will only accept Western Union as payment so you will have to go to the Western Union Office and wire the money for the shipping because you already got your money through the credit card (which is stolen). This is a clever scam, because by the time you send the money to Western Union they have already closed the account and cashed the Western Union Check and you are left holding a bad credit card order.
So, the bottom line for me is that I do not accept ANY foreign orders unless they pay with PayPal, and ship with UPS or USPS – No Exceptions!

Do any of you have your own tips for dealing with international orders?

Clear Casting Issues: What to do

September 9, 2014education, Export, tutorialExportgrossbar

Now that fall is approaching, more people will be getting back into their shops to make some pens. Clear casting your own acrylic pens is very popular.

An issue that may occur when clear casting your own blanks is that the acrylic does not entirely cure. In other words the acrylic is tacky to the touch. This can be caused by a number of issues:
1) Did you use the correct amount of hardener per the manufacturer’s instructions?
2) Is the ambient temperature where you are casting, within the range of acceptable temperature for curing the resin?
3) Humidity – is your particular area very humid?

The best ambient temperature will be around 60-70 degrees. However, most of us do not live in that type of climate year around, so adjust the number of drops of hardening or curing agent for the ambient temperature as per the directions that came with your particular resin kit.

Resin casting tubes with fishing flies (left) and seahorses (right)

Finished seahorses & shells resin casted pen.

If you did follow the instructions, and your cast was still tacky, a way to dry the acrylic is to place the mold in the direct path of the sun with a cover over it, and in about an hour it should dry, weather permitting. Another option for drying is a toaster oven, but please do not cook the mold! Turn on the toaster oven (with your spouse’s permission, of course) to about 120° and once it is warm, UNPLUG the oven, place the mold in the oven, close the door and let it cool down. This will definitely dry it quickly.

Now, I know someone out there will say “Then why can’t I just put the mold in the toaster oven to start with and accelerate the drying process?” Polyester resin needs a catalyst to get the reaction started, and when the catalyst is added, it generates heat. If you place the mold in an oven, you will only be generating more heat, and when the casting cools, it will be 10 times more brittle because you have heated it during the drying cycle! Polyester resin is brittle enough, without making it more brittle by overheating it.

I hope this will answer some questions about casting- we will delve into more casting issues in another blog entry.

Arrowmont – Student Portfolios

July 29, 2014education, Eventsgrossbar

It’s amazing the amount of quality work that you can do when you immerse yourself in the creative process. My recent week long class at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts proves this. Take a look at some of the student portfolios below. This is some really good work that they can truly be proud of!

Have ever considered attending a seminar, but thought that you couldn’t afford it? Once again, take a look at the portfolios below. In a market where simple Slimline pens sell for about $25, and more elaborate pens made with unique materials sell for over $100, you can see how much value is in the portfolios. Some students make a profit by attending classes. They sell the pens they make to pay for their actual expenses, PLUS they have learned new skills to expand their product lines, and make their turning more efficient.

Classes are a great way to fine tune your skills as a hobbyist, or really ramp them up and take that step into turning your skills into a business – pun intended! 😉