Staff Pens
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Make your own customizable pens to write your story. I loved making these, I made so many I lost count. The beauty of this project is that you can swap out the pen cartridges when ever you need. I enlisted the help of my husband for the drilling and sanding, ask your favorite tool-worker for help with this project if you haven’t done something like this before. My eight-year-old son loved helping with this project.
WHAT YOU NEED
Sticks
Bic Ballpoint Pens
Drill and 6″ Drill Bit 9/64
Belt Sander & Sandpaper
Table Vise
Paint & Brushes or Nail Polish
E6000 Craft Glue
Crystals
Optional: Washi Tape, Kabob Skewers, Wood Carving Tools
DIRECTIONS
1 Find a stick that is approximately 5.75″ long and 0.5″ diameter.
2 First clamp the stick tight in the vise, and using drill and bit and a steady hand drill through the stick to create the hole for the ink cartridge.
3 Next using a belt sander or similar sanding tool, sand off the bark, but keeping some of the unique shapes and knots of the stick.
4 Check that ink cartridge of the pen fits nicely inside your stick, then remove and set the cartridge aside.
5 Verify the gem fits nicely in the top of your pen. If necessary using hand held wood carving knife make the opening slightly larger, checking fit with each cut. Some sticks have a natural grove in them, that is a nice place for the gem as well.
6 Using paint or my personal preference nail polish, paint your stick from end to end with any design you choose. I use Kabob sticks to allow myself to paint and dry the sticks. Nail polish has a beautiful finished sheen and it dries quickly. I often do a base color and then once it is dry using washi tape to create the straight edges I add an accent color.
7 Using the E6000 craft glue, glue your gem or stone in the top end of your stick.
8 Once the glue has cured, insert your pen into the stick and start writing!