Junior David Isenberg makes and sells pens

By Henry Zhu
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How do you make the pens?
I first take blocks of either wood or plastic and I cut it in half. Then I drill a hole in the center and glue a pen tube inside. I then put it on a spindle to shape the pen. Then I use progressively rougher sandpaper to smooth the pens out.

How long does it take to make a pen?
On average, it takes about an hour from start to finish. The shortest it has taken was 30 minutes while the longest was about two hours.

Where did you get the idea to start making pens?
I came across this pen-making catalogue and I asked my dad if I could try it. He agreed, and then we went out and got the supplies. It was kind of spur-of-the-moment.

How long have you been making pens?
I started near the end of my sophomore year, probably around April.

How have things changed from when you started making the pens?
I’ve gotten a lot better. I can do them of a higher quality and a lot faster now.

Where did you get the materials?
I get it both from an online supplier called Woodturningz and their distribution center in Westfield.

Where do you make pens?
We have the machinery and stuff at my dad’s office, and I can go up there on the weekends if I want to.

Why do you make pens?
Originally it was just as a fun hobby, but more recently I’m making and selling them to fund my Eagle Project for Boy Scouts. I’m trying to raise at least $500 for materials to build rolling costume racks for the drama and costume departments here.

What’s the Eagle Project?
The Eagle Scout is the highest ranking scout and one of their requirements is a service project benefiting the community I have to lead and organize. I’m still in the beginning fundraising stages of it, but I have the ideas set.

Has your family been supportive of you making pens?
My dad has generously donated all of the materials for this project because it costs about 10 to 15 dollars to make each pen and so I don’t have to pay for all of the costs.

Why did you choose to help the drama and choir departments?
I’ve been involved in both Orchestra and Tech Theatre so I feel like I have a connection to the Performing Arts, and they don’t have nearly enough racks for the costumes.

Do you plan to continue making pens? For how long?
Definitely, it’s really fun to make the pens and then to see people’s reactions when they realize I made it is also really encouraging. It’s a lot of fun. I plan to make them for as long as possible, hopefully even when I continue into college.

How has selling the pens been?
The wooden pens are $17 dollars and the plastic or acrylic ones are about $22. I have made around $200 so far. I have sold about 10 or 15 pens and have like eight or nine on order. A lot of people buy them for birthday or Christmas gifts.

What would you say is the hardest part of making these pens?
It’s a very delicate process. With the wooden ones, too much force will shatter the pen, and with the acrylic ones, the plastic will crack if it heats up too much in the sanding.

What would you say is the hardest part of selling the pens?
As for selling them, it’d have to be the cost. It’s so expensive to make first of all – the  blocks and pen kits cost $10 alone – and thus the price is kind of high. It’s kind of difficult to sell them when people can go buy a pack of pens for a couple dollars.

How do you balance school and extracurricular with making the pens?
I try to get a lot of my stuff done on the weekend so I can go up and make pens on the weekend, but sometimes I can’t make pens because it’s too much of a time squeeze with all my other stuff. It’s taught me how to better manage my time better since I realize I have to make these if I want to progress on my Eagle Project. I have to make sure I don’t procrastinate on schoolwork so I’ll have the time to make the pens.

What are some of your ideas for the future with making pens?
I’m looking into expanding into different types and styles of acrylics and there are also different kinds of pen kits from key chains to little whistle things. I also have this new coffee bean material a can make pens with. I’m also leaning towards the “mini-bullet” pen that’s different from what I’ve done before. There are lots of different styles for me to explore.

How can those interested in buying pens contact you?
I’m on Facebook, and they could message me or contact me during SRT or something.

What are some of the positive aspects of making pens?
It’s given me a different perspective on artwork, and it’s taught me a lot about organization and time management.

What are some of your most memorable experiences from making and selling pens?
The first pen, like the first anything, is always a big excitement. Also, it’s the reaction I get from other people and their shock is always a great experience. It’s a great feeling to watch others enjoy what you make.