Pen of the Week - 18th December 2017

[Phil Dart]

This week's Pen of the Week was chosen by me as last week's winner, and goes the polymer clay pen cast in clear resin on a 7mm slimline made by [MENTION=603]Bill Mooney[/MENTION]

A very difficult choice this week, with plenty of great pens to select from including some extremely worthy first pens from a number of newcomers to our craft. However, Bill's continuous ability to come up with the goods always inspires me. Bill has had a polymer clay blank cast in clear resin so that instead of just fitting and finishing, which would normally be the case with polymer clay blanks, it has allowed him to turn his signature shape on the pen, thereby elevating it to something extremely special. I am sure that Bill will not mind me mentioning too, that his work is all the more amazing because he is severely visually impaired, which many people may not be aware of. Well done Bill - it's a great pen, and please keep inspiring.



Here's the link to the original post. http://www.penturners.co.uk/other-material-turned-items/20917-polymer-clay-pens.html

 

[Cumbrian Craig]

Fantastic looking pen. I think Bill is an inspiration to a lot of pen turners.
Congratulations Bill

 

[Bill Mooney]

Hi Phil, thank you very much for giving me the honour of Pen of the week, it really has given me a lift. I strive to keep my standards as high as possible & it is comments like yours & many others which tell me I’m succeeding.as I can’t see the pens except in blurred form. It is feel, a reflection line from the light above the lathe & intuition which tells me the pen is right.
My pics are not so good because I can’t tell whether they’re in focus or not.
Thanks again Phil.

 

[silver]

Hi Phil, thank you very much for giving me the honour of Pen of the week, it really has given me a lift. I strive to keep my standards as high as possible & it is comments like yours & many others which tell me I’m succeeding.as I can’t see the pens except in blurred form. It is feel, a reflection line from the light above the lathe & intuition which tells me the pen is right.
My pics are not so good because I can’t tell whether they’re in focus or not.
Thanks again Phil.

Bill, its well deserved mate.

You are an inspiration to many on here, especially me.

I can't even start to think of how you manage to even get such a perfect shape, finish and pressing the pen together.

I had a go at turning with a blinfold on a couple of years ago, terrified me and my wife..

keep you good work up mate

 

[woodhacker]

Is that the blank the wife was waiting for Bill?
If so it was well worth the wait and you sir have made a fantastic job of turning it.
A really well deserved pen of the week.

 

[Paul hd]

Well done Bill. Fantastic work mate.

Kind Regards,
Paul

 

[Ray7756]

Fantasic pen and well deserved winner, where do you get those blanks ???
Cheers
Ray

 

[Bill Mooney]

Is that the blank the wife was waiting for Bill?
If so it was well worth the wait and you sir have made a fantastic job of turning it.
A really well deserved pen of the week.

These are the blanks Peter & thanks to you all for your nice comments.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Fantasic pen and well deserved winner, where do you get those blanks ???
Cheers
Ray

Hi Ray, google Toni Ransfield of go to her fb page for designs & prices. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Bill, its well deserved mate.

You are an inspiration to many on here, especially me.

I can't even start to think of how you manage to even get such a perfect shape, finish and pressing the pen together.

I had a go at turning with a blinfold on a couple of years ago, terrified me and my wife..

keep you good work up mate

Thanks Eamonn. When I met some of you guys at York & joined the forum it was like a new lease of life. So much to learn from you guys. I was a Woodturner who turns pens but with the help, encouragement & generosity of you guys I’ve become a penturner.

 

[yorkshireman]

The usual high standard Bill, well done mate

 

[Pastor of Muppets]

Fantasic pen and well deserved winner, where do you get those blanks ???
Cheers
Ray

This is Toni's website she does a huge range and will happily customise to your requests. She had my blanks made in a couple of days and they are currently in transit to the UK she was pretty hopeful they would arrive in time for Christmas

 

[Bucks]

Well done & well deserved Bill, that’s certainly a stunning pen

 

[Unique]

This is a truly beautiful pen. Well done.

Tony

 

[Gregory Hardy]

Delightful in every way...the pen, the blank, and the story of the man who made the pen.

Carlene (my wife) doesn't even know who "Bill Mooney" is, but she knows the name. Every time I come into the house from the shop complaining about my hands hurting or my eyes being tired, I always finish my whining with, "But Bill Mooney when INTO his shop with vision problems, made a beautiful pen, and still has something good to say about everything." You don't just inspire me to be a better pen maker, Mr. Mooney. You inspire me to be a better man.

Merry Christmas, Bill. Peace to you and yours from a long ways away.

 

[Penpal]

Revealing the comments Bill they have brought out so much information and your kindness to everyone, congratulations mate as always.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Thank you so much for the kind comments I feel very humbled. Some of you I’ll never meet yet we are still friends. What a great forum this is.
Inspiration works both ways & you guys inspire me to keep going & keep trying to do my best for myself & others.
I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas & a happy 2018.

 

[wm460]

Congratulations and well done Bill.

 

[Graham_C]

What a worthy winner of POTW Bill! Beautiful pen and your story is a true inspiration to many on here. Thank you

 

[Bammer]

Very nice Bill, well done