Establishing what you like in a kit is personal what I choose you may not like down to you. Which car do you choose why? etc down to you. The house you live in.
With regard to pen kits many firms have made up examples to guide you and work sheets to aid in the making.I have no clue where Southport is perhaps there are markets you can attend where pens are sold, a wood group you can join I will look later on a map but in the forum ideas should abound that ma y help you.
Peter.