Category Archives: News

New Model — The Troubadour

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800_troubadour_springtime_forest4

I’m excited to announce the Scriptorium’s newest addition to its model lineup — The Troubadour! I’ve always loved vintage pen designs, and many of my models display that influence.

The new Troubadour reflects the classic streamlined torpedo shape of the vintage Sheaffer Oversize Balance of the 1930′s. It features a smooth, straight barrel with an end taper leading to a slightly blunted point.  Exuberant and aerodynamic, the Troubadour is reminiscent of a bygone era in fountain pen history.

Troubadour in Springtime Forest alumilite

Troubadour in Springtime Forest alumilite (Click for more images)

The model pictured here is a Medium sized Troubadour, with a barrel diameter of .54″. It is 5.9″ capped, 5.15″ uncapped, and 6.65″ posted. It’s also available in Small, Large, and Oversized. I hope you like it!

More News

Scriptorium Pens has been busy behind the scenes with lots of design work and prototyping on new models, including desk pens and pens featuring a “no-roll” flat area. Also in the works — custom clips! I’m super excited about these, and will reveal more information later. 🙂  Other plans are in the works which will increase the quantity and quality of output, including upgrades to a better working space and the addition of a metal lathe and other equipment.  Scriptorium Pens is growing, and that means working inside the house is no longer practical. While it might be fun to look out the sliding glass door all day at the beautiful back yard, the new metal lathe will need a shop of its own. My family is assisting me in the renovation/remodeling of my father’s old workshop out back, and we hope to be able to move into it soon. 🙂  As you can see, SP is bustling with activity right now.  Thank you for helping to make it that way!

Social Media – Instagram, Twitter, and Flickr

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In case some of you didn’t know, Scriptorium Pens is active on Twitter, Instagram, and Flickr. With Twitter and Instagram, I post news items, pictures of works in progress, behind -the-scenes shots, and various other shop-related things. On Flickr, I post large resolution pictures of all my custom pens for a really close-up view. Check out the links below and start following to keep up with the latest happenings at the Scriptorium!

Twitter

 

Twitter: @ScriptoriumPens 

 

Instagram

 

Instagram: Scriptorium_Pens

 

Flickr

 

Flickr: Renée’s Pen Gallery

New Material in time for our Spring Green 5% off Sale!

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Scriptorium Pens recently commissioned some new pen blanks from designer Jonathon Brooks! It’s a lovely alumilite with woodgrain-like swirls of silvery taupes, browns, and pale spring greens in our Forest Wood blank series. We’re calling it Springtime Forest. Perfect material for our Spring Green 5% off sale of any pen made with green in the blank!  Sale runs through midnight, March 20th.

Springtime Forest Alumilite 1 Springtime Forest Alumilite 2 Springtime Forest Alumilite 3 Springtime Forest Alumilite 4

New Material for a New Year

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I’ve long been an admirer of the fabulous pen blanks poured by artist Jonathon Brooks. He has a unique way of mixing colors for dramatic effect that really makes his work stand out. After commissioning him to create some special blanks for a customer in a hard to find coral color, I realized he was the one who could make some material I’ve been wanting for a long time. I asked him to create an alumilite blank that would look like a winter forest at nighttime, with the moonlight glinting off the snow and the silvery, ice-coated tree limbs. We ended up with two different variations, one light, one dark — both a silvery taupe with hints of ice blue and tawny gold shimmering in a pearlescent mist. The lighter version is called Moonlit Forest, and the darker is Midnight Forest. I immediately made a pair of Master Scriveners with them as soon as they arrived. Both went to family members as Christmas Holiday gifts. 🙂

Master Scrivener in Midnight Forest alumilite, Sterling Silver Cap Band

Master Scrivener in Midnight Forest alumilite with Sterling Silver Cap Band

Master Scrivener in Moonlit Forest alumilite

Master Scrivener in Moonlit Forest alumilite with Sterling Silver Cap Band

Pen Dimensions Chart

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I’ve finally gotten around to making a pdf chart with the dimensions of all the different models and sizes of Scriptorium Pens. It can be found here and on the Pen Sizes page. The sizes should be used as a general guide only. Since all Scriptorium pens are hand made, every pen will be a little bit different. The biggest difference in most sizes will be found in the diameter of the barrels and caps. Overall lengths won’t vary too much. Of course, any customizations may alter a particular pen’s dimensions, too.  At any rate, I hope this chart will prove to be useful to anyone trying to decide on what size pen they are looking for!

Cap Bands and another New Model: The Master Scrivener

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As a follow-up to last week’s introduction of the new Scrivener, today I’m introducing the Scrivener’s dressier sibling, the Master Scrivener:

Master Scrivener in Elven Wood alumilite with Copper Clip and Cap Band

Master Scrivener in Elven Wood alumilite with Copper Clip and Cap Band

Inspired by vintage pen styles from the 1930′s, the Master Scrivener gives a nod especially to the Wahl Eversharp Doric with its elongated cap and tall, peaked finial. The gently curving spoon clip is available in a variety of finishes to help create a distinctive look for your custom pen, and the metal cap band lends added flair. The barrel’s subtle waistline provides a comfortable, well-balanced handhold and allows the cap to be posted deeply and securely. Like the other Scriptorium offerings, the Master Scrivener has a Cartridge/Converter/Eyedropper filling system.

Master Scrivener in Elven Wood alumilite with Copper Band and ClipAlso notice the new decorative cap band on the Master Scrivener. I’m excited to be able to offer cap bands and finial washers on my pens for the  first time. Bands are available in Sterling Silver, Copper, Jeweler’s Brass, and Aluminum, and in several thickness options as well.

New Model — The Scrivener

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Scrivener in Black and Tan alumilite - 7

I’m excited to announce a new pen design called the Scrivener. Its shape is reminiscent of the vintage pens of the 1930’s like the Wahl Eversharp Doric and Equipoise. This design features a long, elegant cap with a tall finial, and a smooth barrel with gently curved waistline. The long cap posts deeply, and is comfortably balanced posted, even for those who normally prefer to write unposted, like me. 🙂

Scrivener in Abalone Lava Explosion_ - 1

The clip, a rolling “bowling ball” style, is available in 24k gold, nickel, or chrome. The section has a smooth transition to the barrel threads and body for a clean line and comfortable handhold. Here are a few more pics, or visit the Scrivener page to see them all. Look for more new designs coming soon, including models with bands!

Scrivener in Abalone Lava Explosion_ - 4

Scrivener in Black and Tan alumilite - 1

Scrivener in Abalone Lava Explosion_ - 8

Pen Rests are now available!

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Scriptorium Chronicler with Matching Pen Rest I’ve been wanting to offer pen rests ever since I started making pens. I’ve experimented with lots of ideas and, after much trial and error, have come up with a design and a manufacturing process that works for me. Basically, a pen rest doesn’t have to do much except hold a pen or cap to keep it from rolling away, right? I wanted a design that was functional, unobtrusive, and that would look good with any pen style. I think this one fits the mark.

I also wanted to offer pen rests for anyone, not just those who order clipless pens. (They’ll get a matching pen rest automatically.) Enter the Standard Model pen rest in one, two, and three slot styles. I chose two basic, go-with-anything materials for this standard model: Alabaster Swirl and the ever-popular Solid Black.

Standard Pen Rest in Alabaster or Black

But what if someone has a favorite pen and wants a special pen rest to go with it? Enter the Custom Model! I make custom pens, so why not custom pen rests, too? I’m delighted to be able to add this writing accessory to my product line-up, and look forward to making lots of them! Check out the new Pen Rest page for details. I think they’ll make excellent stocking stuffers, too!

Introducing Scriptorium Pens!

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Welcome to Scriptorium Pens, a new source for custom, handcrafted fountain pens!

Balladeer in Lava Explosion #3 - Large

Balladeer in Lava Explosion #3 – Large

Just over a year ago I got a woodworking lathe and began to learn how to make custom, kitless pens. With the generous help and advice from a couple of experienced penturners from the Fountain Pen Network and the International Association of Penturners, I was able to hit the ground running. A few months later, people were starting to ask if they could purchase my pens. Success caught me by surprise, and I was soon making pens on a regular basis. It’s been 10 months since I sold my first pen, and the requests keep coming in. This hobby has turned into a full-time business, much to my surprise and joy! It’s time to move to the next level with a real web site — with answers in one place to all those questions customers ask in emails.

Company Name

Custom Muse - "Bama Pen" in Alabaster and Ruby Tortoise

Custom Muse – “Bama Pen” in Alabaster and Ruby Tortoise

One new question that’s sure to come up is where the company name comes from. As a retired English teacher, I’d already started naming my pen models with titles for people who write, who create, who tell stories or pass along news, looking back to the oral tradition. I’ve a definite leaning toward words evocative of myth and fantasy. One place where those elements come together is the writing room of medieval monasteries. In the Scriptorium, monks copied important religious documents, collected stories, and created their magnificent Illuminated Manuscripts, adding countless works of art to our literary legacy. Of course, they also made their own pens and ink. So, the medieval scriptorium provides the perfect confluence of associations that I was searching for in a pen company name!

Scribe in Mardi Gras Lava Explosion #9 with custom grip & finial

Scribe in Mardi Gras Lava Explosion #9 with custom grip & finial

In the days to come I’ll be filling the site with product images and information. Expect things to change frequently as I experiment with the best way to organize and arrange the site. Hopefully it will all be squared away soon. In the meantime, you can still visit my Flickr Pen Gallery to see my work. Thanks for stopping by!