When I began making penholders, I believed that creating my own tools would lead me down the path to become a master penman. I created for the purpose of improving myself, but along that path I rediscovered the joy of creating for others.
I began making penholders in my parents’ basement, Christmas Day 2018. I was still in college at the time, so I only had a few days to practice before I was back off to school, but those 12 penholders I made were the start of a deep passion. I got the occasion break to come home and make a few pens on the weekends, but it wasn't until the summer of 2019 that I started to create full-time. It was that summer that I attended my first IAMPETH conference. It was also the first time I ever made my own money. I remember sobbing in the corner of the Vendor’s Hall on the last day after speaking to Michael Sull about how happy I was. I learned so many things from Hoang, and Dan there that as soon as I got home, I started to expand my skill set as much as possible.
That autumn I visited John Neal Books and I started selling replica holders through his website, and I still do to this day. At this point in my story, I was making enough money to afford my supplies and have a little extra to myself, but then we enter 2020.
As I graduated from university into the worst pandemic to sweep the planet in the past 100 years, I was unable to move directly into a job of graphic design. So, I kept doing what I was already doing and made my penholders as my only source of income. It was fun, but I knew that with a monthly income of at most $100 I wasn't going to survive living out of my parents' wings.
September 2020 was my lowest point. I was pushing myself to do everything possible to make a living doing what I loved, and everything was failing. Pressure from my family made everything seem like pen making was coming to a close. And on the 9th of September, I sat down, and I wrote a letter to myself. I told myself that if I couldn't make $200 that month, then I would quit pen making as a career and get a job in Graphic Design. That month was the first time I met my goal. After that, I was reaffirmed in myself that this was what I was meant to do with my life. With every order, I included a bird flourish. These are my flourishes of gratitude. I vow with every holder I will include a flourish to express my deepest thanks for allowing me to continue my mission to create penholders to outlast us all. For every person who shared in their knowledge, their time, and their support I am eternally gracious.