Custom handmade pens from Jensby Designz

“Sawdust is man glitter.” That statement was in one of Jensby Designz Instagram posts. Such truth deserves to proselytized.

Jensby Designz looks to be a one-man operation, though that might not be entirely correct — from the looks of that IG feed the young proprietor may have the help of an equally young bride, a very young (as in n0t-yet-crawling) minion and at least one lab-heeler mix shop dog. Jensby Designz builds custom handmade pens of all sorts. Some other pieces like hair sticks, wood implements and Christmas ornaments make their appearance, apparently just as the whim (or an order) strikes him.

We’re starting 2016 out right — I’ll be showcasing worthy small American businesses all through the month of January, though SHOT 2016 might interrup that. Capitalism is part of the foundation upon which our great republic stands, and small business is a vital part of that. Join us in recognizing and acknowledging that truth and supporting craftsmen and small businesses. Happy EntrepreNewYear. -DR

This is the “Gatsby Twist Pen.” At a price of $36, it's actually on the higher end of the Jensby Designz price scale. Surprising, that, given the evident quality of the work and the material. A handmade inkstick, it uses a Parker refill and is a ballpoint.

This is the “Princeton Ballpoint Twist Pen.” It's handcrafted from coolabah (a term I thought maybe they made up but turned out to be a species of Eucalyptus tree),  burl and chrome.

This is an “Executive Twist Pen.” It's Asian satin burl, brass and gold. $35.

Bolt action pens, gear pens, fountain pens, rollerballs…insert “pens” into that Forrest Gump rain monologue and you'll get the idea of the Jensby Designz range. Lots of styles. All gorgeous.

Among the materials they use: acrylic, burl, deer antler, cyprus, red cedar, lacewood, spalted maple, mallee burl, rhodium, titanium and others — even lignum vitae. For instance, here are some “pen blanks” of Australian sugar gum burl, red alumilite with aluminum shavings and another burl with alumilite.

You can shop via their Etsy store or communicate with them on Instagram (@jensbydesignz) to have a Paypal invoice sent (which you can then use to pay by credit card or your own Paypal account).

Here's a little up close, behind the scenes action.

You can find my complete roundup of Happy EntrepreNewYear posts right here.