October is the month for pumpkins, colorful leaves and Halloween costumes. For many woodworkers, it’s the time of year when the weather cools down and they get back into their workshops. It’s also the perfect opportunity to create some fabulous “pink” pens in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women and the second-most common cancer overall. About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. In 2015, an estimated 231,840 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. alone.
Pink ribbons, and the color pink in general, have become synonymous with breast cancer awareness and support for those lives affected by the disease.
Woodcraft offers several pen blanks and kits that will help you show your support in fabulous pink style! Use your woodworking for a good cause by making a pen for a breast cancer survivor or someone going through treatments or by donating one (or more!) to a local fundraiser. Any pink lover would be proud to use such a beautiful, handcrafted memento.
PEN BLANKS
Acrylic pen blanks take on a beautiful polish when turned on the lathe. Letter openers, key rings and seam rippers can also be made from a pen blank, which measures approx. 3/4″ x 3/4″ x 5″. Check out these four lovely blanks in varying shades of pink, available at your local Woodcraft store. (Completed projects in photos not included.)
(Shown with pen kit 158716, sold separately)
(Shown with pen kit 147459,sold separately)
(Shown with letter opener kit 150550, sold separately)
PEN KITS
These special pen kits feature the signature pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. Two styles in both chrome and gold give you several options from which to mix and match with the pink blanks. Or make one with wood for a nice contrast to the pink pen clip. To complete a pen, you will also need a pen blank, pen maker’s drill bit and pen/pencil bushings, all sold separately.
(Shown made from solid pink blank 158718, sold separately)
(Shown made from solid pink blank 158718, sold separately)
OTHER IDEAS
Here a couple more neat ideas. The pen inlay kit comes with the pieces necessary to create a unique pen blank (minus the pen kit, sold separately) – one stabilized Holly barrel, a dyed and stabilized Pink Holly ribbon and a stabilized Holly insert for the center of the ribbon.
The pink stylus tips are designed to work with the Stubby and Slim Style Stylus kits. Simply unscrew your existing tip, and replace with the pink to match any of the blanks above. The stylus tips work on most touch screen devices like cell phones or tablets.
849793 – Pen Inlay Kit for Wall Street II & III pens
(Shown with pen kit 150864, sold separately) - We are sorry, this kit is no longer available.
Stop by your local Woodcraft store to see their selection of pen blanks and kits or to find out when their next pen turning class will be held, if you’ve never made a pen. It’s easier than you think. I hope you’ll be inspired!
Thanks to cancer research, treatment and early detection, millions of women are surviving breast cancer today, including my own mother and a best friend (both pictured with me at right – my mother Cheryl in top photo and friend Teresa in bottom photo). Breast cancer can also affect men - more than 2,000 men are diagnosed each year.
A few words to the wise: don’t ignore breast lumps or changes; maintain a healthy lifestyle; and talk to your physician to see if you are at risk. The American Cancer Society also encourages regular breast exams and mammograms to find breast cancer early, when it is most likely to be curable.
Take care of yourselves, and don’t forget to take care of each other along the way!
We hope you'll be inspired!
