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Wood-N-Whimsies Newsletter
April 2012
WHAT'S ON SALE THIS MONTH

For  our Newsletter Subscribers Only:
10% off our gorgeous new  South American Exotic Pen Blank Sets.  Enter Coupon Code "EXWB10" at Checkout
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15% off all Dymondwood Purchases     (While Supplies Last)
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#1 MOM Inlay Blank is just $12.50 each
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Polyburl Blanks $12.75 each
PBGOLD
PBMAROON
PBPURPLE
PBAQUA
PBGREEN
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Abranet Sanding Sets $6.75 each
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Micro Block Sanding Sets $14.50 each
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Easy Mold Silicone Putty
1/2-lb $12.99
1-lb $28.99

Greetings!
     I am back from New Zealand and I must say that it is
Dink says, "The onlyest thing I know is that I have my spot reserved in the suitcase for the next trip, I WILL be going."
one very nice country. I spent two weeks with my Aunt Lisa going up and down the hills on some extremely windy roads. If you have ever driven the needles Highway in South Dakota, or traveled Hwy 60 in West Virginia between I-64 in Virginia and Charleston, West Virginia then you know what I'm talking about. They definitely have the market cornered on steep windy roads.
     I did find out something about ancient Kauri Wood and it may not be what some of  you want to hear ---- but. Beware of buying wood that is not really what it is claimed to be. These trees still grow and most of the wood sold outside New Zealand is wood reclaimed from downed "new" trees. This wood comes from massive evergreen trees called Tane Mahuta which in the native Maori language means "God Of The Forest". The standing trees, some of which are over 2000 years old are protected and cannot be harvested. So you see, If you happen to come across an actual supply of the real 50,000 year old Kauri Wood which is dug up out of old peat beds, you will pay very very dearly for it.
     Beware, Those little certificates of authenticity, they are actually made up (usually) by the person selling you the wood and there are lots of scammers out there.  I saw some of the real deal ancient Kauri wood which had been converted into a table top knick-knack and it looked almost nothing like the samples I was sent from a vendor in New Zealand. The real stuff was so much more rich in color and glow that it didn't look anything like the now obvious BS samples I had been sent in the mail. The real stuff took on an almost smooth brown to red marble stone appearance.  Very pretty stuff.
     The display I saw was on a table at the Llandaff Country Residence Bed and Breakfast Inn in Masterton , New Zealand. If you are ever in New Zealand and pass through Masterton you must get a reservation and stay there. It is one really nice old time country experience. Miriam and Robin Dunlop own the place and do a really fine job of it. The gardens and decor are absolutely perfect. You will want for nothing, I guarantee it!  
TECH TALK
 
     One of my pen making cohort buddies down the road pointed out something very interesting to me the other day. It was ever so simple that it sort of dumbfounded me. A lot of us have spent good money on special size hardened steel shafts to remove parts from our 7mm pen tubes. My friend was using a door pin out of a door hinge to knock out twist mechanisms and other parts and what do you know, it's perfect. It is really nice and hard and it has a nice flat head on it to pound on with a hammer.
     Most of us have things like this laying about the shop that can be put to good use. A simple tool for a simple job. Just thought I would share that with you.
    

I have been getting quite a few calls and emails lately about basic pen drilling and turning techniques.  I think this is great because that means there are still lots of folks getting into turning!   In some of the upcoming news letters I will be re-visiting some of the old tricks and getting some of the newer turners up to speed. If you have any old tricks that you think are the greatest idea since sliced bread then please let me know so we can get the word out.

Tracey's Two Cents Worth             
    Just a reminder, we are always glad to add items to your internet order but if you want to do it by adding comments to your order you will have to call us at least once with your credit card information or request a Paypal invoice.                  
    We decided to go with the highest security possible for your protection and ours.  This means that no payment information is passed to us when you order on-line.   We receive the payment, but no card information.   Once you call us with your information we'll have it on a separate encrypted (non on-line) location for future orders.         
WHAT'S NEW
    

     We have acquired a supply of South American exotic pen blanks picked and pre-packaged in sets of 32 pieces, Item # EXWB. The blanks measure 3/4 X 3/4 X 6". Species include but are not limited to the following exotic woods:

 

Ari Pari

These blanks are absolutely gorgeous. Packaged in packs of 32 blanks and priced to move quickly. If you buy three packs the price would be $82.50 and that beats the heck out of the ninety-nine 5/8" X 5/8 X 5" blanks for $99 offered by other vendors and we have a much more varied mix of species.  Some sets even have spalted blanks in them.

Congolo Alves

Black Palm

Yellowheart

Tigre Caspi

Honduras Mahogany

Brazilian Mahogany  

Jatoba

Purpleheart

Dalmata (Dalmation) 

Bloodwood

Granadillo

Morado

Black tahuari

Queenwood

Tigrillo

Mari Mari

Orange Agate

Black Pashaca

Palo Cruz

Pink Flame

Black Tahuari

Jobillo

Chakte Viga  

Chontaquiro 

 

     All sets contain more than one of any of the above listed specific species but they are all a very nice mix. If sold by the individual piece the value of these packs of wood can retail for as much as $45 to $50 depending on the mix. We are cutting the price to $29.00 for one pack and $27.50 for two or more. That's as low as eighty-six cents per blank.

   The sets are already pre-packaged. We will not break open packs and pick/choose blanks. The sets are as is for a very more than reasonable  price.  Sales on these packs are final and no refund will be offered after the package leaves our possession.

 

     The small suede textured pen sleeves are now available in red and blue along with the ever so popular black which is now back in stock. A great little pouch to put pens in that you sell at the craft show for not a lot of dough.

 

     I have made some more rope blanks from different colored rope. I will also cut the blanks for you to custom lengths, just let me know what you want and we will work it out. I am cutting the blanks into at length pairs also for the European/Designer pen kit. Be sure to check out our new colors.  

COMING SOON
 
     We will soon be carrying the little spongy rubber who-dammits that are used for converting your slimline/comfort/anelli style pen kit and basic keychain kits into a stylus for the I-Pad, I-Phone, or other smart phone devices. We are not going to carry a kit, just the replacement cap to convert your pen/keychain kit. We will have them available in Gold, Chrome and Gun Metal. Look for them soon on our site on the pen parts page.
     Another supply of Acrylic Acetate blanks will soon be here from Taiwan. Tracey has a few new colors in the shipment along with most of the ones we are currently out of stock on..
       Tracey is working on some new inlay kits but had to set them aside while I was in New Zealand.   She'll be taking a short trip to Georgia to visit family in a couple of weeks and then some minor foot surgery at the beginning of May.  How all that goes will determine how soon she can get the inlays ready for full production.  Keep an eye on the site! 
 
Thanks for subscribing. If you know of a topic that you would like for me to write about in the pen turning world, please let me know and I will do my best to research the information and get it out in a future newsletter.

Have a great Day

Tim Nicholas