It occured to me that I haven't done this here or on IAP so here it goes...
My name is Chip Searson. I'm 29 and I live just outside Louisville, KY. My day job is purchasing for a tobacco company. I have many "hobbies" and not quite a year ago I added pen making to the list. Last summer I began to fill my shop with wood working tools and the last being a lathe. Well, when Christmas came along I decided I would use my new tool and make a couple personal gifts. Pens is what I chose. Although I haven't made many complete pens, I think I'm working on #19 & 20 for this contest, I found myself drawn to the ones that take a lot of time and thought to make. My first 9 were either single wood or acrylic blanks and since then I've done nothing but selfmade segmented blanks. I do enjoy turning the pens but I'm much better at making the blanks. I wish I had the time to make some just to give away to the real pen makers to finish.
What got me in touch with Eagle was my first segmented pen and what I refer to as my signature pen, a 360 degree herringbone. I had posted at IAP that I was considering making them for sale. When I posted that I had given up on that idea, PR Princess forwarded an email to me from Eagle with words of encouragement. I remember how estacic I was to find out that Eagle of all people took to time to try and get ahold of me and then tell me he thought my craftsmanship was excellent! We emailed back and forth only a couple of times after that because the first email was on June 24 and I left for vacation on the 28th only to come home to the very sad news of his passing.
Anyway, I've really enjoy this website especially this contest Lou has proposed, it sure makes you appreaciate the time and thought that went into each of his blanks.
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