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Hi, Im Mark Webber
Welcome to my new internet shop.
(All pens shown here, are pens I have made)
I have been working as a carpenter & joiner in and around Clevedon for about 25 years. All these pens originally came into existence after I decided I could not bear to burn the small pieces of hardwoods that were left over from my day to day activities. They range from Oak off cuts from window sills, to teak parquet flooring; I can even remember the job where each piece came from, making them truly original and with a history.
Its always struck me that the discarded or 'imperfect' pieces of wood can be the prettiest pieces in the whole plank; yet I have to frequently throw them aside as they do not fit the current job.
It is also ironic that timber can reflect qualities that can be seen in ourselves. We can all see the perfections and imperfections within both ourselves and others, but nature has a sense of humour which is reflected like a rhythm throughout all life: that is, for every side, there is an opposite. For example; I have the ability to make these beautiful writing instruments, and although I enjoy using them, nature ensures I only have the ability to write like a spider has crawled across the page!
I am entrusting that natures humour is reversible and that those that can write, cant make!
My aim is to show you, through the imperfections there is a perfection rarely seen. A perfection or excellence that can be grasped in your own hand. A pen blank need only be 150mm long by 25mm square (6inch long by 1inch square) which means you dont have to kill a tree to make a pen, the prunings will do.
(I have even got a piece of honey suckle big enough for the job) If you want a pen made from your own bit of wood please e-mail me on the enclosed contact form.
Every pen I have made is different, an only one in the world. Original, unique and never to be seen again. I can make the same style, but by its nature each tree, like you, is both extraordinary and exclusive. Trees and humans are of course separate, however, I think its safe to say that whats inside is certainly more special than what is visible from the outside. Every piece of wood, even from the same log is slightly different. In fact, I have just made a pen for my brother, mother & both my sisters (and naturally for myself too) all from the same log to represent my Mother's side of the family; all the same, but each uniqueand individual in their own way.
I recall many years ago while working in a private house, there came a sad moment when the elderly neighbour became too infirm to live on her own. I was there on the day her daughter came to help her move, to a nursing home. I can remember them taking that last look at her home. The lady of the house, where I was working, told me that every time the old lady looked at the tree in the garden, it reminded her of her husband. He had planted and tended to it when they first moved in...Unfortunately, he had died some years previously. Its funny how one single thing can represent a whole stage in ones life? Needless to say I had not even thought of pens at that time, but I like to think that its events such as this that lead to the idea.
Each pen I make is turned & polished by hand to try to keep each pen as individual as possible.
I use local and exotic timbers from around the world and take great pleasure in using timber sourced from our County of Somerset, the supply is varied and limited, depending on the timber available.
(click here to see the blog)
With each pen you will recieve details of the source of the wood. If its an exotic timber the species and country of origin, if local what the species is and where the tree came from in the area (I will try to identify the species as accurately as possible.) This will add a little bit more interest to your pen!
I take great care with each product, as I realise each one is much more than just a 'pen.' It's a piece of time, a memory and a natural object that deserves much attention.
I hope you will cherish your pen, as I will have enjoyed making it!
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