A Dive into Lau Lau Woodworks Pens: A Personal Journey
You know, sitting here with my trusty cup of coffee, I’ve been thinking about my little adventure with Lau Lau Woodworks pens. Friends of mine at the local artisan fair have been raving about them, and me being a woodworker myself, I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” I figured it’d be an easy project — just throw some wood together, carve it out, and voilà! But as you probably can imagine, things didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped.
The Aroma That Drew Me In
So, the first time I held one of those pens, it was like something clicked in my brain. The wood had this rich, earthy scent—like freshly cut cedar but with this hint of sweetness that I can’t quite place. Honestly, whenever I pick one up, I can almost hear that soft crunch of sawdust under my feet. It took me right back to my dad’s old workshop, the smell of pine and varnish hanging in the air as he taught me the ropes when I was just a kid.
It was around then that I decided I wanted to make one, or two, or, heck, maybe a whole batch. How hard could it be? But, boy, let me tell you, it was that “How hard could it be?” mindset that led me straight into a quagmire of mistakes.
Materials, Tools, and That One Epic Fail
I started off gathering my tools. I have a decent collection: a lathe that’s older than I am, some gouges from a local hardware store, and my favorite old chisels. But I didn’t think about wood choice at first. I was lured by the idea of using exotic woods. I bought a chunk of purpleheart because, well, who wouldn’t want a pen that screams “Look at me!”? And I picked up some mahogany, too, because that always finishes so beautifully.
But here’s where things went sideways. I didn’t do my research, which was a rookie mistake. I wasn’t aware that those kinds of woods can be more challenging to work with — especially if you’re used to softwoods like pine. So there I was, thinking I could just jump on the lathe and start spinning away. I set my lathe speed too high, and guess what? The purpleheart turned into a shower of splinters. What a mess it was. I almost gave up right there, feeling like a complete idiot.
The Lesson in Patience
After a deep breath and another cup of coffee, I decided to give it another go, albeit with a little more patience. I went back to the drawing board and picked some easy-to-work woods like oak and maple. Those were more forgiving, and I felt a bit more comfortable from the get-go. The sound of the lathe spinning was soothing instead of intimidating. I really focused on my tool movements, establishing that rhythm and getting into a groove.
Oh, and then there was the finishing stage. This part is where I thought I could breeze through the process again, but let me tell ya, I learned that rushing through finishes is a surefire way to get a gloppy mess. I’d used a finish that smells like heaven—some blend of mineral oil and beeswax. It went on beautifully but then I thought, “More is better,” and slathered on too much. It dried into a tacky sensation instead of that smooth, buttery feel I was craving. Ugh! I found myself sanding it back down, getting that nice smell mixed with a feeling of frustration.
The Moment of Triumph
But thankfully, the third time was the charm! I took my time with the last pen, enjoying the sanding process, letting the wood speak for itself. And when I finally applied that finish, it came out looking stunning! I mean, there’s something electric about finally seeing your idea come to life in your hands. I laughed when it actually worked after I had spent hours wondering if I could pull it off at all.
As for the pricing of these Lau Lau Woodworks pens, you’d expect something like that to break the bank. I was pleasantly surprised that, even with all the sweat and fits I went through, I was able to sell them for a decent price at the local market. People seemed to appreciate the story behind each pen. Each one becoming a little piece of my journey.
Wrapping It Up
So, if you’re sitting there, sipping your coffee and hesitating about starting a project—whether it’s woodworking or something else—I think it’s worth diving in. You’re gonna mess up, I guarantee it. There will be splinters and finishes that go awry. But somewhere in that mess, you’ll stumble upon a moment that makes it all worthwhile.
If there’s anything I wish someone had told me early on, it’s this: Embrace the mistakes. They’re part of the journey, and, strangely, those are the moments you’ll end up laughing about the most. So just go for it! Grab that piece of wood, or whatever it is that’s been sitting around waiting for you. You might just discover something beautiful in the process.
