I got this massive box of Pens sent in by Don from New Mexico the other day and frankly they smell kinda funny. Don’t get me wrong I love all and any pen sent regardless of the way they look, smell or taste. Any ways I did a video about this particular batch of used pens and want to continue doing so as more come from the local thrift store locations and beyond. Don, thanks for sending those in and I look forward to the other ones you have coming my way.
A couple of weeks ago I visited Northwest Prep in Santa Rosa Ca with my Mercedes Pens Art Car. I was invited by Art Teacher Barb G., whom I met at the Lucky’s parking lot while I was picking up pens from the VNA thrift in Sebastopol. She invited me to bring the Mercedes and show her art class an art car up close and personal. I got a chance to visit and share a little about the what, the why and the how.
I love to show people how much you can do with simple and free materials such as dead pens of every kind. The pen car has been a lesson to me in the power of focusing on a vision, and taking the daily persistent steps towards seeing that vision come to life. 10,000 don’t just glue them selves on a car, it took daily concentrated effort to find the pens, plan where to put the pens and then actually spending the time to do the work. All this was possible because I first had a vision in my mind of what I wanted the pen car to look like and the passion to see the project come to life so others could enjoy it.
I keep working on the car because as long as there are people who need a good laugh or something to inspire them, I have good reason to continue dreaming of pens, working on the car and making bigger and better pen art.
The other day I got manila folder from Northwest Prep filled with 14 thank you notes with pens attached. Getting those notes in the mail made my day so I wanted to highlight them for you and give thanks to the students there for giving another 14 reasons to continue collecting pens and working on the Mercedes Pens Art Car.
Here is are my 14 Great Reasons The Mercedes Pens Visits Schools
“Jar-O-Gel Pens
“Field of Pen Dreams” sent in by D, Delta, BC, Canada
“One with Pens” sent in by Cassandra, Oakdale, PA
photos by the Pen Guy
Thanks to Elizabeth, D and Cassandra who were the first three to send in these beautiful used pens using my new P.O. Box I set up last month. I shot these pens out in front yard last Sunday and tried to make them look more “artsy” with fancy titles and dreamy backgrounds. I figured I might as well shoot them right before they end up on the pen pile with the rest. Keep them coming:)
Pens dropped off at the City Life Community Center
These pens were just laying on the big barrel
I just picked up four more locations near and around Santa Rosa where you can drop off your old used pens. I still need to build a recycling bin for Video Droid and drop the one I made for Cafe Noto in Windsor. I also picked up ten more blank bins that I will decorating at the Sonoma Family Expo today from 3:30 to 8:00 pm for any one who want to get in on the pen recycling gig.
Check out the Google maps on the side bar for even more locations near you, by the way a great way to generate more traffic for your business and do something nice for environment and The Pen Guy.
I will be appearing at the Sonoma Family Expo with the Mercedes Pens Friday April 9th, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, from 3:30 – 8:oo pm. I will be there collecting old pens and making custom pen recycling bins for those of you who want to put your business on the pen recycling location map.
I also received a third installment of recycled pens from Grace Church School in New York City collected by their wonderful, amazing and dedicated Green Team. I took this shot early this morning as the sun was coming through my kitchen window. Thanks guys for the Crayola Markers
