Show Notes
In this episode, Shawn Newton shares his journey from being an art teacher to becoming a successful fountain pen maker. He discusses his passion for pen making, the supportive pen community, and the importance of mentorship. Shawn also highlights his scholarship program aimed at helping students pursue their education, and how his family has become involved in his business. The conversation touches on the evolution of Newton Pens, the challenges of the pen-making industry, and the joy of connecting with fellow pen enthusiasts at shows.
Show Links https://www.newtonpens.com https://newtonpens.storehttps://www.instagram.com/newtonpens Scholarship Auctions on Ebay. https://www.ebay.com/usr/snennewton https://newtonpens.com/newton-pens-scholarships/ https://www.youtube.com/ @NewtonPens https://www.vanness1938.com Takeaways Shawn Newton transitioned from teaching art to making fountain pens. He started making pens in 2012 after a passion for writing instruments. The pen community is supportive and encourages mentorship among makers. Shawn's scholarship program helps students pursue their education. He collaborates with family members in his pen-making business. Shawn aims to simplify his product offerings for better customer experience. He emphasizes the importance of community and connections at pen shows. Shawn's journey reflects the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. He values the feedback from customers to improve his products. The pen community is unique in its appreciation for quality and craftsmanship.
------------Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Shawn Newton and His Journey 10:58 The Evolution of Newton Pens 21:53 The Pen Community and Mentorship 23:50 Recognizable Designs and Industry Impact 26:03 The Unique World of Pen Shows 31:05 Simplifying the Product Line 36:23 The Scholarship Program: Giving Back 46:25 Innovations in Pen Accessories 51:56 Looking Ahead: The Future of Newton Pens
More from The DWRDNET Stationery Feed
In episode 14, I get to welcome Jonathon Brooks of Carolina Pen Company to talk about how he has become one of the most well known names when it comes to pen materials in addition to the pens that he makes as part of the Carolina Pen Company. We talk about how he got started, and the path that followed in terms of teaching himself to make pens which quickly led to pouring his own blanks, and things just kept growing over time.
In this episode I am joined by pen maker and artist Matthew Martin who talks about how he got into making his machined pens. Matthew talks about how a side project of helping his dad with some knife making ended up becoming his full time job of making bespoke metal pens. Matthew talks about how he explored different anodization techniques, and how that moved into using anodized titanium as a form of artistic expression.
In this episode, Derek interviews Diana from Moth and Maple who shares her journey into leather and stationery accessories, discusses her custom offerings, and explores her process of creating unique leather products and blanks for pens. Discover how her passion for leatherwork and stationery converges into a thriving small business, with insights into the latest trends and her upcoming projects.
On this episode I get to welcome writer Michelle Geffken to talk about her work in the analog space. She is the creator of the paperblogging.com website, and is a big proponent of embracing the analog tools and mindset when it comes to writing and creativity. Be it sketching, typewriters, or fountain pens, Michelle talks about how all of these come into play in her work.
In this Episode, I get to talk to Rich of River City Pen Company. We get to talk about how he got started, how he approaches his various pen models, when he decided to start creating some inks, his show schedule and more.