I originally saw this pen idea back in 2007, in Pretty Little Things by Sally Jean Alexander. I've adapted it to not include soldering, increasing the speed and ease in creating one, and using fewer materials.
Start with some pretty faux flowers, and pop the flower off from the stem. We're making five pens today. Discard stems or set aside for other use.
Plastic tubing - I purchased this from Home Depot. 3/8" is the total diameter and 1/4" diameter is the opening diameter. The opening size of 1/4" diameter works well for the brand of pen I use.
Pens - I use Bic Round Stic pens. Found at any office supply store and incredibly inexpensive.
Use a pair of wire snips to gently work off the ink housing from the white barrel body of the pen. Discard the white pen body.
Cut tubing into desired lengths, keeping in mind the length of the ink housing - I don't advise cutting into the ink housing - kinda messy. I cut five pieces of tubing seven inches in length.
Decorative paper insert - the weight of the paper is important. You don't want cardstock (65# or higher) weight - it will give you grief and refuse to cooperate, resulting in swearing, and it refuses to roll up tightly enough to insert easily.
Text weight (20#) is ideal; however, most patterned papers are heavier - the paper above is around 24#. 7gypsies single-sided, older, patterned papers are ideal.
I cut the paper 7" in length, and 5" wide. Curl the entire 7x5 piece of paper tightly around the bamboo skewer. Then cut into 7" x 1" strips.
It is far easier to roll a 5" length of paper around the skewer versus five - 1"lengths.
Re-roll (far easier since you pre-rolled it) and insert a 7" x 1" rolled paper into tubing - leave a bit at the end to allow for the ink housing.
Insert the ink housing, and push into place completely. Finish pushing the rolled paper into the tubing so the end buts up with the ink housing cap - see photo above. If the paper is being stubborn, insert the skewer, and use it to pursuade the paper down against the inside of the tubing.
Trim excess paper with sharp scissors, or trim paper and tubing if you decide to make the pen shorter...again, being mindful of the length of the ink housing.
Dip flower stem into a strong adhesive - I recommend E-6000. You want a nice, healthy blob of glue so it hits the inside of the tubing, securing the flower well.
Push glue-covered stem into open end of tubing. Press firmly for a good bond. Wipe away any excess adhesive.
Allow to dry in a vase, or upright. Five, teen girl party favor gifts - done in about 10 minutes. Happy Friday!
