SusieG Studio

Last year at the 2024 DC Pen Show, I came across another pen maker who had a few stunning pens on display. It was on a Sunday and the last day of the show, when I had more time to peruse several tables in the indie pen maker room. I made a mental note to add Zodiac Pen Company to my wish list for the next pen show.

Fast forward to this year and with my wish list in hand, I made sure to stop by Zodiac’s table on the first day of the show.

My eyes were drawn to the pen trays at the center of his table. It was here where I found his Cancer pen model. He has several other models (zodiac signs), but this model had a pen clip. At that moment the stars were aligned.

Here’s the pen I picked in Primary Manipulation 5 with the material made by Jonathon Brooks. When I looked at Bart’s pen trays under the bright lights, this sparkling pen screamed at me.

I actually had two Cancer pens in my hand while I was chatting with others at Bart’s table. I knew his pens would sell fast and I made sure to grab two pens that caught my eye. I had picked out an olive green and beige pen which was so different from the sparkly pen. As a few of you know I trusted my gut instincts and the sparkles won.

What sold me on this Cancer pen model was how well this pen was made. When I placed this pen in my hand I immediately noticed how comfortable it felt. The most noticeable feature I saw was the lack of a sharp step up from the section to the main body of the pen. In my hand it felt like a smooth transition. I hardly noticed or felt the threads.

The pen also has an interesting curved shape which I think adds to the comfort level while using this pen.

It’s always nice when I purchase a pen from an indie pen maker and the nib writes beautifully.

I created this pen & ink wash sketch to show a few of my DC pen show acquisitions. It’s unfinished as I have not been able to create a pen & ink sketch of my pen. I’ve had a hard time figuring out how to apply my ink wash and create the wonderful transition of colors with the unique sparkles. This pen has left me stumped.

I thought by going through my swatch cards I would get motivated to put ink to paper. Nothing. Instead, I was able to pick out the ink colors that were similar to my PM 5.

So far, here’s my first attempt. I created this pen & ink wash in my practice sketch book. I went a bit too dark with the inky colors and I should have created a smoother transition between colors. I ended up getting some help by using my iridescent watercolor paints (applied as a top layer) and created the additional sparkles. This is still a work in progress.

My Zodiac pen checked all the boxes for what I look for in a fountain pen. This Cancer model includes a nice and sturdy pen clip. It’s a girthy pen that fits well in my hand. I like the unique curves in this pen with the pinched middle. I think it shows off and enhances the unique properties of this Brook’s material. I like the smooth transition from section to body. I had a “wow” moment when I held this pen in my hand. It was definitely made for my hand. This model is also my zodiac sign. It was a no brainer to add this pen to my collection.

Here’s a link to Bart’s site which is called Logs to Treasures and Zodiac Pen Company. He has a lovely website where he shows his talent for wood turning and pen making. He has his fountains pens listed for sale and pens that have sold. They are all beautiful pieces and one can see that Bart definitely has a creative eye.

Pen: Zodiac Pen Company Cancer model in Primary Manipulation 5 with Medium nib

Ink: Robert Oster Hollywood’s Mullet