Pen Pals by Carrie Addington

CORPORATE GIVING
From wooden writing pens and letter openers to magnifiers and other hand-turned wooden items, Peter and Barbara Turner provide fine, handmade executive gifts that enhance the notion of corporate giving. “With Turner Mastercraft products, customers have the option of giving a far superior product to their clients,” says Barbara. Their signature pens—available in sixteen different styles—are created from a material called dymondwood, a white, Vermont birch that results in a warp-resistant, high-polish finish. In addition to specializing in dymondwood, they enjoy working with Italian acrylic and exotic, natural woods. With over 75,000 pieces created, the Turner’s training never ends.

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT
For over fifteen years, the Turners have gained a reputation for producing outstanding, handcrafted pens, using unique woodturning techniques. Before crafting these unique pens, the Turners were ordained ministers with the Salvation Army, each holding the rank of Captain. After twenty years, they felt the need to be entrepreneurs, using their previous experience with woodworking to create a successful business, with faith and family serving as inspiration.

TURNERS TURNING PENS
The Turner’s wood-turned pens have begun to take on a reputation of their own, with purchases being made by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Buick Open golf tournament, Astronaut Bill MacArthur, and numerous government agencies for public presentation. Peter's favorite piece, which he carries in his pocket, is a ballpoint pen made from Cambodian Amboyna burl, trimmed in solid sterling silver parts and touched with a purple gel refill. The Turners are always looking for new woods and materials, and new styles to incorporate into their master craftsman creations. Barbara explains, “The challenge everyday is to improve on the previous piece and to somehow make it slightly more beautiful than the last.”