Pen Turning Craftsman

Paul Viren creates hand-turned wooden pens inspired by a lifetime spent working in the world of finance—an occupation built largely on intangibles. In his professional life as a Financial Planner, nearly every important decision, agreement, and milestone was made tangible by a signature shared between client and advisor. That simple act sparked a deeper appreciation for the pen as both a functional tool and an artistic object.

Handwriting and personal signatures are art forms in themselves. Each of us develops a unique signature early in life and carries it with us through every meaningful chapter—education, love letters, marriage certificates, the purchase of a first home, recording the early years of our children’s lives, career milestones, and ultimately our estate documents. Again and again, these moments are marked by a pen in hand.

In an age of electronic signatures, typing instead of writing, and the gradual loss of cursive handwriting, the physical act of writing is slowly disappearing. Paul’s work is a response to that loss. He believes handwritten notes, journals, and especially love letters represent a lasting personal legacy—one that connects generations through ink, paper, and intention.

Paul crafts each writing instrument by hand using woods sourced from more than 50 countries around the world. His collection includes ballpoint pens, sketching pencils, and heirloom-quality fountain pens. Every piece is individually turned on a lathe designed specifically for pen making and finished with a durable, heat-treated process meant to last a lifetime.

Paul’s greatest hope is that each pen finds its way into meaningful use—signing important documents, journaling life’s journey, writing love letters, and inspiring its owner to slow down and reconnect with the art of writing