The Pen Guy and His Mercedes Pens Art Car

Mercedes Pens with fins? What was I thinking?

2008-07-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest remodel on the rear fender of my Mercedes Pens. Now that I have a whole bunch of pens donated this year by Olivet and Piner Elementary I can build my self some fins inspired by a Red 1960 Chrysler Saratoga that I park next to every day. So far mine are a work in progress.

Mercedes Pens with Crayola Fin

1960 Chrysler Saratoga fin (by the way it is for sale:)

After three years of gluing pens to my Mercedes, I think I've gone past the point of no return. Actually that happened the night I glued my first 20 pens to the driver side door with a tube of glue in one hand and a bunch of pens and a flash light in the other. If I was afraid people would think I was totally nuts then, I have removed all doubt now. At first there were days I too wondered what the heck I was doing ruining a perfectly good car. Three years I know the answer to that question, and I see it every day in the faces of those of you who see my car on a daily basis. I see joy and the smiling faces tell me that I did the right thing. And as long as I continue to see the joy I will continue driving this car around town. Who knows, one day I hope to travel the country in an RV with the family and the pen car in tow going from city to city doing the same thing as I do here in Sebastopol CA and beyond. This has been one of the best art projects I have ever done. It allows me to do art on the go, practice my stand up comedy, talk and encourage others to follow their dreams and get some fresh air from doing graphic design all day long.

7 Tips to Killer Garage Sale Signs from the Pen Guy

2008-07-01T16:51:00.000-07:00

Being a graphic designer can be painful during garage sale season now in full force, because I have to endure poorly made garage sale signs that are illegible at high speeds. I recently had a very successful garage sale as a result of my 14 year design experience and my yard sale sign observations. I came up with 7 keys to successful sign making on a budget.

1) Get yourself a monster Marker (pen)
Spare no expense and get your self a Permanent Marker with a chisel tip. If you are going to spend any money get your self a massive beast of a pen because your average sharpie will not have enough width to grab the attention at high speeds. These people don't have time to mess around trying to read your sign and have a dozen other sales to get to. You basically have to create a vortex that will suck them into coming to your sale.

2) Use Cardboard Boxes
It's free and it comes in really big sizes. Even the bright florescent paper is wasted with a wimpy sharpie that's way to small. Forget store bought signs.

3) Bigger is Better (font)
Use big block letters, and filled in if you want to. You have to scream and be heard above the other signs.

4) Drop the inventory list
Your potential client does not have the time to read the list and you are better off just sticking to the basics: Garage sale, arrow, date, and time. I used HUGE SALE, because there were only eight letters to write.

5) Jockey for Position (get yours up first)
Get up early and get your spot before the other garage sale wannabes get theirs up. Bring an electric drill, screws, duct tape, tie wraps and a box cutter. The drill makes it easy to put up the signs quickly. And don't forget a cup of coffee, you will need it because you were the night before getting ready.

6) Do a drive by
As you drive look for places were your eyes naturally go to, then put your sign there. Then do a drive by to make sure the sign actually does the job.

7) Double check your signs on the second day
It was 11:30am on Sunday and no one had showed up yet so I decided to check my signs. Some had fallen down and some had been vandalized and taken down on purpose. So it never hurts to double check and make sure if you build it they will come.

All the best to you and may you make a ton of money this season.

Pen Car Remodel - replacing old pens

2008-06-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

Three years after I begun this Mercedes Pens Art Car project I am entering into the remodeling phase. That means that pens that have been on the car now for about two years need replacing with fresh ones. Sun, rain and dust have done a work on the older pens and now need to be replaced. The upside is that there will be more opportunities for you to glue a pen back on the car. I will be appearing at the Occidental Bohemian Farmers Market the last Friday of the month as part of the Maker Faire team. I will also be accepting pen donations that will help with the remodel in preparation for Art Car Fest 08.

Pen Guy Postcards from Reach360 are in!!!

2008-06-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

Today I picked up my new postcards in time for this years events. I was fortunate enough to get the printing donated by Eric Wold, CEO, of Reach360. They specialize in one-to-one marketing, print-production, mailing solutions and variable data print production. Thank you for supporting this project, and allowing me to continue on this journey and get my message out to more people this year.

Pen Guy Shot In The Eye With PEN!!!

2008-06-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

You know what they say "You'll poke your eye out with that thing...." That thing was a dry erase marker I used to plug the leak in my sprinkler system Thursday morning. I was down there messing around with the knobs trying to fix it. Next thing I know I heard the sound of running water then a POP. I was directly over the pen when it shot me in the eye, man did that hurt. My eye filled with blood from a broken vessel so I went blind in my left eye for a little bit. I was driven to emergency and then sent to the eye doctor for further examination. I almost lost my breakfast as he was describing in detail what actually happened to my eye. But the good news is that I left the hospital with no major injuries, and some eye drops to put in over the next 3-4 days. The bad part is I will not be able to attend the Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa this weekend. I had a whole section of old pens removed on the Driver rear fender so the kids could put fresh pens on again. Now the car looks like a kitty after its been shaved for surgery.

How much does the Mercedes Pens Weigh?

2008-05-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday May 21 I was invited to speak at the Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise a very lively group of business leaders in the community who have accomplished some amazing things. During my talk the one question I kept getting was, how much does the Mercedes Pens Weigh? I had no idea but this morning I did something about and went to a local business that had weight machine and asked if they could weigh the car for me. The total weight of the Mercedes Pens before this whole mess started was 3,500lbs. Three years later it comes to 4,070lbs which means all the pens including the ones in the trunk added a whopping 570lbs. to the pen car

Pen Guy at Maker Faire 08 Video

2008-05-18T16:19:00.001-07:00

Maker Faire 2008 from Rebecca W on Vimeo.

Here is a very nicely made video that captured the essence of what it was like to be at maker faire 08 this year. I was located by the entrance next to the Electric Cup Cakes, which you could have anytime of day without all the calories. The video also includes, the 20 foot woman of fire called "Crude Awakening", the original Lego Art Car, human powered carnival rides by cyclecide, the human powered bus ride and a big wheel. Lots of fun hope to see you there next year and remember to bring your old dead pens.

Pen Slip n Slide debuts at Maker Faire 08

2008-05-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

I had some paper out with a big pile of pens right on top, and this guy decided to take a dive into it. It's the world first pen slip n slide, a bit dangerous, but with practice you can do it "write" without hurting yourself.

These two little guys waited all year to donate their old pens to the Mercedes Pens Art Car. They came last year and were able to glue a few pens on the car. Thank you:)

The Pen Guy in the Press Democrat

2008-05-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

The Maker Faire 08 in San Mateo Faregrounds, was a great success with over 70,000 showing up for the most amazing faire of its kind. The organizers and countless volunteers did a fantastic job of making this event run smoothly, thank you Sherry Huss for having me come to the faire, and thanks for the great spot near the entrance. It was also a good weekend for some great publicity for me in The Press Democrat with an article called "Carnival of creativity" By Nathan Halverson, and a photo of the Mercedes Pens Art Car and the Pen Guy looking up by Kent Porter also of the The Press Democrat. Saty tuned for more entries and photos about the faire.

Sonoma West News Article by George Snyder

2008-04-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

"Dude, Where's My Pen?" Photo taken by the Pen Guy During Art Car Fest 07 in Berkeley CA, after the How Berkeley Can You Be parade

George Snyder, Sonoma West Staff Writer just this week wrote a great article about the up coming Maker Faire event in San Mateo next weekend. As part of the story he interviewed Sebastopol area kinetic artist Bruce Shapiro, and my self the Pen Guy, who are exhibiting makers at the event.

the article is as follows

Maker Faire’s Sebastopol roots are showing
O’Reilly & Associates DIY event could pull 60,000 to Bay Area venue next weekend

by George Snyder
Sonoma West Staff Writer

SEBASTOPOL – What could be the planet’s fastest growing and richest garden for old-fashioned America’s backyard and “do it yourself” innovation, hits its third go-round this year when O’Reilly’s Maker Faire fills the San Mateo Fairgrounds May 3 and 4.

Sponsored by O’Reilly Media and supported by its Make and Craft magazines, Maker Faire celebrates people who make stuff: everything from slow-food, hand-sewn clothes, human-powered carnival rides, computerized robots, rocketry and devices that spit fire and cast lightening bolts...(link)

Pen Guy Visits Mark West Elementary

2008-04-25T16:35:00.000-07:00

Photo by Regan Parks at Maker Faire 07

Last Tuesday I gave a talk about the Mercedes Pens at Mark West Elementary School here in Santa Rosa California, for Earth Day. After the classroom visit the kids came out to see the car and ask more questions about it. I was only scheduled to visit one class but while I was there, word spread and I ended up showing the car to three more classes. That was a blast, and luckily the weather held out and did not rain during my visit.

The first grade teacher who invited me over, had this to say about it.

"Costas!!We loooooooooooved it!! Your presentation was fantastic! Nancy could not stop talking about how engaging, funny, and personable you are. We can't decide who liked the experience more - the kids or us! Thanks so much for coming out and sharing your time, yourself, and your amazing project with us. We all loved it!

I want you to come to my class EVERY year for Earth Day :)

You're the best!! Thanks so much."

-Mariah M.

Pens from Chicago

2008-04-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

A big thank you goes out to the person from Chicago who sent all these pens last Tuesday. It's nice to know that someone would take the time to mail a bunch of pens to some yahoo in California with a crazy pen covered mercedes.

The Pen Guy on KSRO 1350 today!!!

2008-04-07T07:08:00.001-07:00

Pearl gluying a pen on the Mercedes Pens at Art Car Fest 06 in Berkeley, CA

Today an interview I did with Curtiss Kim from KSRO 1350 AM airs, in fact I am up at the crack of dawn to write a little, put up some new photos and listen for the show. The show airs this morning from 5:30 to 9am, noon and again form 3-6pm. To Curtiss and the KSRO team, I thank you for the opportunity to talk about Mercedes Pens and my journey as the Pen Guy. To all of you in Santa Rosa and Sebastopol and the rest of Sonoma County, I love making you smile as we pass by each other, it is my goal in life to make as many of you laught out loud as I can, by driving this wacky, pen covered car. I would also love to come by your schools, business, organizations, or events to share more of my life journey in the hopes that I would encourage you to go out and follow your dreams and desires for your life. All the best, and dont forget to wave, honk, call or email me with your thoughts.

3D Postcard of the Mercedes Pens by Maker Faire

2008-04-07T06:15:00.000-07:00

This 3D postcard of the Mercedes Pens was taken at last years Maker Faire and printed to promote this years events in San Mateo California and Austin Texas. Now I have a little less than a month to get ready for the event and take a couple of thousand pens I collected during the winter that look like this...
photo by extramatic

and make this
photo by extramatic

by doing this...
photo by extramatic

Photos were taken from Maker Faire 07

Pen Guy Appearances Since 2005-2007

2008-04-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

Sept 27-30 - ArtCar fest 07

Jan 10 - Windsor Christian Academy - Appearance, and Talk

Feb 22 - The Rose Benefit Consert - MC Main Event

March 02 - Sebastopol Christian School - Appearance, and Talk

April 9 - Appearance at Sebastopol Elementary

April 28 - Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival Parade

May 19,20 - Maker Fair 2007 - San Mateo California

June 2 - Forestville Parade 9:00am- Forestville California

June 2 - American Cancer Society Benefit at
Little Switzerland - 19080 Riverside St. Sonoma CA
7:30 p.m. - Comedy Appearance
email kamormino@gmail.com or call (707) 815-1278 for more info

September - Art Car Fest 2007

Sat 10/28/06 - Appearance to glue pens on the Pen Car
Redwood Covenant Church - Harvest Fair - Free

Friday 10/27/06 - Appearance to glue pens on the Pen Car
City Life Community Center - Harvest Fair - Free
2425 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa CA 6-9pm All are welcome

Sat 10/21/06 - Appearance to glue pens on the Pen Car
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Creations & Explorations
Art, Science & Technology 10am to 5pm
Admission, $5 Adult, $2 Child.

Thu 10/05/06 - Speaking - Windsor Christian Academy

Sun 09/17/06 - Parading at the How Berkeley can you be - Parade
Sat 09/16/06 - Appearance at the San Jose Museum of Art 10am to 5pm
Sat 09/02/06 - Event Appearance - Glue Pens on the Car
Northbay Christian Faith Center - harvest Fair 1-3 pm

Sat 08/26-06 - Appearance glue pens on car at City Kids Festival - Juliard Park 10am - 4pm

Fri 07/21/06 - On the Air at the Candle
Sat 07/15/06 - MC Concert at San Quentin

Fri 06/16/06 - Appearance - Giving Tree Family BBQ
Sat 06/03/06 - Forestville Parade - First place (Single Adult Category)
Fri 06/02/06 - Appearance glue pens on car - Piner Olivet School

Sat 05/29/06 - Appearance Stand up comedy - ROASTED

Sat 04/31/06 - Try Tips - fundraiser for City Kids festival
Tue 04/21/06 - Appearance 2 Foster homes for kids - Novato

11/05 - Speaking Appearance - Sepastopol Christian School

Ballpoint Chandelier - 15 uses for old pens

2008-03-21T18:12:00.000-07:00

The Ballpoint Chandelier is one of the coolest uses for BIC pens I have seen so far. I want one of these beauties hanging inside the Mercedes Pens. I probably should make my own mini chandelier, and I probably will. This image came from diylife along with another 14 really great ideas. I think the mercedes pens should have made the cut, but on my blog it has :)

The Pen Guy appearing at Maker Faire 08

2008-03-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

This year I will be attending Maker Faire 08 on May 4th and 5th of 2008 in San Mateo California. I also go my new web cam so I can begin to produce my weekly Pen Guy Show I've wanted to do for sometime now. I'll be talking about all kinds of stuff, cool pens, events, positive messages that will hopefully encourage you to go out and follow your dreams.

Justin Fox Hangs with the Mercedes Pens

2008-02-28T16:16:00.000-08:00

I recently went and saw Justin Fox in concert, my all time favorite music artist.

He made a special request that I would be there with the car so I went and saw him with my wife Sandy. His most recent album "seabright" has an awesome song called "My California"

Thank you Justin for such an inspiring song.

http://www.justinfox.com/index.html

Best of Art Car Fest 07 - Mercedes Pens makes the cut:)

2008-02-28T15:51:00.000-08:00

Wealth TV just recently release a video called the Best Art Car Fest 07. I was featured on this video but unfortunately this is not the complete version of the video they sent me in the mail.

Pen Guy Article by Joanne Huspek

2008-02-28T15:22:00.000-08:00

My big dream last month was to get an article published about what I do as the Pen Guy. One rainy afternoon, I happened to be at the right place at the right time and Joanne Huspek from Royal Oak, MI saw my car here in Sebastopol, CA and wanted to write a piece about me. The article is called "The Amazing Pen Guy!". Thank you Joanne, you made my month!!!

What Makes You Come Alive? - Go Do That

2008-02-19T12:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a video to ask the question: What the world Needs.

Don't ask yourself what the world needs
ask yourself what makes you, come alive
and go do that
because what the world needs...
is people who have come alive.
Gill Bailie

What makes you come alive???
Then go do that.

Guest Speaker in Santa Rosa - The Pen Guy

2008-01-31T20:38:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a guest speaker and inspirational comedian for Santa Rosa and the rest of the Bay Area, then look no further. The Pen Guy and his Mercedes Pens Art Car is now available to appear at local schools, events, business meetings, benefit concerts, fundraisers, and any other type of gathering you can think of. I plan to be at Maker Fair in San Mateo, Art Car Fest in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose and also local events such as the Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival, Harmony Festival and City Kids Festival in Santa Rosa. Its going to be an incredible year, lots of fun, many more pens to be glued on the car, and some taken off and given away as gifts. In doing all this I hope to inspire others to pursue and explore their gifts and talents in new and creative ways this year. The best part of being the “pen guy” is that it’s a lot of fun, it makes people laugh and it's something people of all ages can enjoy and participate in.

Recycle Pens, glue them on a Mercedes

2008-01-30T22:31:00.000-08:00

Crayola markers cover the Mercedes Pens roof, they are nice an thick and don't bend off the roof in the summer heat.

When I first came up with the idea to glue pens on my Mercedes Pens, actually the idea just came to me or else I would have never thought of this in a million years, I had no idea my car would become such a hit around town and even around the world. I knew it was a great idea because every one uses pens and eventually they get stolen, lost or thrown away. So when I first started collecting them I had no problem asking, and they had no problem donated them for crazy art car project. Some even gave me brand new samples, what can I say I am equal opportunity and the pens would "eventually" run out of ink. Over the past two and half years I have gotten better at finding more an more pens and now I have a couple of thrift stores that call me about every two weeks for a pen pick up. I also visit schools in Sonoma County and give talks about what I do and why I do it. In return I have gotten bags of old pens, mainly crayola markers. This year I plan to get out more and talk more about recycling, art, and inspiring others to follow their dreams and visions for their life. My big dream in life is to become a world-renowned motivational speaker comedian. I dont know how, but I know it happens one pen at time.

Pen Covered Christmas Wreath

2008-01-24T12:46:00.000-08:00

A little late but I just found my camera and was able to get a nice shot of the front of the Mercedes Pens with my new Christmas wreath covered in pens. I found a plastic wreath and used tie wraps to attach the pens to it. I took apart a wire coat hanger and with more tie wraps attached the whole thing to the bumper of my car. I drove all of December with this thing on and did not loose a single pen. I think the bumper on this car rocks!!!

Advertise your Company Pen on the Mercedes Pens Art Car For FREE!!!

2008-01-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

There are over 6000 pens on the Mercedes Pens Art Car, mostly pens with a business name imprinted on it. If you want to advertise your business send me a pen with your logo on it and I will glue it on my car, and post a picture and a link to your web site for FREE. (I reserve the right to decline any business for any reason) If you have extra pens that you want to donate, working or not send them as well. Send your pens to:
The Pen Guy
2425 Mendocino Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403