Costas Schuler | The Pen Guy | Mercedes Pens | Recycle Pens

The Pen Guy Receives 30,000 Pen Donation From TerraCycle

2012-03-07T18:09:00.001-08:00

I just received one of my biggest pens donations ever last week from TerraCycle at a whopping 30,000 pens that was delivered on a pallet about 5 feet high all the way from Trenton, NJ. I will be partnering with Terracycle to create art works made from pens and sending them over as soon as I am finished.

The Pen Guy and His Pen Donation from TerraCycle

Their goal is to help eliminate the idea of waste by creating collection and solution programs for all kinds of typically non-recyclable waste. In essence they turn the non-recyclable recyclable by creating waste collection programs, “brigades,” and turning the collected waste into new products, ranging from recycled park benches to upcycled backpacks.

Since my last post back in December I have received more used pens in the mail at my PO BOX and from local thrift stores collected locally so I wanted to take a moment and play catch up and thank every one and their mother for all the wonderful pens that came in.

The Pen Guy and His Pen Donation from TerraCycl

A Big Thanks Goes to:

Misty over a Photo Lab a certified green company who will be sending all their sharpies & highlighters. They offer complete pro lab services to professional photographers throughout the United States and around the world.

Pen Donation From Photo Lab

Jane from 1promotionalproducts.com for a box of about 1500 working rejects from a promotional products and apparel company in Utah. Lots of Gel pens that are now everywhere:)

Pen Donation From 1promotionalproducts

Pen Donations from the USA

Someone over at Boston Scientific
Marie. D, Salem NH
Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, MI
Morehouse San Anselmo, CA
Stephani N. Maspeth, NY
Amanda L. Los Altos, CA
Bill and Louise M, Sebatopol, CA
Jamie S. Arlington, VA
Anyone else not mentioned who sent in pens the last three months

Pen Donation from the Green Gremlins in NY, NY

Pen Donation from Louise P. Ashlan, OR

Pen Donation from Klein, Levittown, PA

Pen Donations from Overseas

Pen Donation from Nicola, Kent, England

Pen Donations From Ashley, Glasgow, Scotland

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don't Work Well in this Photoshoot

2011-12-23T20:34:00.000-08:00

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don't Work Well in this Photoshoot

I just received two packages of used pens, a bunch from my friend Don R. in Hastings, Nebraska today, and a bunch of pens from S. Wilner in New York about two weeks ago just in time for Christmas. I decided to have some fun tonight and do a impromptu photo-shoot while holding a bunch of used pens in each hand. I am looking at these photos and I must admit that pens just dont work as a good prop. Even though I think this shoot was a complete failure, I am thankful for getting these awesome pens to add to my one million pen project.

Pentel Pens Just In - Recycology™ program explained

2011-12-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

Pentel Super Ball, Fine Superball and Quickball Pens Donated by Pentel to The Pen Guy

On one my recent meanderings I landed on Pentel's page called Recycology™, a program created to enhance their mission of helping the environment by creating less waste and increasing recycling activity. They are focused on protecting the environment at all stages of manufacturing by creating products that used both recycled content and post-consumer recycled content. All their products in this line are made from a minimum of 50% recycled content excluding consumable content and refills...cool!

I decided to take a chance and contact them about maybe sending me some old expired empty pens laying around the office and lo and behold they emailed me back:) Nicole from the Marketing department emailed me and said they had recently done some remodeling and there was a pile of empty pens with my name on them. I got two boxes of Pentel Super Ball pens, a box of Pentel Fine Superball and a box of Pentel Quickball pens and they came in the mail within days!!!.

Here is what Nicole said to me:

Hi Costas!We know exactly who you are! We have visited your blog and have seen your work. We think it is super witty and creative!

Honestly I was a little freaked about the "we know exactly who you are" line but getting the pens in the mail was well worth it. Its nice to know The Pen Guy and the Mercedes Pens project has had such a positive impact and that is why I will continue to collect empty pens.

3 Great Reasons to Donate Used Pens to The Pen Guy

2011-12-06T16:41:00.001-08:00

There are 3 Great Reasons to Donate Used Pens to The Pen Guy

You feel good about getting rid of all those used pens
You make room for new pens to take their place
I post pictures of your used pens on my site.

Thank you all for the amazing batch of used pens donated from Salt Lake City, Utah, San Marcos, California and Sharon Hill, PA. The pen Guy is a happy camper on this beautiful clear cold day.

Donated used pens from Salt Lake City, Utah

Donated used pens from San Marcos, California

Donated used pens from Sharon Hill, PA - Anjoli S.

Donated Cedax Pens - Great Pens With NOT so Great Side Effects

2011-11-23T14:31:00.001-08:00

Got these Cedax (Ceftibuten) pens in the other day all the way from Windsor Ca from my pen pall Nancy. V. a mere ten miles away from my PO Box. I have a bunch of medical pens on the Mercedes Pens but I have never featured any of them on the pen guy blog, so decided to investigate. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine Cedax (Ceftibuten) is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis and ear and throat infections. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections, bla bla bla. The decision NOT to ask my doctor about Cedax is based on the 13 not so pleasant side effects listed bellow at the end of the article, which are:

upset stomach
diarrhea
vomiting
mild skin rash
severe skin rash
itching
hives
difficulty breathing or swallowing
wheezing
unusual bleeding or bruising
sore throat
painful mouth or throat sores
vaginal infection

Mercedes Pens Feature Video on Mercedes-Benz Reporter

2011-11-19T12:34:00.001-08:00

Mercedes Pens Art Car Featured on Mercedes-Benz Reporter - Video by Alex Kahl

Alex Kahl is a self professed auto-geek who is obsessed with cars, technology and the web. This obsession somehow led to the sweetest gig of all, test driving and writing about cars and getting paid for it. A few months ago he was in the Bay Area driving around in a top of the line Mercedes loaner and contacted me about doing and interview in Petaluma CA at TwiT TV. He writes for Mercedes-Benz and this video was just posted a few days ago on Mercedes-Benz Reporter. Its actually one of the very few videos showing the latest addition to the Mercedes pens Art Car including the drain pipe super fins and the additional used pens mounted on the roof of the car. Thanks Alex:)

Used Pens Donated by Artist Ben Schlitter

2011-11-13T19:37:00.001-08:00

These Pigma Micro used pens were donated by Ben Schlitter, an award winning designer, illustrator and painter from Santa Monica California. Ben is an illustrator and painter who owns an award winning multidisciplinary design studio called studiobenben. When getting his hands dirty Ben works mainly in acrylic and collage but he also enjoys creating illustrations and designing print, interactive, and motion graphics projects.
I wanted to capture the beauty of the pigma micron caps so I bunched them up with my daughters blue hair tie photographed them on a wooden fence using my iPhone3. Thanks Ben Great work!!!

Pigma Micron Pens Donated by Ben Schlitter

Illustration by Ben Schlitter Using Pigma Micron Pens

Used pens from Singapore Reunited with the Pen Guy

2011-11-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

This beautifully wrapped box of used pens came this week from Joanna C. all the way from Singapore and I took multiple pictures wanting to savor the moment. These used pens came wrapped in brown paper which I carefully removed to reveal the Black & Decker automatic dry iron box. Once I had this box opened I spilled the used pens on the ground to behold the treasure within. It was a windy fall day and a few dry redwood leaves were included in the final shot. Is it possible I could end up writing a novel about pens??? Who knows, but in any case I a big thanks goes out to my new friend in Joanna. Costas Schuler aka The Pen Guy has a real job as a graphic designer in Sonoma County and can be reached by email.

Pen Explosion at The Pen Guys House - Nobody Hurt

2011-10-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to find my pen storage bin with its door blown off its hinges and pens spilling all over the place. This bin was given to me with a broken hinge and it simply could not take the pressure of about 30K pens pushing up against it.

I had a sinking suspicion that levy was about to burst but ignored the voice telling me to wrap it up with some rope rope.
This afternoon I took care of it with a little duct and rope and I am ready again to receive your packages of empty pens in the mail.

Is there such a thing as too many used pens...NO. Keep them coming and thank you all for your support.

Pen Donation from Washington DC

2011-10-17T23:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the pens all the way from Washington DC. This is part of my commitment to thank every one who sends pens.

Pens Donations from San Jose and Sacramento

2011-10-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

Thank you both for the recent pen donations to the pen guy one million pen project.These two packages locally one from San Jose and the other from Sacramento California. Even though I have been very with work as a Graphic Designer building web sites and designing marketing materials I promise to continue to post on my blog at least once a week. I really want to make sure all of you who send pens in have your donations featured here on the Pen Guy blog.

New domain name for the pen guy = thepenguy.org

2011-09-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

I have to confess I fell asleep at the switch and someone else bought up my domain name "penguy.org" doh!!!! But I bought thepenguy.org so it should clear up with google in a fews days and the new url should show up. He even took my tag line "The Pen Guy, On a Mission to Collect a Million Used Pens" and with only 3 entries google will quickly bury this pen guy impostor. I was upset to say the least so I decided to bury my frustration by posting and letting everyone know that I am still collecting pens and to thank Anna W. from Philadelphia, PA for sending this wonderful golden box filled with her used pens.

Mandy's Pens From Ohio Just in

2011-08-31T16:37:00.000-07:00

Its been a very long time since I posted but that doesn't mean I am not collecting pens from all over. Thanks to all my friends at local thrift stores and around the world I have been getting about 1500 pens a month. August was a phenomenal month bringing in 3,000 used pens. This particular batch of pens was sent in from my long time supporter Mandy with sent in her third installment of dried up used pens.

Pens just in from the Shakespeare girl

2011-08-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Pens from the Shakespeare Girl just in

2011-08-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

Pens from all over hit the Pen Guys PO BOX

2011-06-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

Today I went to my PO box and found not one but 5 packages filled with recycled pens from all over the place. In fact since my last post I have gotten a ton more pens and I have been to busy to post. So a BIG HUGE thanks goes to:

Christa - Seattle, WA
Maria - Estero, FL
Kendal - Atherton, CA
Nicholas - LaHabra, CA
Anonymous

For making my Friday and inspiring to write yet again:)

Mercedes Pens Makes the Doggie Boogie Movie Trailer

2011-05-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

About a year ago the Mercedes Pens Art Car was hired to be in a movie called Doggie Boogie about Pijo the dancing Dog. Yesterday I run into the trailer and to my big surprise I found a brief shot of Pijo jumping in the Mercedes Pens from the passenger side. This was the scene right before the big chase scene, with a taxi cab going after Pijo in the back seat looking out. In fact a Pijo stuffed stunt double was used made from hair collected from the real deal. Not sure when the movie will hit the big screen but I am looking forward to my art cars big day on the silver screen. Its a very cute movie and the color scheme is simply magnificent, perfect movie to for The Mercedes Pens.

Doggie Boogie Movie Trailer

Doggie Boogie Photos from Chase Scene

500 Reasons to Buy Promotional Pens from Bic Promo Pens

2011-05-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

Its has been way too long since my last post so I wanted to break my blog fast by giving a big thanks to Tej over at Bic Promo Pens the #1 source for promotional, advertising, and logo pens. Tej sponsored me this month by printing and sending over 500 of my very own Bic promotional pens printed with "Help save a million used pens". There were so many colors to choose from so I went with the blue/orange pens with the gold type that I though would go well with the pen guy colors.

Bic Promo Pens is great source for promotional, advertising, and logo pens which guarantee the lowest prices online. I think getting personalized pens are a smart marketing solution and a great way to advertise and promote your business. I will definitely get the word out this summer about Collecting One Million Pens as I head out in the Mercedes Pens Art Car covered in 10,000 pens handing my new BIC PENS

Thanks Tej:)

Pen Guy Gives Hilarious Talk about Art Cars at Ignite Sebastopol - Video

2011-02-11T17:05:00.000-08:00

Last Wed I had the amazing opportunity to speak at Ignite Sebastopol, a place to say whats on my mind but keep It short. I had 5 minutes and 20 slides running at 15 seconds each. The title of my topic was called "If I can create and art car so can you". I had a blast and so did my audience who happen to include Tim O'Reilly who had this to say about my talk on his tweeter account:

timoreilly Tim O'Reilly

Hilarious presentation about making art cars by the pen guy (artcarcentral.com) at #igniteseb #giw watch for this on igniteshow.com.

What do you guys think, there will be a better quality version up on Ignite soon.

Big Bunch of Pens - Catching on my Thank You's

2011-02-09T11:13:00.000-08:00

It been a while since my last pen donation post but I have had a an amazing amount of pens pour in from all over. A big thanks goes those of you who sent in a ton of pens:

Amanda from China
Aaron from Steamwood, Il.
Wong from San Fransisco, CA
Danny from Reseda, Ca
Anonymous from Kitchener, Canada

Mercedes Pens Alternator Problem Solved

2011-02-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

Finally figured out the mystery of the dead battery. Ever since last October my battery on the Mercedes pens kept dying and last week I finally had it having to get a battery jump at the post office. At first I though I had a short in the electric system, but the problem persisted. I finally rolled up my sleeves put on my rubber gloves and crawled under the hood and took out my alternator.

First loosen the two 17mm bolts holding the alternator in place, then loosen the 13mm nut on the alternator adjustment plate. Take the screws out and slip the two belt off. Put the alternator on the bench and examine. It turns out the voltage regulator was to totally worn out and in need of a new one. Monday I will be taking this entire unit down to a shop to be rebuilt.

Pen Guy Role Model? Tisha Bell Collecting a Million Pens Also

2011-01-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

I got an email from Tisha Bell who started collecting pens when she was in middle school one summer. Her goal is to also collect a million pens from around the world so her friend set up a web sit for her to get the word out. She asked me for advise on were to get used pens and I told her to ask thrift stores. She ended up getting about 300 pens from St. Vincent De Paul in Ellensburg.

In 2006, she displayed her pens at the puyallup fair where she received a peoples choice award and hopes to go back this year with even more.

Pen Guy Collects 22,000 Used Pens So Far

2011-01-10T00:28:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, here is an update on my one million pen drive. So far I have managed to collect about 22,000 used pens of every kind. All this with the help of local thrift stores and mail in donations to my address.

The Pen Guy - P.O.Box 994 - Forestville, CA 95436

I really appreciate all your help and support and I ask that you would continue to send in all your used pens.

I tried to get a sense of scale by posing in front of this giant pile of pens, still about 200k short of the world record. I also took a short video doing a walk around my pen collection:)

Mercedes Pens Makes Daily Mail Editors Top Six

2011-01-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

There is no better way to start the new year than by making the editors top six on Daily Mail, a UK tabloid. The Mercedes Pens was feature on same page below a photo of Fergie in her bathing suite on P Diddy's boat. Wow, what a treat!!!

100 Amazing Photos of the Mercedes Pens

2010-12-25T21:38:00.000-08:00

by Nicky Deez

Over the past 5 years the Mercedes Pens Art Car has been widely photographed and seen world wide many times over. My art car was recently featured flickriver which allows people to quickly see interesting images from flickr quickly on one page. There are 102 shots taken of the Mercedes pens locally and from various events attended in the past. One of the shots was taken during dusk in Santa Rosa while I was headed home and is the only picture of the Mercedes Pens that I have seen taken at night. I like because the car looks ominous with its red tail lights zipping past and the other car. I am the super hero on my way home, probably have groceries in the back seat and have to get back soon before the ice cream melts.

Fabulous Pen Donation from Decatur Georgia

2010-12-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

Big thanks to Laura P for her Pen donation all the way from Decatur Georgia with a lovely note that said:

Pen Guy-
Thanks for doing this! I love being able to NOT throw stuff away?

Pens were shot using my fabulous wacom tablet as the back drop.

Also be thanks to Nathan G. from Grant Pass for his continued support with a few more donated pens.

Paul Meyers' "Penultimate" Documentary Great Success - Pen Hard Hat on SF360

2010-12-09T14:48:00.000-08:00

My pen covered hard hat made the front page of SF360 a Daily News & Features from America’s Film & Media Frontier. Published by the San Francisco Film Society.

Eight first-year students in the Stanford MFA in Documentary Film program screened their works to a packed house Tuesday at the University’s Annenberg Auditorium, each between three and four minutes. Paul Meyers was one of those students who was first up with his documentary movie called 'Penultimate' about me the Pen Guy and the Mercedes Pens Art Car.

I got word back today from Paul saying the movie was a great success and people laughed and really enjoyed themselves. There was also many questions about the Pen Guy during the reception like how he found me and do I really drive that car every day. I missed this screening this time but Paul said there might be screenings of "Penultimate" in the future so I will definitely be going and letting you all know the details as I get them. Great Job Paul.

Penultimate TRAILER from Paul Meyers on Vimeo.

Brooke Inman "Everything Color Circle" Pen Collection

2010-11-29T22:19:00.000-08:00

Brooke Inman created this collection of pen art called "Everything Color Circle". I am not sure whats going on but its sure an impressive array of pens with a few pencils sprinkled in there. Any one with this kind pen collection is surely a friend of mine.

Pen Guy Scores a 24 pack of assorted sharpies

2010-11-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

I drove by one of my pen drop off locations on my way home and picked up a grocery bag filled with used pens. Going through them I discovered a Ziploc bag filled with a 24 pack of assorted sharpies minus two colors. Actually finding brand new pens along with the used ones is quite typical. people often throw away brand new pens which is great for me because I haven't had to buy any now for five years. As you can image I am well stocked up but keep sending them in, thank you:)

The Mercedes Pens on the other hand is currently experiencing technical difficulties but will be up and running by the end of the week. The capacitors in clock inside the instrument panel is broken and is draining my battery. More on that later:)

Used Pens Arrive Safely from Michigan

2010-11-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

These used pens just came in from Lake Geneva Michigan sent by Tia M. and triple bagged for safety. The pens came wrapped inside a Target bag within a USPS priority envelope within a brown paper envelope. Tia understands that these used pens are important to my one million pen project and wanted to make sure none were damaged during the shipping process.
Big shout out to Tia.

By the way, the blue bowl on the left side of the picture contains cookie dough.

Pen Mail Box 2.0 Made Possible by Hanna

2010-10-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Pen Covered Mail Box 2.0 in the making

Pen Covered Mail Box 2.0 ready to receive mail

Last Sunday during the making of the Pen Guy documentary we shot the creation of the pen covered mail box version 2.0. Paul filmed me in my workshop opening up my mail, taken the pens out and covering this mail box with donated pens. I was also filmed picking up this box of pens at the Forestville post office.
The used pens were donated by Hanna F. and sent in from Washington DC who also said in a note:

"Enjoy the pens! I hope they live on in an awesome art project". - Hannah

Thank you Hanna, your pens will live on my new pen covered mail box for a long time. And it will make my mail man and my neighbors smile come rain or shine.

Pen Guy Documentary Day One In The Can

2010-10-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

Paul Meyers a film student from Stanford came up today with class mate Adam to begin shooting their documentary film project about the Pen Guy. In this photo Paul is taking some shots of the Mercedes Pens dashboard recently covered with unusual pens of every kind. Paul is using the famous Bolex 16mm used in early television news, nature films, documentaries and the avant garde, and are still favored by many animators today. Paul spend most of the afternoon shooting the pen car in my garage and later on we drove to the post office to film a package filled with pens that just arrive from Washington DC sent in by Hanna F. There is still two more days of exciting shooting adventures tomorrow and Sunday so stay tuned/

Buddy the Pen Eating Droid Well Fed With Pens at Goodwill

2010-10-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

Recycled Pens From Goodwill inside the Mercedes Pens

This mother lode of used pens was extracted from the guts of "Buddy" the pen eating droid now located at Goodwill Industries on Yolanda Ave. in Santa Rosa California. He was only there for about two weeks but as word spread about him many came to make sure he was filled up with old pens, markers, some pencils and a few crayons. Goodwill has a massive operation and have earned the top pen recycling award of the month.Cant wait to visit again this weekend while filming a documentary about the Pen Guy by Paul Myers, a film student from Stanford University.

Buddy the Pen Eating Droid Moves to Goodwill

2010-09-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

"Buddy" the pen eating droid formerly located at Video Droid, just moved to his new home at Goodwill Industries in Santa Rosa. His job at Goodwill will be to just stand there and collect dead pens of every kind for me while I stay home and get some work done. So if you happen to go there don't forget those pens.

Buddy was met with enthusiasm today by Andrew and Jessica who work there and who also gave him his name. Jessica was on the job but Andrew was there on his day off looking for treasure. It was a good day because he found him self a nice retro looking toaster.

We chatted a about buddy and I left him there feeling good that Andrew and Jessica would make sure he stays out of trouble.

Pen Guy Making a Mark with Crayola Mini Stampers

2010-09-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

I got these really cool Crayola Mini-Stampers Markers from Aiwen in San Jose recently in the mail.

Crayola Mini-Stampers Markers, designs are molded right onto the marker tips to create a fun stamp effect. Shapes include a music note, lips, exclamation point, asterisk, heart, swirl, smiley face, star, question mark, and eye.

Used Pen from Failed Bank Gets Second Life on Mercedes Pens

2010-09-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Pen Guy Holding Used Pen From Home Valley Bank

This used Black Bic Grip Roller Pen was sent in by Nathan from Grants Pass, OR. This is all that 's left from Home Valley Bank that was recently closed down by The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. Read article here.

I don't know about you but this pen could be worth something one day so maybe I should start collecting pens from business that no longer exist. Its sad but thank you Nathan for sending this pen in and may the Home Valley Bank get a second life riding on the Mercedes pens Art Car for years to come.

Donated Pens from Cafe Noto in Windsor

2010-09-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

This is my first batch of pens collected from Cafe Noto in Windsor Ca. A great coffee shop across from the green. It has great a vibe, comfy couches, art show and of course great coffee. If you you are ever in the area make sure to drop by for a cup.

Pen Guy Grease Monkey To Fix Mercedes Pens Before Art Car Fest 2010

2010-09-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

Inside View of the Mercedes Pens Diesel Engine

This year has been one of many engine repairs for the Mercedes Pens and its aging 5 cylinder diesel engine now with 273K Miles. This is actually the first photo I have ever made public of my filthy diesel engine. So today I ordered a bunch more parts from Mercedes Source out of Bellingham, Washington owned by Kent, my favorite D.I.Y. mechanic. He also provides instructions with every part and has great diagnostic youtube videos covering the most common Mercedes Benz issues.

The parts below will used for a valve adjustment, compression test and a transmission vacuum diagnostic. I am also going to replace the engine cover seal and replace the engine valve stem seals. Oh and I am going to replace the transmission vacuum modulator that I bought while back.

The funny thing is that the only reason I ended up under the hood of the Mercedes Pens was to save money on repairs and parts, so I had to find an economic way to keep the pen car going. Mercedes Source is responsible in transforming me into a my Greese Monkey and own Kent a debt of gratitude for making it easy for me to get under the hood of the pen car. I only had one panic attack so far and that's pretty darn good.

I am doing all this to try and fix the smoking during acceleration and the jerking during gear shifting and all this to get my self ready for this years artcar fest October 8-10. I am hopping to get this all done and still find time to glue some fresh pens on the roof.

Valve Adjustment Kit

Transmission Kit

Compression Kit

Diagnosing Early Mercedes Diesel No Start, Rough Running, Heavy Smoke Problems - Part 1
This video gives a brief overview of the problems I have had with the Mercedes pens this year.

First Ever Chia Pet made from 500 Pens or Dangerous Bed of Pens

2010-09-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

The first ever Chia Pet made from 500 pens was made possible from a generous donation from Amsterdam Printing who included the Mercedes Pens Art car as one of the top 11 most bizarre branding collections. Thank you very much. They sent me a box of metallic branded pens that were miss prints and this is what I did with them.

Donated Pens from Aloha Hawaii

2010-08-23T22:53:00.000-07:00

I have been sitting on these donated pens from Aloha Hawaii for a while but here they are. They were sent in by D.C. from Mililani Hawaii about a month ago, sorry for the delay. I did a little quick Photoshop magic to liven up the bunch, now I wish I was really there and not just faking it in Photoshop. Thanks D.C and Aloha:) I wish I were there too.

Pens Donated from China via Ohio

2010-08-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

I recently got these bag of used pens from Amanda who teaches in China but lives in Ohio. She comes back home once a year to visit friends and family and this year she brought along some friends, a bunch of used pens:) What's really awesome about receiving pens in the mail from other countries is that it reminds of when my dad used to travel abroad and he would always bring me back something. He usually brought back coins for my collection and twice he brought me toy cars, a red Alpha Romeo and a red remote controlled Ferrari. Even back then I was into collecting and cars and this particular batch of used pens reminded me of that happy memory. Amanda also wrote me note which I really appreciate because it takes the guess work out and I get to properly thank the donor, here is a what she said:

"Wishing you continued success and innovative ideas in your recycled pen project!! Know I'm a fan of your creativity and a fan of recycling trash into treasures, so you rank high in book of "Cool":)

Amanda thank you so much for the pens and I wish you the best in your adventures in China and beyond.

Donated pens save graduate student's life

2010-08-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

These used pens were donated by Jenna, a graduate student from Washington who wrote a note saying that these pens got her through graduate school. I would say that these pens may have had life saving properties that enabled her to get through "hell" and back. They might have given her the will to write another paper or a least the will to proof read her work until it was perfect.

My theory is that the thought of donating these pens to the pen guy when they were empty was enough of a motivation. The only way get through graduate school was to complete her work and get her degree in Natural Medicine from Bastyr University.

Again all this is guesswork, but I have become a bit of an amateur analyst and can tell a lot about people by the pens they send to me. In most cases people don't give me any information so I have to make educated guesses based on the type pens and the information printed on them.

Jenna thank you for the pens and congratulations.

Pens Donated from the UK

2010-07-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

It's been way too long since wrote last, I have been busy designing web sites for local business and making engine repairs to my aging Mercedes Pens now with 274k miles and in need of some major engine work. I am hoping to get the car ready for Art Car Fest 2010 that will held October 8-10.

These came with no return address but when I pealed back the label I found a name. So I think these pens came from "Bob" from the UK. Thanks Bob, I really appreciate you sending these over all the way from across the "lake":):):)

Pen Guy Episode 4 - How To Buy A Used Car Hassle Free

2010-06-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

I met Michael Carney at my local gas station the other day who happens to be known as the "Car Man". We had a good chat about what he does for a living and promised he would send me some used pens in the mail. They did come, so I decided to make short video about what its like to buy a used car from the dealership these days knowing a little bit about it from having sold cars for exactly three months. What Michael does is eliminate the hassle of buying a used car by doing it for you. He goes out to car auctions every week and shops for cars so you don't have to. After watching my funny video you will agree with me that car buying is nightmare and what the Car Man does makes sense. If you happen to be in the market for a used car give the Car Man a call or if you want to do it yourself I suggest you read Beat The Car Salesman.

Pens From New Mexico Smell Funny - Smell-a-Vision

2010-05-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

I got this massive box of Pens sent in by Don from New Mexico the other day and frankly they smell kinda funny. Don't get me wrong I love all and any pen sent regardless of the way they look, smell or taste. Any ways I did a video about this particular batch of used pens and want to continue doing so as more come from the local thrift store locations and beyond. Don, thanks for sending those in and I look forward to the other ones you have coming my way.

Dreaming of Pentopia - Bohemian Article

2010-05-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

I finally made it in the bohemian with a great article called "Dreaming of Pentopia" because its true, I do dream about it and I know one day it will be a reality. The article was written by Gabe Meline who also took this photo of me lounging on the hood of the Mercedes Pens. He came over and we had a good chat about the car and the future of pens. This photo for is the first, I don't usually lay on the car since the pen are brittle and poky.

That's enough laying around, I have one day to get ready for maker Faire this weekend, and I am running out of time. Looking forward to seeing you there, and don't forget to bring you old pens by the Mercedes Pens this weekend:)

Photograph by Gabe Meline

14 Great Reasons The Mercedes Pens Visits Schools

2010-05-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I visited Northwest Prep in Santa Rosa Ca with my Mercedes Pens Art Car. I was invited by Art Teacher Barb G., whom I met at the Lucky's parking lot while I was picking up pens from the VNA thrift in Sebastopol. She invited me to bring the Mercedes and show her art class an art car up close and personal. I got a chance to visit and share a little about the what, the why and the how.

I love to show people how much you can do with simple and free materials such as dead pens of every kind. The pen car has been a lesson to me in the power of focusing on a vision, and taking the daily persistent steps towards seeing that vision come to life. 10,000 don't just glue them selves on a car, it took daily concentrated effort to find the pens, plan where to put the pens and then actually spending the time to do the work. All this was possible because I first had a vision in my mind of what I wanted the pen car to look like and the passion to see the project come to life so others could enjoy it.

I keep working on the car because as long as there are people who need a good laugh or something to inspire them, I have good reason to continue dreaming of pens, working on the car and making bigger and better pen art.

The other day I got manila folder from Northwest Prep filled with 14 thank you notes with pens attached. Getting those notes in the mail made my day so I wanted to highlight them for you and give thanks to the students there for giving another 14 reasons to continue collecting pens and working on the Mercedes Pens Art Car.

Here is are my 14 Great Reasons The Mercedes Pens Visits Schools

I didn't really like your car, it looks kind of weird with those pens on it, but thank you for coming
Mr Costas thank you for showing us your car
I appreciate the hard work you done to this car
I loved watching and touching the car
You are Pentastical and you are a magician in my village
I believe that with your car you have paved new roads to the discovery of art
Thanks for taking the time to show us your car
I learned that you can do what you imagine and make it happen in real life
It makes me want to keep drawing
It kind of helped me because I start things and never finish, but to see you and your car was inspirational.
I would like to thank you for the experience with your car.
Its so cool that you are doing this for a living
Thank you for showing a different type of art
Thank you for letting us see and touch your car

Dreamy Pen Photo Shoot by the Pen Guy

2010-05-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

"Jar-O-Gel Pens" sent in by Elizabeth, Arlington, MA

"Field of Pen Dreams" sent in by D, Delta, BC, Canada

"One with Pens" sent in by Cassandra, Oakdale, PA

photos by the Pen Guy

Thanks to Elizabeth, D and Cassandra who were the first three to send in these beautiful used pens using my new P.O. Box I set up last month. I shot these pens out in front yard last Sunday and tried to make them look more "artsy" with fancy titles and dreamy backgrounds. I figured I might as well shoot them right before they end up on the pen pile with the rest. Keep them coming:)

NEW Pen Drop Off Location - VNA Thrift on Piner

2010-04-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

I just added another pen drop off location in Santa Rosa at the VNA thrift store on Piner Ave.
The photo taken are the pens they gave me they had cluttering up an entire drawer, perfect opportunity to make room for more stuff and get some spring cleaning done at the same time.

Attack of the Hungry Pen Eating Droid

2010-04-13T19:40:00.000-07:00

A very hungry pen eating robot will be munching on old used pens at the Video Droid tomorrow in Santa Rosa, as soon as I drop him off. He will be there as long as it takes to eat plenty of used pens from the local population.

He was created from a used Christmas wrapping paper bin I found for a buck at the VNA thrift store on Santa Rosa.

I filled the top section with pens to make it look like robot brains. I also borrowed some elements from the Mercedes pens by adding the 3D cube on the chest and the tubes on the top for hair. The middle one is actually punched through so the used pens can be dropped in the top of our hungry robot.

By the way a featured article in the Bohemian is coming out on Wed April 14 about the Pen guy and the Mercedes Pens.

More Pen Drop Locations Added!!!

2010-04-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

Pens dropped off at the City Life Community Center

These pens were just laying on the big barrel I had at City Life last week and probably the last at that location. All the tenants will be moving out so I had to reclaim my barrel and change my mail in address: The Pen Guy P.O. Box 994 - Forestville CA - 95436. Thank you City Life for allowing me to have pens sent there.

I just picked up four more locations near and around Santa Rosa where you can drop off your old used pens. I still need to build a recycling bin for Video Droid and drop the one I made for Cafe Noto in Windsor. I also picked up ten more blank bins that I will decorating at the Sonoma Family Expo today from 3:30 to 8:00 pm for any one who want to get in on the pen recycling gig.

Cafe Noto-Windsor
Rileystreet Art Supply - Santa Rosa
Video Droid - On Mendocino Ave SR
Corrick's - 4th Street Down town SR

Check out the Google maps on the side bar for even more locations near you, by the way a great way to generate more traffic for your business and do something nice for environment and The Pen Guy.

Mercedes Pens to Appear at Sonoma Family Expo April 9, 2010

2010-04-08T23:12:00.000-07:00

I will be appearing at the Sonoma Family Expo with the Mercedes Pens Friday April 9th, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, from 3:30 - 8:oo pm. I will be there collecting old pens and making custom pen recycling bins for those of you who want to put your business on the pen recycling location map.

I also received a third installment of recycled pens from Grace Church School in New York City collected by their wonderful, amazing and dedicated Green Team. I took this shot early this morning as the sun was coming through my kitchen window. Thanks guys for the Crayola Markers.

Pen Recycling Locations now on Google Maps

2010-04-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Things are really picking up with my pen drive and last week I was fortunate to pick up a few more pen recycling locations at the VNA & Hospice Foundation Thrift Store in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park . I also set up all the pen drop off locations on Google maps to make it easy to find the one near you. Now I am looking to add more locations in the Bay Area so if have a good location in mind and would like to participate in my Million Pen Drive please let me know. Nice thing about participating in the drive is that it puts you on the The Pen Guys map and sends a bit more traffic your way.

View Pen Donation Locations in a larger map

I also went legitimate and got my very own PO Box address for people to send pens in the mail.

The Pen Guy
P.O.Box 994
Forestville, CA 95436

Indiana Pen Donation Finally In

2010-03-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

Pen Donated from Indiana

I want to thank Indiana for donating pens for the Pen Guy Project and my apologies for not posting this batch sooner. The long lost image of this particular box of donated pens was recently found in the archives and I am happy to finally post it. For those of you out there who love golf check out this golf club pen that was sent in.

Mercedes Pens - Pentopian Society Doggie T

2010-03-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

I love the fact that I can use my mad skills as a graphic designer to create designs like this new "Pentopian Society" logo, upload it to my new Pen Guy T Shirt Store and within minutes see my work displayed and for sale on the back of my new Pen Guy Doggie Tee. The Pentopian Society T Shirt is so hot and so popular in the canine community right now that I decided to make it available for humans as well. But wait, it gets better, you can also order shoes and a skateboard with the same logo to go with your Pentopian Society T Shirt, when you walk you Pentopian Society Doggie.

Pen Guy Store Now Open - T Shirts and Swag for Sale

2010-03-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

The Pen Guy is proud to announce the grand opening of the Pen Guy T Shirt and Swag Store, located on Zazzle. The primary purpose of my online T Shirt store is to raise funds for much needed repairs on the Pen Car running strong now with a meer 272k miles. For now I have one design up but will be adding many more in the coming weeks.I did all this in anticipation of a very busy week in the media for the Pen Guy.

Today I was interviewed for a feature piece for the Bohemian and will probably be coming out next week or the week after. Tomorrow I will drive down to SF for more shooting for the Doggie Boggie movie. And tomorrow night at 10.00 pm I will be on Eye On The Bay, CBS channel 5 for their Friday Flea Market segment. They gave me a minute and half to tell the bay area that I am available for appearances, anywhere in the bay area to show off the pen car, speak and pick up old pens.

My primary goal is to bring pen recycling awareness to the bay area with a massive Pen Drive and collect a million pens for future projects and maybe one day open up Pentopia.

So all I ask is that you:

Watch the show
Collect your pens
Email me
Schedule an appearance
Buy a T shirt

Is that too much to ask?:)

Mercedes Pens in the Doggie Boggie Movie

2010-03-16T19:00:00.001-07:00

Candler and the Mercedes Pens in Doggie Boogie

This Friday the Mercedes Pens and I will be headed down to SF for more shooting for the Doggie Boggie movie that the pen car is in. This shot was taken last month while shooting the chase scene, where the taxi cab goes after the Mercedes pens driven by Candler and Pijo the dog looking out the back window.

Candler is played by Chris Marsol, a kind soul whose dog Yuman has been down the path of Barkananda. He realizes Cassie and Pijo’s needs and introduces them to Shangrrrrla.

It was a little nerve racking handing the car keys over to Chris but a after a few minutes of explaining the basics he took off with no problems. He also brought the car back in one piece but not Chris, he got cut pretty bad on a pen in the doorway as he was getting out and lost a fake shirt pocket to another pen a little while later. The pen car is pretty but you can never turn your back on it.

Florida and Maryland Join Pen Revolution

2010-03-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

Pens donated from Geneva Florida (thanks Elizabeth)

Pens donated from Mockton Maryland

Florida and Maryland are the latest two states to join in the pen recycling revolution with their recent pen donations.

From Florida I got some old pens from Royal Canin, and Southwest, and from Maryland a pen from Drs. Schwartz and Hyatt who offer Maxillofacial Surgical Care. Getting pens from local business in the area is a always interesting to me especially when I get pens with no return address. Thanks again and keep sending to those old pens:)

Mercedes Pens Going Upscale at Okizu Gala

2010-03-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

Photo by Patrick Roddie

Last weekend Emily Duffy creator of the Vain Van and I were invited to bring our art cars to the 16th Annual Art Inspiring Hope Gala benefiting the Okizu Foundation at Fort Mason Center’s Herbst Pavilion in San Francisco. Okizu supports the childhood cancer community and provide peer support, respite, mentoring, and recreational programs to meet the needs of all members of families affected by childhood cancer.

Patrick Robbie was the main photographer for the evening and took a bunch of great photos of the guests with the Mercedes Pens as the backdrop. This makes it the first time that the pen car has been used in this way for a very upscale event.

This is also the first time since I was married that wore a black suite and in fact had to borrow one since I don't have much use for one in my line of business. It was a great opportunity to dress up and go on a date with my wife Sandy in San Francisco. After the event Emily and Ken took us out to South Beach and we had some fantastic Italian food at Caffe Sport where they took our photo in a serious moment we were having during dinner.

Magical Pentopia Store Seeking Investors with Vision.

2010-03-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

I went out today to pick up some pens dropped at the Sutter VNA Thrift Store in Sebastopol dropped by my facebook friend Scotty M. I then went to Starbucks on 962 Gravenstein Avenue to have some coffee and write in my journal. That's when I saw the perfect 648 sq/ft space for lease and got me thinking again about opening up Pentopia.

Pentopia is the magical land of pens, new and used for sale of every kind. There are regular pens, specialty pens, crafts made from used pens, and works of art called pentings. Its a place to hang out, buy a pen, make a craft, color on the walls, be transported into another world and be uplifted.

Its what the Willy Wonka factory would look like if it made pens instead of candy. Painted walls with hills, plants, trees and sky. Grassy path ways leading you around the various pens covered plants and trees. Wall murals covered in pens and a place to hang out, enjoy the view and explore the wonderful world of pens.

Drop off your old pens, stay and make a pen craft or help out with the latest pen mural. Buy a regular pen or find a special one for that special someone, a pen for everyone and for every occasion. Then go next door and get some paper to go with your new pen.

I believe Pentopia is an amazing place and it needs to happen, I have a couple of weeks to raise the necessary capital to start this thing here in Sebastopol. I have been thinking about Pentopia for about three years and believe that now is the time to step out in faith and make it happen. I need resources to get going in this venture so I am seeking investors who have caught the vision to step forward with me to provide capital and the materials necessary to make Pentopia a reality.

I have a detailed plan for Pentopia and would love to share my vision with you. If you or someone you know wants to partner with me on this amazing project please email me and lets make Pentopia happen.

Pens back from the abyss - Six months of hell under the car seat

2010-02-24T17:43:00.000-08:00

Ever drop stuff down the crack between the car seat and console of your car? I am always rescuing pens that have fallen into the abyss, months later as well. That's exactly what happened to these used pens donated by Kristin from Highland Village Texas who sent them last September. The person who was supposed to give me the mail found these pens 6 months later under their seat while looking for something else.

This entire snafu could have been prevented if they had purchased the drop stop, a product designed to protect pens and other junk from falling under your car seat. I know what I want for Christmas.

Shocking Truth - Pen Guy Collects PENCILS Too!!!

2010-02-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

I am posting this bunch of used pens from Oakland to point out the dirty little secret in my line of business as the Pen Guy. The truth is that I often receive pencils along side the pens every once in a while and in fact was given a 1 gallon Ziploc bag filled with pencils just the other day. So far I have a small collection of pencils and wondering that if this keeps up I might have to cover another car in pencils. So don't let me stop you from sending pencils as well, but don't forget all the old pens, Crayola Markers, and all them dry erase.

Donated Pens from Bangkok Thailand - 8,263 mile record

2010-02-23T10:21:00.001-08:00

Just got these used pens all the way from Bangkok Thailand, some 8263 miles away. Alex from the Raintree Village Apartments sent 10 pens and he now holds the record for longest distance traveled for donated pens. Used pens are not very photohenic so I decided to photoshop up the image with a little forest and the photo of the Raintree Village Apartments I found on Google maps. Hope that works for you and thanks Alex for the pens.

Crazy Pen Sculpture at the SF Dump Art Show

2010-01-28T16:21:00.001-08:00

This crazy pen sculpture shown at the San Francisco Dump Art Show is one my favorite pen sculptures created by resident artist Casey Logan in 2008.Its called "I Wish I Were Mark Twain", made from (wood, acrylic paint, tons and tons of pens,..and Mark Twain's soul???). Anyways a great use of a lot of pens and it hangs nicely. originally uploaded by dumpsterdiversanonymous.

Junkyard Journeys - The Mercedes Pens Story by Cat Cutillo

2010-01-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

Sitting inside the Mercedes Pens

Photo by Cat Cutillo

Photo by Cat Cutillo

Video by Cat Cutillo

Cat Cutillo an award winning photographer from San Fransisco recently interviewed me for a video project she was working for a class project. She also took a bunch of great photos that she incorporated into the video. The video is called Junkyard Journeys and in I talk about my inspiration for starting the Mercedes Pens and my ongoing dream to collect a million pens for future art projects. She did a great job shooting and editing this video and I am really pleased with the end result:)Thank you Cat.

Pen Donations from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit

2010-01-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

And speaking of pen donations for the million pen project, these used pens just came in from some faithful pen guy fans. Three envelopes with used pens were sent from San Diego, Detroit and the UK. The San Diego one came with two Pilot g2 pens and the one from the UK came in a bag because the envelope burst open and had to be re-wrapped, but it got here OK. The third envelope came over from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI, so thank you and hope things warm up for you guys soon.

5 Ways to Go Green This Year - Recycling Used Pens at #5

2010-01-06T19:15:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Grayson green writer for the Haffington Post wrote an article called "Eco Etiquette: 5 Wacky Ways To Go Green In The New Year" and collecting used pens for the Mercedes Pens came in at #5. I am very grateful that I made the top five for this years Eco list but I am really torn up about loosing the #4 spot to "peeing in the shower". It's tough considering everyone in Brazil is doing it, but If I get the entire country to send in their used pens for my million pen project, I might have a fighting chance for the #4 spot next year. Thanks for your support and keep sending in those used pens, and lets beat those Brazilians. The other top three spots were:

Going to bed an hour earlier
Stop using shampoo
Eating a PB&J sandwich

Mercedes Pens On the Wealth Channel

2010-01-06T17:21:00.001-08:00

Again featured on best of art car fest 2007 by Wealth TV

4 Steps to prepping the Mercedes Pens for a movie shoot

2009-12-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wonder what its like over here at the Pen Guy house with all the donated pens I have been collecting locally and through the mail? Well here are the exclusive, never before seen pictures of my front yard totally covered in pens ready to sorting for my big roof project.

You start out with all the old pens out in the open ready for sorting.

Then you start sorting the crayola markers by color in bundles.

Then you prep the roof with drain pipe glued on with silicone.

Then you shove all the crayola marker bundles in the tubes and pray to God they don't fly off the roof while your driving down the highway at a whopping 65mph.

It took me about a week to scrape and prep the roof and another week to short and glue the new pens on. All this to get the Mercedes Pens ready for filming on the new movie called Doggie Boogie in San Francisco. I got one more day of shooting next week so all I have to do do is show up with the car just as it was last week.

Fashion Barbie Pen Arrives from New York

2009-11-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

Here is another massive box of pens from the Green Team at Grace Church School in New York. When I opened the box up I found a pen I had never seen before, a Barbie Doll Pen. After surviving her long journey in a dark box filed with messy crayola marker pens she took so time to enjoy the sun. This time our one legged wooden model took some time off to sit with her and pose sitting on the box. Her journey is complete and will become part of the Legendary Mercedes Pens in some way sometime soon. The pens also came with a crayola stained note, I guess the red one still works.

One Legged Wooden Model with Giant Calligraphy Pen

2009-11-24T14:35:00.000-08:00

I got this calligraphy pen donated from BJ Broadstone, one of my facebook friends the other day with a story written on the tag, here is what it said:

A little story: This calligraphy pen helped me earn a small income by addressing wedding invitations and creating poster size calendars. Thanks to the high tech printers, and PCs, my pen has been retired:( But hello mural!!

The story on the wooden model is that when I go to the thrift store to collect pens I always take a peak in the garbage can just in case. This one time I saw the one legged wooden model and I had to have it, so I dove and took it home. If I ever wanted to learn how to draw a one legged person, I have the right wooden model for it.

Thanks BJ.

Blind Man Touches Mercedes Pens...and Lives

2009-11-24T14:25:00.000-08:00

I have always wondered what a blind person would think of the Mercedes Pens Art Car. Its not just the color but the texture of the car I think is really cool. One day I was at the coffee shop and blind man in training came by and I asked him if he would like to touch the car and tell me what he thought. He said he loved the rich pen texture of the Mercedes Pens and his picture says it all.

Pen Guy's First Endorsement - 55 Gallon Plastic Barrels For Sale

2009-11-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

It keeps getting better every day, I just picked up an endorsement deal from my brother George who is selling these fantastic 55 Gallon Plastic Barrels that I used as pen recycling containers around town. I was paid in barrels for my first endorsement, witch is better than nothing. These barrels are amazing and have all kinds of uses: collect rain water, planter boxes, chairs, compost bins, canoe trailer/trunk, and even a storm trooper armor costume . Just a few of the plastic barrel projects I found on instructables. These baby's will run you $25 each and there is free delivery with purchase of 8 or more, anywhere in the SF Bay Area. The best way to reach George is call him on his cell at 707-591-6021.

Mercedes Pens to Appear in Doggie Boogie Movie

2009-11-21T17:09:00.000-08:00

Yes folk its true I just signed on with my Mercedes Pens to appear in a movie called "Doggie Boogie!, Get Your Grrrr ON!". Its a Feel-Good Family Comedy with an Unusual Twist, written directed and Produced by Romanus Wolter. They were looking for a colorful art car to be in about four scenes, one of them a car chase scene. Filming is to begin in a couple of weeks in San Francisco which means I don't have much time to get the car ready for the big screen. One of the sections I need to work on is the roof, because the pens are faded, broken and sad looking so I need some fresh ones.

The movie is about a devoted Bichon pup helps his teenage owner and her uncle unleash their true potential in a wild quest for personal identity that romps through the worlds of dancing dogs and holistic doggie healing. more

Goverment Agency to Recycle Pens

2009-11-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

Five Pen Recycling Bins on the Hood of the Mercedes Pens

Pen Recycling Bin in Action

Its not often that I get governmental cooperation to help me collect a million pens but last week I did. My source within the agency made some inquires and got permission to place five pen recycling bins around the office and then called me with the go ahead on the project. I did some recon and found the best bins for the best price at Walmart , and then proceeded to attack them with glue and pens. The result, five beautiful pen recycling bins for use at the secret government location somewhere on planet earth. To all of you pen recyclers at the facility thank you and thank you to the higher ups for making it happen:) Can't wait to come by for that visit:)

Massive Pen Donation by The Summer Performing Arts Company

2009-11-20T08:01:00.001-08:00

Around the end of November I received what is probably the biggest box of pens from so far from The Summer Performing Arts Company and I wanted to thank you guys for doing that. These promotional pens where left overs and were found quite dry so naturally they sent over to yours truly who is still trying to figure out a good place to glue them.

The Summer Performing Arts Company, or SPA, is an eight-week summer arts program available for students in the elementary, middle and high schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota and the surrounding communities. These programs are instructed by staff from the Grand Forks region (including the Grand Forks Public Schools and the University of North Dakota), as well as special guests from around the country.

Thank you so much:)

Back from Art Car Fest 09

2009-10-19T17:39:00.000-07:00

Its been almost a month since I blogged, because frankly I needed some rest from all the work I put into getting ready for Art Car Fest 09. But I had to post about a surprise visit I got from my best friend from high school, Ralph. It was great to see him on Saturday at the Salsa festival in Redwood City were I was parked right there on the sidewalk at a major intersection melting in the sun. It was good to catch up with Ralph and show him my new Mercedes Pens ride and the latest pen upgrades.

Pen Donation Barrel Now at The Bay Model in Sausalito

2009-09-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I went down to Sausalito to drop off my 5th pen recycling barrel at The Bay Model. I was there from 12-3 hanging out with the my new fans. I then drove over to San Rafael for free music in the park for another three hours. It was a great way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon. A big thanks goes to Mari Tamburo who made it possible for me to be there.

Submitted by Shelley Champine

Pen Recycling Barrel Now at City Life in Santa Rosa

2009-09-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

City Life community center has a for a long time now graciously allowed me to have pens mailed here at ~~2425 Mendocino Ave in Santa Rosa~~. They were even more gracious when I asked them if I could put one of my pen recycling barrels in the front lobby. Now not only can you mail pens here but you can if you want go down and drop them off your self. They have been very supportive with my Million Pen Drive so I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

City life community center is a very unique place, it used to be a Heald college location and now its a place where many organizations meet and hold meetings during the week. They have ballet and martial arts classes, 5-6 churches meet there such as City Life Fellowship , Giving Tree Church and others. Hope Works is also located there, a non profit organization that is gang intervention and inmate reentry program. Its a great place to find great information about local events and meetings that are happening all through out the week.

The New Pen Donation Address is:
The Pen Guy - P.O.Box 994 - Forestville, CA 95436

Pen Rainbow Inside the Mercedes Pens on the way to Art Car Fest

2009-09-09T22:18:00.000-07:00

Its nice to finally have enough pens collected to be able to create an entire pen rainbow on the inside of Mercedes Pens Art Car roof. I just finished this beauty yesterday and with a colorful interior like mine, a rainbow seemed like the right thing to do. The inside is the safest place to do this considering the sun and weather eventually destroy all pens on the outside of the pen car. I know its a weird shape but I still have more space to fill out the area around it with more pens. I have less than a month to get ready for the big art car event called Art Car Fest September 25-27th, so I need to get busy repairing the missing and damaged pens. Art Car Fest is three days of hanging out with other art car folks showing our creations to the public. I will also be collecting old pens so if you have them please fill free to come and drop them off, I would love take them off your hands. Think of all the free space you'll have for more stuff.

This year you will be able to enjoy art cars at Art Car Fest at these locations:

Day 1 - Friday, September 25th

Sports Basement - San Fransisco, CA
Amoeba Music - Berkeley , CA

Day 2 - Saturday, September 26th

Salsa Festival - Redwood City, CA

Day 3 - Sunday, September 27th

Berkeley's Last Sundays Fest - Berkley CA

World's Largest Ball-Point Pen Collection

2009-09-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

I have to give kudos to Angelika Unverhau from Dinslaken (Germany) who has managed to collect more than 220,000 ball-point pens (excluding duplicates) from 146 countries. She has been collecting pens since childhood, but in 1990 decided to take her hobby more seriously and go for the world record. She meets twice with other pen collectors through her ball-point club and trade pens with each other, fun. She currently holds the Guinness World Record for largest ball-point collection. I got my work cut out for me with my Million Pen Drive but I am collecting anything with the word "pen" in it, so I think might have a fighting chance.

Fancy Shmancy Pen Recycling Barrel at Forestville Elementary School

2009-09-08T17:37:00.001-07:00

I just delivered and installed a new fancy shmancy pen recycling barrel at Forestville Elementary School which was originally at Analy High School but was too big so I made them a smaller version. This pen recycling beauty is located smack dab in the middle of the entrance to the school as you go past the main office. Can't miss it. Its going to be a good school year.

Three Pen Recycling Locations in Marin - Thanks To Mari Tamburo

2009-09-02T22:19:00.001-07:00

A big thanks goes to amazing singer and online friend Mari Tamburo (please check out her music and support her new album) who organized three pen recycling locations and two appearances by me the Pen Guy and my Mercedes Pens Art Car, September 19Th. Mari is also part of Artsboretum an organization dedicated to the preservation of a rich music legacy and to the cultivation of independent music artists and audiences. There goal is to inspire independent music artists to produce their best works, expose them to new audiences and empower them to become self sustaining by offering education, collaboration and performance opportunities.

1) Appearance and pen pick up
September 19, 2009 from 12-3pm
The Bay Model Visitor Center,
2100 Bridgeway (on marinship)
Sausalito, CA 94965"

2) Appearance and pen pick up
September 19, 2009 from 3:30-6pm
San Rafael Music in The Plaza

3) Pen recycling location
Red Devil Records
894 4Th Street
San Rafael , CA 94901

Pen Donation Barrel at Analy High School

2009-09-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

Analy High School in Sebastopol now has pen donation barrel covered in pens ready for the new school year. I met Brigitte at the Forestville Business Expo who was very excited about starting a collection over at Analy. I placed the second barrel in front of her office mainly for the student body and staff to have easy access to for pen recycling. I wish you all the best in the coming school year and I thank you for participating with me in the one million pen drive.

If you too want one of these pen covered barrels please email me to order yours today.

Pen Donation Barrel at El Molino Pharmacy in Forestville

2009-08-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

Pen Donation Barrel at El Molino Pharmacy in Forestville

My first pen recycling barrel covered in pens just went in last Thursday right after the Forestville Business Expo sponsored by the Forestville Chamber of Commerce. Pete Summers the new owner of the El Molino Pharmacy in Forestville agreed to be the first business to place one of my pen recycling barrels in front of his store. During the business expo I got a chance to talk to a lot of folks who were very pleased to have a place to donate all their old pens. I also talked to others interested in placing one of these custom pen barrels at their business or schools in the surrounding area. I would love to find more locations all over west county and beyond, so please email me to order yours today.

The Pen Guy's Million Pen Drive is now on its way to realization with the help of the community who catch the vision of this peculiar project of mine:)

Pen Covered Donation Barrels Hit the Streets of Sonoma County - Order Yours Today

2009-08-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

Pen Covered Donation Barrels Hit the Streets of Sonoma County

I just completed my first two pen covered donation barrels ready to be placed in locations around Sonoma County. I prepped the surface fist then went through about two tubes of silicone glue to decorate these formerly ugly looking 55 gal plastic drums. I will be unavailing these today at the Forestville Business Expo from 4 to 8pm looking for a business that will agree to become a pen donation location near down town.

The nice thing about these free once used plastic barrels is that they allowing me to continue making my pen art and expand my dream of collecting a million pens here in Sonoma County.
The pen barrels are custom made for each location making it easier to recycle pens on a regular basis and generate more traffic for those who want it. I also book an appearance to come by for a meet and greet with folks who want to drop off recycled pens and get a chance to see the Mercedes Pens Art Car.

If you are interested in participating in pen recycling please email me to order your pen recycling barrel for your business, school or other organization.

Mercedes Pens Spotted by Jennifer Grayson in St. Helena

2009-08-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

Mercedes Pens Spotted by Jennifer Grayson in St. Helena

photo by Jennifer Grayson

Last week I was in St. Helena helping out at my father in laws business while he took some time off to go backpacking. When I finally got there, I decided to park the Mercedes Pens out on Main street, because with an art car like mine, hiding in the back would be a crime. I got lucky that day and was spotted by Jennifer Grayson who wrote me up on her blog. Jennifer is an operatically trained singer with a degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and founding editor of theredwhiteandgreen.com. She also just started writing a column for the HuffPost called EcoEtiquette, so kudos to you.

Pen Guy and his Crazy Pen Covered Wool Jacket - Art Car Fest Video

2009-08-21T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is a video was taken at last years Art Car Fest opening night for Harrod Blank's movie Automorphosis in ElCerito CA. Here I am sporting my funky pen covered wool jacket that I created just for this special red carpet event to see an art car movie, only I didn't see any carpet. We did manage to get some free pizza from a guy a few business down from the movie theater running for supervisor. So it was a good night and I kept warm with my jacket. In the video there is also another car that was Halloween themed, very nice.

Donated Gel Pens from Queens NY

2009-08-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

Donated Gel Pens Inside the Pen Guy's Hard Hat

This batch of pens were donated and sent in by Nick and Steph all the way from Queens NY. One thing I ask is that when you send pens in please include an email or find me on Facebook so I can properly thank you.

Any ways I got a bag full of regular pens and also two bags full of Beifa Gel Ink pens jell pens which are great for projects that require benty pens. I covered my hard hat with them and created a pen tree on the inside driver door of the Mercedes Pens. They bend smoothly when heated with a heat gun which is good for me but not so good for the person who paid money for a pen that soon died. I always seem to get Gel Pens full of ink which means they don't seem to last long and tend to dry up fast. If you find your self in that situation, no worries, once you send them in to me I will make sure they get a second chance in life to pursue other goals and purposes. Nick and Steph thanks a ton.

Fish Pen Finds Final Resting Place Inside Mercedes Pens

2009-08-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Fish Pen send in by Mari finds final resting place inside Mercedes Pens

A fish pen from Santa Cruz that found its way to the Mercedes Pens Art Car two years later is a remarkable story. I met Mari during Art Car Fest in Santa Cruz two years ago who came by to see all the art cars on display down town. Her fish pen finally run out of ink and she sent it in the mail just the other day. I have another fish lure pen made from the same company on the inside of the car, I think another one would be nice for company. Thanks Mari and keep sending in those old pens pens, a million is just around the corner.

"I met you last year driving the Art Car show on Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz. I wanted to send you this pen (not working) for your collection. Keep on Arting!"- Mari

Mercedes Pens Art Car during Art Car Fest in Santa Cruz CA

Redwood Gospel Mission Thrift Store - Pen Recycling Center - City Kids Festival, August 22, 2009

2009-07-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

Good news, the Redwood Gospel Mission Thrift Store has just agreed to become a pen recycling drop off center for the one million pen drive. There will be a two bins, one located inside the thrift store and the other one in the back were donations are dropped off. So remember, don't just throw away all those dead ball points, dry erase and marker pens, instead recycle them along with your other donations at the Mission Thrift Store on 1064 Piner Ave. in Santa Rosa, Mon - Sat, 10 am to 6 pm.

Alice Lowe who agreed to collect pens for the Million Pen Drive is the outreach and fundraising events and is also the contact person for the City Kids Festival that will happening Saturday August 22, 2009, at Juliard Park in Santa Rosa. The City Kids Festival is an all-day outreach, primarily to needy children in Sonoma County. There will be Free backpacks and school supplies! Free books! Balloon animals, miniature golf, snow cones, face painting and much more more! Many Sonoma County churches volunteer their time and effort and money to provide the supplies for the kids and run game and food booths during the event. In 2008 1800 backpacks were given away and this year they expect more that 2000 boys and girls to attend. The event is free and open to all with no charge for the games and food. The free backpacks are given to those children who pre-register for them at RGM.They are also currently accepting donations for more school supplies needed for the City Kids Festival.

I have had the pleasure of attending this event with my Mercedes Pens now for past couple of years and plan to be there again this year hanging out as the Pen Guy. This event would also be good time for you to come out with your kids and drop off any old pens that you would love to get rid off.

Pen Guy on Air with Brent Farris and Debbie Abrams on KZST 100.1

2009-07-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

Brent Farris and Debbie Abrams wearing the Pen Guy's Hat at KZST

Today I had the pleasure of being on air at KZST 100.1 with famous radio personalities Brent Farris and Debbie Abrams first thing this morning. I met Debbie at the Pick of the Litter Silent Auction event last June and after seeing the Mercedes Pens she asked me if I would like to be on the air. The answer of course was a big yes, and what time? I had the opportunity to share a little bit about my Mercedes Pens art car and my next big project to collect a million pens to make giant murals called "pen-tings". Being on air was a lot of fun and if you missed it you will have another opportunity to hear my interview with Debbie on her Sunday morning show called "Sonoma County's Talking", 6am to 6:30am Sundays. Thanks Brent and Debbie for having me over this morning to spread the word about the Pen Guy and the next big pen collection project, it was a blast:)

Pen Guy to Collect a Million Used Pens to Make Art

2009-07-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE

PEN GUY TO COLLECT A MILLION USED PENS TO MAKE ART
The Pen Guy has a goal to collect a million used pens of all kinds, to create giant art murals called “Pen-tingsä.” He hopes to redirect the flow of some of the millions of used pens that end up in landfills every year into a reusable art medium.
Santa Rosa, CA – July 26, 2009
Every year millions of discarded, used pens end up in landfills. So far no one has come up with a possible eco-friendly solution to this problem until now. Costas Schuler, a.k.a. the “Pen Guy”, from Forestville, CA, is asking for used pen donations to create art- namely giant murals called “Pen-tingsä.” A few years ago Costas started gluing pens to his 1981 Mercedes Benz, creating an art car he dubs the “Mercedes Pens”, which now has approximately 10,000 pens on it and is a regular feature at community events around the Bay Area. Costas is now embarking on a more ambitious project to collect and reuse a million pens for his "Pen-tings”: The plan is to partner with individuals, businesses, organizations and schools to establish regular collection sites, or to help by hosting a donation drive, where Costas would appear with the Mercedes Pens to talk about the project. Contact Costas at costas_schuler@yahoo.com or join his Facebook group RecyclePens.
The Pen Guy and the Mercedes Pens are regular attendees of events such as the Maker Faire, Art Car Fest, Harmony Festival, City Kids Festival, as well as local grade schools and senior centers, where he encourages people to pursue their talents and dreams in life. He goes about his normal day asking for used pen donations, and there are several schools and businesses which participate regularly in collecting pens for his cause: the Forestville Water District, O’Reilly Media, Sutter Hospice Thrift in Sebastopol, Pick of the Litter in Santa Rosa, and Goodwill Industries in Santa Rosa.

The Mercedes Pens Art Car is a globally recognized art car, with features on TV, print and the internet: NBC, ABC, the Science Channel, Smithsonian Channel, Wealth TV, and Mag Rack, The Press Democrat, Sonoma West Times, Today’s Vintage, Forbes.com, PC Magazine, Neatorama, Green Living Tips and countless blogs from around the world.

“Thank you for bringing your pen car and being part of this years’ Maker Faire again. Both kids and adults went nuts over your car.” –Sherry Huss, Director of Maker Faire

"Pen Guy, we loved your car! Your presentation was fantastic, engaging, funny, and personable. We can't decide who liked the experience more - the kids or us! Thanks so much for sharing your amazing project with us. We want you to come to our class EVERY year for Earth Day!" –Mariah M. (1st Grade Teacher)

Costas Schuler was born in Athens, Greece to a Greek mother and English father who met in Australia. He lived in Greece and England and in 1985 emigrated to California. He met his wife Sandy in San Jose 13 years ago and now lives in Forestville, CA with their three daughters Emma, Sophia and Giovanna. Costas has been a professional graphic designer for over 15 years, but hopes to make this “Pen thing” a full-time gig: collecting pens, creating works of art, speaking, making videos, appearing at events, maybe writing a book about his adventures and saving a few million pens from the dump. He wants to see an entire industry that further explores other pen possibilities.

Pen Guy Lecture at Sebastopol Senior Center

2009-07-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

The Pen Guy posing with donated pens inside the Mercedes Pens

Last Tuesday I had the privilege of doing my first "Lecture" at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center who provide activities, classes and events for adults of all ages. My lecture was really a short visit to talk about the Mercedes Pens Art Car and the my future plans to collect a million pens collect and have a couple of root beer floats:) It was a lot of fun and after wards we went down to the Pen Car to take a closer look inside. I was invited to come by Emily Webster who also publicized the lecture in the Bohemian including a mug shot in the front to my complete surprise. The day after I got this great email from Emily and this is what she had to say about it.

"Aren’t you wonderful! Good job here at the Senior Center . You are a good personality, energetic and very very likable. Everyone is for you. We all want to see you succeed with your wonderful pen ideas. We want to see you all over the world collecting pens. Oh, by the way, thanks for volunteering your time here. We all had a great time with you."-Emily Webster

85 year old man inadvertently donates his pens

2009-07-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

This box came to me me wrapped in blue wrapping paper all the way from Sweet Home Oregon with a great story. The box came wrapped in blue paper and once I tore open the box I found this great note sent in by Jill.

"Dear Pen Guy,

A good friend of mine who is 85 years old recently had to move away from his home to go stay with his children. Once he was moved out I was asked to clean the house to get it ready for its new owners. In the back corner of a closet I found this box, and when I opened it I saw more pens than I had ever seen before in one place! It was amazing! It seemed that for the past 10 years or so he had kept every pen he had ever owned, even after it had run out of ink.

I hope these can be used in your artwork. I know my friend will be happy to know that all his old pens went to a good place:)"

Thanks for what you do!
-Jill W.

Wow what a great story, I think that has to be the first one of its kind. I was thinking about it the other day and I realized that every pen has a story to tell. Imagine if you could capture all the things that were written, from the mundane shopping list to the life changing invention. I think it would be great if people started sending their pens and a story written about it.

Donated Pens - Silver Spur Elementary and The Green Team

2009-07-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

Donated Pens From Silver Spur Elementary

These pens came a couple of weeks ago from Merin D. a parent from Silver Spur Elementary School in Rancho Palos Verders, CA. Merin is also part of The Green Team an interactive educational program to help students and teachers to help the environment through waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. These are but a few of the pens she collected last year but Merin volunteered to incorporate collecting old pens at Silver Spur as part of her crayon and glue stick recycling program. Merin thank so much and may you be the first of many around the country who are willing to take the time to collect and send in their old pens for the million pen project.

Pick of the Litter Silent Auction with Debbie Abrams & Brent Farris - June 28th, 2009

2009-06-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

Video of my trip to pick pens up from the Pick of the Litter Thrift Store

I really can't say enough good things about Pick of the Litter, a thrift shop dedicated to getting feral cats off the streets and finding loving homes for the forgotten felines of the Santa Rosa community. They have a spay/neuter program for tame, stray cats and formerly feral kittens pulled from the wild; Then they give them the opportunity to go through "Good Samaritan" clinics. There is a nominal fee for this service, but for the most part it is subsidized through a bequest left by Jean Mekemson.

To make a long story short Pick of the Litter has has basically adopted me the Pen Guy and have now for over two years collected stray pens and given them to me for the Mercedes Pens Art Car Project. I went in there one day looking for old dead pens and now go there every couple of weeks to collect a big bag of recycled pens that would otherwise get thrown in the garbage. The video I did was on one of those days when I went to pick up some pens.

They are having a fundraiser this Sunday June 28th from 11a.m - 4p.m, called Pick of the Litter's Rollin' out the Red Carpet & Puttin' on the Ritz! a Celebrity Silent Auction featuring donations by Debbie Abrams, Guy Fieri, Levi Leipheimer and Odessa Gunn "What does Debbie do?" Luxury Silent Auction. There will be Music by North of Malibu and special guests Debbie Abrams & Brent Farris of KZST. Pick of the Litter was voted Sonoma County's Favorite Thrift Store by KZST Listeners and so KZST is promoting the event all week. Hope to see you all there, go an support a great cause, and don't forget to bring all your old and unwatned pens.

O'Reilly Media Recycling Pens for the Pen Guy

2009-06-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

O'Reilly Media Tarsier Sculpture by Patrick Amiot

Photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid

O'Reilly Media just agreed to collect old pens for me the Pen Guy for my million pen project that I will be working on in the next 5-10 years. My plan is to collect millions of pens to create works of art that will then go on display at various locations around the country, and that's just to start with. My other big goal is to begin exploring other pen possibilities in solving future problems such as affordable energy efficient housing. Would it be possible to build an entire house from recycled pens and markers or at least a big part of it??? Who knows what is possible right now, but we will never know unless someone starts asking questions.

Having O'Reilly Media on board with such big project is a big deal to me and an example to other business who might want to join in the Green Pen Revolution and help keep a few million pens out of the dump in the coming years. They collect old batteries and have a Goodwill donation drop off, why not pens? My contact within O'Reilly told me that she sent out a company wide email letting everyone know that old pens are now a wanted commodity by yours truly. I can't wait to pickup my first batch of recycled pens. To all of you at O'Reilly Media thank you for dreaming big with me, because without dreamers the world would be a boring place.

Jason Winshell - "Creating Sanctuary" with the Mercedes Pens

2009-06-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

This is what joy look likes to me

The Inside of the Pen Car on the Road Again.

Last weekend at Maker Faire I had the pleasure of meeting some really interesting folks and one of them happened to be Jason Winshell, an amazing Photographer from San Francisco. During the event Jason approached me about letting him photograph the Mercedes Pens and me as part of his latest photo essay project called "Creating Sanctuary". Jason is on a journey to explore the things that we do in order to create sanctuaries around us as we deal with the day to day stress, demands and routines of everyday life. Basically a world in which we rejuvenate and recharge our batteries, by looking into our passions, interests, and vices.

Jason came up last Saturday and he spent about four hours driving around with me in my Mercedes Pens Art Car and taking photos in different settings in order to capture what it is that I do. He managed to capture my every day sanctuary on wheels on a sunny Saturday afternoon in my front yard, Walmart, the gas station and on the road. I love the picture of the inside while I am driving, because It's a perspective I have never seen before.

Frame of Mind Pen from Forestville

2009-06-05T17:36:00.001-07:00

Frame of Mind Pen from Forestville on the trunk of the Mercedes Pens

I run into Leslie Zumwalt owner of Frame of Mind in Forestville Ca Today. She is this years Forestville Parade organizer and asked me if I was going to be in the parade tomorrow. I don't think I can make it since last week was Maker and next weekend I am going the Harmony Festival 2009 in Santa Rosa Ca. Anyways Frame of Mind is local frame shop and art gallery right down town and features some of the most interesting local art you can imagine. Actually one year they entered a motorized couch with a frame around it to promote their business, and that same year the parade was so small they went around twice.