W-III Publishing is extremely excited to collaborate with Shelby Defebaugh, owner and mastermind behind the coolest pens you’ll ever use. And to think it was just two years ago on February 2, 2023, that she had set up her private Facebook page and offered her pens for sale.
My family and I have been fortunate to receive her exclusively handcrafted pens as gifts from others. It was the customization that drew me in. The pens transformed from a simple writing tool into something of more significance. Not only were they visually pretty, but they also spoke a secret message about what was important to me or how I was feeling, whether at that moment in time or fundamentally. Sometimes the pens were a reminder of who or what I wanted to become.
How can a pen do all that? Well, these are beaded pens that are artfully designed to also make a statement. That can be that you are a hardcore Chiefs fan, are obsessed with Wicked, or that you need coffee to function. One of my pens reminds me that I am a strong and beautiful breast cancer survivor. Others depict my love of reading or assurances from my faith. Every time I use one of those pens, it makes me smile. A good friend of mine lends some of her pens out at work to help take the edge off, due to their witty sentiments that could only be thought of and not spoken in the office.
So why did Shelby start doing all this?
It all began when she noticed a pen in the background of a TikTok video. Having nothing to do with the video, the 3D white coffee mug on a simple light green pen that read “F Off” captivated Shelby and made her search for others like it. When that proved difficult, she decided, ‘Why not make one myself?’ An artisan since her youth, Shelby easily took to designing and creating these one-of-a-kind pens. It was her latest hobby as a new empty nester, something to occupy her time instead of constantly taking things apart around the house.
The name “Write On (Groovy pens for Groovy people)” matches her eclectic personality. Pouring all her earnings back into her business, she finds creative ways to keep her products interesting. For instance, she took luggage tags and with her beads created intricate cup charms. She makes pen kits, bracelets, lanyards and so much more. But her inspiration comes from whatever makes her customers happy. And now she is partnering with W-III Publishing to make handcrafted pens inspired by books to go with the Novel Getaway Box.
Like most Creatives out there, designing pens is not her ‘day’ job and finding the right work-life balance has been a struggle. Fortunately, she has a husband who fully supports her on this journey and has in turn inspired her to be more mindful about avoiding burn out. She finally made herself a pen that will serve as a reminder of what’s important to her – a yellow lab sitting on a white Jeep. With a huge reset in January, coming up on her 2nd year anniversary, and the beginning of a collaboration with other Creatives in the literary world, this year is already looking good for Shelby and her groovy pens.
Request to join Shelby’s private Facebook page HERE.
To order your Novel Getaway Box with custom pens by Write On, click HERE to go to the Shop.