How to make a basic Refillable Polymer Covered Pen

 

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The top end is a little more difficult to sculpt than the bottom end.  

Cut any excess clay so that it doesn't quite cover the end.  The clay will stretch and cover the end while you are rolling.   
  
Use the same technique of rolling as was used on the bottom end.  You may have to try a few times before you get it.  

I had to LOL.  
   
Do this gently but firmly.  You will need to press out any air as you roll.  
   
As I said before, this end is a little more difficult than the bottom end. You will probably have to poke it and remove air at least once.   

See here? I had to poke it, and on this pen it was more than once LOL.  

The reason was that I was in a hurry and didn't pay attention to what I was doing.  ACH!!!
 To smooth the pen I use a little corn starch on my fingers to smooth the clay as much as possible before baking.  This eliminates most if not all need to sand the finished pen.  Of course this depends on how smooth and shiny you want your pen to be.
 

I can't say this enough.  

Make absolutely sure there are NO air bubbles before baking.  Run your fingers lightly over the pen at least 3 times.  

Closing your eyes while you do this will allow you to concentrate more on what your fingers are feeling.  With practice it will become very easy to feel any bubbles.  Also, with practice, you will become better at NOT allowing bubbles in the first place! 
 
NOW you can bake the pen at the manufacturers recommended temperature and time.  

ALL DONE!  Just re-insert the ink tube after the pen has cooled and you have a finished polymer clay covered pen.

Congratulations!  Yaaaaay!
  
For a smooth finish I sand using 320 or 400 grit wet-dry sandpaper, (Wet the sandpaper) depending on how rough the pen is to start with.  Then I move to 1000, then sometimes but not always I may use 1500 grit.  

To make my pens VERY shiny I sometimes dip them into Future floor polish 2 or 3 times.  If you do this, make sure the previous layer is completely dry.  Do a final light sanding with 1000 or 1500 grit wet-dry sandpaper and admire your work.  Again,  (Wet the sandpaper)

 
HINT:  Before baking you can plop a slice or 2 from a cane somewhere on the pen to keep it from rolling off your desk. 
 

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