Introduction: Bic Pen Goes Glamorous
Taking advantage of the cement-like properties of Sugru you can take an ordinary, and quite pedestrian, Bic pen and make it like no other. It's also fun and comfy to hold. By wrapping a thin sheet of Sugru around it you can attach just about anything. For this Instructable I used beads but I would love to see what you come up with.
If you don't yet know about Sugru I will give you a little information here, otherwise move right along to the steps. So, Sugru is a really great new product made in London. It acts like sticky clay for a few minutes, then acts like clay for half hour or so, then it hardens and acts like rubber. In fact it is silicone rubber. The hardest thing about using it it to open the package and think what to do with it - once you do that though the ideas just keep coming. But don't open the package until you know what you want to do.
It bonds to itself, aluminium, steel, ceramics, glass, wood, leather and some plastics. Go to their website to find out how to buy it and for lots of great ideas on what to do with it at Sugru.
This is my entry into the Sugru contest so be sure to vote for me if you like this idea, staring when the voting starts.
Step 1: Supplies
- Bic pen
- Pasta machine
- Sugru - 1 packet's worth
- Beads
- Pliers
Step 2: Mixing Sugru Colors
I wanted an indistinct background for my pen so the beads would stand out more. I mixed black and orange to get a brown color.
The best way to mix two or more colors to achieve the color you want is to pull apart the Sugru by stretching and folding it back on itself and stretching some more. The stretching is what blends the colors.
Step 3: Preparing Your Pen
Using some type of pliers, remove the ink part from your pen. There is just no reason to remove other than you don't want to get ink all over your hands.
Step 4: Rolling Sugru Through the Pasta Machine
Flatten the Sugru into a disk and using the widest setting on the pasta machine feed the Sugru though. Repeat this with the past machine set at thiner and thiner settings until it is so thing it shreds the Sugru, then you know you have gone too far. Roll it into a ball and flatten and start over and this time stop at the setting before the one that shredded it. On my machine I stopped at setting 5.
You can skip starting over if you think it is thin enough at any one setting, you want it to be large enough to cover your pen.
Step 5: Wrap
Wrap the Sugru around your pen so that you don't have any air bubbles, just smoosh and pat and tear and seal the holes you may make, it's pretty easy.
Step 6: Roll
Roll your Sugru wrapped pen back and forth in the beads until it is all covered, you can press down on individual beads but it's not necessary because they will be fairly firmly embedded from the rolling.
Step 7: Trim
Step 8: Wait
Wait 24 hours before you use your pen and wait that long until you put the ink cartridge back in too, just to be safe.
Step 9: Done
I have been using this pen for about 6 weeks, it feels soooo good to write with even if it's only a Bic pen. I have tried dropping it when ever I think about it and have dropped it probably over 100 times onto the granite countertop. I wanted to see if the beads will come off. To date one little bead came off but it is not noticeable.
It bounces.
I hope you will make a pen with Sugru and embellish it with something cool - a patch to anyone who attaches a photo in the comment section.
So, thank you for reading, please rate my Instructable, subscribe to me for more Instructables coming soon and if you like this one vote for it in the contest. While I am making all these suggestions be sure to sign up to get a pro-membership as it is just better to view Instructables when you are "pro", and it supports this great website.

Participated in the
Office Supplies Contest

Participated in the
Sugru Contest
28 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
I love the way it looks! What a great way to personalize your pen.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Thank you, if you had patience you could spell our your name with beads of a solid color with the mixed beads in the background, but that is only if you need a reminder of what your name is.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I may be able to remember my name but I often don't remember where I left my pen, with my name on it my co-workers know who to return it to.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I think if you made this pen your co-workers might just change their names...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
It's a Glamorous Mechanical Pencil. I added my initials on a bit of Sugru on the end so no one will steal it (my co-workers were very impressed by my fancy pencil).
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Gorgeous! A patch is on it's way...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
True!
12 years ago on Step 9
I should stop procrastinating a just buy it I have so many thing I want to use it for like a rubberized bottom of a bag as well as grips for shopping bag
Reply 12 years ago on Step 9
Great ideas! It takes more than 3 weeks to get so keep that in mind, also you must use it w/in 6 months.
12 years ago on Step 9
Now I have another great reason why I need to purchase some sugru thanks this looks like an awesome idea :)
Reply 12 years ago on Step 9
Thanks, I like your name, I think of myself as a zombiemom most of the time.
12 years ago on Introduction
Good idea but it must hurt using it for too long.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
The Sugru is like a silicone rubber so actually it is really comfortable as it's not as hard as the plastic of the pen before, I find it really comfortable but I have not written any novels with it - yet. Maybe one day...
12 years ago on Introduction
Nice Instructible - you cant go wrong with a project that includes a pasta machine in my book.
Now I am off to see if I can adapt this idea to work with my Stabilo S Move pen - it needs some jazzing up but they have a funny shape. Good luck in the comp!
12 years ago on Step 9
Totally Cute!!
I want one :-) I guess Ii'm going to have to get making.
12 years ago on Introduction
Right away, sorry, I thought it meant something else.
12 years ago on Introduction
GREAT way to personalize what might be the most ubiquitous item ever invented.
These pens are everywhere and because of that, they are appropriated by anyone " . . . this must be my style-free pen - who else would own one?"
I can lose a pen (any kind) in no time so this is great for me.
Thank you for the beautification project 8-D
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Thank you ever so much.
12 years ago on Introduction
Good idea, nicely done.
L