My 15 year old son made this thin pen from a figured maple blank we got from KJP Select Hardwoods. These very skinny pens are apparently more difficult to turn especially with figured woods which tend to catch and tear out. He gave me this one for Christmas last year. It's been sitting on my desk being used on an almost daily basis since then.
Thanks for the positive comments. He has been turning for a couple of years. We saw an ad by a guy who lives about an hour away who was giving individual turning lessons in 3 hour sessions. My wife signed him up and he's been going one a month for about 18 months. The guy is really good and knows what he's doing. He says that my son is very motivated, is a good listener, and has talent. I'm really glad the we found the guy because I know very little about woodworking. When he wants to learn to weldimg and working steeel I'll be able to help but he needs someone else to teach him woodworking. He's been selling his pens and bowls at farmers markets.