Gel Pen Rescue

For those of you who use gel pens for your art work, don't throw them away yet! They can be revived if they still have ink in them.  Things you'll need are: 

1. A Straightened paper clip

2. A glass of hot water

3. A lighter

Here's what to do.  Remove the pen cartridge. Dip the cartridge point into the hot water. (This seems to draw the ink down) Use the paper clip to plunge the inside of the cartridge several times while the tip is in the water. Test it out on some paper by drawing in circular motions until the ink starts to flow.  If it does not flow, repeat the plunging action.  If it still does not flow you can heat the metal tip of the pen with a lighter, then try plunging again.  Sometimes it takes several tries.  If that doesn't work, my advice is to toss 'em and buy Jelly Roll gel pens!  I never have to resort to any weird tricks to get those to work.