Custom Pens of Middlesex is gearing up for the Mathews Farmers’ Market, which opens for the 2024 season on Saturday, April 6. Custom Pens is owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo David and Elsie Chrest, who have been married for 46 years. Elsie owns the business and David makes all of the items. David is retired military, a Vietnam War vet, serving a total of 24½ years (9½ in the Navy and 14 in the Army, where he attained the rank of sergeant). David makes items such as ink pens, cutting boards, chess sets, whisks, crochet sets, measuring spoons, and much more. This business all started as a hobby that was picked up between 2020 and 2021 during Covid. “I could not do my hobby because of Covid, which was racing RC cars,” he said. “My grandson was going to 4-H Camp and they would make pens. I tried it and I liked it.” He said that all of his items are handmade and are made of exotic woods. He said uses woods such as padauk and wenge.  “They are expensive woods which is why I charge ...