Six American-made pencils arrive bare, waiting to be dressed: a mixed set of papers, some printed, some silk-screened, some hand-marbled, cut to size and ready for glue. The triangular box holding it all is its own small object, striped in one of five original patterns and sealed shut with a dab of colored wax at one end, more candy than stationery. Assembly takes a brush, a craft knife, and a little patience, none of which are included, but the whole thing wraps up faster than you'd expect.