I was thinking of picking one up and then accidentally built one using a cup of pens... But I told myself if I can't improve on the pens with some kind of wire

I was thinking of picking one up and then accidentally built one using a cup of pens... But I told myself if I can't improve on the pens with some kind of wire mock-up (the idea being to tuck the bottom under my desk mat for security) I'll spring for the real thing. It's a really nice effect.