Sometimes you just need to help the wood dry faster - by using a toaster oven

Sometimes you just need to help the wood dry faster. 

Air drying still wasn't reducing the moisture content to my desired level so I baked the wood for about 2 hours and it's all good now. Before the toasting, the pen cases were still swollen and rocked back and forth, but after, they were solid. This is usually my last resort as I don't like to reduce moisture quickly. 

P.s. who said guys don't bake haha