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A Very Special Giveaway

Posted on 99 Comments
JESI!

Today is a very special day. It’s Jesi’s birthday. Jesi is not only a pillar of the pen community but one of my best friends. In this time of sheltering-at-home and COVID-19 and whatnot, we will not get to celebrate her birthday in our usual way: drinking too much and eating cake (often provided by unsuspecting friends) at a pen show.

So, I have decided to enlist the help of you, lovely readers, to celebrate Jesi. You too, will get a gift. Well, one of you will in the form of ONE $50 gift certificate from our good friends at JetPens. So, here is what you have to do.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below and wish Jesi a happy birthday, tell a story about Jesi, tell my why you think she’s awesome or otherwise wax poetic about her. Play along and type in something. It makes reading through entries more interesting for me, okay? One entry per person.

If you have never entered a giveaway or commented on the site before, your comment must be manually approved by our highly-trained staff of monkeys before it will appear on the site. Our monkeys are underpaid and under-caffeinated so don’t stress if your comment does not appear right away. Give the monkeys some time.

FINE PRINT: All entries must be submitted by 10pm CST on Monday, April 27, 2020. All entries must be submitted at wellappointeddesk.com, not Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook, okay? Winner will be announced on Tuesday. Winner will be selected by random number generator from entries that played by the rules (see above). Please include your actual email address in the comment form so that I can contact you if you win. I will not save email addresses or sell them to anyone — pinky swear. If winner does not respond within 5 days, I will draw a new giveaway winner. Winners are subject to all restrictions and shipping limitations in Jet Pens shipping information section.

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99 comments

  2. Happy birthday to a fellow Quarantine Birthday Buddy! I hope you get a chance to do something special in spite of these weird times.

  3. Happy Birthday, Jesi! I remember meeting you for the first time at the STL show and you helped me get over my fear of vintage pens, so I got a great looking blue Esterbrook J from you. I hope you’re having a great birthday and I see you next year!

  4. Happiest Birthday to Jesi – a person who has brought beautiful, vintage pens Into the Wish Lists of many pen users! My list of pens to buy at this years Chicago Pen Show actually included something from Vintage Pen Shop. The Evil Plan in my head included monopolizing all of Jesi’s time at the show. (I would never do this but I can wish!). Have a wonderful day!!

  6. Happy Birthday to Jesi! I’ve never met her (unless at one of the Atlanta Pen Shows and I have forgotten the introduction) but if she is one of your friends, she must be good people.
    Take care.

  7. Happy Birthday! I hope you’re able to find some joy in these dark times, both in your celebration of life and in the stationery tools that are your passion.

  9. Any pen friend of The Well Appointed Desk is a pen friend of mine. I hope Jesi writes daily with a favorite pen and ink. I hope Jesi is showered with marvelous pen, ink and paper gifts on this very special birthday. I hope Jesi takes the day off to play with all her pens, inks and papers! Happy birthday, Jesi! Enjoy your day!

  10. Happy Birthday Jesi! Have the sort of year that exhausts and excites you, supports your people and leaves them in awe, and makes all of us who haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting you look forward to the opportunity.

  12. Happy Birthday Jesi!
    Jesi is awesome because when we finally met after just chatting on slack forever, she gave me a big friendly hug.

  13. Happy Birthday, Jesi. May you and yours be safe and well to allow for a sensational celebration when the time is right.

  14. For me, Jesi’s table is an oasis of calm in the middle of a pen show.

    It is the first table I find, when I get to the show, and when I find something amazing at a show.

    I look forward seeing her behind a table again.

  15. May you continue to flourish Jesi, in good health and joy and may you return to pen show travel and other adventures soon!

  16. I don’t know Jesi personally but of course I know about her! Which the pen/stationary addict doesn’t?
    Have a very happy birthday Jesi! I hope that it is a joyous one. It was my birthday on 20th April and though I spent it alone due to Lockdown it wasn’t too bad a day – though not how I’d planned to spend my 60th birthday!
    Love and [virtual] hugs from Newcastle-upon-Tyne UK.
    Cal xx

  18. Happy Birthday, Jesi!! Every time I see Jesi (okay, TWICE) at the Chicago Pen Show, she has the biggest and most welcoming smile that makes you feel special. Thank you for being one of the best parts of this pen and ink community. <3

  20. Happy Birthday, Jesi! I remember the first time we met at a posse meet in CO and was amazed at how many ink swatches you had (on Col-o-rings, of course). Plus you like Esterbrooks! Now you have many, many more swatches, never fail to have great ink recommendations and are always a ray of sunshine at a pen meet or pen show. Can’t wait to meet up in person again!

  21. A very merry birthday Jesi! I love your nib testing station, and was planning on getting a pen from you @ this year’s StL pen show. I’ll have to look at your website.

  22. Happy birthday Jesi! I don’t know you at all so for me the awesome thing about you is that you and Ana inspire each other to blog fun things!

  24. Happy birthday Jess! I actually dont know you. But let me make something up. My fondest memory of you was in College in Fountain Pens 101. It was my favorite class, as usual. I will never forget the moment you turned around (you sat in front of me) and said worst teacher ever, is he using a ball point. And then you walked out of the class. Not only are you a legend in the fountain pen industry, but you are a legend to leave a class over a teach using a ball point pen. I should have followed you out.

  25. It was 1 or 2 am early Sunday morning at the 2018 San Francisco Pen Show. All of us were gloriously drunk. Jesi somehow acquired some sort of fat marker filled with washable blue ink, and proceeded to paint blue of various people’s faces. Happy Birthday Jesi

  26. Happy birthday, Jesi! You sold me my very first Estie last year in Chicago. It was a beautiful green, and later I bought a red one from you by mail. You were endlessly patient with me while I tested nibs until I found the perfect one, and I saw you doing the same with many other customers. I hope you have a wonderful day. 🙂

  28. Happy birthday Jesi! Hope you have a fantastic day surrounded by the folks you love (all 6 feet away, of course!) Hope we get to meet at a pen show one of these days!

  29. Happy Birthday Jesi!!

    May your day be happy and filled with ink. May your pen never run dry.
    May the sun always shine on your parade.
    And with this I bid you good-bye.

  30. Happy Birthday Jesi!!!! Ever celebrated your birthday via Zoom meeting?! I wonder what will be the max on number of people? We may need a sign up sheet for who to bring what! *wink wink

  31. Happy birthday, Jesi! I met her briefly at a pen show where she hosted a table chat about Esterbrook vintage nibs. I was just dipping my toe into vintage pens at the time, and she made the topic approachable for me. I’ll always appreciate that.

  32. Happy Birthday Jesi! Wishing you a happy “new” year filled with sweet surprises and joy wherever you go. And thanks for all the beauty you inspire through beautiful pens!

  33. Best wishes for a happy birthday, Jesi. May you bask in the love of those who are dear to you.

  36. Happy Birthday Jesi!!! I hope we get to have beers in Chicago soon! You are the best auction companion!

  37. Happy Birthday, Jesi. I met Jesi in person at the LA Pen Show ( I think in 2018). She was there with her tray of Esterbrooks, and I was at the show with my two sisters. She was so nice. We let us try out all the nibs and talked to us about Esterbrook’s history. She told us how great it was to see young women like us in the hobby and interested in vintage pens. We didn’t even end up buying anything from her (I still have guilt about that), but she was so kind and really just wanted to connect with and educate us in such a friendly way. She is such a warm and caring person. Happy Birthday!

  38. Jesi, Jesi, Jesi…
    Jesi, Jesi, Jesi…
    Jeeeesssiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Happy Birfday. 😉

  39. Heppy Birthday Jesi! You sold me my very first “grail” pen when I just got started. It was a TWSBI Diamond 580 in Lava Orange and I still love it to this day. Thanks so much. Hope you have a great birthday!

  41. I am a longtime reader here and have greatly enjoyed your content. Much appreciated. Happy Birthday Jesi!

  42. Jesi- Happy Birthday. You are obviously well loved 🙂 (Also, I’m not entering the contest as I’m in the UK. I just thought this was the sweetest, so had to send in my wishes.)

  43. Happy Birthday, Jesi. In Hebrew, your name means “wealthy”. So, my birthday wish for you is to have wealth that is meaningful to you, especially friends and fountain pens!

  45. Happy Birthday, Jesi! My birthday is tomorrow, so I figure we are kindred spirits. And I can relate to having a birthday doing quarantine; when this is over we will celebrate!

  46. I didn’t know Jesi until I read this post. Thanks for introducing me to another awesome member of the pen community. Happy Birthday Jesi!

  50. Happy Birthday Jesi! I don’t know you, but if you a pen person, you must be a lady of high quality! 🙂

  51. Wishing you a very happy birthday, Jesi!! May your love all of things stationery-related take you far in life! ️️✏️

  52. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Jesi (or Tina). Happy Birthday Jesi. I hope you have a wonderful birthday under shelter conditions. I enjoy the reviews from all who write them here.

    In Jesi’s honor, I impulse ordered a Karas Kustoms Apollo 11 Starliner, using the Well Appointed Desk coupon code. When I use that pen, I will think of Jesi again. Hey Jesi, you must be awesome because the iPhone wants to autocorrect your name to Jedi.

  54. Happy birthday, Jesi! I hope your birthday is wonderful. No doubt it will be memorable in ways you never imagined. Stay safe, stay well, stay MIGHTY!

  56. Happiest Quarantine Birthday, Jesi! One day this will be a thrilling story to tell the young whippersnappers who were too little at the time to remember it. But in the meantime, I wish you the most delicious Virtual Cake and outstanding Digital Celebration ever. (The champagne can wait…on ice, right?)

  57. Happy birthday Jesi! I hope you have a great one despite these times. Thank you for everything you do for the pen community!

  58. Hip hip Hooray Birthday Girl…. Jesi’s a jolly good fella who keeps my love for inks and pens alive. Thank you for enriching this glorious world of ink and penaholics. When is a pen not a pen? When it produces a line that morphs into art and it becomes a paintbrush

  59. Happy Birthday Jesi. Since I can’t wish you happy birthday in person, this comment box will have to do. In celebration of your birthday, I did some online pen shopping and thought of you with every click! Enjoy the moment and find joy wherever you can. These days will soon pass and hopefully you will be able to celebrate a belated birthday with friends…cake…and a drink or two!

  60. Happy birthday Jesi! One of the highlights of 2019 for me was getting to attend my first ever pen show, in Chicago, and one of the items on my must-do list was to buy a vintage Esterbrook from you. It was a highlight of the show for me to spend time at your table and select my Trianon Rose purse pen and nib!

  61. Happy Birthday! Don’t worry, digital birthdays are still fun! And someday in the future when things are calmer you can have an in person party to make up for it!

  65. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESI!!! I haven’t yet met you or have fun stories but when all this mess is over, I’m hitting up every pen show I can and hope to meet you, shake your ink-stained hands, and chat over adult beverages!

  66. I’m not eligible for the giveaway, but wanted to wish Jesi a happy happy day! Can’t wait to celebrate together again!

  68. happy birthday jesi. i hope you have the best birthday ever. this is your year. make it happen.

  69. I’ve never met Jesi, but I’m 1000% certain that she is a gorgeous and super-talented human being! I wish her the happiest of Happy Birthdays!!!

  70. I met Jesi at my first pen show, the LA Show in 2018, where she was selling her Esterbrook nibs. She was so nice to my sisters and I. At #penshowsafterdark, I shared a box of my favorite Moonstruck milk chocolate truffles. I vividly remember Jesi’s delighted face when she had one. I didn’t know a lot about pens yet (it was the first time I’d ever heard of Esterbrook) but it made me so happy to make others happy with my chocolates. Happy Birthday, Jesi! I hope you get some fantastic chocolate today!

  74. Happy Birthday! I don’t know you, but if Ana says you are amazing, I wish I did! God Bless and many happy returns around the sun!

  75. Happy Birthday Jesi! You don’t really know me, but I have met you at pen shows (I’m one among the shuffling hordes). Enjoy your special day and know that you are appreciated and loved!

  76. It was great meeting Jesi and her beautiful pens at the 2019 Atlanta Pen Show. Can’t wait until we can all gather again! But in the meantime…happy birthday, Jesi!

  77. Happy Happy Jesi-Day! Jesi is one of my favorite pen-show people. I can always count on her for a hug and a smile. I love that we both have a deep addiction to inks.

  78. I don’t know Jesi but I’m pretty sure she’s looking especially lovely today! Happy Birthday to Jesi!

  79. Happy birthday Jesi! From pen shows to the Colorado Pen Posse, you always brighten the room and lift everybody’s spirits. You are an amazing mom and friend to so many. All the best and here’s to some new inks once we can meet again!

  80. Happy Birthday Jesi! Hearing you on the penaddict podcast a while back prompted my wife and I to dig out our old Esterbrooks and get them writing again. Hope to try out your Esterbrook nib testing station some time!

  84. Happy Birthday Jesi and thank you for all your work in the pen community and this site! Hope you made the best of things and ordered something extra nice in the mail to make your day special! I hope someday I’ll be able to meet you at a pen show and see what all these other commenters are raving about 🙂

  89. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESI!

    I don’t know you, but based on the introduction it’s clear I SHOULD know you. I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

  94. Happy Birthday Jesi! When I use my tiny robin egg blue esterbrook pen/pencil set, I think of you, not just because you sold it to me but because then I remember the pen show fun times too. I’m too tired now to come up with a specific example, but being that tired is also a specific example.

  95. Happy birthday, Jesi,
    whom I have never met.
    Even though we’re in quarantine,
    we’ll celebrate your birthday over the internet!

    At pen shows, everyone knows you,
    has a story about you, it’s true!
    You’re as legendary as Noodler’s Baystate Blue.

    I keep hearing how awesome you are,
    from Chicago to Colorado, places near and far.
    You’re personality as bold as a Lamy Al-Star!

    So best birthday wishes,
    from one you’ve never met.
    I hope it’s as unforgettable
    as Noodler’s Apache Sunset.

  96. Happy birthday Jesi, Anyone whois passionate about pens and ink is alright in my book. Have a great birthday!

  97. Happy brithday, Jesi! I met both of you first thing in the morning at what I recall was your first LA Pen show. At the Franklin-Christoph table, natch. We were soaking in Audrey’s sunshine (Jim hadn’t yet arrived) and the first trays of one-offs and prototypes, when Jesi just casually mentioned how many (!!!) Model 19s she had accumulated. I did not recognize her as the Estie queen she is until later, when her setup was set up. We chatted about engineering and Esties; she, of course, insisted I try a bunch of nibs from the demonstration station; and I walked away with (IIRC) a 9550 nib unit. That year was probably my favorite show, and I’m saddened that the show management has since driven off you guys and so many others…

  98. Vintage Esterbrook is not really my cup of tea. Yet, when I stopped by Jessie’s table at the Baltimore pen show I came very close to buying one. Happy birthday!

  99. Happy Birthday Jesi! Remember that night we knocked on Jimi Hendrix’s door at 12:51 am on a hot summer night? Man, I’ll never forget. Oh, BTW, thanks for that break through research you’ve been doing on some new virus I’ve been hearing about – bet you’ll find a cure any day now.
    Enjoy your day!

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