The Colorado pen show is one of a few pen shows that take place in a state that doesn’t touch an ocean. Chicago, Ohio, St. Louis, Detroit, and Colorado are all important shows to provide the experience to pen users in land locked states.

While the Colorado pen show is smaller than others, that doesn’t reflect the variety of items and events available at the event. I mean, look at the incredible variety of ink available at a single table! (Just to be transparent, I was the one selling this ink for the Dromgooles…)

The downside of working with a retailer at a show is that I have a limited amount of time to wander around and take great photos. But I’ve taken several photos from a single spot (my ink station) to try to give a feeling of the Colorado show.

One amazing point of the Colorado show is the help from the local pen club – the Colorado Pen Posse. In these photos, look for people in red shirts with white writing. They were always asking if they could help with anything, bring water, or if we had any issues. A hot lunch was delivered both Saturday and Sunday which helped us keep the table fully staffed through lunch.

Most of the tables in this show were in a single large conference room with surprisingly good lighting.

Pen Realm had specific show nibs that were only available during the show engraved with a great looking raven.

These photos were taken Friday evening before the busy time began.

This product — Bibliofile – was a new product sighting during the show – offered by Good Made Better. It’s an eye-catching way to carry all of your notebooks at once!

The Penwell is the other popular offer from Good Made Better.

Laughs were something that were never in short supply in Colorado!

Plenty of laughs!

My pen show purchases were not huge this time, but there was definitely a Traveler’s theme.

But the Color Changing Ink from Monteverde was the most exciting item in my opinion! I can’t wait to show these soon in a review!

I caught a few casual photos after the show was done on Saturday – good friends and plenty of drinks. The hotel offered a happy hour each evening, complete with free drinks, soda, juice, and snacks. It was a good time to relax for a few minutes and figure out what to do for dinner.

I’ve attended the Colorado pen show since it first started ten years ago and I do believe this was the best year I’ve seen so far. The show was well run, the hotel was helpful, the pen club was friendly, and the attendance was high.

Thank you to everyone who attended, sold, and purchased at the show this year.

I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store!

The post The Colorado Pen Show 2023 appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.

Well, this won’t actually be a post analyzing a second year show. Not from the perspective of one who attended the first year, at least. I did not attend the first year Orlando Pen Show in 2022 but I did work at the Orlando Pen Show 2023 with the Dromgoole’s crew.

The show began Thursday evening for weekend pass holders – I know there was plenty of fun at the Thursday night pizza part and many items were raffled. However, Thursday night was set up night for our booth.

In my experience, the Dromgooles attempt to bring most of their store stock with them to a show. This is fabulous for individuals looking for items that are harder to find but can be tough on the backs of the people setting up the booth! But all tables were set up the evening before the show started.

I love the vast amount of ink on display at the Dromgooles table. And the display quality of these inks is incredible! Day 1 dawned with a nice volume of attendees looking for the wonders held within the showroom. The entrance room had tables for sitting and resting, a table full of donated ink for testing and playing, and a pen show exclusive ink for purchase. I do admire the pen show for their choice of theme colors – purple.

I wasn’t able to take many photos at the Orlando Pen Show this year, but those I did take have plenty of character. After a first day at the pen show, Marty and Kimberly (who help with Retro 51 and Rickshaw products) were happy to have time to sit down to a good meal and visit.

Christine and Michael Dromgoole were also happy to sit and eat. Michael loves his Dromgoole’s shirt enough to wear it even after hours!

My favorite Rickshaw fabric is this that I call Scruffy Kitty. I love his little pink toe beans! This pattern has been very popular in all styles of cases.

I was lucky enough to get a surprise visit from a famous pen star – Brad Dowdy. I asked if he would autograph a notebook but no one could find a pen…

The end of the second day of the show brought a large raffle to the show room floor with everyone gathered around. Pens created by independent pen makers were given away with the funds donated to the Reef Relief charity.

One downside of working at a vendor table is staring at a product all weekend. I was forced to purchase the Panda Hobonichi cover in the “Love It” pattern because I couldn’t bear to leave Panda behind. He now has a good home.

With a show so near Walt Disney World, there will be plenty of Disney products seen in the wild. My favorite siting was a Little Mermaid wallet disguised as a video tape cover!

The Orlando show was well-run from the point of view of a vendor. The presence of fast food nearby helped, cold water was always available, and attendance was managed well.

Did you go to the Orlando show as an attendee? What is your opinion on the show?

The post Show Recap: Orlando Pen Show appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.

This recap from the SF Pen Show is really going to be a photo dump. There was SOOOOOO much to see and do: a whole wall of nib grinders in one hallway, an engraver from Waldmann doing on site engraving, walking tours of the show for newbies, classes, workshops, auctions, games and so much more. SF continues to remain “the fun show” in the pen show calendar and even with the change in location, the description is accurate.

Yes, there were some complaints about the even being crowded and parking being a challenge. If you plan to attend next year, plan accordingly: carpool, park at the airport and take the hotel shuttle, arrive early and be prepared that Saturday afternoon is going to be very busy. But who would have ever imagined that a pen show would be filled to capacity? And isn’t that a good thing????

Thursday night before the mayhem at the SF Pen Show. Most attendees never see the room like this but in less than four hours, the vendors will turn it from a featureless room into a pen lover’s paradise.

Once we are all set up on Friday morning and customers start arriving, we all start goofing off. This is Lisa at the Vanness Pen Shop table giving me a little peace. Usually, I only get one finger so it was definitely a good Friday! LOL.

I got to wander around a bit throughout the weekend and talk with friends and make new one. I stopped at the Everyday Explorers Co. table and fell in love with their collection of cling stamps. By the time I came back with my wallet, this pen fan set was sold out but I did grab some of the coffee stickers.

My table neighbor was one of my favorite pen people, Joe from Gentleman Stationer. He brought a lot of his Lockby products as well as Pilot pens and some of his favorite non-fountain pens like the Lamy Pico and the Anterique Mach Ball .5mm Ballpoint Pen.

I was able to hang out with the great crew from Hinze Pens, including my pal Francisco. He’s got big plans in the works with the upcoming Chicago Planner Convention. We are spreading the love of fountain pens!

A view from the Hinze table…. a river of color and joy!

The SF fan favorite, Mai Do, had a corner at the SF Pen Show to many a pen nerds delight. They had a small selection from their shop including stamps, gel pens, paper and accessories. Such fun!

Oh, the gang from Rickshaw Bagworks was having a great time this weekend. At the registration table, Rickshaw provided fresh fortune cookies for attendees and inside each was a special fortune that could be a redeemed for a free sticker from Rickshaw or more …. almost like a golden ticket. Such a great idea!

I stopped by the Brute Force Design table to ogle the wonderful colors and style available.

I caught Audrey at Franklin-Christoph hard at work tuning and adjusting nibs for customers. And, of course, her nail game was perfect!

I even got a chance to catch Hugh at Kanilea Pen Co. tuning up nibs. Their pens and attention to detail always floors me. Someday, maybe I’ll actually decide which pen to buy!

The folks from Gravitas Pens made it across the pond and used my Col-o-ring Dippers as price tags which just tickled me! Super nice and the pens are so lovely. I wish I’d had a chance to get back over to their table to buy something.

Traveler’s Company and Plotter tables were swamped most of the weekend but I was able to visit with the team a few times just to say hello. By the time I had a notebook handy, I had missed ny opportunity to use their stamps because they were all packed up!!! boooooo!

There were lots of vendors from Japan and other places in Asia which is also makes the SF Pen Show a great opportunity for US attendees — Yamamoto Paper, Nagasawa, Bungubox, Toyooka Craft and more.

Above is the corner of the fun stationery goods that Enigma Stationery brought. Honestly, there was so much to see and I didn’t have nearly enough to see it all or document it. If you want a thorough walk through, check out Mike Matteson’s Friday walkthrough which will give you a “just like you’re there” walk around the show floor.

As always, the best thing about pen shows is getting to spend time with friends and just nerding out about pens. Above is me, Jesi and Julia experiencing sunlight for the first time in 48 hours…. it seared our tired, overwhelmed eyes!

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I will be bringing shop merchandise with me to the show so if there’s anything specific you would like brought to the show, you can pre-purchase on the shop and use the code (PENSHOWPICKUP on Big Cartel and Etsy) for pick-up at the show. Then just come by the Vanness table and pick up your order. Please place any orders for pick-up by WEDNESDAY, August 23, 2023 by 11pm CST. That will give me time to pack them up and stuff them in my suitcase. (If you don’t pick up your item(s) at the show, we will have to arrange shipping post-show so don’t forget!)

We will be back and posting regularly starting Monday August 28. Thanks for your patience and being loyal readers of our blog.

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Friends! This weekend is the Atlanta Pen Show and half “the Desk” will be in attendance. Ana will be her delightful pink-haired self at the Vanness tables, and Jesi will be ink-whispering for Dromgooles. If you’re in the area, this really is a don’t miss show. And stop by and say hi – Ana and Jesi would love to meet you!

This is last year’s Atlanta video (2022)!

For those of us who are having a serious case of FOMO, there is a wonderful way to virtually visit the show. On Friday afternoon, sometime between 3 and 4pm EST, Mike Matteson from Inkdependence will broadcast live on YouTube from the show, and take you on a tour of the vendor market. He’ll chat with vendors, see some friendly faces along the way and generally make you feel ALMOST like you’re really there. And if you can’t make it live, the broadcasts are recorded so you can peruse them at your leisure. It’s a great way to get a feel for a pen show, see new merch from vendors you love, and more! While it will never take the place of actually getting to attend a show, it’s a fun experience and Mike does a great job. (and I may have succumbed to a little online shopping in the past… allegedly).

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The best part of any pen show is getting to spend time with people who love pens and ink as much as I do and Jesi and I revel in the time we get to spend together at shows.

The hotel where the show was located featured a picturesque pool, garden and hot tub and our room had a patio that looked out over it. Thursday, when we arrived, the weather was pretty mild but the rest of the weekend was not particularly conducive to dips in the pool sadly. But it made for a scenic view nontheless.

We ran into old friends like Joel Hamilton (pictured above with Jesi). He’s a charmer and always has a smile for us. Below, we will just photobomb you with all the folks we love to see at shows.

Jesi and I were working at the Dromgoole’s tables for this show. We were stationed at the “ink station” but we also helped with paper, pencils (100% me) and several of the pen tables. Marty and his wife Kimberly were there as well with their tables of NOS Retro51s right next to the new team at Retro51 who are great guys. Rickshaw was also in the Dromgoole’s table island with special pen cases and sleeves for the show.

Like all pens shows, set-up for the vendors starts early with a quick breakfast and then unpacking and setting up before the first customers barrel through the door ready to spend theoir had-earned cash on pens, ink and accessories.

Vendors were allowed in at 8am to start setting up which was not nearly enough time for us since the show opened at 9am for three-day pass holders and 10am for one-day pass holders.

By the end of the day on Friday, we were shredded. We ate dinner and Jesi crashed early. I stayed up,, hanging in the bar for a little while and then conked out around midnight. We knew we had a big day on Saturday.

As expected, Saturday was very busy. It was a delight to see lots of old friends from shows past and to meet new collectors and pen enthusiasts. I was only to capture a few photos, including the one above until we were seated at the bar in the evening.

Sunday was a bit slower overall which is the antithesis of the previous LA International Pen Show. The “LA” show only allows the public to attend on Sunday where the new “CA” show allows the public to attend any day throughout the weekend which made the whole show a good deal more shoppable and not nearly as harrowing for vendors and attendees.

Since we hada little time to shop and walk around, Jesi and I both got some nibs adjusted. Gena from Custom Nib Studio adjusted a janky nib for me and ground my Pilot Cavalier down to a needlepoint to be the perfect office pen (snap cap and a nib tiny enough not to bleed on copy paper). Jesi also had a nib adjusted by Gena who was stationed next to the Schon Design table. I got a chance to try the new Monoc nib that they have created. That nib is hella impressive.

Our Takeaways

Of the enhancements I’d like to see to the California Pen Show, I’d like to see the addition of workshops, classes and/or scheduled meet-up events. Maybe add an auction? The younger crowd, often made up of newer pen enthusiasts would be willing and would benefit from all sorts of classes and workshops. Everything from “how to fill a pen” or “how to clean a pen” to journaling workshops, calligraphy or nib tuning. What other kinds of classes and workshops would you want to see at a pen show?

And maybe, just maybe, reduce the entry fee on Sunday to entice people who may have missed Friday or Saturday? If Sundays are slower, its a good day for pen newbies to come and get some advice from vendors. However, if they’ve not invested in a fountain pen before having to pay a $15 entry fee plus parking might be too steep to get them in the door.

For vendors, it would be nice for the show to add some volunteers to act as table sitters. Other shows have offered this service and its really helpful for anyone who may be manning a table by themselves and need to step out for a minute or two. Providing coffee service near the ballroom in the afternoons would also be most appreciated. Its not always convenient to run all the way up to the hotel lobby and wait in line at the Starbucks kiosk for that late-afternoon pick-me-up.

Overall, the new California Pen Show is a vast improvement over the previous LA International Pen Show. I don’t know if the organizers of the LA show will try to change or improve it but I think they will definitely have stiff competition with the rise of the much better organized California Pen Show.

The post California Pen Show Recap appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.

Until recently, the pen show season is something that I have come to see as consistent, almost “set in stone”. For me, the first pen show of the year is Philadelphia and my last pen show is Chicago. The summer is a blur of pen shows too close together.

But the pen show circuit does change. Slowly. The St. Louis pen show is only 4 or 5 years old, the Colorado show has been going about 10 years. In 2022, Orlando hosted a new pen show as well. This year, we have another newcomer to the group – the California pen show.

Wait, you say, doesn’t California already have a pen show, or two? The LA pen show in February and the San Francisco pen show in August.

The LA pen show, previously scheduled for the weekend nearest to Valentine’s Day (which could be good or bad), will not take place in 2023.  The new California pen show will ensure that February (and LA)  is not devoid of pen friends and retailers. Taking place February 9-12, this new event will be at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott and has two ticket options – $25 for two days or $69 for the VIP pass (both available for purchase online). The dealer tables have been sold out since the show was announced with 81 dealers.

The other California pen show, scheduled in August is the San Francisco Pen Show and will continue as scheduled.

Should you attend the new California Pen Show? Well, readers, both myself (Jesi) and Ana (of pink hair fame) will be working at the Dromgoole’s table for this show. That’s how you know it will be a great weekend! The schedule does not yet detail classes or events outside of the pen show proper, but you can be sure there will be plenty of visiting and sharing of pens at the hotel bar in the evenings.

For more Pen Show details, don’t forget to refer to our Pen Show Schedule!

The post New Pen Show Alert! appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.

Of note, it looks like the LA Pen Show has been canceled and a new California Pen Show is launching around the same time.

As always we’ll be updating the list from time to time. If there’s a show you’d like to see included, if you have more up to date information than we do, or if you’d like to send us any pen show gossip, we’re always here for the good stuff!

The post Extra extra! Pen Show Calendar Update! appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.

This week, The Desk is taking a little holiday to attend the Dallas Pen Show. If you are in the Dallas area, please come by the Dromgoole’s tables and say hello to Jesi and I. We will be your hostesses at the Dromgoole’s Ink Bar. The irony that we will be spending the whole weekend at “the bar” is not lost on us.

Come by. Say hello! Buy some ink!

We will back here in our digital home next week with Pen Show recaps, ink reviews and more.

The post The Desk is on Vacation This Week! appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.

The San Francisco International Pen Show arrived like an oasis in a dream. I am ready for my vacation, I am ready to see my friends and meet new people, and I am ready for that special Pen Show Magic!

The show began for me with a delightful breakfast outdoors with Pierre from Desiderata Pens and my friend Emy. It grew into a crescendo of joy and community, that special combination of meaningful items and meaningful people. This year it felt to me as though the crowd had been uncorked from a bottle, bringing along their enthusiasm and joy.

Helping out on the pen show floor

This was the second year that I helped out at the table of Rick Propas, the PENguin. His array was in the main ballroom, in one of many aisles filled with pen, paper, and stationery offerings. It was populous and active. It’s a challenge for my senses to be sure, but I did better this time in regulating my own need for quiet breaks.

I enjoyed helping out and interacting with the crowd, talking to Rick and the other helpers, and learning just a smidge more each time about the pens.

Classic pen show experiences and MAGIC!

When I wasn’t a Helper, I was an Attendee, having the Classic Pen Show experiences of reuniting with friends, meeting new people, and seeing in person shops and items one would never have the opportunity otherwise.

One such vendor is Bungbox, which readers may know is a brick and mortar shop in Japan. I was one of the lucky shoppers to buy a TWSBI Eco with real maki-e finish! I chose the goldfish design, which is ever my maki-e motif heart’s desire, and grabbed the “morning glory” inks and cute store brand notepads as well.

Two things happened relating to this:

The first thing is that my good pal Franz offered me his appointment with Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studio, who put a “Reverse Architect” grind on it.

This is Pen Show Magic at work: I mentioned “if a nibmeister has an opening…” and Franz said “would you like this one?”.

The reverse architect has fine or extra fine line when you write as usual, but if you flip the pen upside down, the nib will write with this amazing architect grind. A ridiculously fantastic nib grind for a ridiculously fantastic pen!

The second thing is one I could never have expected.

At the vendor breakfast, Kaoru and Bruce from Bungbox joined me at the table. At the tail end of a delightful group conversation (including such luminaries as Jesi from The Well-Appointed Desk, the Rickshaw crew, and Elizabeth (Emy) from Peyton Street Pens who was also my hotel roommate), Kaoru casually asked for thoughts about a special pen for next years show. To my surprise and delight, I found us brainstorming pen design possibilities together. Grabbing a notepad from my bag, which turned out to be the one I had bought from her the preceding day, I made notes and sketches. Will these sketches become a real pen? No one knows.

This is Pen Show Magic at work: connecting with people you never thought you’d meet, and being enthusiastic about the stationery we love together.

Inkwash Painting Class Love

I taught my Inkwash Painting class again this year!

“Welcome to my favorite part of the show” I greeted the students, and we proceeded with two hours of brush and ink technique practice with two kinds of papers, quiet time, and the Joy of Art.

I didn’t take pictures, I was engrossed in discussing depth and line. I hope my students will enjoy this practice with all their inks for years to come!

This seems like a good place to show the inks I brought home from the show with their Col-o-ring swatches. Jesi helped me pick out the Colorverse and Sailor Manyo colors, and the Malibu Blue was a gift from a friend. Thank you, Philip!

Do you want more Pen Show Magic?

I participated in a self-made frenzy at the Rickshaw Bags table, because I was excited to get one of the new Sinclair cases, which is a collaboration with NockCo. The NockCo version I have is one of my favorite cases.

I picked out a pretty Sinclair which also happened to be a prototype, without the brand tags, and some pen sleeves to go with. I had paid for these items when Emy, enjoying the frenzy with me, opened a prize fortune cookie and won a free Coozy case. Gasp. I forgot about the fortune cookies with prizes inside. I opened one. I won a free Sinclair!

I promptly turned inside out and grabbed the Sinclair in eye-searing fluorescent green. YESSSS! This one will match my rickshaw tote bag, which is houndstooth with Flo-green piping. I can’t even.

The notebooks

Of course there are notebooks. Lots of wonderful book and paper vendors to visit! My three choices here come from Curnow Bookbinders, Odyssey, and Musubi, all A5.

The Curnow book is their show special, which I used as a place to keep paper receipts and notes during the show. I will enjoy this for note taking and project plans, most likely.

Odyssey was one I had in my mind to find on the show floor after reading some reviews. They were in the atrium, and materialized before my very eyes! I had a great conversation with the creative mind behind the brand, and chose the 200-page Black Hole design with blank paper, which felt conceptually correct to me.

The Musubi pink kitty-cat book was the first notebook that caught my eye Friday morning. On Sunday morning I checked in with Daryl, who noted he had only 4 notebooks left to sell! “How is there a pink kitty-cat one still here?” I boggled, and his response was to say that while very surprised as well, he was sure it would go home with someone that day. And it did. I am that someone.

Fun Stuff galore

There were so many different styles of stationery vendors here. I got to meet and purchase from Angela He of Inky Converters. The Ink bottle pin color shifts from dark to light as it gets warmer!

I was admiring the wax seals from Day Art Store, and had a delightful conversation about how hard it is to find the woodpecker that you can plainly hear in the trees.

Next door was the table for Stickersters. I found a sheet with a sticker that spoke to me. It was “thinking of you” in the bottom left (photo below).

And how could I forget the Pochitto stamps, brought to us in SF at the Enigma table? But I did forget and so my helpful and kind friend Emy got me a set.

You do see some Travelers Notebook inserts in there too. Because yes.

Special shout-out in the fun-stuff category to Maido. I am looking forward to hanging out with this bear and quail and riding cable cars together.

We can use the musical and artistic clips along with our special edition Uni-ball One pen set at a cafe when we’re done.

Quiet times for Art and Breathing

Perhaps my favorite bit of pen show magic is in the quiet times. My brand of after-dark in the bar is all about drawing and journal enjoyment. This year I opened up my Traveler’s Notebook and tried out pens, pencils, and chalk pastels in the Kraft inserts I had bought last year. I feel quiet and happy just looking at these.

Summary and Conclusion

As you can see, Pen Show Magic was alive and well. I am so happy.

Julia is an artist, classical musician, knitter, and lover of the outdoors. She resides in Santa Cruz, California, where she can draw Pelicans with Pelikans, and brag about the weather. Follow her adventures on Instagram @juliavdw or Twitter @juliavdw.

The post Guest Post: Pen Show Magic: The SF Pen Show 2022 appeared first on The Well-Appointed Desk.