I’ve never been to a pen show. The intimacy of meeting makers and vendors is appealing. Also, just love the idea that I’d be able to spend time with a maker like Ian Shon without feeling intrusive. Or pick the brain of a vintage flex expert.

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

Definitely think you would love that aspect of it. It's a lot slower paced and really gives you time to get to know the people behind the pens, not just the pens.

I live just outside of Philly so I came in and stayed in the hotel to eat my way through Chinatown. I did a bit of the Pen show on Friday, then another bit on Saturday. It was indeed smaller than I expected but was easier on my wallet. I was ink hunting so I really escaped without going broke as there wasn't so much ink. I did end up with a really delish vintage Parker that I love :) I also got to show off one of my old Montblancs that several folks had never seen it before. I'm saving for a Monoc too.

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

I think this is the perfect way to do it for smaller shows. Have stuff to do OUTSIDE of the show, stop in for a bit each day if youd like and continue on. Any specific Inks you were trying to get your hands on? #teammonoc haha

@blktauna

5 ай бұрын

@@ThatJournalingGuy #teammonoc indeed. I was looking for any Diamine I could find. Nada. I did get a couple of the Iroshizuku inks that I didn't have but there was a realy lack of inks. Vintage pens everywhere but nothing to fill them with. ;-D

🖋I'm not planning a trip to a pen show (seems a bit dangerous for my wallet) but I love these tips. Calligraphy seems like a fun pursuit and it would be cool to see your journey if you pursue it!

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

Definitely want to pursue it! And will ABSOLUTELY make a video about it :D. haha I definitely think you should go to a pen show though. just one wouldnt hurt right haha? (How my fountain pen addiction started)

You have such a great communication style! I loved your first Pen Show video and this one is great too! Orlando had so much of what you described for a smaller show! I loved that it was my first show b/c it wasn't too overwhelming. It was everything I needed!

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate you watching the pen show videos! I havent gone to the Orlando show but ive heard really good stuff from a few friends. Im trying to tell people to go to smaller shows as their first show because i think it's just a better experience to ease into.

🖋️ I am planning on going to the St. Louis Pen Show this year. I appreciate these tips.

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! I havent heard anything about the St. Louis Pen Show. Would love to see a few pictures and hear a little recap when you go! Let me know how it is!

Nice to hear that Dallas made the list of bigger shows! This is my local shows and I’ve gone for two years. Both times two whole days, but the second year I was volunteering a lot too! But it was so fun the second year to go back and see people and say “hey I met you at the show last year!” It’s delightful. ✒️ I hope you learn calligraphy! I joined the Dallas calligraphy guild after my first pen show and I’ve learned SO much. It’s a great time!

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

I really enjoy seeing new AND old faces at these shows. Having someone recognize you from the previous year is really nice. Ive heard really wonderful things about the Dallas show and really want to try to make it out this year. Where were you volunteering? The Dallas Calligraphy Guild genuinely is one of the most rockstar names Ive ever heard. Like something I would have in my DnD campaign haha. But i definitely plan on learning. Im just doing my research and trying to find a decent pen to get into. Might wait to see what I can find at the Baltimore Show so i can try it out in person.

@lefthandedclogger

5 ай бұрын

Yes, Kaligraphos is the name of the local calligraphy guild - and once I heard the name I knew I had to join! I was volunteering with Kaligrafos and also the pen club, helping with the silent auction which helps fund the pen show. If you’re interested in learning, first figure out if you want to learn pointed pen (think flex nib for scripts like Copperplate or Spencerian) or broad edge (uncial, italic, gothic, etc). Then go from there! I’m happy to give recommendations.

Yay you met Nik!! He's such a blast!

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

he really is. Dude is phenomenal. Hope to see him at other shows so that I can pick his brain a bit more.

These are very good tips for smaller shows!

🖋Thanks for the tips. Where I am the fountain oen scene is relatively smaller, but still fun and informative.

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

I feel like that's most people's experience when finding a pen show near them, specially their FIRST pen shows. So i thought it would be appropriate to make something that helps newer people navigate and plan for these smaller ones. Thank you for watching!

I don't see myself being able to go to a pen show anytime soon but this was a great video. Your oversized hoodie seems appropriate to me- , it was -42 yesterday and is -45°F this morning. Flex nibs are so fun! and a giant Yes to calligraphy over hand lettering! 🖋

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

-42????? -45???? OMG. If you dont mind, WHAT STATE DO YOU LIVE IN? I feel like i would crawl into a rock a never come out. It's been extrememly cold around me here in PA too. Flex nibs seem to be the way to go! Really want to try my hand at calligraphy!

Hey, good advice! Philly this year was my first pen show and I had a great time. Totally agree with your tips, especially the opportunity to talk in depth with folks. Got to chat with the nibmeisters which was great. I also got the rundown on flex nibs by the same gentlemen - absolutely not for me I'm afraid. But.. I did buy a monoc! It has become my favorite pen of all! 🖋

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! and That's awesome! Im a bit jealous tbh haha. I will have that nib ONE DAY. Glad you enjoyed the show. Are you planning on going to any other local shows this year?

@n2htt

5 ай бұрын

@@ThatJournalingGuy I would love to do the DC show but it falls on the same week as another event that the family does almost every year, so Philly might be it for this year. I'm also keeping an eye out to see if there is a NYC show, would definitely go to that one

It was great seeing you again!

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

Always a pleasure man, thank you for taking your time to talk a bit. It was great seeing you and hope to see you soon and many times more!

✒️ one other thing. I went to the Dallas Pen show last year. It’s sponsored by the Dallas Pen Collectors. So I could see if you’ll find a show near you you might look and see if there is a collectors group that either sponsored the show or is in someway represented at the show.

@pbnjezly404

5 ай бұрын

I will be trying to attend this year!

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

Ohhhh, that's really cool! I will definitely make sure to check into that for other shows that I go to. Im not sure who sponsored or hosted the Philadelphia Pen Show. Feel like im doing them a bit of a disservice.

🖋 this is my first of your videos and i'm so charmed ! thanks for sharing

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I appreciate the comment and hope you found some other videos you enjoyed!

🖋️love that you showed this. I’m always wondering how many days to allot per show when flying in.

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching all the way through haha! And yea, i thought it would be a good idea to make something for smaller shows. I realize that these mega shows ive been showcasing and talking about are not the norm lol.

Thank You so much for making this video! I’ll be going to my first small pen show next month and unfortunately can only attend the last day. I’ll definitely make a point to get there before 3 😅

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

hahaha i really shouldve put that "3 oclock" tip in the beginning because i got a bit salty every time it happened. I dont want people to miss out lol. Im excited for you though! Are you going to the Baltimore show next month or something more local? Thank you for watching, I appreciate it!

@kielaroznos98

5 ай бұрын

@@ThatJournalingGuy no something more local to me. I’m excited to just get a feel for the community 🤗

Thanks for sharing! 🖋️ These are SUCH great tips to keep in mind!!! As someone new-ish to the community, it’s FANTASTIC to hear these tips!!! Mind ya OWN business!!! 😂 Cheers!

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

hahahaha XD.first of all, WELCOME to the community, glad to have you here :D!. second, Thank you for watching the video! Im glad you enjoyed it.

🖋️

I feel the same way about the Monoc -- but I don't want to buy without actually trying it and seeing how it writes. And I don't want to get a ticket to a pen show to just try one nib. 😞 I wish Schon had a storefront where I could walk in and try it to see how it writes.

@ThatJournalingGuy

3 ай бұрын

are there any pen shows near you? Ian does a really good job at going to most shows.

🖋️ thanks for the tips! I’m planning on attending my first pen show and it will be on the smaller side (in Little Rock).

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

ohhh, i havent heard much about the little rock show. Would love to hear about your experience and how it went when you go! Maybe it's a trip worth making for me!

I should've gone! Philly is about 1 hour-ish away from me and I've been eying that lavender Pilot Custom🖋UGH why do I have to be a such a bashful, anti-social person😭

@pbnjezly404

5 ай бұрын

That’s my problem too!

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

haha it's okay. I totally get it. Hopefully you can still go to next years show! or if youre feeling REALLY brave, head to the DC show. There's a lavendar Pilot Custom???

Let me borrow that top, minus the coffee stain! haha

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

hahaha shhhhh. you didnt see anythingggggg.

Fountain pen ❤

Thank you so much for this! I’m planning to go to the BWI pen show in March and this is super helpful. Do you (or anyone reading this) know how big/small the BWI show is? Will you be attending this year? Thanks again! 😊

@ThatJournalingGuy

4 ай бұрын

i have no idea how big it is actually haha. I will be going this year so ill come back with that information for anyone else that wants to know! hope to run into you there, please come say hi if you see me!

🖊️

Dude, that chocolate milk stain tho!

@ThatJournalingGuy

5 ай бұрын

XD you SAW nothing!

@webbdelasteve

5 ай бұрын

@@ThatJournalingGuy