What’s in the Bag for Stationery Park?

(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)

Coming off the heels of the Chicago Pen Show less than two weeks ago, I knew I had to unpack my suitcase, clean my clothes, get somewhat organized, and then pack again for this weekend’s Stationery Park event down in Santa Monica, CA. Stationery Park (or SP) is organized by Michelle MaliZaki who put on Pen Paper Palooza last May (which I had to miss due to ankle surgery). Anyhoo, I am going to be working at the Flax Pen to Paper tables like I did at the 2026 SF Stationery Fest.

I haven’t been to many stationery fests (this one will be my second), so I’m still trying to figure out what I should bring. I know I wanted to lighten my load for this trip since Stationery Park is not held at a hotel where there is an after-hours scene where folks can gather. Aside from the usual clothes, toiletries, and what-not, I tried to keep my stationery-related items to a minimum by only bringing what I could fit in a Rickshaw Banzai bag.

Just added a new “Hello My Name is” button to this Rickshaw Banzai bag. (Love my “Remove before flight” tag that a friend gave me and my mix tape clicker from Kaleidocraft!)

Shameless plug - if you find me at a meetup, pen show, or other event, I will likely have these pins available. The big red Hello ones are $1 each and yes, that purple daisy pen is a Sharpie for you to write your name. The rainbow Proud Pen Addict pins are free for those in the LGBTQIA+ community, and a minimum $2/pin suggested donation for allies. Hoping to make a nice donation in June, which will be matched by at least two other people, besides me!

Even though this is a stationery event, I still gotta have my fountain pens handy, right? I usually have my 48-pen binder full of inked pens but since I won’t have much opportunity for after-hours pen fun, I decided to be a little more reasonable and bring a smaller assortment of inked pens instead. I picked them primarily for the nibs, but also for the variety of colors.

Denim Girologio 12-pen case (left) and Sugar Turtle Studio x Rickshaw Fillmore pen case (with my SFSF shaker in the front pocket). The Fillmore is empty in case I happen to find some pens that need to come home with me. 🙂

L to R: Pilot Custom Heritage 912, Bokumondoh urushi/raden, SFM nib; Pilot Murex, M; Newton Prospector (medium) with Regalia Writing Labs Sequel; Leonardo x Stilo e Stile Momento Zero, Kintsugi Blue, Fine; Franklin-Christoph Model 20, Cold Brew, Steel Flex; Pilot x MARKSTYLE Smoke Green and Black, Medium.

L to R: Platinum 3776, Kasumi, Medium; Schon Dsgn Full Size, Mondrian, Cursive Monoc; Benu Haute Movie Star, Fine; Zodiac Pen Co Virgo, Stylosuite X-Wing Harpoon flex; Pilot Myu, Black Stripe, Fine; TWSBI Obsidian, Fine.

I never know if I will end up with any down time, but in case I do, I like to have something to write in that doesn’t take up too much space or time. I decided to bring my Traveler’s Company book journal (right), some book-themed stickers in the sticker release insert (left), and an undated weekly insert (back) for documenting daily health & fitness stuff. And yes, the Penco clamp also gets packed.

The above inserts, as well as a zippered “wallet” fit inside my Traveler’s Diner edition.

I use this A6 Hobonichi when trying out other people’s pens at shows/meetups, or when I’m shopping and can try out vendor’s tester pens. I also try to write the name of the person whose pen(s) I’m trying so I can bother them later if a friend wanted to buy the pen (it’s me, I’m the friend, lol).

I always have my Bible-size PLOTTER in my backpack when I travel. It’s my go-to for remembering what I wanted to research, try, shop - not just for pens/stationery, but places to eat or visit. It’s also another place for me to store ephemera, receipts, if my TN isn’t handy. I also jot down random ideas for TPA articles, stuff for the house, etc.

Look it all fits, with plenty of room to zip it up!

There you have it, all the pens and stationery I’m bringing to Stationery Park. I’m sure I’ll come back with more though! I’m looking forward to SP this weekend and will report back if I end up using any of the stuff I brought! If you’re going to be there, come find me and say hi!

(Disclaimer: All products shown are my own and paid for at regular price.)

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Galen Leather A5 Expansi Folio Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

I have loved using my Galen Leather A5 Zip folio for years, and it shows. It has the patina of many grand adventures. And while it has a dignified worn look, it is far from wearing out. We have many adventures ahead of us! It's perfect for holding an A5 notebook, my writing pens, and a few accessories. But there are some instances where my chaos has outgrown it, specifically at work. The Galen Leather A5 Expansi Folio saves the day, here.

My work kit, which follows me from my desk, to meetings, to the reference desk, and on outreach adventures, can get unruly. I have a notebook for taking notes, my planner for making plans, a selection of pens for color coding, a pencil because librarians just need pencils, a general writing pen, stickers (always, and I don't know why), dozens of tiny slips of paper with random notes and call numbers on them, and whatever else I gather throughout my day. And my keys! And my phone, sometimes. Maybe a chapstick. It all takes up space, and the Expansi Folio has the space that I need. There's a pocket for everything.

The Expansi Folio is nearly twice as thick as the regular folio, so I can work in layers. Inside the right cover, there's a flap-folder pocket where you can put a notebook or a notepad. In the spine is a key ring attachment. And on the left there are three elastic tool loops, a handful of card slots, and a removable pen-holder that has elastics for four pens. With a slim notebook on the right, I can fit a variety of writing tools and still fit my Hobonichi Weeks Mega alongside them. And I can stuff the card slots with all the random stickers and papers that I need.

The inside of the case is lined with a suede-like microfiber that will keep the contents safe from scratches and will not transfer any dye to your supplies. The outside is a vegetable tanned leather that shows its character with age. This one is the Crazy Horse Blue, which is more of a teal color in this instance. Colors and markings will vary with each unique piece of leather. Mine is already starting to show its battle scars after a few weeks of work, but aren't we all? The zipper that closes the folio is a brass YKK zipper that goes all the way around the case, stopped only by its spine piece. This allows the case to lie open flat while you use it. The whole piece is a simple but effective design that is effortlessly practical, which is why my older one has stayed in rotation for so long.

The Expansi Folio sells for $149 at Vanness Pens, which is very fair for their handmade quality and durability. It's a big price tag, but a small investment for something that will last forever.

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TOYO Steel Cantilever Toolbox Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

It's like an expert quilter's sewing basket and a high-rise beam welder's lunch pail had a baby and I'm obsessed. The Toyo Steel Cantilever Toolbox blends practical storage with a kitschy vintage vibe.

The box is made of thin sheet steel with a brick-like pattern texture and minimal branding. The steel is coated in a variety of bright colors, so you can color-code your storage, just like in Stardew Valley.

The box opens by pulling the two hinged top handles away from each other, which pivots hinged steel bars on the short ends of the box, lifting and spreading the upper tier of the storage box. That upper level storage, like a balcony of compartments, has customizable dimensions. The small silver dividers are slotted into cuts in the walls, so you can decide how big you want the compartments to be. Make space for pens, scissors, or a variety of smaller supplies. The dividers that aren't in use have their own storage spot at the end of the shelf.

Below the balcony of bounty, there's the lower, large, open storage space. It's deceptively huge. It can fit a stack of five A5 notebooks, and still have space at one end for some bottles of ink or other gadgets.

The whole box itself can hold a sizeable stationery collection. While it's perfect for storage, it's maybe not too practical for transport. It would work, but the steel box, when fully loaded, is a bit heavy. It also doesn't latch, though there is a small hole where a string or wire could be tied. While gravity holds it closed, and carrying it by both handles keeps it shut, if it were to tip or fall, it's going to be messy. There's also no padding inside, so it won't work well for very delicate items.

I can, however, think of a whole handful of hobbies that would benefit from this fun and clever organization. The only thing stopping me from collecting one of each color is the price. At $155, it's pretty pricey. It is extremely well made and well thought-out, so I won't say that it's not worth that price. It's just a lot for a box. You can buy regular toolboxes in similar styles for much less, though they don't have the same vibe.

Toyo does have a lot of other, smaller boxes as well, which could be a good place to start. There's a whole ecosystem of storage in this line, and it all looks fantastic. I've swapped mine between stationery storage, knitting storage, my dollhouse building tools, and toiletries, and I liked it for all of them. I can't make up my mind, which might mean I need five of them. The only thing saving me is that I also can't make up my mind on the color choices.

(This product was purchased from Dromgoole’s at regular price.)

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!