Two Hands Paperie - A Quick Visit

(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!.)

While on vacation in Colorado, I knew that we would pass through, but not stop in, Boulder and I begged my husband to take a quick detour and thankfully, he agreed! I had wanted to visit Two Hands Paperie, a stationery and art store in Boulder, last year but it didn’t work out but I was able to eke out a half hour visit!

I love Two Hands Paperie’s whimsical front window display!

Two Hands Paperie got its start in 1993 as a book binding shop that also sold decorative paper. It has since grown to include art supplies, cards, stationery, writing instruments of all kinds and more.

I avoided the front of the store when I walked in because that’s where I saw all the pens, lol. Instead, I made my way to the back room and found a treasure trove of art supplies, papers, and all kinds of books, and more!

Pencils, notebooks, and loose paper like wrapping paper, tissue paper, watercolor paper, etc.

The right side of the back room had a lot of paper and really cool collage sticker books like this one (that I forgot to take pictures of, oops.)

Handmade paper.

This is some of the “more” that you would find at Two Hands Paperie - projects like Bookmaking Kits, Friendship Bracelet Kits, paint by number, quilling, puzzles, games, and more!

Build your own correspondence kit - pick different sized papers and envelopes.

The ”Make My Notebook” station is really neat!

This was probably one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while - “Make My Notebook” - where you pick out the paper size and type (grid or lined, etc.) from the left side, then pick a cover from the right side, then what color you want for the spiral binding and a Two Hands team member will assemble it for you! I was so tempted to get one of these but alas, the paper fort is overflowing, as are the suitcases. Might have to order one when I get home though!

Check out upcoming events on their chalkboard - better yet, sign up for their online newsletter or check out the website for more events. Just be sure to check out the various links because there isn’t a single page that lists them all.

Some of the notebook cabinets at the front of the store.

Two Hands Paperie is a Traveler’s Company Partner Shop, which meant they sometimes have exclusives that non-partner shops don’t carry and also their own Traveler’s Stamp!

Behind the front counter is a cute display of their fountain pen ink selection, as well as converters and other parts.

Glass displays make pen photography challenging, but you can still see their collection of budget-friendly pens from Pilot, Lamy, Traveler’s Company, and Caran d’Ache.

Look at all the pretty Kaweco fountain pens, pencils and ballpoints!

Higher-end pens from Sailor, Pelikan, Visconti, Pilot, and more.

I spent so much time picking out some notecards and chatting with one of the staff members that I forgot to take pictures of the rest of the front of the shop as well as the products in the hallway leading to the back room, oops again. There is a large variety of greeting cards as well as postcard packs, blank card sets, and even stationery sets. I wish I had more than 30 minutes to spend at this store so I could explore it all.

In the end, I picked up some note cards and a stationery set so I had something to send to the kid at camp. And of course, I couldn’t go to a Traveler’s Company Partner Shop without using their stamps! Can’t wait to put them in my Diner journal (which I had brought with me to the shop.)

Two Hands Paperie is located at 803 Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, and is open Monday - Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00PM. They have a lot more products in-store than what is shown online, so if you have some time to spend in Boulder, I highly recommend this shop!

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Vanness Pens - Ink Heaven and more!

(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!.)

As I mentioned in the Arkansas show recap last week, one of the draws for going to Arkansas was finally going to visit the Vanness Pens shop in Little Rock! I first met Lisa at the 2017 SF Pen Show (my first show!) less than 3 months after getting into pens and I remember buying notebooks and inks (Akkerman #5 Shocking Blue, Organics Studio Nitrogen and Walden Pond) from her. I also remembered thinking, maybe one day I’ll get to visit her store. 6.5 years later, it finally happened!

Vanness Pens has a long history, dating back to the 1930s when Orville Vanness put his name on a shop, where he repaired and sold razors and fountain pens. Orville’s grandson (and Lisa’s husband), Mike, is currently the 3rd generation of Vanness’ to run the shop, with the 4th and 5th generations growing up into the business as well. You can read more about their history and staff on their website.

Vanness Pens is located in Little Rock, Arkansas on Shackleford Road in a warehouse-style complex.

I can’t explain why the occupants sign made me chuckle. Gym, Junk, Pens.

An unassuming entrance, but what lies behind that door?

To the left as you enter, is a long display of pens from Pilot, TWSBI, Opus 88, Visconti and more.

Look at all the goodies!!

A colorful display of Ferris Wheel Press items as well as other stationery.

One of the pens I wanted to buy, but I couldn’t fit it in my luggage. Some Clairefontaine (right), as well as Akkerman inks, Crown Mill and G. Lalo stationery (left) would be more practical!

I really wanted to take this pen home for Pelikan Hub!

To the left of the Akkerman inks, you would find…more ink! Rohrer & Klingner, Lamy, IWI, Van Dieman’s, Octopus, Laban and more.

I’m glad I finally got to see these Wearingeul book marks and metal stickers (the ones in the back rows) in person! I’m only reading eBooks these days, otherwise I would’ve bought a bunch!

Orville Vanness originally started with razor repairs so there is still a variety of shaving tools and accoutrement that is sold in store and on the website!

Pens, paper, and stationery are all wonderful but let’s be real, we all know the biggest reason for me to visit the shop is the INKS!!!! I’m one of those crazy inkophiles who has far too much ink, so behind in swatching and still can’t resist getting more! As of earlier this week, Vanness has over 2900 inks in stock. WHAT?!?!? I don’t think any vendor, in the US or abroad, comes close to this - and if they do, please let me know so I can add them to my stationery travel bucket list.

All of these binders are full of ink swatches! I had so much fun looking through the binders, both for my own purchases as well as helping customers find the perfect inks!

The warehouse behind the shop is where the magic and the hard work happens.

The past store front’s Vanness sign is displayed prominently on the back wall of the warehouse. There are aisles upon aisles of shelving, each with pen boxes, papers, and of course, inks!

Bottles of Diamine, Colorverse and more are on this shelf (the boxes/inks on the floor just came in and they were in the process of unpacking them.)

Just some of the Kobe inks that Vanness stocks. One or two of them may have made it home with me, hehe! (PC:Matthew Chen)

*Bins upon bins of ink samples! And this is just ONE ROW of samples! *

I have bought so many samples from Vanness over the years because they have such a large selection and it was like a dream come true to see it for myself! Wow! For the Diamine Inkvent series, there were different colored bins for 2019 (Blue), 2021 (Red), etc - I thought that was very clever! Bestsellers or latest additions were marked with yellow labels so it was easier for folks to find them. I discovered firsthand how easy it was to find products when I was helping out at the store on Thursday before the show.

Helping out by finding samples for customers.

Speaking of samples, that’s Jasmine in the background making samples - looks like it’s Diamine 150th Anniversary Espresso.

If you don’t have inky spills that make detectives raise an eyebrow, are you really in the ink business?

One of several aisles of paper products - Apica, Midori, Kokuyo and more!

Laser-engraving a pen - don’t worry, I was just watching and taking pictures!

I also got the chance to see one of two laser engraving machines in action. Vanness will only engrave items that were purchased from them (either in store or online), as not all items work well with engraving. It is an option that can be selected during the product selection. There is no additional charge for this service, but engraved items can’t be returned. If you’re not sure if engraving would work on a particular product, definitely reach out to them beforehand.

This was something I had always wanted to have engraved - and the new release meant it was the perfect time for it! Ink not included. ;-)

With increased shipping costs, Vanness no longer sells empty ink bottles, but if you’re at the shop, you can always ask if they have any empties laying around, which they usually do since they are always making samples! (Note: not all brands allow resale or reuse of their bottles, like Akkerman)

Mike likes to be behind the scenes and runs the shipping department - he also signs the packing lists too!

Lisa with Truffle, the guard dog who only barks if you’re not giving him treats.

Truffle takes a much deserved break after a long day of making sure we feed him apples and other healthy treats (sorry, no more peanut butter.)

I spent most of Thursday as well as several other hours at the store and I kept finding things to buy. It was really cool to see the setup in person because the IG videos don’t really do it justice. I didn’t take photos of every single aisle either, so it’s quite a bit bigger than my photos might indicate. If you’re ever in the area, definitely reach out to them to make an appointment to tour the warehouse.

L to R: Kokuyo Campus B5 binder, Clariefontaine lined hardbound notebook (underneath), Van Dieman’s Marilyn and Elizabeth, Inkbara Sand, Little Prince notepad, Italian fairy tale greeting cards, the engraved iroshizuku bottle, Kobe Wind Blue, Cruising Blue and Romanesque Blue, Color Traveler Miyoshi Pione Purple and Ferris Wheel Press Aurorealis. Not pictured are items for future reviews.

You can find Vanness Pens at 5320 S Shackleford Suite F, Little Rock, AR 72204. Their store hours are Thursday-Friday 10:30am-5:30pm Central Time and Saturday 10:30am-4:00pm CT - please check the website for the most up-to-date hours. They can also be reached by phone at +1-501-353-2362 or via email at vannessonline@gmail.com, as well as on Instagram as JustVanness.

(Disclaimer: Items were purchased by me at the store. Additional items, not pictured, were given to me/Brad for future review.)

Omoi Zakka Shop Visit - Philadelphia, PA

(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!.)

Knowing that I was going to the Philadelphia Pen Show earlier this year, several friends suggested that I visit the nearby stationery shop Omoi Zakka, since it is only a couple miles away from the show hotel in the Old City neighborhood. Since it was a bit chilly in mid-January for this California girl to walk there (and back), I took a Lyft for the short trip instead.

Omoi Zakka, or Omoi for short (it rhymes with “oh boy”), is a stationery and lifestyle products shop that has been around since 2006. I highly recommend you check out their About Omoi page to find out more including a brief history of the shop.

This cute storefront just beckons you to go inside!

One step into their store and you will see that it is neither too big nor too small to house a wide variety of products ranging from pens, inks, papers, stickers, and other stationery goodies to bags, clocks, books and more.

What a wonderful sight to behold when you walk in the door!

Is anyone surprised that I spent the most time along this wall?

Some of the fun stickers and ephemera.

Some Sailor, Y-Studio and TWSBI in this case but there are more pens in the shop!

Kawecos and Kakunos with inks, paper and some pouches from The Superior Labor.

Ferris Wheel Press inks and Tomoe River paper pad as well as the Yamamoto Paper Collection.

Midori, anyone?

10th Anniversary Stalogy notebooks/pads.

MOAR paper!!!

A nice selection of Bellroy bags and accessories to carry all your pens and paper!

In addition to stationery goods, Omoi has a bunch of “lifestyle” products like books, home decor and more.

Lots of cool products along the right side of the store.

Candles, slippers, lamps and more!

I love the “not typical” selection of books that they had.

Tick tock!

I didn’t intend to stay very long since I was tired from my red-eye flight but I ended up spending over an hour discovering fun new things every time I revisited different parts of the store. As with many brick and mortar stores, you will be paying retail prices but being able to check out products not found in typical stationery stores as well as the quiet, laid back atmosphere makes it worthwhile.

I picked up the Traveler’s Company Diner set for a friend and also got two Omoi postcards as well as their zine, “Heavy”.

You can find Omoi Zakka at 41 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA (between Chestnut & Market Streets), (215) 454-6910, or online at OmoiOnline.com. The store is open Monday - Saturday from 11 am - 7:00 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm (any last minute hours would be posted on their Instagram Stories.) Note: While there is no mask mandate currently, the staff continues to mask for their own as well as their customers’ safety. I appreciate that they also offer complimentary masks for anyone who needs one.