(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)
I wish I could go to all the pen shows, but one advantage of only going to one a year is that it's always a standout highlight of the year. And this year? The best ever. This year was the first where the event felt back to what it was before all the shutdowns. There were still people I missed (Ana! I miss you!) but I got to meet so many folks who I've only ever known online before.
The highlight, by far, was getting to hang out with Kimberly and Brad. I got to spend some time with Kimberly last year, but it's been six years since I last got to see Brad. WAY overdue. We made up for lost time with a fun dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, a few rounds of beers, a very silly podcast recording (where I received a scathing employee performance review--I will be taking this to HR), and the traditional evening bar hangout.
I tried something else new this year, too. I left my phone put away the entire time. Readers, I have almost no pictures. You see, I knew Kimberly was going to give you all an extensive, detailed, thorough recap. I love reading her pen show reviews, and I can't wait to relive this one through her post.
I did take two photos. One, a bigfoot sighting at a construction site as we drove into the hotel complex. Two, a pic of my, Kimberly's, and Brad's wee baby plotters with googly eyes, which I carry with me everywhere (it's a librarian thing).
And of course I took the obligatory photos of my haul on a hotel bedspread backdrop, as one does.
The haul is what you're really here for, right? I've got you. And I'll review most of these over the next few months, but here's the overview.
The first thing I did upon arrival was make a beeline for the Plotter table. I knew, thanks to ToastyTreats' Twitch stream, that they were running low of the itty bitty wee baby Plotters that they were giving away with a pen show purchase, and I HAD to have one. I didn't know, going in, that you had to spend a certain amount to get it, though, so I ended up with quite a kit. I got a Mini in the blue leather with a full set of accessories, and it's quite fabulous. I also grabbed one of their new leather pen rolls that I'm very excited to try. And, of course, I got the itty bitty wee tiny Plotter, which already lives in my pocket at all times, filled with wee bits of scrap paper that I use to write call numbers on at work. It's perfect and I love it.
My next purchase, which was actually a gift from Brad, was a gorgeous pen from Hardy Penwrights. It's my first pen from this talented maker, and it immediately captivated me. The material has swirls of pastel and jewel-toned sparkles interspersed with black, so that it looks like melting stained-glass graffiti. The silver clip has chevron cutouts, and it has a fantastic medium nib. This pen is totally urban fae, and I can't stop staring at it.
Top to bottom: Sailor 4 a.m., Hardy Penwrights, Carolina Pen Co.
The next splurge was planned, a pen from Jonathon Brooks of Carolina Pen Company. It's a matte pastel version of his Primary Manipulation material. It called to me from his pile of chaotically splayed pens, and I had him put a stub nib in it.
Then I needed to stop by the InkyConverters table, because I needed a sticker (and pin and lanyard) restock. Angela and I commiserated over our library school adventures, always doing finals at the Chicago show, and we squeaked over her adorable wares, which kept piling up in my hands.
I thought I was done, then. I'd certainly hit my budget, between Brooks and Plotter. I'd already left the show for a bit, to grab lunch and chill. But then Brad texted me, "You were looking for a Sailor 4am, right?" Sigh. Yeah, I WAS, but... Well, I came back to the showroom just to check, you know? And sure enough, a used 4am with a custom ground John Mottishaw M/F italic nib at Brandon's, aka Rocky Top Pen Co. table. For a very fair price. I did what any reasonable Pen Addict would do.
I really wanted to try that nib, after I bought it. Which means? Yep, I needed some ink. So off to Papier Plume, where I exerted superb self-control by only buying three bottles. I got the gorgeous show ink, Lake Michigan Sunrise, which is stunning. And I grabbed Iron Lace and Garden District Azalea to ink up my new purchases.
Then I ran away out of self-preservation, and took the hotel bedspread photos you see here. After that, the agenda was all socializing and we had the awesome evening I described above. I was asleep before 1:30am, which was later than planned, but not my worst Pen Show bedtime.
The next morning I went to the Good Made Better table, where Dan Keller and I (and his kids) had the most wonderful conversation about books and reading and writing and libraries, and before you know it, I realized I'd been there over an hour. I had lots of questions about his products as well, and how he uses them, and all the different ways they can be customized. I covet one of the new storage Writewells. It will be at the top of my purchase list next year, if they're still available. To hold me over, I got one of the leather-bound portable book weights. And then I hurriedly said my goodbyes to all the friends I could find and made my exit before my budget hemorrhaged even more.
All told, I was there for less than 30 hours, but I have no doubt it will be among the best 30 hours of 2023. Thank you to all my awesome pen friends who came and said hi, or hung out at the bar, or chatted in the lobby, or let me block half their table for an hour talking about Charles Dickens' funny character names. You're all treasures, and I'll think of you every time I use the treasures I brought home from the show.
And a special extra big hug for Brad--thanks, Best Boss!
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