(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 soon as I realized I was going to go to the Pacific Northwest Pen Show earlier this year, I made plans to visit the Oblation Papers & Press shop in Portland, even though the show wasn’t nearby. I had a limited amount of time at the shop, but I had heard so many wonderful things about it that I had to go check it out for myself!
The Oblation Papers & Press shop welcomes you to take a seat and enjoy the clickety-clack of a typewriter.
There is a list of events on the outside of the store so you can see what’s coming up next!
I love their display of inks and of course, PENS!!
A closer look at one of the ink cabinets.
What a fun way to show off their inks! I’m also digging the card catalog cabinets below.
Look at those Sailors!
You can find dip pens, cartridges, rubber stamps and stamp pads too.
Wrapping paper, pretty ribbons, candles, and other gifts can be found in this section of the store, as well as pretty much everywhere you look.
Turn around and you’ll find more wrapping paper, cards, notebooks.
Midori paper sets, Zebra Mildliners, clips, keychains, erasers and all the fun things you’d expect from a stationery shop.
I love the variety of stickers that they have throughout the store. This was one of several places where you can find all sorts of stickers!
More stickers!
Look at this colorful display of stickers, notepads, cards, towels and more!
These popup bouquet cards are super cute!
As a letter writer, I love checking out the wax seals and stamps.
Oblation Papers & Press has a nice variety of stationery, pens/inks, cards and gifts, but I love the things that set them apart from most shops. For one, they love vintage typewriters and have them for sale at the store and online. The typewriters are serviced, cleaned/lubricated and ready to go.
Look at these cool vintage typewriters that they have for sale.
Behind these glass doors are several letterpress machines, which are used to make customized stationery for all sorts of occasions like weddings, birth announcements, personalized stationery and more.
I already had a bottle of their Oblation Olive (which is made for them by Papier Plume) but I was excited to see their other bottles, especially their newest release in time for the Northwest Pen Show, Sitka Spruce.
Since I was headed to the pen show that weekend, I kept my haul to a minimum. In addition to the Oblation Olive, which I already had, I picked up their other exclusives, Rose City Rose, Portland Rain and Sitka Spruce. I also couldn’t resist the Bridges of the World washi tape set.
I highly recommend the shop, especially if you have more than 20 minutes to spare because there are so many cool things to check out and look at while you’re there. Next time I hope to play with some typewriters and maybe see their letterpress machine in action, too.
Oblation Papers & Press is located in Portland's Pearl District at 516 NW12th Avenue, Portland OR 97209 and is about 20-25 minute drive from the Portland Airport, depending on traffic. Their store hours are Monday - Saturday from 11am - 6p, and Sunday from 12 - 5pm. They can also be reached by phone at 503-223-1093, by email info@oblationpapers.com and are also on Instagram as Oblation Papers & Press.
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