It’s taken me almost a week to recover from the Atlanta Pen Show. I was so busy working behind the Vanness Pens table, I forgot to take photos but luckily, everyone else took tons.
During the day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I sold ink, pens and paper with Lisa Vanness and Christa at the Vanness Pen table in “the Cool Kids room” as Brad and Myke deemed it near the Karas table, Carolina Pens and the ink testing station. In the evenings, we spent time sharing pens, eating and drinking. Friday night was a cookout by the pool for vendors and 3-day pass holders so we spent time outside until it was so dark we were looking at pens and ink by the light of our phones.
Saturday night was the recording of the Pen Addict podcast in front of a live studio audience. It was nerve-wracking but not as stressful as last year. I thought I was going to pass out last year. Luckily, there were other guests to interview this year; Vito from Story Supply Co. and Jonathan from Carolina Pen Co. so I really didn’t have to talk much. I just sat around, easy peasy.
By Sunday, we were all getting tired and the weather got cold and rainy which made the show pretty slow. It was disappointing for the vendors and everyone started packing up early and had to load up in the rain.
As always, the best part of any pen show are the people you meet and get to spend time with.
But, of course, the pen love was strong!
New additions to my Skripsert collection.
And I wasn’t the only one who fell for the Sheaffer Skripserts!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTLjbgnAeLS/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTSbZlBhtCa/
And there was lots of enthusiasm for the Col-o-ring Ink Testing Books too!
Of course, the Pen Addict podcast recording in front of a love audience was both a highlight and a moment of sheer terror. Do we look nervous?
There were some pretty scary coloring pages left at the ink testing station too.
So, if you’re in the Midwest, I hope you’ll be coming to the Chicago Pen Show this weekend. We’ve been madly making more Col-o-ring books to bring to the show. Once again, I’ll be at the Vanness Pens booth. This time, it will be Lisa, Matt Armstrong of the Pen Habit and I and we’ll be right next to Brad and Nock Co. so it’ll still be the “cool kids,” right?
The show is way out in the northwest suburbs but, trust me, it is totally worth the trip. Its near a great big Target too so you can get a toothbrush and TP while you’re schlepping to the suburbs. No sense in paying those toll and not get your money’s worth. If you’re coming in from Wisconsin, Michigan or Iowa, the hotel is not far from an Ikea so add that to your agenda and leave a little space in the car for pens and some build-it-yourself bookshelves.
Looking forward to another great pen show weekend even though the forecast is predicting another rainy one! We are made of tougher stuff than that, right? Italian beef will make us strong! If not, I’ll pack the Malort.
I really enjoyed the live show. You don’t sound nervous. You added great color here & there. However, I was really disappointed you weren’t on the next episode of the Pen Addict. I didn’t get to hear about your adventures & finds at the pen show.
Hugs, your huge fan,
Claire.
I will see you in Chicago! Very excited for this show.
Hi Ana… the podcast was great and it’s cool that you included a pictures as I have yet to attend a pen show. I sell medical software and attend a ton of trade shows as it is. 🙂 This past week in fact I was at one in Little Rock and made a field trip to see Vanness. So glad I did… never saw so much ink in one place! I also bought several notebooks from Lisa while I was there.. A Leuchtturm dot grid, Clairefontaine 1951 and some A5 paper from G Lalo. Have fun in Chicago and tell Lisa that I sincerely appreciate her help during my visit… even tho she was trying to prepare for Chicago. I also really enjoying your site and writings… keep up the good work!!