On Sunday, Laura and I started going through the Pen Show Schedule and trying to figure out how best to update it. Many shows have already announced postponed dates or cancellations due to the pandemic but some, that are a few months out, are still listed as “on schedule”. I confess, I’m skeptical that any shows will go forward this year. Most cities have said that re-opening economies will be slow and the last aspect of that will be allowing large events. Most people think of “events” as concerts, sporting events, graduations, weddings, etc. We among us who are “pen people”, of course, think of pen shows.
Since pen shows, clearly require a lot of people to be in a small amount of space, many traveling long distances by plane, there is not a good way to make them happen without putting people at risk of COVID-19 unless the illness has been eradicated. I don’t think most US shows will be able to happen this year. And it’s probably largely unlikely that worldwide shows may face the same issues.
I know that, short of a vaccine for COVID-19, I’m very unlikely to travel this year. So much for my frequent flyer mile status.
Pens:
- Early thoughts on the Sheaffer Pop fountain pen. (via rupertarzeian Fountain pen blog)
- ystudio Portable Brassing Fountain Pen Review (via edjelley.com)
- Platinum Curidas Review (via The Poor Penman)
- This Just In: Leonardo Officina Italiana Messenger (via Fountain Pen Quest)
- Video-Review: Kaweco DIA2 “Kawecomat” (Multifunction Pen) (via Scrively)
Ink:
- Robert Oster Cosmic Swirl Ink Review (via The Pen Addict)
- Sailor Studio 150 (via Gourmet Pens)
- Taccia Tsuchi / Golden Wheat (via Ink Sharks)
- How to Make Dip Pen Ink at Home: Krishna Inks Formula (via Pen Chalet Blog)
Pencils:
- Viking Collector’s Pencil Boxed Set Review (via The Pen Addict)
- Colored Pencils: A Comprehensive Guide (via CW Pencil Enterprise)
Notebooks & Paper:
- DIY: how to fold a paper crane (via Flow Magazine)
- Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Collection by Yamamoto Paper: A Review (Part 1 of 2) (via The Pen Addict)
- What Is Your Ideal Line Spacing Size? (via Fountain Pen Love)
- Spiral and Wire-O Notebooks from My Collection, Part 1 (via Notebook Stories)
- Write Notepads Spiral Notebook: How Far Can I Push This Paper? (via The Gentleman Stationer)
- Koval Sketchbook Pro with Cotton Watercolour Paper (via Parka Blogs)
- Artist Fills Her Sketchbooks With Expressionist Floral Paintings (via My Modern Met)
- In the Woods (via Abigail Halpin)
Art & Creativity:
- Vengeful Fortress Part 2: More Thoughts on Stillman and Birn Epsilon (via Writing at Large)
- Vengeful Fortress: A Stillman and Birn Epsilon Sketchbook Review Adventure Part 1 (via Writing at Large)
- Handmade Ceramic Cups Add Some Charm to Your Everyday (via Borwn Paper Bag)
- How to Calm Down with Art Therapy (via JetPens Blog)
- Chris Ware’s “Still Life” (via The Casual Optimist)
- What to expect from post-pandemic work culture in the creative industries (via Creative Boom)
- Schin Loong’s Flourished Swan Envelope Tutorial (via The Postman’s Knock)
- Apart Together Socks FREE Pattern (via Fancy Tiger Crafts)
Other Interesting Things:
- Seth Godin Hates Being Organized (via Superorganizers)
- My 11-inch iPad Pro Experiment (via MacStories)
- Abyss Saves URLs for Later from iPhone, iPad and Mac (via Beautiful Pixels)
- Give yourself a little present (via Austin Kleon)
- Cut and Paste Your Surroundings into Photoshop with Amazing New AR Prototype (via Colossal)
- Radiohead’s Rejected Spectre Theme Song Played Over the Film’s Opening Credits (via Kottke.org)
I think if ANY pen show in any country thinks it’s having a show this year they are being foolish. Whether it is allowed or not is besides the point. It simply isn’t ethical at this point.
Considering that any such venues would have poor air flow and close quarters for vendors and customers alike, does any pen show organizer really want to risk being the root cause of a potential virus hub? All it takes is one infected person. Never mind the exposure from being on a plane.
This article nails exactly why such would not be wise:
https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them
I hope an abundance of caution and regard for human like & dignity rises above striving for normalcy.
Great links this week! So much to look at – thank you Desk Team!
You are very welcome! Thanks for reading, Sarina!
Of course a pen show would be great, but given the circumstances, very doubtful any will proceed, even the ones that postponed or were scheduled in the Fall. Pretty bummed but I agree that an abundance of caution is necessary – that is until a working and active vaccine is developed and easily accessible. Virtual pen shows are doable, even if it’s one vendor at a time. Coordinate for a set weekend or even week with specific timeframes for each. Doable?
That goes for Pelikan Hubs too – virtual is definitely doable for these (not as fun, but whatever works!)
I imagine the same will go for the Pelikan Hub, sigh. Ana was a fantastic Hub Master, and the 2019 KC Hub was the best I’ve attended. It set the bar high. After seeing Moonstone ink photos, I was looking forward to it.
Any ideas on the chances of the Pelikan Hubs? (Likely doubtful to none).
Thanks so much! I hadn’t even thought about the Pelikan Hubs yet. Maybe it’s time to think about a worldwide virtual Pelikan Hub?
At least with the hubs it’s still possible if the groups are kept smaller, possible…even if not likely.
This is technically “Week Nine”. You had listed two previous Link Loves as “Week Three”.
Oops, it’s so easy to lose track of time theses days, isn’t it?