What to Do At Your First Fountain Pen Show: Some Tips for Newbies

Posted on by Laura

2016 Chicago Pen Show main ballroom

Lots of pen show newcomers ask for tips for going to their first show. Here are mine.

In brief: 1. Use a List. 2. Get Organized. 3. Pre-Order and Prepare. 4. Prioritize. 5. Don’t Just Shop. 6. Talk to People. 7. Go as Early as Possible.

Want more details? On the next page.

(click Page 2 below to continue)

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11 thoughts on “What to Do At Your First Fountain Pen Show: Some Tips for Newbies”

  1. OMG, this got me so excited, and I couldn’t even go! Haha. I’d love too though, I really, really have to figure out a way to go some day. There isn’t one locally, and there isn’t likely to be anytime soon I think, but I would *love* to go to the Chicago one as it sounds especially cool (although that’s probably just seeing that through Laura’s eyes and others are also nice, they just don’t have Laura talking about them :P)

    But this list is still useful – there’s a craft supplies show I somehow end up attending every year and every time I’m a little lost and wish I’d prepared better to get the most of it. I love the ongoing to-do list! It’s funny, I use it all the time for more formal projects and never thought to use it for an event like that 🙂

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  2. This is a most, most excellent write-up: concise, enough photos to make sense, and plenty of enthusiasm. I’ve already shared a link to the site with a couple people who will be attending Chicago as THEIR FIRST PEN SHOW EVAR!

    So, yeah. Yay!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No way?! You’ll send them over to me, right? We’re having a meetup and group hug Saturday, but if they miss that I’ll also be doing the ink station and IG and assorted other things. It’s going to be a great show this year. Chicago Blue, too. 💙

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      1. Gimme the deets in a separate communication and I’d be happy to spread the word about the times and places for meeting up, etc. I miss all the good stuff!

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  3. Excellent advice. Your USA pen shows sound much bigger affairs than we have in the UK. I like to bring my loupe in case I want to look at nibs. And do not wear a ruck sack that will knock pen trays off the table when you turn around (which I saw someone do). The abiding memory is always the lovely interesting people you meey. Enjoy!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A loupe’s a great idea. Although, at Ohio I brought mine, used it once and immediately lost the lens cover. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Luckily I’ve never knocked over a tray of pens. Knowing me, it will be a rack of ink bottles. 😊

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