Why?

Why would a small Pen club torture themselves with  the added stress of an Annual Pen Show? They meet each month- and laugh til the tears roll. Really. No- Really. It is such a great time- sharing, trading, testing, drooling.
The people- that is why. Those who have a vague interest in pens- but aren't collectors; those who have a few pens and aren't sure if they want to trade or gather more. Collectors started somewhere. A pen show is perfect opportunity to educate young people and pass on what is sadly(and quickly) becoming a lost art. For those who live hours from the nearest pen store its an excuse to spend a day learning and shopping.
 The Pen show gives the collectors an opportunity to  find MORE goodies.

 The picture shown above was taken during "set up" . Great guys, donating their time and knowledge to encourage an art and a hobby. Thanks so much guys!

Interested in learning more about fountain pens? This show has vintage and modern collectors ready to visit and discuss at length the details of writing and repairing. I can't imagine that there is another group so friendly and thoughtful towards "newbies". We have attended many shows over the years- north and south. We are prejudice about the guys- with good reason. Not just because its our hometown club.

 The picture shown above is the one and only Shawn Newton - He won one of last years "prizes"- A Taccia pen. Not only a teacher by day- but ALWAYS ready to share with others. Truly one of the nicest artists you will ever meet.

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The show is situated in North Little Rock Arkansas- at the edge of the Ouachita Mountains.  Expect southern hospitality and small show atmosphere; come ready to try new inks at the Vanness  tables.

Be ready to laugh at the door, and ready to learn at every vendors booth.

I can't wait to see what this years show has waiting behind those doors at the Wyndham!

Thank you to ALL the Arkansas Pen Club members that have brought this show together!!!

Have a great week ya'll- come by and say hi to us and share your pen finds!

Lisa Vanness

Arkansas Pen Show Countdown

The countdown to our favorite Pen Show has begun. Preparations have been taking place behind the scenes for months; but now the pace has become- frenetic.
Each year the inventory changes- but many of the faces stay the same. Pendemonium will again be joining the Arkansas show. Fresh from LA (not lower Arkansas) they will offer a variety of vintage and modern pieces.

Shawn Newton will have a table full of custom pieces- and he will be leading a class on the Palmer handwriting method at 10:00 AM Saturday morning- Newtons Pens is well known among international collectors for his custom craftsmanship. He recently joined Vanness for a Limited Edition Fountain pen celebrating the75th anniversary of Vanness Pen Shop .

Fern Padilla will once again be leading a pen repair class Saturday afternoon.

Danny Fudge and his loyal sidekick Perry Kearny will be at the show again this year repairing all the pens customers can't repair themselves!

These are just a few of the Pen People that make this Annual Arkansas Pen Show a barrel of laughs!
Want to know more about the show? You can Call Vanness anytime during the week- or you can reach the gang at the website on this link.

Happy Pen Hunting!

He'll be coming round the mountain when he comes.....

Henry Simpole will be coming round the Arkansas mountains from the UK for a trunk show at Vanness on Thursday February 27. He will then spend Friday February 28 and Saturday March 1 delighting pen enthusiasts with his overlay skills at the Arkansas Pen Show .
Henry has done overlays for Conway Stewart, Onoto and one of a kind commissioned pieces for private customers throughout the US and Europe.

The pieces shown in above include both numbered limited editions and one of a kind overlays from a private collector in Arkansas.
While at the Arkansas show Henry will continue his work for visitors to watch. His patience with the metal is a joy to watch.
Interested in your own unique overlay? Henry will take the time to visit and create a plan with you while he is here in the U.S.
 When he is not at one the scheduled events Henry LOVES seafood- Do you have any suggestions for local cuisine? Give me a shout; we enjoy introducing him to more of Arkansas!

Lisa Vanness

Inked Out

As my husband does dishes and sings to songs of the 70's; I found time to write a little bit about ink, and of course Vanness Pen Shop. We left work a little early due to the ongoing ice storms pounding our state.

We had not publicly put information out about the end of the PW Akkerman 150 ml ink bottles. We felt it should come from them first. Friday- they published the news.  By Saturday afternoon the calls and emails were taking over our store. We carry more than 20 brands of ink. We sell ink every day, in the store and sometimes online- but this was out of control. Sunday- ICE STORM- There was no stopping the ink sales. Tonight we have less than 10 bottles in the store. We have a partial shipment on the way now- most of it Pre-sold or held.

This was not our only ink event for the week. We ordered Diamine 3.5 weeks ago. Still hadn't arrived late last week. Emailed- no reply. I called yesterday- again- finally heard back- vague answers about ship times. Today- email stating the entire shipment (3,000 bottles) of inks (this is for all U.S.) had arrived from England - FROZEN- apparently much of it was cracked or broken. The cold weather will now be taking a grip on the fountain pen users of the country. Looking for Diamine? I would not delay in ordering.  Diamine is among the least expensive inks per ml only 3 common inks are less expensive. Do you know which inks those are? If so shoot me an email- vanness1938@gmail.com and get free shipping on one bottle from one of those 3 brands of ink.



I have been full of good news today haven't I?  Maybe its the weather. Bring on the sunshine!!!!


Lisa Vanness
A self portrait on a warm rainy day!