2014 an old unfinished post post -our first DC Pen Show

When Bob ( THE DC Pen Show guy) invited Vanness to join in the DC Pen Show and show off Akkerman ( among other items) for the masses, I had to think about it. I heard stories of sleepless nights, long meal-less days and anxiety of over the top pen enthusiasts. Don't get me wrong; I was thrilled at being asked to join this large well known shin-dig.
The Vanness shop is not known for our on the road operation. We like our little corner of Little Rock, Arkansas and occasionally mosey to other southern locations; not many though.
After MANY conversations with customers and family ( and of course the greatest assistant in pen dom- Wendi) we decided to join the mayhem.
I could spend days writing of the details and anxiety related to staffing, deciding what to leave behind and the various travel scenarios we encountered; but I will spare everyone those little tidbits.

The Akkerman samples and many other ink brands and boxes arrived in DC by Van/ SUV (special thanks to Sam Highsmith and Jay Grelan). Wendi and I hand carried the LE pens by plane.


Thursday afternoon when we arrived at the hotel- pen sharing/ comparing/ trading was already taking over the hotel lobby. The ink table was taking shape, excitement was building. Wendi and I shared hugs with old friends and new, attended a few evening parties and tried to glean a few tips from the experienced professionals.  Heading to our room for the night we noticed a few people testing ink. YEAH - maybe people will like the brands of ink we brought to the show.

Fast forward Friday- alarm goes off a little earlier than expected. Might as well get some breakfast. SOOO glad I grabbed that meal! We begin set up- ink sells as fast as we can set it out. uh oh- its noon- we aren't fully set up- AND we run out of Turquoise. Wendi and I are shaking our heads in disbelief.  The Vanness pen team is the first booth you see when entering the show, and the first thing people grab is the ink, lots of it. Friday at 5:00 we are tired, hungry and out of several colors in
multiple brands. Doug, one of the assistants said he wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it. He really thought I had over packed on ink.  The REAL Show is Saturday- we need a plan- we need to change our set up,  we need food. We got a few hours of sleep, full bellies and more socialization than even an extrovert can handle.
Saturday - I can't sleep, fear of the unkown, and overwhelming feeling of wanting to please all the people all the time takes over my senses. This was a team effort- and our team was superb (thnk goodness). I see crowds all the way around the inside of the building.  The WHOOSH- its like black Friday at the ink Department. Vanness ink Department. I later find out a woman had tears in her eyes when she realized we were out of her choices on ink. WOW. Just WOW.
The day wears on; I work with pens and Wendi and Doug handle ink. Pilot, Sailor, Akkerman, Parker, Waterman, Pelikan. Normally those inks don't make a full sentence, but in this case it does. Its a statement- INK. I am trying to focus- hunger sets in, I can't leave. We take turns eating little bits of food.


Note: It’s Lisa and it’s November 2019- that show led to more shows than we ever dreamed- and I never wrote another blog post. This unfinished piece made me smile; so I left it as it was. I hope you like it too.
Time to dust off my blog? I just might...

Atlanta Pen Show

Atlanta  aka "Hotlanta" was refreshing, busy and yet not stressful. Wendi and I turned it into a mini- vacation. One of our stops- the Cheesecake factory. Arkansas NEEDS a Cheesecake factory!
We met some great people, great bloggers( pen addict, PPIL are a few among many) and learned a few things; such as take plenty of $1.00 bills.

We sold  ink of every brand. The center of our little stage was Akkerman and Shocking Blue was the crowd favorite. Many people asked us what was so shocking about this color- it's a great blue- deep and rich but not shocking.
 A little tidbit of information -the color is named after a "local" band that did well in the "70's.  The band is - (The) Shocking Blue
See below for the link
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2DBcbZc3ck

This was not the only brand or color that pen people found intriguing. Waterman Serenity Blue was also highly requested (we sold out) this ink  formerly known as Florida Blue is available on our website along with all of the Waterman ink colors currently in production.

Just a reminder- Please remember that the Akkerman store asked us not to put the ink on our website- so you must email at vanness1938@sbcglobal.net or call us at 501-353-2362 to place an order.

See you next year Atlanta!
Lisa Vanness

Scribbled thoughts

Each post added to this blog begins as a scribbled thought - onto paper -with a fountain pen. I have tried putting my thoughts directly onto a computer; it usually fails. My scattered thoughts come together as I put pen to paper.
Jade green ink puts me in a spring frame of mind. Browns and deep reds take me to my favorite season(fall).
Would you like to improve your hand writing? Fountain pen users report improved handwriting.
Want to write a personal letter? Choose an ink that will be long remembered for its personalized statement.
Fountain pens allow the writer to become connected to their thoughts, and vintage pens give a feeling of connection to a past.

I never have to wait for my notebook to "start up" - I have a thought- and I just write it.
I can't imagine trying to pull up my computer during church in order to take notes. I think there is a time and place for both methods of "writing". I would like to encourage the traditional method to the next generation, if you have ideas- shoot me an email or send me a handwritten note.
Lisa

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!