State of the Shop Update, Part II: Build-Out Progress!

October 8, 2025

A couple weeks back we celebrated our first anniversary as a brick-and-mortar store, and thought it might be fun to share some progress photos from the ongoing buildout of our new shop area, which will be located on the front of our existing building. Why this new shop? Mostly because our online business is growing and we need to use our current location as pure warehouse/office space. It’s become too difficult to clearly separate the two, and we’ve had issues with customers trying to enter off-limits areas in order to “look around.” As noted below, after we get the store moved over, we still plan to open this space up for special events, but the primary location for picking up orders and in-person shopping will be the new showroom in Suite 107. This location will also be clearly marked and easier to locate on the front of the building. Our first date in the new space will be Thursday, October 16, so until then, you should continue to visit the current location (Suite 113).

TGS Build Out Progress No Fixtures — The new space will have a more traditional showroom/pen shop location, with enough space for most of the products that people tend to want to see in person.

TGS Build-Out Progress Shot — I’m looking forward to the new space being better organized, with clearly delineated “sections” for different product categories.

Don’t Miss Our Nashville In-Store Event Scheduled for October 17-18 with Vanness and Newton Pens!

Lisa Vanness and Shawn Newton will be in-store on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18! Be sure to stop by if you are in the Nashville area, as we will be opening up the new shop (Suite 107, on the front of the building), as well as the existing T.G.S. entrance (Suite 113) which we will continue to use for special events such as this one. Lisa will be bringing rare inks and other Vanness Pens exclusives, and Shawn will of course have a selection of Newton Pens available to see and purchase!

The shop will be open normal hours: 1-6pm on Friday (10/17), and 10am-6pm (10/18) on Saturday. Though no reservation or appointment is necessary, please do note that the shop tends to be busiest from between 12pm-2pm, so arrivals outside of that time slot may have an easier time finding parking. We hope to see you there!

2025 Colorverse Colorvent Calendars are here!

October 7, 2025

Yes, it’s that time of year already! The 2025 Colorverse Colorvent Calendars have arrived, with 24 new inks ready for you to open starting December 1 (or immediately). Note that the colors pictured below are last year’s colors, and are solely to give you a sample look at what you can expect from this year’s calendar, which is a mystery…. No spoilers!

We also have the “Top 3” Inks from the 2024 Colorvent calendar that Colorverse chose to add to the permanent lineup. Two of them are “Glistening” (shimmer) inks while another is a sheener. All are available in full-sized bottles.

Don’t sleep on the Colorvent Calendars because retailers are given a limited allocation and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Colorvent Calendars are currently available for purchase online and any that remain will be made available in the brick-and-mortar store this week, Thursday and Friday 1-6pm and Saturday from 10-6pm.

Colorverse Colorvent 15ml Bottles — The Colorvent Calendars contain 24 individual 15ml bottles of new Colorverse inks. It’s almost like an instant ink collection!

Lamy Studio Orion Pens New Arrivals — The new Lamy Studio Orion in all three versions: fountain, rollerball, and ballpoint.

Thursday Drops: New Lamy Studios, TWSBI ECO Carrara + Onyx, and Multiple New Pen Days for Me!

October 2, 2025

Well, it’s been a multiple new pen week for me, with the Lamy Studio Orion (check) arriving, along with the TWSBI ECO Carrara White + Onyx (check), and I finally pulled one of the Royal Red Matte Studios (check) before they go away. We also have additional stock of the Lamy AL-Star Dark Dusk, and nearly all Lamy 2000 models, so we’re ready for opening hours this weekend!

Joe's New Pens: TWSBI ECO Carrara Onxy and Lamy Studio — Two of Joe’s new pens.

While Traveler’s Notebooks have been in short supply recently due to manufacturer delays, we still have stock of the Passport size Traveler’s Notebook in most colors, as well as similar alternatives such as the Lochby Voyager which will take the same A5-Slim size refill. And as a special update, we have reordered additional stock of the Roterfaden TGS_25, in both the original olive green AND a possible new colorway! Stay tuned for details.

We will be open this week for normal hours, including from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm on Saturday. You can always check the main store page for updated hours and announcements regarding special events.

Lamy Studio “Orion” Special Edition. This year’s 2025 Special Edition Lamy Studio has arrived, and we are happy to offer it in fountain pen, rollerball, and ballpoint! We also have additional stock of the Royal Red Matte Studio and a handful of the “Dark Forest” Rollerballs from a few years ago.
TWSBI ECO Carrara + Onyx Fountain Pens. The latest release from TWSBI’s swirled acrylic collection didn’t escape my pen case, and this one gives the excellent ECO Serpentine Bronze a run for its money.
New Tom’s Studio Wren and Lumos Pens. Tom’s Studio has released their refillable fineliners in some special release colors and materials, including the new Brass Wren that we received Tuesday.
Lamy AL-Star Dark Dusk and Mint Special Edition Fountain Pens. We sold out of the “Dark Dusk” very quickly and are happy to report that it is now back in stock.
Lamy 2000 Fountain Pens. Extra-fine and fine nibs are back in stock! The Lamy 2000 remains my “desert island” fountain pen. It’s probably not even close.
Lamy 2000 Multi Pen (4-Color Ballpoint). The multi pen version of Lamy’s flagship might be our top seller both online and in-store. Because this pen takes D1 refills, you can outfit it with the included Lamy refills or substitute low-viscosity ballpoint ink like Uni’s Jetstream or Pilot’s Acro-Ink.
Traveler’s Notebooks (Passport Size). As mentioned above, Traveler’s Company has experienced production and demand issues, with notebooks in short supply. We currently have the Passport size in most colors.
Lochby Voyager. With Traveler’s Notebooks in short supply, attention had turned to other covers with the same A5-slim dimensions. The Lochby Voyager takes the A5-slim “TN” format and translates it to Lochby’s Field Journal system, with four cords and a strap that closes securely. You can fit up to six refills in this cover without using rubber bands.
Notsu Rounded 3x5 Dot Grid Index Cards. These ever-popular fountain pen friendly index cards are back in stock, along with all of the various Notsu accessories. While the 3x5” cards are the most popular, we also have…
Notsu 5x7 Dot Grid Index Cards. We have more of the larger-format Notsu index cards, since our initial test order proved popular. These large index cards are foldable to a roughly 3.5” x 5” passport size.

TWSBI ECO Carrara with Laban Aphrodite — For me there was only one color match for this pen.

New Arrivals: Introducing The Brass Wren Fineliner from Tom's Studio!

September 30, 2025

I’ve loved watching Tom’s Studio release the Lumos and Lumos Pro Duo Fineliners in a series of special finishes, and now it’s the Wren’s turn! Tom’s Studio announced The Brass Wren, and it arrived yesterday alongside a batch of the Pigment Black Ink and additional Wren colors, including “Iris” (dark purple). If you’re interested in trying out a refillable fineliner that is capable of using fountain pen ink, consider giving the Wren a try. Don’t be intimidated by the filling process - once you get the hang of it, it’s very straightforward. I even did a video demonstrating how to set up the Wren.

Tom's Studio Wren Fineliner Refillable Pens

Also, just a head’s up that the TWSBI Carrara + Onyx ECO fountain pens have landed and are ready to ship. I unboxed mine last night! So far I’m enjoying mine, which I promptly filled with Laban Greek Mythology Aphrodite Pink (marble column theme and all).

TWSBI ECO Carrara White and Onyx Fountain Pen

Thursday Drops: TWSBI ECO Carrara with Onyx Pre-Order, an ECO Serpentine Bronze Restock, and Yes, We Still Have Anterique!

September 25, 2025

That was quite a week! Topping off our one-year anniversary as a brick-and-mortar store, we had a rush on Anterique Ballpoints, combined with a new TWSBI pre-order opportunity for the Carrara + Onyx ECO Fountain Pen. The Carrera + Onyx model features white resin with a black swirl, and follows on the heels of the ultra-popular ECO Serpentine Bronze. (We currently only have the Serpentine Bronze in Broad and 1.1mm stub, but have more on the way, after I was concerned that they had sold out.)

We’ve also restocked on many favorite iLootPaperie Washi Tapes, and have added tapes from other brands including CoraCreaCrafts and Well-Appointed Desk. We’ve also dramatically expanded our selection of sticky notes, index tabs, and document flags, just in time for planner season!

TWSBI ECO Carrara with Onyx Fountain Pen (Pre-Order). The latest TWSBI ECO release is now live and available for pre-order. This latest addition to the “Swirled Resin” collection features a gorgeous white with black swirl inspired by marble.
TWSBI ECO Serpentine Bronze Fountain Pen. I’m not sure that I’ve seen a TWSBI fountain pen fly off the shelves faster than the Serpentine Bronze fountain pen.
Anterique Ballpoint Pens. The Strategist strikes again! We’ve had a run on both the standard and brass versions of the Anterique ballpoints, which feature a .5mm Japanese low-viscosity ballpoint refill. You can read more about these from Tuesday’s posts, including links to the article in question.
Blackwing Volume 292: The Keith Haring Pencil. Blackwing’s latest release features Keith Haring’s famous dancing figures, paired with Blackwing’s balanced “Pearl” graphite. This is one of the better Blackwing collaborations I’ve seen, from one of my favorite artists.
Blackwing One-Step Long-Point Pencil Sharpeners. Easily the best-selling “curved” long-point pencil sharpener in our store, this not only leaves an exceptionally sharp point but has a receptacle to hold shavings.
Blackwing Pencil Essentials Set. This pencil essentials set includes one of each different type of Blackwing Pencil, as well as a long-point pencil sharpener and a Blackwing pencil cap - the two most popular Blackwing accessories. It’s a great way to experiment with the different graphites in the Blackwing lineup.
Viarco Vintage Pencil Set. Made in one of Europe’s last functioning pencil factories, Viarco pencils come in a half-dozen different designs inspired by Viarco’s creations from 1950s Portugal. You can grab a dozen of each with these sets.
iLoot Paperie Washi Tapes. We are restocked on nearly all of the iLootPaperie Washi Tapes, including many of the different snail mail and letter-themed designs that have proven popular over the years. We also have stationery and analog-themed enamel pins and buttons!
Laconic Tokyo A5 6-Ring Binders. Looking for a higher-capacity binder than some of the other options out there? This Laconic binder can work as an “archive” notebook to complement brands like Plotter and Filofax, or it can serve as a larger stand-alone planner binder.
Laconic Tokyo A5 6-Ring Binder Inserts. While we’re still waiting on the arrival of dated planner inserts (coming in October), we have plenty of stock of Laconic’s diverse array of undated A5 binder inserts in formats such as planners as well as “To Do,” Think, and other lifestyle and productivity layouts.