D.C. Pen Show 2021 Recap (via The Looped Square). I had a blast working with Joseph, Lisa, Davina, and Dan behind the Vanness table. Joseph has a great show recap.
2021 D.C. Pen Super Show - Quick Recap (via The Pen Addict). Kimberly, now writing for the Pen Addict, has another great recap of the D.C. Pen Show weekend, from behind the Franklin-Christoph table.
The D.C. Pen Show 2021 Experience (via Inkjournal). Tom has a very thorough write-up of the 2021 D.C. Pen Show, that captures all of the different exhibitors and visitors.
TWSBI Swipe Review - From a Fan (via The Poor Penman). As a huge fan of the TWSBI Swipe, I can’t help but highlight this review, which more or less calls out everything the Swipe has to offer in a $26.99 package.
Composition Book Round Up 2021: Part 1 Target (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). The annual round-up of composition books is back! Looks like Target has a couple of winners this year.
British Pen Makers (via Dapprman). A great resource for those interested in discovery pen makers based in the U.K.
Birmingham Pen Company Hydrangea (via Left Hook Pens). As someone with a VERY large number of hydrangea bushes in their yard, I may need to pick up a bottle!
Taccia Jeans Collection Black Wash (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I picked up a fill of this black ink at the D.C. Pen Show and have really been enjoying it! I agree that it’s a nice looking black ink that flows well and has some character.
How I Use My Notebooks: Three Good Things (via Writing at Large). This is an amazing idea, and best wishes for your recovery!
Atoms to Astronauts: UK-made, Fountain Pen Friendly Notebooks (via UK Fountain Pens). These STEM-themed covers are gorgeous. I’m always glad to see new high-end notebooks being made.
Ferris Wheel Press Sophie Charger Set (via Mountain of Ink). I've really enjoyed Ferris Wheel Press inks, and these more interesting muted colors like Goose Poupon are among my favorites.
In Case You Missed It….
The big news from the past week was the D.C. Pen Show - the first large-scale in-person pen event in more than 18 months! Check out my show recaps of Friday and Saturday/Sunday, from my perspective as both an attendee and vendor. I also published Part V of my “Mini-Collection” round-up, looking at all the blue inks in my collection, including blues, blue-blacks, teals, and turquoise. Finally, this week’s Deals & Drops also highlighted some D.C. Pen Show favorites, including items from the T.G.S. Curated Shop as well as Vanness and other exhibitors.
This Week in the Curated Shop
If you enjoyed my “All the Blue Inks” post, you may have noticed that I’ve become a big fan of TWSBI Inks, to the point where I’m relying on them for a lot of my own “daily workhorse” writing. The T.G.S. Curated Shop now carries the entire line of TWSBI Inks, in addition to a selection of TWSBI Fountain Pens. We also carry notebooks systems from Traveler’s Company, Stálogy, and Midori, for all of your back-to-work/back-to-school needs. Please reach out if you have any questions about these products or my own personal setup, which combines a Traveler’s Notebook with a cut-down Stálogy A5 notebook for maximum versatility.
Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and First Dibs on Gently Used Stationery, Exclusive Products and More!
For some additional fun, and to help support the blog consider joining the Patreon program. Patreon supporters receive special pricing and early access to product releases and collaborations such as the T.G.S. x Sunderland pen, in addition to other benefits. You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. This year I’ve introduced monthly online meetups, which take place on Friday or Saturday and have been super enjoyable. We’ve discussed our thoughts on pen shows restarting, recent arrivals in our personal collections, and more. I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items and T.G.S. collaborations, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live and features the inks that I’m selling off as I thin out my personal accumulation.