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Month: September 2025

Totally Should’ve Tag – Stationery Edition

Posted in Stationery

This post is inspired by emmmabooks‘s video TOTALLY SHOULD’VE BOOK TAG l ORIGINAL l.. In that video, they acknowledge that they were inspired by a previous tag, but this one is their own.

I’ve adapted the Totally Should’ve tag to stationery questions for funsies. I will admit I pick on Montegrappa in this post. I didn’t mean to, but their products kept coming to mind as I answered these questions.

1. Product that totally should’ve been made permanent.

This is completely self-serving, but I have to go with Pure Pens Platinum Jubilee ink. It’s such a gorgeous purple. I didn’t learn about it until well after it was discontinued, but I was able to get a sample from a friend, and it’s amazing. It’s such a shame I’ll never own it.

Pen Porn: Zek Pens

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉

This is one of two Zek Pens pens I picked up at the DC Pen Show this year. It was the first to catch my eye, so it’s the first I’m sharing. Zek Pens includes — but may not be limited to — a brother-sister team. The brother makes the pens, and the sister paints them. This design is hand-painted Turkish illumination on a resin body. The paint is sealed, so you don’t have to worry about scuffs.

Zek Pens blue and turquoise

12 Pen Person Questions

Posted in Stationery

I learned about the 12 Pen Person Questions tag from The Well-Appointed Desk‘s September 8 blog post. In it, Ana linked to Olive Octopus’s original post. I enjoyed answering their 17 Ink Questions, so I’m answering these questions as well.

Now, on to the questions! I plan to write this more “stream of consciousness” style so that the answers are more genuine, since Lise (Olive Octopus) indicates a goal of answering these is to learn more about yourself.

2025 San Francisco Pen Show Experience

Posted in Pen Shows

In last week’s post, I promised you an overview of my experience of the San Francisco Pen Show (SFPS). This is that post, and I promise it’s more positive than the other one was.

For anyone who didn’t read the review post, this was my and Jim’s first time at the SFPS. We’ve wanted to attend for 6-7 years, and have been planning to go for 3-4 years, but only just made it this year.

Jim’s initial interest in the show centered on the array of Asian, especially Japanese, vendors who go to the SFPS but don’t make it to the DC show. Over the years, a few have started attending, but we found out they bring a wider variety to the SFPS. For example, check out Bungubox at DC and at SF.

My interest was more focused on seeing the second-largest pen show. And, while the show was rather nuts, I’m happy we went.

2025 San Francisco Pen Show Rating

Posted in Pen Shows

Originally, I intended to only write one post about the San Francisco Pen Show. But, after restarting my post four times, I realized I needed to break it into pieces. Today’s post is my show review.

I already know, based on the categories I rate, the SF Pen Show will have a poor showing. However, it’s not a bad show by any means. I definitely would go back again if the stars align. So, keep an eye out for my follow-up post(s).

With that out of the way, allow me to share my impressions of the 2025 SF Pen Show.

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