While social media abounds with tantalizing Stationery Fest details, I’m diligently preparing for the DC Pen Show. I’ve signed up for the classes I’m taking, I’ve book my nibmeister appointments, I’ve started my shopping list, and I’m making progress on the presentations for the classes I’m teaching. But this year, my pen show prep started in June with a push to finally use more ink samples and make some sellables.
Since my June 7 pen rotation, I’ve only filled pens with ink samples — rather than bottles — my long-fill pens excluded. My goal has been to test samples I’ve had for a while to decide if I want to pick up a full bottle at the DC show.
So far, I’ve used 40 samples! Of those, I’ve moved 21 to the “for dupes” bins. Some of those didn’t interest me as much as I thought they would. Others were part of ink battles — I’ll share them later — and lost.
On top of those, I used an additional 5 samples as part of my June ink comparisons and relegated 3 of them to the dupes bins.
While it means I have to neglect my bottled ink, I’m planning to continue using only ink samples until I’ve tested the remaining 70. I can use some extra during the remaining two 30 inks 30 days opportunities.
It took me 3 years, but I’m finally going to accomplish this goal!
But wait, there’s more
Ink testing hasn’t been my only “different” show prep this year. I’ve also been making some crochet stuff to sell.
Akhila of Smruti Pens has kindly agreed to host my stuff at her table. So, if you go to the show, make sure you swing by to see her. Extra business is the best thank you to a small shop. Smruti Pens is usually in Room 1, along the hallway between check-in and the garage.
I’m not going to show what all I’ve made so far, but here’s a sneak peek. I’ll share more next week on my Instagram.
Are you going to the DC Pen Show? Have you started preparing? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
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