{"id":8459,"date":"2022-11-04T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=8459"},"modified":"2024-01-15T13:10:27","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T18:10:27","slug":"scriptus-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/scriptus-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"2022 Scriptus Pen and Writing Show"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

For those who aren’t familiar with the show, Scriptus is held in the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, on the second floor of the Toronto Reference Library, from 10am to 4pm. This year, it was on Sunday, October 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we arrived at the library about five to 10, there was a line wrapped along the Asquith Ave wall of the library, and it was clear that a large number of people had already been allowed in. The line moved quickly, and, once we made it inside, I was amazed at both how fabulous the library is and the length of the line ahead of us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Based on the number of vendors listed on the Scriptus website<\/a>, I was expecting a small, quiet show. I made the mistake of assuming that the show is a single day because it couldn’t support two days. Massive mistake on my part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entire show floor was packed, with only small pockets of empty space. At some of the most popular tables, it was nearly impossible to get past the people who were stopped and looking or waiting to pay. The temperature in the crowded areas was, to me, uncomfortably hot, while it was cooler \u2014 manageable, at least \u2014 in the open pockets. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There was also a long line forming from the Wonder Pens table and cutting across the rows, causing a traffic jam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even for me, used to DC Pen Show<\/a> crowds, the mass of people was overwhelming. At one point, I hid in the bathroom for a breather. While there, I spoke to a couple of women who have previously attended Scriptus, and, according to them, the crowd volume was normal. However, they did say that it tended to clear out a bit around mid-day. I didn’t notice that, but Jim and I left around 1pm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
From this angle, the areas that look empty are the vendor aisles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Layout<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Illustration
This floor plan is from the Scriptus interactive map, created by Alexander Kramer<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon has three “sections,” as seen above. You enter into the Prologue section, with the Epic section to your left, and the Novella section to your right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Epic section had three rows, bordered on either side by tables. The Novella section was turned into a U, with tables jutting out in the middle. It was a decent set of layouts, given the spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, unlike other shows where vendors hardly have any room to move, Scriptus is so generous as to give vendors more space than attendees. I think the crush of people could be significantly alleviated by cutting the vendor space between tables by 1\/3 to 1\/2 and giving that space to attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m also surprised that no one made any attempt to move or break up (to leave spaces for people to walk) the line from Wonder Pens. For reference, the line of people followed the red line between the Epic and Prologue sections in the image above, blocking the path to the Epic section. They would, of course, move as people came up to the line, but it was a choke point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tickets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There aren’t any tickets at Scriptus; admission is completely free. While awesome, I do wonder how anyone keeps track of attendance, either to gauge growth from year to year and space requirements for future years, or to ensure that the max capacity isn’t surpassed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scriptus is stationery heavy. There was an amazing selection of paper, notebooks, and general ephemera like washi tape, markers, stamps, etc. There were a surprising number of calligraphers, around 5, I think. Of pens, the selection was skewed toward vintage, around 65%\u201370%. The moderns pens were almost all from large manufacturers, with only a few indie makers. And there were 3 nibmeisters, who all seemed to be busy non-stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accessibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The library itself seemed accessible. However, as I mentioned, the crowds of people made the show virtually inaccessible for anyone with a physical disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a stage at the far left of the Epic section, some of which was left clear and people could sit. Other than that, you’d have to leave the show and sit out in the library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While quieter than US shows \u2014 I could still easily hold conversations \u2014 the noise level and the temperature would likely prove overwhelming for many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scoring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Overall Score: 3.44 \/ 5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Layout<\/strong>: 3.75 \/ 5 \u2013 The crowding and temperature spikes it caused are big negatives for me, as was the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price<\/strong>: 5 \/ 5 \u2013 You certainly can’t beat free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selection<\/strong>: 4 \/ 5 \u2013 When considered as a whole \u2014 how many different types of things were available \u2014 Scriptus had a pretty good selection. But, considering just pens, the selection wasn’t great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accessibility<\/strong>: 1 \/ 5 – The one point is for the library accessibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Thanks for reading to the end, I hope you enjoyed my post. Have you attended Scriptus? If not, would you like to? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to subscribe to my blog<\/a> or follow me on Instagram<\/a> so you don’t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I went to Scriptus this year, and it was an experience! And, of course I had to review the show. Find out what I thought.<\/p>\n

Keep Reading2022 Scriptus Pen and Writing Show<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8474,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[417],"tags":[81,196,350],"class_list":["post-8459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pen-shows","tag-pen-show","tag-pen-show-review","tag-scriptus","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/scriptus-IGSm.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Z77k-2cr","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1774,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/fp201-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":8459,"position":0},"title":"Fountain Pen 201: Pen Shows","author":"Rachel","date":"July 27, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Welcome to the inaugural issue of Fountain Pen 201. Read on to learn about fountain pen shows and check out the international list of shows I know about.","rel":"","context":"In "Pen Shows"","block_context":{"text":"Pen Shows","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/pen-shows\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11349,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/london-pen-show-2023\/","url_meta":{"origin":8459,"position":1},"title":"2023 Autumn London Pen Show","author":"Rachel","date":"October 13, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Another new show for me, the London Pen Show! Find out what it's like. Per usual, I review layout, selection, price, and accessibility.","rel":"","context":"In "Pen Shows"","block_context":{"text":"Pen Shows","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/pen-shows\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The show entrance","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231008_131248_copy_1080x504.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231008_131248_copy_1080x504.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231008_131248_copy_1080x504.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231008_131248_copy_1080x504.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231008_131248_copy_1080x504.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8969,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/2022-pens\/","url_meta":{"origin":8459,"position":2},"title":"Year in Review \u2013 2022 Pens","author":"Rachel","date":"December 29, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"I'm ranking all of the pens I purchased in 2022. Find out which pens I loved, which I felt were alright, and which ones are regrets.","rel":"","context":"In "Fountain Pens"","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2022InReview_IGSm.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8704,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/provocateur\/","url_meta":{"origin":8459,"position":3},"title":"Provocateur Images \u2013 Passionate Photography","author":"Rachel","date":"December 2, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"I recently had an absolutely fabulous boudoir shoot with Trevor of Provocateur Images. I'm sharing what made it so great (hint: a fantastic photographer).","rel":"","context":"In "Non-Stationery Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Non-Stationery Reviews","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"glamorous boudoir shot","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/XT412881.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3020,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/la-show-2019\/","url_meta":{"origin":8459,"position":4},"title":"2019 LA Pen Show","author":"Rachel","date":"February 28, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A little later than usual, but here's my take on the 2019 Los Angeles Pen Show. Make sure you check out my scoring of it.","rel":"","context":"In "Pen Shows"","block_context":{"text":"Pen Shows","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/pen-shows\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"LA Pen Show Exterior Line","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/laPenShow-Outside.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/laPenShow-Outside.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/laPenShow-Outside.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/laPenShow-Outside.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/laPenShow-Outside.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9994,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/pen-porn-gioia-cameo\/","url_meta":{"origin":8459,"position":5},"title":"Pen Porn: Gioia Cameo Edition","author":"Rachel","date":"April 7, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"I've got to share this elegant pen with you all. I hope you enjoy the swirly, carved goodness in this pen porn post.","rel":"","context":"In "Fountain Pens"","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"angled view of the cameo of a girl on the finial","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20230325_145913.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20230325_145913.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20230325_145913.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20230325_145913.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/20230325_145913.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8459"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8459\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8476,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8459\/revisions\/8476"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}