2023 San Francisco Pen Show | Day Three Debrief & Lessons Learned

[@user-pp8xn2fk1d]

I’m a fountain pen newbie and plan to attend the San Francisco pen show in 2024. Your series on the 2023 show got me all revved up!

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy the experience!

[@reneeg9507]

Your goals list was a great idea, but I also love that you were open to serendipity. I never thought about keeping the paper consistent for testing -- brilliant!

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Glad this was helpful for you, thanks for watching!

[@UARELOVE1010]

I am planning to go to the SF pen show 2024. This was helpful. Thanks Kristen. I loved listening to your thoughts and experiences :)

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Glad it was helpful! I'll need to re-watch these videos to make sure I'm prepared, too! 😅

[@Emmalineist]

Don't know how I've been in SF for 10 years and never heard of this! Gonna see if I can rally some BUJO friends to go this year.

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Oh that would be fun! Pens (and inks) are definitely the main attraction, but if it helps your case with. your friends, there are really nice notebooks, planners, stickers, etc., at the show as well. I hope you all are able to attend and enjoy yourselves!

[@lianelikes]

Great tips and amazed at your prep with the goals pre-show. I’m already excited for next year!

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Thank you so much for watching. I hope to see you at next year’s show!

[@oldladywcamera]

Was at the show. Will look for you next year. My first show, so really did not have a clue about what I should be doing. Next year, will try more pens and grinds. Will also try to schedule an appointment with a nib person. Might also go on Friday instead of Saturday and stay til Sunday. Sunday was a lot better in terms of crowds. Saturday I had to park on a side street because there was nothing in the hotel lot. Enjoy your acquisitions.

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

I understand how you felt at the pen show; last year was my first experience at a pen show, and I had no clue what to do either. It definitely helps to have a goal/focus and some limits when you go. I am glad that I stayed for the weekend so that I didn't feel rushed or like I missed out on everything. I hope next year's experience is even better for you, especially now that you know what to expect!

[@oldladywcamera]

@@lifeinspiresdesign It's funny to me that I'm already figuring out my strategy for August 2024. I mean, that is such a long time away! It shows my faith in the future. And I should start saving money.... Thanks.

[@TheKatalystical]

I really enjoyed this entire series! I live in Oklahoma City and am planning to attend the Dallas Pen Show at the end of the month and then SFO next year, so this was great advice! Also love how excited you are about it all because I feel the same!! Thank you so much for sharing. Your channel is one of my very favorites!!

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Aw, thank you so much! I hope you enjoy your time at the Dallas Pen Show.

[@ironmic9244]

I really wanted the Fujiyama 823. Right now there is the Sailor Realo Fujiyama. I am glad you got the real OMAS, and not a revived Ogiva. And in an OMAS special celluloid too. Sweet!!

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Yes, that 823 is gorgeous. I’d like to see that pen in more colors, more often. I’m so happy with the OMAS!

[@ironmic9244]

@@lifeinspiresdesign Tell me about the OMAS. I am waiting for the video. I feel validated every time someone new loves their OMAS. (BTW, new meant like relatively new, and new to OMAS - I don't mean that you are a newbie to fountain pens). So glad you got the original OMAS and not the fauxmas that is out there.

[@yochananisrael3336]

Thanks for sharing, I’ll see you next year!❤

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Thanks for watching! Say hi if you see me!

[@yochananisrael3336]

@@lifeinspiresdesign I will!

[@fountainpensinksmore3290]

Sounds like a great show! I bought my first Taccia, won’t be my last! Urushi pens are gorgeous. . 2025 I’m hoping to make it to San Francisco pen show (I’m in Florida).

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Oooo, nice! I am looking forward to researching such beautiful pens! I like that 2025 goal; I hope you enjoy!

[@dawngilkison6123]

Thanks for posting this series - I am inspired to go to the SF pen show in the future (I am in the Portland area so it is not too far away) and your tips are really helpful.

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Nice, thanks for watching! I’m so glad the series helped you. I hope you enjoy the pen show in the future!

[@profaltman]

I was at the show too and maybe even at one of the classes (paper tasting?). Really enjoyed your thoughts. I missed all the social stuff to and was kicking myself.

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Thank you for watching! I understand how you feel about missing out on social activities.

[@ed3432]

❤Your purchases. Although I live less than 30 mins from SFX I would never attend the pen show. I will not go down that rabbit hole. Own 20 fountain pens some high end like Montblanc. May purchase 2/3 more but that’s it. Use all pens on a rotation basis. Fave brand is Pilot.

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

It’s a great thing to know your limits, and to live in a way that supports your goals. Hats off to you, and yes, Pilot does pens well.

[@revrodgers]

Hey, just found the channel and I thought I had a pen problem but you have me beat. Lmbo I’m a rookie compared to you but I’m locked in now.

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Glad I could put things in perspective for you 😆 Thanks for watching!

[@cherrydulaney6572]

We’ve been in the process of buying a new house and moving from Northern CA to Central Coast CA so I missed this year’s SF Pen Show. I *loved* your review of the pen show and getting your excitement. It was great experiencing it vicariously through your videos. Thanks so much. I love the SF Pen Show!

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope your move was a great one ❤️

[@lissapensandthings]

thank you for sharing your experieces! Your purchases are such treasures. I looked at a Taccia on Sunday and even at a discount I couldnt do it. maybe next year. As a resident in the area, the food isnt the best..its no SF food scene. I was so overwhelmed by the openess of everyone.. I learned about Pelikan Hubs from a person waiting in line and a pen meetup a couple towns over from me. I would love to have more in person pen experiences in my life.

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Oh, yeah. I forgot that I’ll be attending a Pelikan Hub this month 😆. I would like to get plugged in to a local stationery meetup so that I can talk pens and things with others more often. Thanks for watching!

[@Trecester]

I love your channel. Your energy and knowledge is inspiring for this fountain pen newbies. I am going to plan and budget to go to the Dallas Pen show. I will use some of your take aways. Thanks for your penshow video. Where do you go to find and purchase your fountain pens?

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad it was helpful. I most often purchase through vendors like Atlas Stationers, Goulet Pens, Vanness Pens, Goldspot, and eBay. Various pen show vendors are also great sources for pens. Check out the list of vendors/exhibitors on the Dallas Pen Show (or any pen show) website and see if there are links to each vendor’s own website.

[@tattooedcat]

I’ve really enjoyed your series on the pen show. What a wonderful experience! I’ve never been to a pen show, but I hope to one day get to one. Thank you so much for sharing! 🤘🏼😸🧡🖋

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Thank you for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope you get a chance to attend a pen show, too!

[@jannahlyon]

Such good advice for getting the most out of, and enjoying a pen show! I would really love to have some solid meetup times and places so that I don't miss out on meeting up with people - I think it will also reduce the anxiety of trying to recognize people in passing and combatting the nerves as to how to actually approach online friends :) I saw Karyna but was not 100% sure as I could not see her name badge so I was too shy to introduce myself which I now regret, and I am sure that I passed by others who I know online too but have no idea what they look like 😂 Looking forward to next year's show as well as maybe trying to get together with some Bay Area locals before that!

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Yes, I definitely want to attend some meetups in the meantime so that I'm prepared to greet others at the next pen show. I saw some familiar faces at the pen show, but couldn't be too sure who I was seeing. Hopefully, I'll get better at recognizing faces 😀

[@missdeesharae]

I’ve enjoyed hearing about you experience, thank you for sharing ❤

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

I'm so glad! Thanks for watching!

[@uqox]

Thank you for this review! Pen shows have always been both of interest and something I fear. Ordering online affords me a real limit on what I will purchase. Being in the presence of beautiful pens...I don't think I would have a lot of fiscal control/discipline. Your perspective was wonderful to hear. I love conferences of my interests but a fountain pens conference...just feels dangerous. Lol! Better you than me. 🥲 Thank you so much for the details.

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Haha I’m glad that I can help in any way 😃

[@sudodoodle3505]

I'm pretty bummed out that I missed the pen show this year. It looks like they really re-amped it since a few years ago. Your pen haul is amazing!

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Thank you so much! I hope you get the chance to attend the show in the future.

[@loracharis6814]

Loved this series on the pen show. I would like to make SF 2024 my first pen show. As there aren’t many pen experiences here, I can see it will be overwhelming to finally get some of the pens I have admired in hand, so I would need to start saving from now. 😂😂😂

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Smart way to do it! Preparing ahead of time is highly recommended.

[@PlanBudgetDisney]

I want one of CY's pens too! 😭

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

I know how you feel!

[@itsmeLori]

It’s been fun to hear about your experience, it sounds like going to all three days is worthwhile. I am really leaning toward going to SF next year now!

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

I think it’s great to experience a pen show at least once. I’m glad that I went for all three days, because I could take as much time as I needed for browsing, workshops, etc.

[@MissMarilynDarling]

Hope if everything goes according to play I will get to see you next year at the san francisco pen show :)

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

That would be great! Thanks for watching!

[@pensane]

Wow! Sounds like an amazing experience. I’ll have to see if any are coming to Los Angeles or even San Diego. Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Thanks for watching! The California Pen Show takes place mid-February in Torrance, CA. There’s more info available at capenshow.com

[@xxflipchick22xx]

This is so helpful! I am 80% sure that I’ll be going next year lol. Can you please let me know how much a nib meister appointment costs? And is it based on the number of pens or by the amount of time?

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

So glad it was helpful! The grinds vary by nib meister and nib grind. I’d recommend checking out the websites for details on what grinds they offer and the prices they set for each; in my experience, their online rates are the same as their pen show rates. Nib meisters I’d recommend: customnibstudio.com, mikeitwork.com, mattsnibworks.com, penrealm.com

[@tawallah77]

Kristen, this has been a great insight for attending a pen show. I think you had that leg up because of how you have been using pens daily/monthly. I’m curious which paper did you have for ink and nib testing?

[@lifeinspiresdesign]

Thanks for watching! I brought my two favorites: Tomoe River and Iroful.