A Trio of 2025 Chicago Pen Show Inks

(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)

One of my favorite things to get at a concert, show, event, or shop, is something that reminds me of the occasion, whether it’s a t-shirt, bag, or sticker that makes me remember that event. In the case of pen shows, it’s no surprise that I am a sucker for show-exclusive inks!

At the 2025 Chicago Pen Show, I bought several bottles of ink, but 3 of them were specifically made for this show! The first one is the official show ink, Windy City Blue, made by Colorverse to celebrate the show’s 45th anniversary. The second one is Papier Plume Lake Michigan Springtime. And last, but not least, is Anderillium’s Chicago River Green.

Note: I add swatches to similar color family inks in both the Hobonichi Weeks and 68 gsm Tomoe River notebook. Unlike the Col-O-Ring swatch card comparisons, the Weeks and TR swatches might not be that close to the ink in question.

L to R: Colorverse Chicago Pen Show 45th Anniversary Windy City Blue, Papier Plume Lake Michigan Springtime, Anderillium Chicago River Green.

Despite the box and bottle’s lighter blue color, the Windy City Blue is more of a darker blue-leaning teal.

You can see a hint of red/purple sheen in wetter parts of the swatch and writing sample.

Swatch/writing sample of Windy City Blue on 2022 Hobonichi Weeks, which has slightly cream-colored paper, along with Anderillium Indigo Bunting Blue, Montblanc Leo Tolstoy, Montblanc StarWalker Blue Planet.

Swatch/writing sample on 68 gsm Tomoe River Endless Recorder notebook. Accidentally added an “s” to the ink name, oops.

Inks similar to Windy City Blue: Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris, Robert Oster Lake of Fire is the closest match, Van Dieman’s Hanging Lake, New Brew Space, and Robert Oster Great Southern Ocean are also close but a touch too blue.

I’m eager to put Windy City Blue in either the Sailor x Cult Pens Pro Gear Slim, Midnight Sky Blue or the Leonardo x Figboot on Pens Momento Zero, Carolina Midnight.

I love that Papier Plume dips their ink bottle caps in wax and then stamps the top.

My swatches of Papier Plume Lake Michigan Springtime look fairly green but I’ve seen some swatches where it has more teal to it. I double checked with some friends who agreed that theirs is also more green in real person but looks a bit more teal in photos.

First/only swatch/writing sample of Lake Michigan Springtime in the Hobonichi Weeks. This looks more teal than on the Col-O-Ring cards.

A green leaning teal on TR 68, but still fairly green.

Inks similar to Lake Michigan Springtime: Waterman Harmonious Green, Jacques Herbin Vert Metropolitain, Wearingeul Tick Tock Croc, Diamine Velvet Emerald, Iroshizuku Sui-gyoku (this and the Diamine are a touch too blue), Diplomat Deep Green (a bit too dark.)

The Kaweco x GoldSpot Pens Sport, Transparent Turquoise (which is way more of a teal than turquoise), and the greenish parts of the Aurora Optima, Azzurra are both good matches for Lake Michigan Springtime.

Anderillium Chicago River Green is a pleasantly bright, spring green ink.

Chicago River Green in the Hobonichi Weeks along with Pennonia x Inkdependence Hens & Chicks and Anderillium Green Kingfisher Green.

Inks similar to Chicago River Green: Diamine Appletini (too yellow), Papier Plume 2019 SF Pen Show Marina Green, Robert Oster Envy (both of which are close but still too yellow), Organics Studio Frog Green Shimmer, Diamine Merry & Bright (the closest), Van Dieman’s Wasabi (second closest.)

Anderillium Chicago River Green would look great in the Taccia Spotlight Forest Eye or the Kaweco x Cult Pens Apple Green.

Even though I can find similarly colored matches for all 3 inks, I still love having them as souvenirs of this year’s Chicago Pen Show. The inks cost $15-20 per bottle and are a great way to remember a fun pen show. If you didn’t get a chance to snag them, you can reach out to Roger Wooten, (show organizer) to see if they are willing to sell/ship the Colorverse ink. You can order Anderillium Chicago River Green from Atlas Stationers. Papier Plume is currently sold out of Lake Michigan Springtime but you can add it to your wishlist in case they decide to make more.

(Disclaimer: All 3 inks were purchased by me at the show at regular price.)

The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 666 - Diametrically Opposed

I received two of the products we discussed last week - the iA Writer Notebook and the Cortex Brand Sidekick Notebook - so I put them to the test. I discuss my results with Myke, and confused him even further. Sounds like a good time to me!

Show Notes & Download Links

This episode of The Pen Addict is sponsored by:

Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PENADDICT.

Pen Chalet: Check out this week's special offer, and to get your code for 10% off.

Hobonichi Techo 2025 Cover A5 Tragen Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

I like Hobonichi covers almost as much as the notebooks themselves. Their standard covers are great, but this one offers some extra features I've found handy.

The A5 Tragen cover in Oakmoss is made from a lovely sage green nylon fabric with brown leather accents. The nylon is lightly textured and has a crisp feel to it, though it isn't stiff. The design looks both modern and vintage and I don't know enough about design to understand quite how it does that. Timeless, I guess they call it. In any case, it's lovely.

The cover takes A5 notebook inserts, and the notebook slides into pocket sleeves inside the main part of the cover. On the left inside cover, there is a vertical row of shallow pockets for small items. These would work great for sticky notes, book darts, washi cards, or bookmarks. I wouldn't recommend them for wallet cards, though, as the pockets are fairly loose and the case doesn't close at the top. If lifted upside down, items could easily slide out. On the inside right cover, there is a leather folder pocket that can hold scrap papers or other important notes. There is also a leather loop that can fit a pen clip in it. It's too narrow for a pen or pencil, but most clipped pens would work in this space.

The cover closes with a flap that folds over the front from the right side and it secures with a magnet to the front. There's no bulky snap or closure. The magnet has good hold, and is encased in a leather circle, so it closes quietly. The front flap is also a zipper pouch. The zipper is metal and has a leather pull tab. It's a very spacious pouch, though overstuffing it makes the magnet closure less effective. The sweet spot seems to be up to six pens, though it could hold dozens if you really want it to. And sometimes I do.

On the back of the case, on the outside, is an envelope pocket that can hold papers or even another slim notebook.

I have found that the case doesn't work well inside an overpacked bag, where friction of the other items inside cause the magnet to slide open and the cover flap smooshes off of the front. It definitely prefers to travel in an upright position inside a properly packed bag.

I don't have my planner in this case at the moment. I've been using it as an all-in-one writing kit, with my draft notebook in the case, some accessories in the small pockets, my planning notebook in the back pocket, and my writing and editing pens in the zipper pouch. It's perfect for brining to my evening writing groups, and I'll be taking this kit on its first writing retreat to the lake this weekend.

I am really enjoying this cover, and it's been used every day since it arrived several months ago. I do have some notebook covers that are better at notebook protection or accessory storage, but I like that this cover is so lightweight. It doesn't add any weight to my bag. It's also the prettiest A5 cover I own, in my opinion. I've worried a bit that I'd mess up the cover, as my writing group usually meets in cafes, diners, and bars, and we're writing on damp tables while eating cheese curds. But it looks as good as the day it arrived, so it handles rough travel well.

One major downfall of this case, though, is the price. It sells on JetPens for $81, which is quite high for a nylon case. Sure, there's leather bits, but they are tiny. I do tend to get sticker shock at Hobonichi products, but I rarely regret splurging on them. This case is undoubtedly well made. The stitching is tiny and precise, the lines are all straight and clean, and there isn't a loose thread in sight. Hobonichi products are also individually handmade. So while the price is high, I wouldn't say it's unfair. I have some Hobonichi covers that are over ten years old now, and they are still holding strong, so I trust in the quality and craftsmanship here. If you're looking for a good writing or planning kit, this is an excellent choice.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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