The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 574 - Smells Fuzzy

The 2023 Pilot Limited Edition Kanreki Vanishing Point.

We run the gamut this week, with discussion around a new Pilot Vanishing Point release, Brad’s love for the ILMILY stationery lineup, and … Vampire Pigeon ink? I then break down my visit to Uni-ball North America HQ, where is was surprise after surprise.

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: Click the ‘podcast’ link at the top of the website and enter the password 'penaddict' for this week's special offer, and to get your code for 10% off.

Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.

Anderson Pens Grand Re-Opening!

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

The Andersons are, as usual, moving and shaking, but more literally this time. They've closed their Chicago store and, after nearly a decade in downtown Appleton Wisconsin, moved their main store across a vast mile to a different location. The new shop is bigger, brighter, has spacious and FREE parking--and last weekend, they decided to party about it.

Lisa Anderson welcomes you!

Brian Anderson behind the counter.

Eric Orozco and Cary Yeager.

Linda and Mike Kennedy.

The grand re-opening event took place July 21-23 and it was hopping! It was essentially a mini pen show, with visiting reps from Pilot, ST Dupont, LAMY, Visconti, Kenro, and Mike and Linda of Indy-Pen-Dance there to do repair and nib work. And just like a pen show, there were times when the space was standing room only, and when you'd have to wait a while for your turn to browse a table. People came from all over for the event, and one visitor even drove over four hours to be the first person through the door at 10am on Friday. The Anderson fans turned out and it was a wonderful reunion.

Those who made the trek were treated to some amazing sales and deals, and there were some great treasures to be found (yes, I found some). And every hour there were two giveaways for those visitors who'd put their name in for the drawing. One memorable moment occurred when a husband and wife both won during the same hour. And the giveaways were shockingly good, with items like rare Retro 51s and a Visconti pen worth $1500. There were obviously some ecstatic winners, sadly not yours truly.

But I didn't leave empty handed. That would have been silly. Friday I picked up a pack of the Monster Encounter (unofficial D&D) Field Notes books (for my teen, who will provide feedback for a future review), some Exacompta grid notecards (an essential), and a LAMY leather pen case. No pens? Are you surprised? Don't be, because I went back Saturday, too--for the vibes, the camaraderie, a few more photos, and a LAMY 2000 4-color multipen, and an irresistible Paperblanks notebook I hadn't noticed there before. And another shot at the giveaways, of course (no dice).

The event was just the dose of pen family I needed. I found a few of my old Appleton Pen Club friends (watch for news regarding a rebirth of the club now that there's so much more room for activities), made some new pen friends, and I got to sit back and watch the pen community celebrate a special moment for some special people.

Brian, Lisa, Dave, and Lindsay, along with all the visiting reps, stayed busy all weekend. Between customers, I got to chat with them, and Lisa said that this amazing event is going to become an annual party. Everyone who came wants to come back, and we all hope you'll join us next year. Mark mid-July off your calendars and stay tuned for updates!

Congratulations to Anderson Pens and their hard-working staff. I'll be haunting the new location just like I did the old one. Probably more, because parking!

(PS: That new girl Lindsay deserves a raise.)

(PPS: I was not paid, bribed, or threatened to say that. Although I was under the influence of cookies.)

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July Sponsor Spotlight

TWSBI Diamond 580ALR Sunset Yellow, via Vanness Pens.

Sponsor support is very important to me here at The Pen Addict. My sidebar advertisers put their faith in me to deliver good value for them month in and month out, and I want to shine the light on the best of the best for you. If you are shopping for pens, paper, inks, and more, please check out these great companies and see what they have to offer. Some recent highlights:

Goldspot celebrates a blockbuster summer with the Retro 51 Goldspot Exclusive Tornado Rollerball Movie Night.

Vanness Pens has the shiny new TWSBI Diamond 580ALR Sunset Yellow in stock in all nib sizes.

JetPens loaded up on new Blackwing pencils with the latest Basquiat-influenced Volumes edition, plus the new Pearlescent Blue and Pink Pearl releases.

Pen Chalet launched the Nahvalur Decade in the Desert Fountain Pen to celebrate their 10th Anniversary in business.