Learn something new.

Vintage Fountain Pen Therapy

A direct, hands-on introduction to vintage fountain pens — their filling systems, materials, flex-nib engineering, and how to evaluate and care for them. It gives people the knowledge to navigate pens and pen shows with clarity instead of confusion.

Watercolor Brush Lettering with Fountain Pen Inks by Dorkys Ramos

In this workshop, students will learn the basic strokes and techniques needed to level up their calligraphy skills. Using a watercolor brush and a selection of fountain pen inks, students will learn how to look at the alphabet in a whole new way as they paint their way from A to Z. At the end of the workshop, students will have created personalized bookmarks and postcards with beautiful gradient brush lettering. All materials will be provided.

Fountain Pen Day Trivia Contest by Tom Oddo

Test your knowledge of fountain pens and win exclusive pen-related prizes. Everyone participates and has a chance to win in this 30-minute trivia contest run on Kahoot! It’s fun for pen enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels—just bring a device (like a phone) to play along.

Saddle-Stitched Mixed-Media Journals by Dorkys Ramos

In this workshop, students will create their own blank mixed-media journals using saddle-stitched bookbinding techniques. They will select from a variety of papers, including watercolor, vellum, textured paper, and more to create a personalized notebook/TN insert in which they can explore their creativity. Patterned paper can provide the perfect color palette. Textured paper can provide unexpected elements to incorporate into your spreads. Staring at a blank page can be daunting, but starting with a beautiful canvas can help spark ideas! At the end of the workshop, students will know how to use bookbinding tools, how to do a saddle stitch, make deckled edges, and take home a unique journal for mixed-media art journaling. All materials will be provided.

Nib Tuning & Smoothing: Make Every Pen Write Like a Dream by Lenny Eiger

There’s nothing like a pen that lives up to your expectations, and writes wonderfully. This seminar will teach you how to adjust your pen to be scratch-free, with a perfect flow, and buttery smooth (or as smooth as you like). The skills are easy to learn; and accessible to everyone. A little knowledge, a few tools, some practice, and you’ll be happy with every pen you own and every pen you acquire, forevermore.

The Art and Science of Journaling

In this hands-on session, Jeanne explores both the art and the science of journaling. You’ll learn how handwriting, letter writing, and creative journaling can support mental and physical wellbeing, discover unique journaling approaches you can use at home or at work, practice “being present,” and receive visual and verbal “prompts” to stimulate creation.

Sketching With Fountain Pens

You’re at a pen show and have purchased another pen, let’s learn another way to use it! Join Claudia from the Cloudy Desk for a fun introduction to casual sketching, perfect for travel journaling. No previous art experience necessary or expected. Newbies to pens and art are welcome. All participants under 12 need to have a guardian with them.

Paper Play: Adding Interactive Elements to Your Journal by Dorkys Ramos

In this workshop, students will learn how to add fun elements to their journals that will make their memories pop and invite interaction with their pages. Step-by-step, they’ll practice adding playfulness and intrigue to their ordinarily flat pages, including waterfall photos, peek-a-boo windows and doors, hinges, swivels, pockets, and more. At the end of the 1-hour workshop, students will know a variety of tricks and techniques to level up their memory-keeping and bring in a bit of crafty scrapbooking vibes to their notebooks. All materials will be provided.

A Paper Journey by Gailyn

In this hands-on workshop you’ll sample and experience various fountain pen friendly papers. You may discover new favorites or perhaps confirm your enthusiasm for a certain paper! Many of the selected papers will be Japanese with some European Papers as well. All of exceptional quality, some renowned and some “sleepers.”

Nib Tuning & Smoothing: Make Every Pen Write Like a Dream by Lenny Eiger

There’s nothing like a pen that lives up to your expectations, and writes wonderfully. This seminar will teach you how to adjust your pen to be scratch-free, with a perfect flow, and buttery smooth (or as smooth as you like). The skills are easy to learn; and accessible to everyone. A little knowledge, a few tools, some practice, and you’ll be happy with every pen you own and every pen you acquire, forevermore.

Fabric Coil-Bound Journals by Dorkys Ramos

In this workshop, students will create a beautiful fabric-covered coil-bound journal to jot down to-do lists, sketch out doodles, watercolor illustrations, or capture ideas! They will select from a variety of papers for the interior, including watercolor, lined, blank, or fountain pen-friendly paper depending on their medium of choice. At the end of this 2-hour workshop, students will have made hardcovers using a selection of gorgeous fabric designs, know how to use coil binding tools, and used embellishments to personalize their notebook. All materials will be provided.

Introduction to Copperplate Calligraphy by Nik Pang

Come learn the beautiful calligraphic style of copperplate script! Copperplate calligraphy, also known as roundhand, engrosser’s, and engraver’s script, is considered by most to be the mother of all pointed pen hands. It still stands as one of the most recognizable and highly demanded design elements in pointed pen calligraphic works. In this course we will go over a concise version of its history and learn to use dip pens in order to form the basic strokes of its construction. This course is geared towards beginners but those with more experience may attend it as a refresher course and I do my best to teach to the level of each individual in the second half of the course (plus it’s always nice to have experienced attendees help). The course is $90 for the 3 hours and includes all the tools (nibs, holders, papers, handouts). Attendees are welcome to bring their own supplies for use if they wish. I also encourage attendees to bring a pencil and ruler with them.

Artfully Archived Inks by Gailyn

Explore an artistic approach for Ink Swatching whether you’re documenting inks or identifying ink properties for fountain pen pairings! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll create Ink swatches using a glass swatching instrument and glass dip pen. Master the balance of ink saturation to display true hues and ink properties with creative approaches!