scrivelry
January 30th, 2014, 08:05 PM
This would be my first pen show, if the stars all align and I am able to go.
I've been to numerous shows and festivals for various hobbies over the years, so I know the general way these things are shaped - there are tables of vendors, there may or may not be presentations/classes/special activities or give-aways for the kids, and there may or may not be some place to get something to eat.
I am also generally familiar with the venue for the show - Student Center at Hofstra University, and I have looked at the website. The website mentions the essentials and lots of really good info such as sponsors, special attendees who will be working on pens or giving presentations (but not a list of vendors in general) and there seems to be a small giveaway for children coming in with their parents. Everything I see looks great and I am looking forward to it.
What I can't tell from any of this, of course, is what this particular show's personality is like Is there a particular flow of traffic? That is, is Saturday way different from Sunday? Is it frenetic or laid back? Are there lots of vendors other than the sponsors? Does anyone bring things like sacs and shellac to sell, or is it all just pens ready to go? I need some nibs for vintage pens which are without - any go-to booth I should be sure to ask at for modern or inexpensive vintage nibs? ( To clarify that, I have a sort of a third tier vintage pen habit I've been feeding and some in their long sad lives have become nib-less and need nibs to become whole, functioning members of fountain pen society once more - I am not talking vintage 14K flex nibs here...)
Is there anything I should not miss? If I can't get there till Sunday morning will there be anything left to buy? (Anyone who has ever shopped on Long Island knows that is only half a joke...) Is there any place open in the Student Center there to get something to eat or should I pack a lunch and water... I will be bringing a grade-school child - is there any particular booth, activity or demo that would be a must see for someone that age? Parents feel that an interest in fountain pens and their use would be an asset to this one, so said child's falling down this rabbit hole is permissible...
I am absurdly excited considering this is still over a month away...
T
I've been to numerous shows and festivals for various hobbies over the years, so I know the general way these things are shaped - there are tables of vendors, there may or may not be presentations/classes/special activities or give-aways for the kids, and there may or may not be some place to get something to eat.
I am also generally familiar with the venue for the show - Student Center at Hofstra University, and I have looked at the website. The website mentions the essentials and lots of really good info such as sponsors, special attendees who will be working on pens or giving presentations (but not a list of vendors in general) and there seems to be a small giveaway for children coming in with their parents. Everything I see looks great and I am looking forward to it.
What I can't tell from any of this, of course, is what this particular show's personality is like Is there a particular flow of traffic? That is, is Saturday way different from Sunday? Is it frenetic or laid back? Are there lots of vendors other than the sponsors? Does anyone bring things like sacs and shellac to sell, or is it all just pens ready to go? I need some nibs for vintage pens which are without - any go-to booth I should be sure to ask at for modern or inexpensive vintage nibs? ( To clarify that, I have a sort of a third tier vintage pen habit I've been feeding and some in their long sad lives have become nib-less and need nibs to become whole, functioning members of fountain pen society once more - I am not talking vintage 14K flex nibs here...)
Is there anything I should not miss? If I can't get there till Sunday morning will there be anything left to buy? (Anyone who has ever shopped on Long Island knows that is only half a joke...) Is there any place open in the Student Center there to get something to eat or should I pack a lunch and water... I will be bringing a grade-school child - is there any particular booth, activity or demo that would be a must see for someone that age? Parents feel that an interest in fountain pens and their use would be an asset to this one, so said child's falling down this rabbit hole is permissible...
I am absurdly excited considering this is still over a month away...
T