The weekend of fun rolled around again. This year was the third time for the new show organizers, and it was the best yet: still fun (funner, actually), very good attendance, all cylinders firing. I try to give a bit of a feel for a show when I report about it, and since many people post the pen porn shots, I may have fewer of those in favor of people and events. So...
THE VENUE...
As in previous years, the location was the Sofitel in Redwood City. The hotel is mingled among some of the tech firms (Oracle, Electronic Arts) and situated on one of the bay lagoons. Nicely appointed and very user-friendly:
Location is good, with a fair-sized shopping center about 1/4 mile away, including a well stocked market and deli, and a number of food places (if you don't choose to eat in the hotel). Beyond that, though, there are a couple of eating districts within about 1-2 miles that have a lot of nice options. We enjoyed Vesta for a fine wood-fired pizza and craft salad one night, and the big date night was Donato Enoteca.Spacious indoor and outdoor seating with spot-on N. Italian cuisine:
Ok, suffice to say, if you have civilians with you for the weekend, you can treat them nicely.
THE SHOW...
Now, on to the show. After entering the hotel, you find your way back to the main ballroom/exhibit hall. In the lobby outside, you'll be greeted by the friendly staff at the Registration Desk. Actually, you may actually see Franz Dimson, whom I call the "Walmart Greeter" of the show! (and I'll now add that due to my camera going south on me, many of the photos will be from Franz, whom I gratefully thank with @FD!) Here's Franz welcoming you!
The reg desk was staffed by a rotating group, many of whom are connected to the SF Pen Posse. These Posse people are without equal in their hard work and enthusiasm, and the show simply couldn't function at the level it did without all their great volunteer work!
Lena, Laralyn, Margaret, Rachel, and Spenczar are here to help! (@FD)
Then it is time to enter the main show room. There was good signage this year, assisting you with the times and locations for events, seminars, and classes. Once inside, the panorama of pens and stuffs awaits you...
THE INKS...
The Ink Testing Stations, a signature of the SF show, were even more impressive this year: 868 inks in individual pens, identified on the pen and on menu cards. Additionally, there was a "Black Ink Shootout" station that had a big number of unnamed black inks, identities of which were revealed later. The stations were in constant use throughout the show.
So many inks, so little time!
Marta (aka "plistumi", of "The Devil's Dictionary" fame, sampled each ink! (@FD)
Once you had the opportunity to try out all these many inks, there were vendors who could help fulfill your... needs. Both the Andersons and Vanness companies had veritable "walls of inks", including some of the newest players in this arena. I had Lisa Vanness set aside three of the new Robert Oster "Signature" inks, and I am quite pleased with them! In addition to these commercial offerings, there were vintage inks to be had by individual sellers, and one of the highlights of a pen show is finding those items not easily sourced elsewhere. Here is one offering, Valley Oak Iron Gall ink, hand-crafted by my friend Greg Weddig. This ink has received high marks from none other than Michael Sull.
Greg's own blend, perfectly suited for dip pens. Really nice, antique-looking ink.
Next up: THE PENS...
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