I left my heart in San Francisco Pen Show 2023
An "Ichigo ichie" moment with stationery and friends
I can’t believe it’s already been a week since I returned from an epic trip to San Francisco. As I write this recap article, I have Tony Benette crooning about cable cars climbing halfway to the stars in my ears. It was such a memorable trip; it felt like a dream I didn’t want to wake up from.
I would like to describe this experience as 一期一会 (I-chi-go i-chi-e), a moment that is fleeting and will not be repeated again. It was a concept that originated from Japanese tea ceremonies in which each experience from which the host had flawlessly planned the routine and the attendance of the guests will not, and can not, be repeated, and thus each present moment should be cherished. Last year’s experience at the San Francisco Pen Show felt significantly different, and this year’s trip was also unforgettable in its own way.
A lot of stationery events happened throughout 2023 for me, and it all led up to the main event at the end of August at the San Francisco International Pen Show (August 25th - 27th). This show was one of the first major stationery-related events that I’ve attended in a while since the peak of the pandemic. The community and the enthusiasm from the crowd are what kept me coming back year after year. It is both an event filled with hard work (because I was exhibiting on behalf of my company Designphil America) as well as a lot of fun.
The show itself is organized by a local club that's passionate about pens stationery and community. When I was introduced to this pen show, I was still a fountain pen newbie. Two years later, this is my third rodeo at the SF Pen Show and I’ve learned enough to do great damage while enabling new friends to this hobby.
This is the third year that the San Francisco Pen Show became a hub for a lot of my friends that I’ve made over the internet were able to gather and meet in person. Throughout the three-day events, I was able to meet a lot of fans of The Stationery Cafe Podcast, as well as my personal Instagram Penguinscreative followers. Furthermore, the community that was fostered over Twitch streams during the pandemic can finally meet face-to-face and enjoy quality time together over journals, pens, and stationery. It is truly the “event of the year” for stationery lovers.
Ice Cream Sandwiches and the Painted Ladies
From past years’ experience, the San Francisco Pen Show is hard work because I will be spending most of my day time behind the booths of either PLOTTER USA or TRAVELER’S COMPANY USA, introducing and selling our products to fans and new customers. I’ve learned that to make the best of this trip to the Bay Area, I’ll need to make extra time to hang out with friends in the area, as well as not waste the rare opportunity to meet friends who traveled from abroad.
After the success of last year’s show and activities, I recommended the show to my friend Ayako who owns Cute Things From Japan, a stationery store based in Tokyo and also sells stationery overseas through their online shop. Did I badger her and persuade her to make time to fly to the US to exhibit at this three-day event? Maybe. Turns out, Ayako went above and beyond to invite famous rubber stamp artist Eric Small Things to come to San Francisco as well! I had the honor to coordinate workshops with her for our company, and I was beyond excited to meet her in person for the first time.
Taking advantage of my two days off before the show, I landed in San Francisco early on Wednesday to enjoy a leisurely start to this trip. I am determined to spend some time with Ayako and Eric since they flew all the way from Tokyo to attend this event. Ironically, we chose Daiso at Japantown as the meeting point, a location that must seem amusing to them as Japanese visitors. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by another guest who accompanied them, Khue from Miraikat on Instagram! Her attendance made me all the more excited and also somewhat relieved about their booth and selling experience. An extra helping hand is always recommended when selling stationery at a show as large as the San Francisco Pen Show!
Our group made our way to Alamo Square to visit the “Painted Ladies” that was featured as a motif on Eric Small Things’ rubber stamp products she introduced exclusively for the show. I had to swing by Bi-Rite market to get some ice cream for the road. I was slightly disappointed that they no longer serve fresh scoops in the charming grocery store, but we found a neat alternative in ice cream sandwiches. With an ice cream sandwich in hand, we trudge up the steep slope of the park to the vantage point to admire the Painted Ladies, a row of colorful Victorian Houses. It was hard to describe the mixed feeling of being out of breath from the climb as well as the sweet sensation of mint chocolate chip ice cream melting in my mouth and slowly down my hand. The rewarding view was worth the hassle.
We stopped to take photos at a little clearing covered in wood shavings. “It smells like hinoki wood, and oddly of Japan,” I chuckled. Of course, for a stationery lover, it’s a view that can only be completed with the TRAVELER’S notebook, printed polaroids, and Eric Small Things’ special paper coaster.
Kelly, my podcast co-host, rendezvous with us at Brenda’s a Southern comfort food eatery near the park. Our group settled into a booth by the windows and enjoyed some late afternoon refreshments. Their watermelon sweet tea will be forever engrained in my brain, associated with that relaxing and sunny afternoon.
Khue invited Kelly and me back to her cousin’s home for dinner, where Ayako and Khue prepared a Japanese feast — homemade okonomiyaki with miso soup. It was an endearing experience as we chatted with the hosts and their kids, as well as made friendship bracelets that go along with my TRAVELER’S notebook. As we got ready to depart for the night back to our hotels, we stood on top of the empty street and looked down into the glittery view of the city. It feels great to be traveling.
A “tokubetsu” (special) experience and a “treat”
Another special friend who decided to come to the San Francisco Pen Show is Judy from Tokutbetsumemori, a Taiwanese stationery online shop. Judy also enabled another stationery shop owner Mai, who runs Paper Treats from LA, to come along. Her addition added spice and hilarious moments to this trip.
To give Judy a taste of what San Francisco is like, we also planned another day of downtown adventure ahead of the show.
A group of us spent the entire Thursday in the Mission District visiting Dandelion Chocolate Factory and Tartine Manufactory. The latter has a large table that is calling for a cafe journaling meetup. Of course, we spread out with our brunch choices as well as all of our notebooks and stationery. Thursday before the show weekend always feels like the calm before a storm. I also appreciated friends for making the time out of their busy schedules to meet me and enjoy some quality time together before the pen show frenzy.
We poked in and out of stationery stores like the Aesthetic Union, Serendipity, and Topdrawer, as well as novelties such as Dog Eared Bookstore and 826 Valencia Pirate Supply Store. We got lunch picnic-style at Senior Sisig and enjoyed tacos topped with a fried egg. The day flies by when you’re having fun. I was reluctant to return to the hotel (where the pen show venue is based) earlier than everyone else but begrudgingly did so to meet up with my colleagues who were waiting to set up our tables for the weekend. I had to take a power nap before the 5 o’clock meeting time.
SF Pen Show, the Funnest Pen Show
Coined “the Funnest Pen Show” by Rickshaw Bagworks on one of their humorous stickers, San Francisco Pen Show truly lived up to the name. Not only is the show attended by many vendors from Japan (due to the convenience of the location), but it also has a variety of workshops and community events throughout the three days. It was also a gathering opportunity for pen makers and stationery store owners from around the country. Almost everyone stayed over at the show hotel for two nights and the spontaneous meetups at the lounge and bar went long, long into the night.
The frenzy of the show began at 8 in the morning, the official opening hour for “All-Access pass holders”. It’s as if attendees from last year’s show learned that to get first dib into exclusive products like Bungubox new releases, Toyooka Craft’s custom pen boxes, or PLOTTER’s debuting leather binders, you HAVE to arrive by eight. Our tables were swamped from the get-go, and I’m relieved that I convinced my team to start setting up at 6:30…we needed the head start.
Throughout the first day, fans and familiar faces popped by my table (PLOTTER USA) to say hi, which I deeply appreciated. Even though this is my third year attending the show, I see a lot of friends and acquaintances only one time a year and I’m still having trouble putting Instagram handles to faces. I printed a lot of The Stationery Cafe stickers to hand out to listeners and fans, but my pile was easily depleted by the second day. My voice felt hoarse by the end of day one. I must have spoken a full two months’ worth of conversation within the first day of the show. Thankfully, I have friends who constantly remind me to hydrate or help refill my water bottles throughout the day. Working at a pen show is not an easy job!
This year, I also took on a lot of physical work outside of selling products at our tables. I took on the task of assisting Ayako and Eric at their popular workshop “Enjoy Rubber Stamps with Eric Small Things”. They facilitated the same workshop three times over two days. Each session requires a 30-minute setup of re-arranging the tables and distributing goodie bags for attendees. The crowded menu doesn’t help with temperature regulation, and I am embarrassed to say I was soaked with sweat down to my jeans after a wild morning.
The hard work was worth it because listening to Eric’s process of rubber stamp carving and admiring her craftsmanship was a rare opportunity. She brought with her over 40 intricately hand-carved rubber stamps for attendees to use and decorate their notebooks with. Even in Japan, her workshop attendees don’t typically get to touch her original stamps. It still feels unreal that we can handle her precious stamps ourselves and use them to make stamp impressions.
Eric is very soft-spoken, and Ayako translated to the best of her abilities in English, I was still in awe of the humor that could carry through their stories. I am also grateful for the attendees’ patience which made the workshop experience enjoyable for both sides. Ayako did joke with me that attending the pen show has aged her ten years. I don’t blame her, as I was exhausted by the end of the weekend myself!
Throughout the show, I also enjoyed visiting friends’ tables and enjoying some spontaneous shopping splurges. Tokubetsumemori and Paper Treats’ table brought a variety of stationery, tapes, stickers, and postcards to the typically pen-dominated show. Cute Things from Japan also showcased a variety of stationery with Eric Small Things designs. Everyday Explorers Co sold acrylic stamps with different themes, even a “pen show” themed set.
I always felt like stationery items such as notebooks and journals like TRAVELER’S notebook and PLOTTER take a back seat to a “Pen” show. However, it was encouraging to see stationery items shine this year and draw a crowd. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing my friends’ wares featured heavily in people’s haul photos after the event.
Pen Show After Dark Shenanigans
“What is a pen show?” some people would ask me. I jokingly compared it to a stationery summer camp for adults, as most attendees stay at the same hotel for several nights. After the official pen show closes its doors at five each night, vendors and attendees break character to enjoy dinner together, have a drink and talk about stationery at the lounges, and wake up early to have breakfast together.
“Pen Show After Dark” is very much a thing for seasoned attendees. There is an opportunity to strike up conversations anytime, anywhere because everyone shares the same hobby. Even if you are a shy person, once the pen rolls are out (or pen file folders for some), there is no lack of talking points.
This year, I knew that a lot of the stationery community was attending the pen show for the first time. There are always some new fans who are eager to venture more into the paper and cute stationery side of the spectrum. I knew that the bar nor the hotel lobby had a large enough space to hold all of us. Therefore, I decided to host a casual meetup on Saturday evening from 8 to 10:30 — The Stationery Cafe After Dark meetup. We took command of the large seminar room by the lobby and all the tables filled up quickly with friends old and new. The large round tables were also perfect for spreading out our favorite journals and hauls from the show.
During the day, I could rarely chat with a customer or podcast fan for more than 2 minutes, but at the After Dark event, I was able to engage in longer conversations. They also filled me in on stories and snippets of the show that I missed out on. Even Ayako and Eric joined us, and we got to have more casual chats about this and that outside of stationery. Although I was already very tired from the long day, my social battery ran on overdrive as I enjoyed my friends’ company throughout the night.
Hauls and favorite moments
I didn’t know how I did it, but I managed to sneak in several shopping sprees during the short period of time I was able to get away from my table. I acquired a new maker pen from Carolina Pen Company, a green and pink swirly concoction called “Bad Intentions”. It definitely set the tone of my frenzied shopping as I picked up a new bottle of ink from CY (Tokyo Station Pens)’s table and did some damage at Judy and Mai’s stationery table. I also picked up a specially engraved nib from Pen Realm which features San Francisco’s cable car. It was one of my favorite mementos to commemorate this trip.
I’m a stickler for stickers, and my sticker collection racked up quickly throughout the show from vendors and friends alike. Rickshaw Bagworks supplied a huge bowl of fortune cookies (made by one of the first fortune cookie factories in San Francisco) which include fortunes that will allow you to redeem prizes such as stickers and pen sleeves. I won a sticker AND a special pen show edition musette.
There are so many cute dogs that roam the show, and I had the pleasure of greeting and petting most of them. It made me miss my own dog, Cookie, a lot though.
During the delirious early hours, I also had hilarious conversations with Judy in which I mistakenly thought she was asking for refill memo pads instead of sanitary pads. It’s moments like this that seared the pen show experience in my memory.
Hanging out with friends that I rarely get to meet more than once a year is also a treat.
I made sure to schedule dinner plans with them so we get to spend more time together. Three days of the pen show flew by and I’m already looking forward to next year’s.
I hope you enjoy reading this long recap of the show. By the time this article was published, I’d already printed out more than a few dozen photos to incorporate into my Hobonichi and TRAVELER’S notebook. Perhaps I’ll share those spreads in future posts!
Man, I've read a bunch of posts about this show and you managed to capture a mood and a feeling in a really wonderful, unique way. Thanks for writing this.
Loved this post and you made me feel like I was there ! Thank you for doing this.