Running Our First Stationery Event: A Retrospective on the "On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville" Weekend!

It’s time for a report on our On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville event, which took place this past weekend in my hometown of Franklin (outside of Nashville, for those not from the area). While event organization can be a nervewracking experience, it's also incredibly satisfying when things go right, and this past weekend turned out to be a success.

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We had ink and paper samples on the table for swatching throughout the weekend.

So what was On The Paper Trail, Live in Nashville? This event wasn't intended as a "pen show" or a "stationery fest," but rather more of an extended weekend meetup, "mini-con", or even a conference. While we had five vendors - Vanness Pens, The Gentleman Stationer, Kaleidocraft Prints, Butler Stationery, The Well-Appointed Desk/Skylab Letterpress, and Tri-Star Studios (Scott Lewis, an independent penmaker) - the focus was intended to be on the ongoing classes and demonstrations throughout the event space. We also deliberately kept attendance below capacity to offer a more relaxed experience for both vendors and attendees. Each vendor was different enough that there wasn't much duplication at all among our respective offerings, and we managed to cover a pretty broad range of stationery. Bill Pearcy of Pilot Pens also was there with a full set of tester fountain pens, so that attendees could try all the various Pilot specialty nibs.

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The event also went well beyond pens and traditional stationery items! For example, on Friday night Derek Deweese of dwrdnet hosted a type-in, with over a dozen different typewriters available for attendees to try. During the day on Saturday, Lisa at OliveOctopusInk ran an ink painting seminar and demonstration in the main hotel space, and as you can see from the picture above it cleared out the ballroom - which was exactly what we wanted! On Saturday night, Kaleidocraft prints sponsored a washi swap and social, where attendees could trade washi tape and learn how to use it. People hung around after hours, and there was always a group journaling or trading pens and inks in the hotel common area, like pen shows used to be.

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Throughout the weekend, Lisa Vanness, Ana Reinert, and I taught classes, some of which were paid and some of which were free. Ana taught her popular stamp carving and Gamify Your Life Seminars, Lisa taught journaling for mental health, and I ran three sessions on notebook systems (my current obsession/area of interest). Everyone's classes were well-attended, and if there was one drawback to the location it was that classroom space was a bit tight. Given how friendly and laid back the hotel staff was, however, we're looking at ways we can adapt to hopefully run the event in the same space next year. Many thanks to everyone who came out! We enjoyed meeting all of you and hope to see you in the future, either back in Nashville or perhaps in additional locations….

For news and updates on future events, or simply to keep up with the On The Paper Trail Community, consider giving the podcast a listen! We are up to 18 episodes at the moment, and our next episode will include a brief event recap.

My San Francisco Pen Show 2026 Recap: The Glass Pen Show

Each year, I find myself saying that the San Francisco Pen Show was my favorite pen show of the year, and 2026 is no exception. It’s well-run, features a collection of well-curated vendors from around the world, and always has items that you won’t find at any other U.S. pen show. This year T.G.S. did not attend as an exhibitor - I (Joe) taught two free seminars on Notebook Systems, helped out at the Vanness Pens table, and on Thursday night, co-hosted an On The Paper Trail Live Panel titled “The Art of Curation”. Our discussion featured three independent makers: Ian Schon of SchonDSGN, Iris Au of Glassophy, and Daryl Lim of Atelier Musubi. They spent an hour discussing aspects of their creative process and taking questions from the audience.

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The 2026 Haul: Something quite different from previous years!

My SF Pen Show Haul: Glass Pens, a Drillog Kodachi, and Ink

After barely having any time to shop at the D.C. Pen Show (and certainly not for pens), I took advantage of some down time in San Francisco to pick up several unique items I had been looking to add to my collection. First up were two glass pens: one from Iris at Glassophy (how could I not after the panel?!?) and the other was a double-ended glass dip pen by Synchronicity Glass, made as a special edition for Bungubox. I also picked up one of the new Kodachi Drillog metal dip nibs, which is easily the best Drillog I have used and which I’ve already put to work on ink swatches for the site.

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My two new glass pens from Glassophy (right) and Synchronicity Glass/Bungubox (left).

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I’ve become enamored with the detail in glass pens. This particular pen from Glassophy is UV-reactive, like their ink (see below).

I enjoy glass pens because they work better for actual writing than metal dip pens. Broader glass nibs also work well with shimmer ink, like this UV-reactive pink/purple that I picked up from Glassophy. The dark brown ink with the greenish sheen is the 2026 San Francisco Show Ink by Colorverse. This year’s ink is inspired by Pier 39.

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Glassophy’s “Re:Born” ink, which is also UV-reactive!

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The Glassophy ink under the UV light.

The 2026 San Francisco show ink, inspired by Pier 39!

I enjoyed getting to meet many of you at the Vanness Pens table, during our Thursday night panel, and after-hours. The community aspect of the San Francisco Pen Show makes it a unique experience, and I look forward to it every year. Now on to Dallas!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

Do I Fly With Fountain Pens? Yes, I Do! (2026 San Francisco Pen Show Edition)

I’m on my way to the San Francisco Pen Show, where I’ll be co-hosting a maker’s panel tomorrow night, helping out at the Vanness Pens table through the weekend, and teaching two workshops on notebook systems: one on Saturday and one on Sunday! If you’re attending and want to sign up (space permitting), check out the events page on the show website. There is no charge to attend any of the events I’m associated with, but due to space constraints sign-up is required.

Flying with Fountain Pens: Do’s and Don’ts

Given that I have a four-plus hour flight ahead of me, I thought it made sense to discuss another topic of discussion that comes up weekly, both online and in the shop: Do I fly with fountain pens? The answer is absolutely, yes. I’ve successfully flown with fountain pens for years, mainly as a result of two pieces of advice I received early on.

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Tip One: Fly with the Fountain Pen Full or Half Empty

Most “inkcidents” on airplanes occur as the result of air in the ink reservoir expanding due to pressure changes, which pushes ink into the cap and causes a mess when you uncap the pen to write on the plane or after you land. The solution is to (1) fill the pen completely before departure or (2) empty the pen and take ink with you to fill upon arrival. Personally, I follow the first approach, but I also take a secondary precaution by limiting the types of pens that I fly with.

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Opus 88 is the most accessible maker of Japanese-style eyedropper fountain pens, featuring JoWo nibs and, of course, the stopper shown here.

Tip Two: Consider Flying with Vacuum-Fillers or Japanese-Style Eyedroppers

These days, if I’m flying with fountain pens, it typically will be a Japanese-style eyedropper (like an Opus 88) or a vacuum-filler (like the Pilot Custom 823 or the TWSBI Vac700R). In the past, I’ve had plenty of success flying with standard piston fillers and cartridge/converter pens using the “full or empty” trick discussed above, but both the Japanese eyedropper and vacuum-filler pens feature a valve system that allows you to seal the ink reservoir and prevent the bulk of the ink from leaking into the cap. (Occasionally you will still get a few drops from whatever ink is left in the feed or section.) Not only does this minimize the mess factor, but these pens also hold a ton of ink so you almost certainly won’t have to refill on the road.

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If you want to write for a more extended session, and allow the ink to flow freely, simply loosen the blind copy to open the valve. You can still write with the pen with the valve shut - the section and feed usually will hold enough ink for a page or two, depending on nib size.

Bonus Tip: Keep It Simple

Don’t overdo it and pack a dozen inked fountain pens for a plane trip. The more pens you take with you, the greater the chance one leaks. I’m road testing several new eyedroppers from Opus this weekend, but I could easily see myself packing just one or two of these pens for more extended travel in the future. Stay tuned!

While we are away, the Nashville Shop will remain open Thursday and Friday from 1-6pm, and Saturday from 10am-4pm (Slightly reduced hours). Online orders will continue to be processed but shipping time for orders placed after Wednesday at noon will have a 3-5 business day fulfillment time as opposed to our typical 2-3 business days. As always, orders placed while we are away get a little something “extra” in them. Many thanks for your support!

DC Pen Show 2026 Recap: The First of the Big Shows Was ... Big!

The 2026 DC Pen Show is in the books! Unlike 2025 - when I had to miss Friday due to a weather delay and flight cancellation - I had the full four-day experience Thursday through Sunday, including a half day of walking around the show on Sunday. While nearly everything "rare" was sold out, I managed to snag some fun items for my personal collection, as well as some new additions to the shop. Some of these you will see here, and others are still to come later in the summer or early fall.

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Dan from Good Made Better brought these gorgeous limited edition Bird Series fountain pens, each crafted from hand-finished ebonite.

My Thoughts on the Current State of the DC Pen Show

As one of the largest pen and stationery-focused events in the world, the D.C. Pen Show offers an unparalleled opportunity to interact with major manufacturers, independent makers, customers, and enthusiasts. The show remains a fountain pen-focused event, with a large contingent of vintage and second-hand dealers, though paper and general stationery accessories are not as well-represented. Given the proximity of this event to Yoseka's Stationery Fest in NYC the prior week, many "pure stationery" (i.e. washi and sticker) retailers did not attend. While that was probably a good thing given the size of the show, it did result in a somewhat less diverse array of exhibitors and goods than you will find at other shows such as the upcoming San Francisco Pen Show.

One of my favorite finds was Inkii (see link below), which makes a fun selection of leather goods including these pen wipes in the shape of a Cannoli!

Every year we talk about the size of the D.C. Pen Show, and once again I find myself of the opinion that this show continues to grow to the point where it’s too big. At four ballrooms, as well as multiple hallways and alcoves tucked all over the hotel, I heard multiple attendees express frustration that the show was difficult to navigate. While the show didn't feel as crowded as previous years, the layout can make it hard to locate certain vendors and see the entire show, and narrow aisles stay congested on the busier days. The organizers have indicated they have no intention of shrinking the show and are actively looking to add even more vendors, so this will probably remain an issue going forward.

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The main ballroom on Sunday morning. The wide aisles kept traffic moving moderately well through this space, though there were areas where the aisles were much narrower, and even spaces where vendors were tucked into stairwells and narrow hallways that created chokepoints.

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Kaleidocraft brought their 3D-printed goods to DC, including their customizable Washi Wallet.

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For their 10th Anniversary, Kanilea Pen Co. added an enamel finish to the finial.

My Modest DC Pen Show Haul (Personal)

As mentioned above, I got to escape the table for a couple hours on Sunday morning due to the kindness of Lisa over at Olive Octopus, who helped me out not only while I was wandering but when I was teaching classes. Here’s what I came back with, first for my personal collection and also for the shop:

• Nagasawa Decimo Kobe Gradation - Sengari Water Blue and Rhodium. Each year Nagasawa releases a special Decimo in these gradient finishes. This year’s is not available online in the U.S., but Vanness had a small number for sale at the D.C. Pen Show!

• Nagasawa x Vanness Hummingbird Green Ink. Arrives soon at Vanness! Our friends at Vanness collaborated with Nagasawa on an exclusive ink, which is a gorgeous green with blue undertones.

• Inkii Canoli Wipes. I bought one for pens, one for glasses. It’s creativity like this that keeps me coming back to pen shows, even if truly original items are increasingly few and far between.

• Inkii B6 Notebook. The red and black color combination got me, and I’ve been wanting to try a B6 notebook.

• Kaweco Glow-in-the-Dark DIY Sport. I took the opportunity to build my own! We’ll be hosting the Kaweco DIY machine in the shop in October, as well as at the On the Paper Trail Live Event later that weekend (October 16-18).

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My personal DC Pen Show Haul

My DC Pen Show Haul (For the Shop) and a Note of appreciation to everyone who stopped by!

I love going to DC because it presents a great opportunity to visit with makers in person and to see new products up close. This time I was able to snag a handful of the Galen x Nock Co. Leather Sinclair cases, and generally restock some of our Galen Leather pen cases. I also picked up a restock of the Laurett's Ebonite Ballpoints and Mechanical Pencils, and placed orders for many more finds that will show up later in the summer or early fall.

I love the Cognac leather Sinclairs. Get them while they last!

Finally - a note of appreciation to everyone who stopped by the table to shop and offer kind words on the site and our growing podcast! It was heartening to see that this project resonates with so many people and we are looking forward to hosting our own event in October in Nashville!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

We introduced two new finishes of the OnionBrand Leather A5 Notebook Covers: Distressed Chestnut Reserve and Distressed Polished Saddle, for those who prefer a more matte finish and leather with character!

5 Considerations When Choosing a Notebook System (2026 Edition)

Next week is the D.C. Pen Show, and while I’ll be sharing table space with our friends at Vanness Pens, as we do every year, I’ll also be downstairs in the pen lounge hanging out and teaching, including my usual class on notebook systems. By “notebook system”, I’m referring to an organizational system that uses a cover to hold multiple notebooks, refills, and/or other accessories designed to work in combination. Brands that most people are familiar with include TRAVELER’S Company, Plotter, Roterfaden, Lochby, and others.

Typically when I teach this class I walk through the major types of systems and how each one works, along with some personal examples about how I’ve used different options over the years. Discussions can range from cover materials to bindings to refill sizes. I bring samples to pass around the room, and if you’ve been considering a specific brand, it’s a good way to get some hands-on experience before you make what can be an expensive purchase.

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A few different brands that I may have on hand in D.C.

For those who can’t attend the class/seminar in person, please do check out the informational resources on Notebook Systems that we maintain on the site. As my own understanding of these systems evolves, and my own use changes, I also like to periodically offer my own thoughts and recommendations on how to get started. For 2026, here’s what I typically advise when people come to see me at a show or in the shop:

1. Practicality over aesthetics. Choose a system based on your actual needs, not what you think your needs should be (or what social media tells you your needs should be). For me, there are lots of systems out there that I think look really cool, but which don’t align with how I work and organize information. The best notebook system is the one you will use, and that you won’t struggle with incorporating into your everyday life.

2. Start slowly. Pick the one system you think will work best for you, and use it for a while to see if there are any holes in your workflow or organization. Add accessories as you need them, which helps to control costs. Try to avoid buying multiple new systems at once and testing them at the same time, as this prevents you from diving deep enough to understand how each system works.

3. That said, don’t be afraid to eventually use more than one system. I personally use a combination of different notebook systems, because I’ve found that each fits better in a different area of my life. The key is to be intentional about how you add things.

4. Universal sizing is almost always better than proprietary. Beware of companies that try to sell you an expensive cover where the only refill that fits is the notebook that company sells. If that company goes out of business, or you discover you don’t like the paper, you end up having to make your own refills or start over. Check measurements carefully and if at all possible choose standard A5 or B6 sizes or the slim equivalents of the same. Height is more important than width, especially with bound refills, because a notebook can usually be trimmed down to a narrower width, but cutting a notebook across the binding to make it shorter can cause it to fall apart.

5. It doesn’t have to “look pretty.” My notebooks are not Instagram or Tiktok-ready, which is why you don’t see me post pictures of them all that often. If you enjoy doodling or decorating the margins and headers, by all means do that, but don’t feel intimidated into not trying a specific system because “I could never make look like so-and-so.” (Take it from someone who has followed the stationery influencer world behind the scenes for a very long time - many of those notebooks you see displayed on social media accounts never actually get used beyond layouts for social media posts.)

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

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You aren’t going to find any stamps and stickers in my notebooks, which don’t make great content. :)