Hang out at the Vanness Pen Lounge ​​

 

• Open throughout the weekend, the Vanness Pen Lounge is your space to unwind, explore, and engage with the pen-loving community. Whether you’re taking a quiet break, attending a workshop, or sharing the joy of your latest writing instrument, this is your creative retreat within the show.

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• On one side, the lounge will host engaging classes and demonstrations — perfect for deepening your knowledge. On the other, round tables invite you to rest, reflect, or connect with fellow attendees throughout the event.

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• Experienced pen show veterans will be available to answer questions, offer tips, or simply celebrate your newest acquisition. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime collector, the lounge offers a comfortable, welcoming environment to enhance your DC Pen SUPERSHOW experience.

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• Vanness will have the Kaweco 2025 Do it yourself Pen set up in the Lounge. This will be available all weekend to those who want to put together their own pen in the 2025 color of the year!

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• Vanness Pen Lounge updates

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FRIDAY​

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1 pm - Swatch Your Inks (90 minutes workshop)

          Join Ana Reinert of the Well-Appointed Desk and learn how to inventory, swatch and catalog your fountain pen ink collection.

          In this class, I will share all the techniques and methods I use for cataloging and swatching fountain pen inks. I will demonstrate many swatching techniques, methods for organizing and inventorying your ink collection and even some fun ways to choose an ink for your next fill-up.​

          Class participants will get to try out lots of tools and techniques for starting their own ink swatching collection.

          What’s Included? Class fee includes an ink swatching kit (retail value: over $15). 

          What's needed: No additional materials are needed for the class but feel free to bring a notebook, recent ink acquisitions, and ink samples.

 

FEE: $60 (Class size limit: 20)  Register:  https://wellappointeddesk.bigcartel.com/product/swatch-your-inks-swatch-catalog-your-collection

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3 pm - Fountain Pen Basics

          Have you been interested in learning how to use fountain pens?   We will go over parts, and function as well as what pen works best for your handwriting style.  This class is hands-on and you will learn to clean and care for your pens (you will want more than one before we are done). 

          A basic fountain pen is included in this class. 

***We suggest bringing a notebook

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4 pm - Notebook Systems 101

          Learn about Various Notebook Systems with Joe Crace of the Gentleman Stationer.

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SATURDAY

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Fountain Pen Basics 

9:30 am

11:30 am

3:30 pm

          Have you been interested in learning how to use fountain pens?   We will go over parts, and function as well as what pen works best for your handwriting style.  This class is hands on and you will earn to clean and care for your pens (you will want more than one before we are done). 

          A basic fountain pen is included in this class. 

***We suggest bringing a notebook

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3:30 pm - Notebook Systems 101

          Learn about Various Notebook Systems with Joe Crace of the Gentleman Stationer.

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2 pm - Carve your own rubber stamps (90-minute workshop)

          Join Ana Reinert of the Well-Appointed Desk, using simple tools, and she will walk you through the process of making and carving your own rubber stamps from readily available materials like erasers and craft stamp pads. You can then use these stamps in your planner, journal or notebooks. Class attendees are highly encouraged to bring a notebook to use for saving designs and collecting stampings from fellow attendees.

          What’s Included? Carving tool, assorted package of blades, and cutting materials. Paper, pencils and stamp ink pads will be available for use in class. (Retail value: $25)

          What's needed: Any simple design approximately 1-2" in size that you might want to carve. Examples and test images will be available in class as well.

 

Fee: $75 (Class Size Limit: 20)  Register:  https://wellappointeddesk.bigcartel.com/product/carve-your-own-rubber-stamps

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SUNDAY

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10:30 am - Gamify Your Life: A Geeky Planning System with Ana Reinert (60-90 minutes)

          Make planning, journaling and getting sh*t done a game! Using techniques collected from RPG games, video games and the world of fantasy and sci-fi, you can turn your day-to-day activities into a loot-acquiring missions and side quests.

          We will build a D&D/video game character sheet with your goals and regular activities and combine it with a dice casting method to add a bit of fun and chance to your day-to-day life. Accomplish goals and get loot!

          What’s Included? Includes sticker sheets, printables and a set of dice for your gamification. (Retail value: $10)

          What's needed: Bring your current journal and/or planner or a new notebook to start Gamifying your Life. Pens, stickers, washi and assorted ephemera also welcome.

 

Fee: $30 (Max. Capacity: 30+) Register:  https://wellappointeddesk.bigcartel.com/product/gamify-your-life-a-geeky-planning-system

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11:30 am - Notebook Systems 101

          Learn about Various Notebook Systems with Joe Crace of the Gentleman Stationer.

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1 pm - Fountain Pen Basics

          Have you been interested in learning how to use fountain pens?   We will go over parts, and function as well as what pen works best for your handwriting style.  This class is hands on and you will earn to clean and care for your pens (you will want more than one before we are done). 

          A basic fountain pen is included in this class. 

***We suggest bringing a notebook

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​Vanness Pen Lounge is located on the Lower Level in the Junior Ballroom - accessible by a staircase in the Foyer or elevators.

 

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Many thanks to Lisa Vanness who brought this idea to fruition and coordinated volunteers to have the classes and workshops.

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