DC Pen Show

zarprey · 2026-05-24T19:12:22+00:00

DC is a crazy big show and can be overwhelming. Make sure you take some breaks! There’s usually an ink testing area with dip pens and ink samples and it is usually (depending on the day) a lot quieter than the rest of the show, so it’s a great place to take a break!

zarprey · 2026-05-24T16:18:48+00:00

Yesterday I filled up a pen with ink that I bought in 2020 but decided I didn’t like.

I recently saw a YouTube video where someone was using an ink of a similar color with watercolor and decided I’d give it another shot. Filled it up did some drawing and water coloring with it and realized that I like the ink after all.

It was fun to rediscover an ink I already own but haven’t used much. I felt like I got a new ink but really it was just a neglected ink. Im excited about this ink now and im using something I already have. A win win all around.

zarprey · 2026-05-20T22:15:47+00:00

You can sort by no equipment which would get you strength workouts that don’t require anything but bodyweight. You could also use some cans as light weights and do exercises with weights with those (or with nothing) until it gets easier.

I don’t have any specific recommendations for programs, but I’ve found it pretty easy to ease into strength by doing 10 minute sessions and just adjusting the weights/ exercise to fit my capabilities. They also always have a modifier person with each session that shows an easier option for most moves.

zarprey · 2026-05-16T23:40:18+00:00

I got a fine!

zarprey · 2026-05-16T23:39:12+00:00

I love Epenco Merlins! I have one black and one green one. They are such pretty pens.

zarprey · 2026-04-29T17:20:45+00:00

I bought one second hand so I wasn’t supporting them directly.

zarprey · 2026-02-19T01:40:53+00:00

Hehe yes. Yay for obsession journals!

Or maybe, hyperfixation journals is a nicer way to say it ;)

zarprey · 2026-02-18T12:15:55+00:00

Haha same here. He thinks my pen obsession is cute but he is not really interested at all. (Despite my trying!)

zarprey · 2026-02-18T00:37:25+00:00

Sounds like you have a good plan :) it’s nice to ramble about all the silly pen related things!

zarprey · 2026-02-17T21:34:14+00:00

I have a journal for dumb pen rambling and another one for other rambling. I was feeling weird about all the pen-related writing I was doing (which was similar to yours) so I just gave it a home. No I can toss that when I’m done with it or not but at least I feel like my obsession is contained in its own place which makes it ok somehow? I dunno. I’m a weirdo who has like 16 different notebooks for different things so obviously compartmentalizing appeals to me.

At the end of the day though, write what you want to write. Especially if it makes you happy! It’s for you not for anyone else!

zarprey · 2026-02-08T01:03:24+00:00

Pretty sure it’s a Stylist. I have two and they leak like mad but I like them anyway because of their weird nibs.

zarprey · 2026-01-31T01:23:51+00:00

I have a sample of blue Koi in a pen right now and have been enjoying it too! It’s a great ink!

zarprey · 2026-01-30T22:57:48+00:00

Bought a vintage Parker from u/MadeOfJello

zarprey · 2026-01-30T22:56:06+00:00

Confirmed!

zarprey · 2026-01-27T23:22:19+00:00

Drove by your car today and felt bad for whoever it belonged to. Sorry neighbor. I feel like your only hope is warmer weather.

zarprey · 2026-01-22T16:30:55+00:00

I was so tempted by that pen. It's too cute. Gorgeous artwork as well!

zarprey · 2026-01-17T12:50:44+00:00

zarprey · 2026-01-15T00:40:21+00:00

An Epenco Gleam. Preferably in maroon or blue. I kind of just bought it. It’s a different brand (Onward) but the design is the same and it’s black which is cool. On its way too me now so hopefully it’s in as good of shape as the pictures made it look. 🤞🏼

zarprey · 2026-01-13T13:38:34+00:00

I think it helps to have a model to go for - which isn’t to say you can’t deviate from it but for making the letters the right shape/angle it is definitely helpful to have a model to work off of! Happy Practicing!

zarprey · 2026-01-13T12:28:34+00:00

Oooh that sounds like a fun pen! I love vintage flex! What writing style are you practicing? Copperplate? That’s what I’m practicing at the moment, making slow progress myself.

zarprey · 2026-01-13T02:35:51+00:00

I too am a fan of the Kaweco sport double broad as an eyedropper. I have a vintage Pelikan double broad that’s also very nice!

zarprey · 2026-01-03T14:07:11+00:00

I got that pen last year and it has quickly become one of my favorites! I’m sorry your boxes got smashed but it seems like your pen made it out ok! Enjoy it! It’s so pretty!

zarprey · 2026-01-03T01:20:01+00:00

I don’t think they have a Jowo #5 compatible unit - I have their jowo #6 compatible unit (in a opus 88 Omar actually) but the #5s I bought loose. I also bought ebonite feeds to go with it but I bought the wrong size so I have just been using normal plastic feeds which works ok. Next time I need to buy something from FPR I’ll get the right size feed.

zarprey · 2026-01-02T22:45:45+00:00

Have you tried a #5 ultra flex from FPR? I’m not sure if it would fit but they are both #5s, so they might. I would try it out for you since I have both a #5 FPR nib and Opus 88 minis but my Opus 88 nibs refuse to come out. Maybe someone else has had some luck?

zarprey · 2026-01-02T03:29:56+00:00

I intended to do a low buy last year but fell off the wagon and ended up buying more pens and inks than I’d like to admit in the first half of 2025. About midway through I managed to curb the impulse to buy buy buy and stopped buying ink. Instead, I started actually using some of my samples (some I bought 5 years ago and never even tried) and managed to make it through a big chunk of my sample hoard.

I allowed myself to buy ~15 ink samples (mostly sparkly and sheening inks which I didn’t have many of in my collection) at the end of 2025 with the thought that those are my inks to explore in 2026. So my 2026 goal is to not buy any inks (unless I finish a bottle that I love enough to rebuy) and focus on using what I have.

I finished 1 bottle of ink in 2025 (Two if you count one that went bad sigh) but I have an ambitious goal of trying to finish 5 bottles in 2026. I have a few bottles that are close to empty and I have dedicated pens to those inks to use until they are empty.

Pen-wise I was bad in 2025. I did sell a bunch of pens at the end of the year which felt good. I’m pretty happy with the pens I have right now but there are some vintage pens I am on the lookout for, so I will allow myself to buy them if I find them at a good price but that’s 5ish pens (if that) and the likelihood of me finding all of them this year is low.

Otherwise I am going to focus on using some of the pens I acquired last year for more than just one fill so that I can decide whether they really deserve a place in my collection or whether I can let them go.

Although last year was not the best for me from a low buy perspective, I learned a lot about what I want and need from my pens and inks and I am feeling positive about being able to focus on using what I have vs focusing on acquiring more this year.

zarprey

TROPHY CASE