Admit That You Don't Know It All And Rewards Will Come

Take Pen to Paper: Edition 98

Aug 08, 2024

Hi Friends!

I read the following quote and thought about how easy it is for us never to venture from what we know because it is safe and comfortable.

“I am lucky enough to be sent music pretty much all day, every day, and it can be easy enough to explore only what’s in front of me - often brand-new takes on hundreds-of-years-old music. (Truly, it’s one of the great gifts of classical music, that every generation invariably makes and re-makes it, but it can also make us lazy when it comes to exploring new things.” from “Another Year of Wonder”by Clemency Burton-Hill

I had a fun experience this weekend that reminded me that there is always more to learn, and it’s okay to ask dumb questions. As an educator, I know there are no dumb questions. Chances are someone else is wondering the same thing. However, so many of us still develop a hesitancy to ask. What will people think?

Letting your vulnerability show in what you don’t know increases your knowledge. Sometimes, in your quest for knowledge, you find a common spirit.

In this newsletter:

Take advantage of experience when it’s available.
Be led by your natural curiosity.
Selling an item, a story, or both?

Entering a Room of Experience

I am relatively new to the fountain pen world. About two years ago, my youngest son convinced me I needed to be writing with a one.

I bought an inexpensive fountain pen because I liked the idea of having a pen exclusively for journaling. That started my pen journey.

This past weekend, my son and I went to the DC Fountain Pen Supershow. It’s called that because it’s the largest pen show in the world - three hotel conference rooms filled with fountain pens and pen-related paraphernalia. Most of the people in the room knew more about fountain pens than my son and I did.

No, all of them knew more than I did. I went in with the attitude of not being afraid to ask dumb questions.

We bravely walked into a world of fountain pen nerds (no name-calling, I’m one) and sensory overload. On my mind was to engage in conversation and learn.

My son and I both wanted to see and hold new pens we had our eyes on via the internet. There are no store-front pen stores in our city, so this would be our opportunity. The rest of our time was spent looking at vintage pens (they just don’t make them like they used to), which is my son’s interest.

Natural Curiosity as a Guide

I recently listened to an interview with Katie Couric in which she explained when she felt intimidated by who she was interviewing, she would let her natural curiosity guide her with the questions she asked.

So, armed with my dumb questions and natural curiosity, I took on the task of learning as much as I could.

I’ve never had someone not answer a direct question, unless they didn’t hear me. People love to talk about themselves and their passions.

If you listen to their answers, you will learn something. In many cases, we learned about the people who repair and sell vintage pens or create pen accessories.

One vendor told us up front that his pens were not the best bargains in the room. I asked him why he said that. To paraphrase his answer, he was the most knowledgeable in the room (it was a very large room), and he was upfront about what he was selling. I think he didn’t see us as serious buyers and didn’t want to waste his time talking to us. We obliged him. (He was the only person who put off that vibe.)

Another vendor welcomed us with open arms. We didn’t have to start a conversation. He was enthusiastic about the vintage flex nib pens he repaired and sold and wanted to make sure that we had the opportunity to try writing with one (vintage flex nibs are supposed to be the best). Both my son and I wanted to try one. We could pick any pen, and the vendor would ink it for us. My son chose a random pen, and just before I put the nib to paper, my son whispered in my ear, “That’s a $400 pen.” Collecting fountain pens can be an expensive hobby.

We almost always learned how the vendor began their pen journey. Everyone had a story.

Stories Make the Sale Special

I would have passed by one vendor, except that there was a people traffic jam ahead of us, and we landed by a table with no browsers.

The vendor asked me if I would like to hear some pen history. I wanted to respond by telling him I was an educator who loved stories, but I just said, “Yes.” And that’s how I came to own mint-condition Spencerian dip pens manufactured in 1898. Over 100 boxes of 144 dip pens each were discovered in an old drugstore in North Manchester, Indiana. I tried writing with one and couldn’t resist buying a useful piece of history (not $400).

I immediately realized I needed a pen case sooner rather than later. My new 1890s pens did not have caps to protect the nibs. I remembered passing a table with hand-made pen rolls.

I used my “Blueberries for Sal” pouch as my measuring guide. The dip pens fit in the pouch, although they were unsecured.

As soon as I pulled out my pouch, the vendor commented on it. I couldn’t help but tell her the story of how I got it. Then, we moved on to her beautiful hand-crafted pen rolls. She felts the outside from wool. My eye was immediately drawn to a dramatic gray and red abstract pattern

Opening the roll, I couldn’t contain the “Ooooh” that escaped from my lips. She asked me, “Do you like stories?” (You know how I answered that.) The inside fabric was from a photograph she took in Iceland and the wood she felted was from Iceland. Gray is the wool’s natural color, and red is dyed. The design was her interpretation of seeing the lava flow from the volcano that erupted there in 2021.

She explained how she loves having a story behind her creations and being able to pass it on.

I think I found a kindred spirit.

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:

I am grateful for sharing a passion with my youngest son who made a great traveling companion.
Here’s a bit about Warren Manufacturing Company, that’s the company that made pens in 1898. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Curious to know more about fountain pens? This blog covers all the aspects of fountain pens. I don’t expect you to read it, but scanning it will let you know the endless questions I could have been asking.
I wrote about my “Blueberries for Sal” pouch in this story.
I had a lovely time talking to creator Kathryn Pokalo about her creations with felted wool. You can check out other products, like my pen roll, at Pleasant Valley Textiles.
It is good to have a way to connect with others who share your passion. Fountain pens (and journaling) can be a solitary pursuit, but pen shows like the one we attended tell us we are not alone in our interests.
A quote: “Today is life-the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.” Dale Carnegie

Thank you for reading. This week, find a way to expand your knowledge beyond your comfort zone.

Until next time,

💚

Susan

Do you have a hobby you are nerdy about? What did you do to learn more? Leave a comment. I would love to read about it.

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