No one knows exactly when the first story was told, but cave drawings suggest that it was thousands of years ago. As humans, it is in our nature to tell stories as a way to share parts of ourselves, to evoke emotions and empathy.
When describing the hobby of collecting pens, “the people” is often given as the reason enthusiasts give for gravitating towards it.
Like an epic story, pen collecting is full of interesting narratives, history and a cast of characters that truly make it a special pastime.
As our brand has its own rich history, we wanted to introduce you to some of the storytellers that inspire us when they use our pens to weave their tales.
This series is our way of sharing them with the pen community in the hopes that they will inspire you to create new stories to add to ours.
Esterbrook endures.
Our Host
Katy’s love of writing instruments starts forty plus years ago with her Grandmother and Father who were always up for a trip to the art supply or office supply store. A pencil lover most of her life, she discovered fountain pens four years ago when she moved from Chicago to Washington, DC. She has been doing her best to make up for lost time by going to meetups, pen shows and scouring the internet to learn about her new favorite writing instrument. After volunteering with us at the DC Pen Show, Katy offered her copywriting services when we were just starting to tell the Esterbrook story. She has been our friend and storyteller since. When she isn’t writing copy for brands that she loves, she is most likely at her boutique, Upstairs on 7th, which she owns with her Mom. Katy can be found on IG @ayearincolor.
Episode 9: Artist, journaler, calligrapher, and all-around Renaissance Man, Nicolas Dubuisson Canivet (@scribee_ on Instagram) brings his French passion for design into everything he creates. Nicolas' thoughtful approach to art made for a great interview and his passion for his craft can resonate with any creator. culling back together since selling it all and what it’s like to see his art on pens.
Episode 8: @heymatthew Graphic designer, photographer, podcast host and all-around great dude @heymatthew finishes the live from the DC Pen Supershow episodes with a heart-stopping conversation about letting his daughter use any of his pens, the pen collection that he is culling back together since selling it all and what it’s like to see his art on pens.
Episode 7: @penboyroy Live from the DC Pen Supershow, @penboyroy shares his thoughts on pens, reviewing them and how he takes his steak. In this high energy episode, get to know Roy and why the pen world is so enthralled with his never know what he’ll say or do next style.
Episode 6: @vanessalangton Meet art historian and pen gangsta @vanessalagnton, taped live at the DC Pen Supershow. In this episode, hear her wax poetic on the pens she loves, Van Gogh, the periods of art that most fascinate her and what inspires her own exceptional artwork.
Episode 5: Florentine @bettisoldi is truly a beacon of inkspiration. From her studio in the Boboli Gardens, she writes, paints, and inks the flourishes that are her signature. In this episode, hear the story that takes her from Florence to London and back again with a career and life that was written in her beautiful hand and the stars.
Episode 4: @me_and_my_happydesk From her desk in Germany, @me_and_my_happydesk takes all of us along for her travels around the world. Charting her adventures on the pages of traveler’s notebooks using her extensive stamp and washi collections, we are made to feel completely at home whether on the road with her or tucked away in her cozy, happy, nook at home.
Episode 3: Much like her handle suggests, @thepapervoyager has created a gorgeous, nature-inspired quest that will take visitors to her world through the lush, green spaces of her home in her native Germany and the pages of her journals inspired by them.
Episode 2: Mother and daughter team @science.notes share the best of both sides of the brain in their scientific and artistic explorations on paper. In this episode they share their vintage, old world, style and how it marries with their fascinating research and worldly adventures.
Episode 1: @skybambi In this episode meet the exceptionally inspirational brand maven and scrapbook journaler, @skybambi. From her writing room in Malaysia, she cuts, glues, paints, stamps, seals, and weaves her story, constantly evolving her craft and enchanting the writing community with her magic.
