Preparing for the CHICAGO PEN SHOW!! ~Chill & Chat~

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  • čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
  • Sharing my thoughts about what I'll be doing at the Chicago Pen Show on May 2, 2024 as well as discussing how I made preparations for it! Grab your morning coffee or tea and journal away with me while we chat! If you're heading to the Chicago Pen Show, let me know down below. If you've had any other Pen Show experiences, also leave your comments down below as well!
    Thank you so much for watching!
    People/Channels mentioned:
    ‪@clarecocophotography454‬
    ‪@Lovecharmaine‬
    ‪@atlasstationers1939‬
    TIMESTAMPS:
    00:00 Intro
    00:35 Nervousness
    01:46 Nib Grinding Chat
    13:30 What to Bring & Do at Pen Show
    22:00 Pen Show Schedule
    25:13 Outtro
    Follow me on social media & let's chat!! :D~
    IG: / kenchankrafts
    FB: / kenny.l.yang
    If you're interested in joining the Atlas Stationers Discord group, you can join through this link: / discord
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Komentáře • 67

  • @FountainPenNews
    @FountainPenNews Před 3 měsíci +7

    May I offer a suggestion? Imagine the Best Case Scenario for the show and all of the travel. Like in excruciating detail. (like "traffic is manageable" and "I get a perfect parking space" Write it down. It could help you manage your anxiety and will calibrate your mindset to be looking out for all of the Best Case Scenario things that WILL happen. I made this change in my life after my accident and I have banished the "worst case scenario..." focus and planning I used to do. It's life changing.
    Have an amazing show! I can't wait to see how it goes!

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +5

      Positive thinking and manifestation, I love that, Wendi! Thank you for sharing!! :) I'm a therapist myself and sometimes, I don't even use the tips I give to my clients haha! Thank you so much for watching and wishing a great show! I know it will be amazing!!! ♥ Manifesting already ^_^ My partner will be here with me, so the drive will be much less stressful, in fact, I'd say it will be a nice 6.5 hours of lovely talking and laughing ♥

  • @MariaRosseau
    @MariaRosseau Před 3 měsíci +2

    Oooh how exciting! I thought about last minute trying to go, but that's pretty crazy, so I didn't. 🤣
    I hope we can organize a meetup in August! There are so many friends that are going to the SF show, and it's local for me. 🎉

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      YASS!! I would love to meet up for a big hangout! I know there was a stationery after dark on Saturday evening at the SF pen show last year - would be cool to meet up there and hangout afterwards with everyone if time permits! :) And yeah, last minute things are a no-no for me, I would be so anxious if I need to prepare things.

  • @journalwithtiff7221
    @journalwithtiff7221 Před 3 měsíci +3

    I went to the Chicago Pen show last year and wish I could make it this year. I know you're gonna have so much fun. I cant wait to see what you snag from the pen show. I agree with you about getting custom grinds on expensive pens. Yes it would be ideal if the nib suited us out of the box, but everyone likes different things so its impossible to think a purchased nib will always be PERFECT, no matter the cost. Honestly, I think a pricey pen is exactly what I want to get a custom grind on. If I pay that much for a pen, I may as well get a specific grind. Something that will excite me even more to reach for it.

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci

      Aww, yeah it is quite a flight for you isn't it? I am saving for the Tokyo Pen Show next year, so I might not go to any other show hahah!! No SF or Chicago. And yeah, a specialty nib is definitely a wonderful thing to do for a special expensive pen, if you don't already love how that special pen writes as it is. I think I shall practice tuning the schmidt nib myself and have Gena and the Nib Tailor tune my more expensive Sailors, as I do not want to mess those up! I am already excited to pick up my Sailors, so I know it will be soooooo enticing to pick them up after I get them customized by Gena!

  • @s.schaff3493
    @s.schaff3493 Před 3 měsíci +1

    I didn't realize you were in Minneapolis. It has seemed like a pen desert since we have no shops! I just joined a MN Pen enthusiasts group that isn't far from the cities. Meets in Roseville. I can reach out if you ever have any interest in attending a monthly meeting. Lovely pen people. Have a wonderful Pen show in Chicago and enjoy ALL the parts of getting there...better stories come from wild adventures!

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci

      Oh cool! I haven’t been to the pen meet in March and April due to being sick in March and was busy in April. But I’ll try to come in May! :) Francis is such a sweet guy and president lol. And I totally wished we had pen shops here, it’s definitely very barren! Thank you for the wishes, I’ll bring back lots of fun videos of the show for you!

    • @s.schaff3493
      @s.schaff3493 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@KenchanKrafts Oh wonderful, you already know about it! Looks like we'll be learning about 'ink chemistry' next month. If you show, I'll definitely introduce myself. Best of luck in your Chicago adventure!

  • @SabineRiegler
    @SabineRiegler Před 2 měsíci +1

    Hello! Really curious what you‘ll tell after the show! Enjoy it! Just wanted to mention … I think they use the Schmidt #6 on the Benu Euphoria AND Talisman, and #5 on the Briolette if I remember correctly! Maybe you‘d like to check before the custom grind nib for your Talisman! (So excited to add the „Lily of the incas“ in a few days to the collection) 🤗

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 2 měsíci

      Lily of the Incas is so beautiful!! Can’t wait to see how you love it in person ^_^ I really need to ink up my edelweiss again soon because I haven’t bought any new Benus yet because I haven’t been inspired to pick them up to write with even though they are so beautiful. I need to figure out the exact problem I’m having with them. And thank you, I will definitely enjoy the pen show next weekend!

  • @arlenet.1520
    @arlenet.1520 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Hello there! I’m so jelly! Maybe next year I will go or better yet to their annual sidewalk sale!!!! Have a great time! Be safe!

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci

      Too bad their sidewalk sale is the same time as the SF pen show XD are you coming to the SF show this year to meet up? Hehe 😉

  • @Ursulas_Odds_and_Sods
    @Ursulas_Odds_and_Sods Před 3 měsíci +1

    Have fun at the show! I'd love to go to a pen show someday, if my schedule allows it and it's on budget. Maybe I could go to the one in Colorado if I'm visiting my uncle at that time (but not this year, since it's over Yom Kippur). Going to a pen show abroad would be even more fun.

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Yeah! I would love to attend the Tokyo Pen Show next year if I can save up enough money and afford to be out for 10 days on vacay from work haha!! So for that to happen, I must save up and not go to any other pen shows in 2025. I hope you'll get to go to one near you someday soon, Ursula. They're loads of fun even if they are overwhelming xD

  • @naajadancer6233
    @naajadancer6233 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Yay! I will be there. Hope to see you there!

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 2 měsíci

      Hope to see you there, Naaja! Remember to say hi to me! It’ll be so much fun there!

  • @glemsydoodles
    @glemsydoodles Před 3 měsíci +2

    I hope you have a wonderful time here in Chicago! Unfortunately the hotel is in an area that is... not at all a culinary destination 😓 but your downtown trip will have much better options. Hope to see you at the show, drive safely!

    • @HistoricGentleman
      @HistoricGentleman Před 3 měsíci +1

      Perhaps we can all decide on a good lunch or dinner spot, my van has room for 6 more people in addition to myself

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Yes!! Hope to see you there, be sure to say Hi if you see me :D I agree, the hotel and show is at a remote place about an hour's drive (45 ish mins) from downtown Chicago/Airport. I am picking up 2 friends flying in from the West Coast, so it'll be a lot of back and forth already! We'll just be in downtown Chicago and elsewhere on Saturday, so that will be much better for food, definitely. It does make finding food tougher for all 3 days with a location so far from the urban area.

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@HistoricGentleman Hey Friedrich! XD That's a lot of people you can hold in your Van! Amazing. I will already have 4 people (including me) in my car when I arrive xD I have 2 friends from the west coast and my partner with me and we're meeting up with a solo friend in Chicago on Saturday. But on the other nights, it would be nice to get a meal together! ^_^ Can't wait to see you there, and if memory serves me well, I think you're from the Chicago area, too? You'd know some places to visit! XD

    • @glemsydoodles
      @glemsydoodles Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@KenchanKrafts I used to live in the area, so I know exactly how bleak it is, LOL. IMO your best bet will be to pick up some snacks at a grocery store on your way, then head towards Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates for restaurants.

    • @HistoricGentleman
      @HistoricGentleman Před 3 měsíci +2

      @@KenchanKrafts thats correct, Chicago is indeed my hometown, so be it food or boystown. i have plenty of suggestions

  • @Adventuresover40
    @Adventuresover40 Před 3 měsíci +1

    I am also going to the Chicago Pen show. I will definitely be stopping at Atlas also to see the actual store. I am driving too. It's about a 4.5 hr drive for me (hopefully traffic is not horrible). I do not need a nib grid this time but that is because I had two done by Kirk Spear when he was at the Detroit pen show. I have written down pens that I want but want to write with first. I will be writing down the prices of them before I get there, that is a great idea.

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Yay! Hopefully I'll see you there. 4.5 hours is definitely a much more manageable time frame xD I'm mainly dreading the drive back home, but I know the drive back usually feels faster. I hope you find a pen you wanted!! :)

    • @Adventuresover40
      @Adventuresover40 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@KenchanKrafts Hopefully the drive will be smooth sailing for you. Yes I think 4.5 isn’t bad at all. Hopefully you get some help with the nibs. See ya there!

  • @lianelikes
    @lianelikes Před 2 měsíci +1

    Hope you have a wonderful time! Can’t wait to hear about it in a future video!

  • @teresaharris-travelbybooks5564
    @teresaharris-travelbybooks5564 Před 3 měsíci +1

    We drove to the D.C. show in 2023, and I was exhausted. I'm debating on flying, this year but it does add a huge expense to the trip. However, we're there for the entire weekend, so hopefully I'll get SOME rest. 😂 I know you'll have a blast in Chicago. Mabe you could visit Atlas Stationers while there. Jonathan Brooks will be there. Check with Kirk, when you arrive. He may get some no shows, which will open up his schedule. Also, he maintains a wait list, for walk up customers. In future, my plan for pen shows is to check out all the pens, but reserve my spending for mostly inks, notebooks, and cool accessory items. I rarely regret those purchases, but I have regretted some of my more impulsive pen purchases. I just want to meet and talk with other pen enthusiasts.

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Yesss you know the exhaustion!! I drove to Milwaukee every month back in college for a long distance relationship, and i was younger back then and I still was exhausted from it, so I can only imagine now having to do that. Thankfully, it will be a 4 day weekend and I can take some breaks in between driving around Chicago! I will be visiting Atlas on Saturday with my friends!! That's what I want to do and I think they are all pretty good with doing that with me, too, since we'll all be going down to Chicago downtown on our Saturday. The pen show will just be Friday, Saturday morning (maybe evening), and Sunday morning.

    • @teresaharris-travelbybooks5564
      @teresaharris-travelbybooks5564 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@KenchanKrafts have fun!

  • @mrdcoolblue
    @mrdcoolblue Před 3 měsíci +1

    Nib tailor JC Ament is great to work with. He did a custom grind on my Pilot Custom 74

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      I cannot wait to work with him and see what he can do with my pen!! :) I have to decide which pen I'll want JC to work on. Thanks for confirming your experience with him! ♥

  • @Dragon_drawer42
    @Dragon_drawer42 Před 3 měsíci +2

    I have a csi and naganata by Gena and I’m getting another naganata or architect. I would trust her with anything. Good luck and see you in Chicago

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci

      I cannot wait for Gena's CSI! CY's CSI feels different, but it was my very first experience with a CSI, so I can now have another CSI in my roster to compare to it. I have CY's naginata as well, but it is definitely a nib to get used to. Very lovely line variations, though. And also cool! Can't wait to meet you in person :)

  • @NotesFromPastAmy
    @NotesFromPastAmy Před 3 měsíci +1

    What a wonderful opportunity! I enjoyed hearing your thoughts. I hope you have a wonderful time and share your experience with us when you get back. 😊💜
    When my Platinum 3776 UEF arrived, i thought it was scratchy so i ran it over high grit sandpaper right away. I watched all the videos i could find on the topic about a year ago... I guess i remembered something useful, even though i should have checked it under a loup first (forgot that part until after 😆). It seems to be working well now and only took a couple minutes to adjust.

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci

      Yeah, I was thinking the same thing - like I should just get some grit sandpaper from Goulet and practice on my cheaper pens/nib. Perhaps I can just discuss with Gena and ask for her suggestions on how she might do it with the simple tools we can get and then do it on the Schmidt nib myself and have her work on my more expensive pens that are misaligned or scratchy (I found one of my Sailors has had an issue, which is so rare! 1 out of my 14 Sailors is bad and I'm sad!). I have a loupe but I have untrained eyes to see how the issue is occurring! XD I shall bring my loupe and ask Gena about it as well! Thanks for watching and sharing your experience with self-tuning!

  • @PlanBudgetDisney
    @PlanBudgetDisney Před 3 měsíci +1

    I can't wait to see all your pictures of the Chicago Pen Show!

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 2 měsíci

      Yes!!! 🙌 sadly our friend that we were supposed to meet up with won’t be able to make it :( always sad news when that happens! But we’ll still go see the big bean and get Chicago deep dish pizza!! 🍕

  • @needtojournal
    @needtojournal Před 3 měsíci +1

    The Nib Tailor is supposed to have a beginning tuning seminar there. I'm looking forward to signing up.

    • @needtojournal
      @needtojournal Před 3 měsíci +1

      I just checked the schedule. His class is full 😢, but there's an opportunity to audit the class in back if we don't interfere with the flow.

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@needtojournal My friend signed up for the class, so I'll have her record it for me if she can!

  • @jamieloom22
    @jamieloom22 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Have a great time in Chicago, I look forward to seeing the videos you shoot there.

  • @jeanrobinson6584
    @jeanrobinson6584 Před 3 měsíci +1

    How exciting! Look forward to seeing your videos and hearing how you get on

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci

      YAY! Thanks, Jean! I will try to take great videos and combine them for a fun video for you all :)

  • @kierdoesnotknit5112
    @kierdoesnotknit5112 Před 3 měsíci +1

    I'm going to Chicago and I'm also driving from Mpls. I hope I get to meet you at some point!

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      No way! You're from Minnesota/Minneapolis, too, Kieran? We must meet up at the show, do come say Hi to me, as I may not know how you look like or sound! XD But woohoo!! First time meeting up :)

  • @Stupiddessert
    @Stupiddessert Před 3 měsíci +1

    It’s my first pen show ever. I’m excited but nervous because I have no idea what it’s like.

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci

      I don't think this one is all too big, but even the SF pen show wasn't as big as I expected it to be and that's an international pen show. I bet the DC super show is the one that is ultra big. But there are tons of vendors and a bunch of people! So it can become overwhelming and crowded during the busy times (1-5pm usually). But it's like a big flea market for window shopping and it's super fun to hold and try pens (make sure to ask if it's ok to pick the pens up, too!).

  • @Calcprof
    @Calcprof Před 3 měsíci +1

    I love my broad nibs, and think that many of my mediums are too narrow! Everyone is different.

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci

      Indeed!! We all have different tastes :D The only way to make Mediums broader is to open up the tines as you can't go up in tipping material T_T But I wonder, how do you deal with your mediums that are too narrow? I tend to sell my Broads or just not use it (if it's a cheaper pen). But I do have a few expensive broads that have special uses, so I do keep some! :)

    • @Calcprof
      @Calcprof Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@KenchanKrafts I even have one or two fines! I still use some of the narrow mediums, they still work If they are wet then they are usually OK. And I was exaggerating a bit.

  • @yureliplans
    @yureliplans Před 3 měsíci +1

    I think Kirk leaves some spot open for people that couldn’t sign up online. 🤞🏽hope you have a blast at the pen show!

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci

      Oh, that's good to know. I may or may not get a slot since many others will also be in the same boat as me, then. Either way, I will get to work with him some day, too! Thank you so much, Yureli!

  • @inkyfingers1045
    @inkyfingers1045 Před 3 měsíci +1

    I am wondering if anybody has been to the saint louis pen show and if they have what they thought

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      I’ll have to see if any one I know goes, but I’ve never been to it myself. I hope there are some videos out there of some folks that went, would be fun to watch!

  • @zeroseas
    @zeroseas Před 2 měsíci +1

    Hey Ken! Did you see the Benu Astrogem line at the show?

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 2 měsíci +1

      I am hoping to see it once I go!! Atlas Stationers might have some of Benu themselves aren’t there! I’ll take some videos of it if I see them! But I love the purple and pink one as well as the green.

    • @zeroseas
      @zeroseas Před 2 měsíci +1

      @@KenchanKrafts I didn’t realize it’s this coming weekend. Wow… have a great show and look forward to seeing what you cover there! If you see the Benu Leto please try to get some coverage 😆

    • @zeroseas
      @zeroseas Před 2 měsíci +1

      How was the pen show? Did you ever get to play with those new Benu Astrogems? They look pretty interesting

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před měsícem +1

      @@zeroseas Idk why CZcams sometimes decides to put some folks' comments on hold for review and I never check that haha! So I didn't get notification for this comment. But you already saw in my video with the Leot and Astrogem line in that show clip. They're pretty interesting and the colors are beautiful! :) Did you say you bought yourself one? :D

    • @zeroseas
      @zeroseas Před měsícem +1

      @@KenchanKrafts bad CZcams! I was so close to pulling the trigger, but I couldn’t do it. I think I’ll save funds for the DC Pen Show and see what strikes me 😱

  • @karenescobar7407
    @karenescobar7407 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Are you going to attend the Washington DC pen show?

    • @KenchanKrafts
      @KenchanKrafts  Před 3 měsíci +1

      Not this year xD I have not planned to go to that one yet. Maybe in two years as I am hoping to attend the Tokyo one next year! Are you doing the DC supershow this year?

    • @karenescobar7407
      @karenescobar7407 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @KenchanKrafts YES! IT will be my first!! Japan wow!