Exchanges at Meetings
At all meetings, we have a table dedicated to giving away items. At meetings not held at a library (usually just the West Side meetings), we also have a table for selling or swapping items.
If you have something to give away for free, please place it on the table marked for that purpose. You and your fellow club members may browse that table and take what they wish. People often give ink samples, inexpensive pens, or odds and ends they've come across. Please be certain you are looking at the free table before helping yourself. If no one has claimed your item at the end of the meeting, please take it home with you again so that we don't leave things behind in the borrowed meeting space.
At West Side meetings held in the Stadler Room at Lake Forest Park Town Center, if you have something to sell or swap/trade, please write a detailed note that includes your price or desired trade, your name, your contact information, and any relevant details about the item. Place your item and the note on the sale table. If someone is interested, they will find you during the meeting and complete the transaction with you. If you are nervous about placing a high-value item on the table, you're welcome to leave just the item description on the table and invite people to approach you to handle the item in question. If no one has purchased your item at the end of the meeting, please take it home with you again so that you don't lose it and we don't leave things behind in the borrowed meeting space. Due to King County Public Library policy, sales are not allowed at meetings held in their public meeting rooms.
The Seattle Pen Club does not sell items directly and is not responsible for items lost, damaged, or stolen during meetings. We encourage all members to be honest, kind, and responsible when interacting with each other and handling the possessions of others.
Special Events
Occasionally, we have themed meetings or schedule something special for a meeting. For example, we have had events like "Everything Green" for St. Patrick's Day, "Ink Day" where we focus on sharing ink samples and bottles, and "Swap Day" when we have great giveaways, sales, swaps, and door prizes! We also occasionally bring in speakers with niche expertise or unique pen manufacturers to show off their wares.
If we plan something special, we'll post here, in our Facebook group, and to our email newsletter.
What Happens at Pen Club?
Do you love pens of any kind, writing instruments generally, and/or stationery items? We'd love to see you at a meeting! We offer two meetings per month at two different locations: one in the Stadler Room at Lake Forest Town Center (AKA "West Side Pen Club Meeting") and one on the East side of the Greater Seattle Area (AKA "Eastside Pen Club Meeting"). (The location can vary due to venue availability, but we usually meet at a public library. Each month's location is shared as soon as it's booked on this site's homepage, in our Facebook group, and via our email listserv.)
There is usually no specific agenda. Bring pens, inks, papers, or whatever you would like to show off, play with, share with others, ask questions about, and so on.
Most meetings are very casual and have an open format. Announcements are made about halfway through our time together, and the rest of the meeting is usually dedicated to open socializing where people may share their pens, inks, paper, or other writing-related finds; ask questions; circulate from table to table; and generally enjoy nerding out together. Don't worry if you show up late; we don't take attendance! We're just glad you're here!
