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It has finally happened! We have designed our own pen and established Svabik Pen Co. debuting our first Ltd Edition piece, the Confluence. My favorite part of this pen would be the clip. This beauty was designed by our graphic artist, Jim Vakalopolous. It’s like nothing else we have seen. Six designs had the chance to become our first, but it was the two winding rivers blending to a point that jumped off the screen. Every time I looked at the designs, the choice was obvious. The clip makes a bold statement, just like we have in the Pen Community. When thinking of a desciption of Aaron and “The Kim” subtle or understated does not cross ones mind. Who else would sing Mama Mia with Dutch stewardess in L.A., welcome you into our shop with live web feeds, and supply you a few chuckles courtesy of pen show videos. I get quite sentimental when I see the Confluence on our web page, it provokes alot of feeling. I can hear the ring of antique store doors welcoming their guests and smell the dust of undiscovered treasure. The mottled ebonite of years gone by with a few surprises for a modern beautiful pen. The Confluence has it all. This is my blog, I can say that. It went over very well at the Chicago show among the collectors we have revered for many years. One gent admitted our name looks really good on a pen and he is careful with his compliments. It is our first, but certainly not the last. There have been many milestones in the evolution of Pentiques.com as a business. Little did I know my1st anniversary gift to Aaron would cause us to alter our life’s journey. I guess I’m that good:) All kidding aside, I thought Aaron was nuts buying boxes of fountain pens, scanning ebay, and not passing up an antique mall within a 100 mile radius. Every day of the week Aaron saddled up his Sahara, packed up our dogs, Parker (Weimerauner) and Winslow (Dalmation) to hit the antique trail in search of the Holy Grail. He was told a Parker Snake was found at church bazarre and he was always feeling lucky. While I worked a 40+ hour week, he was busy winning over area antique dealers. His goal, to be the first call when a box of unassuming fountain pens hit their shelves. In the 90’s, there was much competition. I especially remember a collector I called the Mad Hatter, we had to get there before he did. Aaron would have us at antique shows at 5am (before the pretty people). Thanks for the compliment. When the well coiffed started to show up we were headed home. Not that I couldn’t be well coiffed, just not at 5am. There were many times I was a ball and chain complaining about being tired, hot, annoyed, hungry, bored, what a whiner huh? When did it end? Aaron was unemployed for a short time so he got busy buying, selling, and learning how to restore pens. It was a magical day when he took me to the mall to pick out my first Coach purse. I guess vanity won out. This could work I thought, we could actually make money doing this. The whining stopped when I realized this obsession is here to stay. I stopped fighting and joined in going to pen shows, making pen friends, and supporting his pen habit. Now, twelve years later, here it is our very own Svabik Pen Co. not to mention I’m the face of the Pen Collectors of America. Talk about joining him. I dove in without looking back. Life it too short to say I wonder if …..
All the flavors stared me in the face. Eight pints of lovely icecream to get me back on my feet. What a brilliant gift idea for my recovery. Certificates came to the door with heart felt “Get Well” wishes from my PCA (Pen Collectors of America) family. I quickly sprang into action, American Idol final performances from my favorite Kris Alllen and velvety Haagen-Dazs. Oh What a night. I searched for my pints of cool creamy goodness at three different destinations, then jackpot! There, staying at me in the freezer case were every imaginable flavor. I quickly piled eight pints into my basket with a big grin. Minutes later flavors like, Green Tea, Honey with Granola, Chocolate Peanutbutter, Passion Fruit, Vanilla, Brown Sugar, and Mint graced my countertop. I quickly procured a spoon and sampled each one without a bowl, taboo in Aaron’s book, but he made an exception and joined in .. how could he resist? Only after he took a picture of my indulgence for all of the FaceBook community. I am not ashamed! Popsicles for 2 weeks and barely able to get morsels of food down my gullet till a couple of days ago. I planned on enjoying every minute of my night with Haagen Dazs. Andrew, our oldest, enjoyed the taste test as well. His mature comment like a veteran icecream connoisseur, in regard to the Green Tea flavor, “They tried too hard.” I knew exactly what he meant at 8 years, he nailed it. As I sat down with all my lovelies in separate baby dishes (cannot mix those flavors) and watched my boy, Kris Allen, sing his heart out, a contented grin and palate showed my appreciation for thosewho care about my well being (especially the ones who send icecream:)
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