New Shop Dog, New Brands

This past month has been a busy one. Perhaps the first big event was the arrival of Emma, who has become the shop dog. A diminutive four pounds, she's a six-year old "Tea Cup" Yorkie that loves lots of attention and doesn't care who that attention comes from. Emma had belonged to the groomer next door at Oh My Dog but decided to adopt us. After a couple of weeks of staying here and going home with the groomer all parties finally agreed that Emma belonged with us full-time. She joins a 12 year-old Jack Russell and a 6 year-old Mini Australian Shepherd as part of our family.

Besides a new dog, we also added new brands including On Line from Germany, Platinum of Japan, Yafa, and Yoropen to our growing blend of writing instruments. Our long awaited Via Veneto Torsion models arrived from Delta, and they are stunning, as did the wide-bodied Monteverde Mega Ballpoints. And if you haven't looked at Cross lately, check out the Sauvage collection with their sexy profiles and safari themed textures.

Gem of the Southwest

If you are able to pick up the latest issue of Stylus magazine, April/May 2008, you'll find a nice article about Scottsdale Pen beginning on page 68. It turned out that the writer, Stephen Herman, is a frequent visitor to the Phoenix area and he popped in on us within the first month we were open. We couldn't be more thrilled to have such a nice spread done so soon!

So far our experience in the pen community has been very gratifying. Before we even opened we visited Pasquale at Pen's International in Phoenix and he encouraged us to pursue our dream. Fred from Bromfield Pen Shop in Massachusetts visited a few weeks back while he was out here on vacation, Anthony from Penworks about 20 miles to the north of us visited shortly after we opened, and Pam from A Pen Lover's Paradise in Virginia called to congratulate us when she saw the article. The folks over at Art Brown and Fountain Pen Hospital in New York City have also been very supportive. Actually, the folks at Art Brown's told us about the article before we even knew it was out. We're glad to be here and invite you to stop by anytime. You're gonna' love it here!

You make a living at that?

For our entire adult lives we've been asked the question, "Do you make a living doing that?" To give you some context for that, we've been licensed Indian traders, purveyors of custom knives, have owned a fine jewelry store, and now own Scottsdale Pen. This year marks our 28th year of self-employment pursuing the resale of beautiful objects. It is perhaps because I am left-handed that I gravitate towards the artistic side of life, marvelling at art and architecture in the myriad forms those take. I can't help myself in this regard, and my life-long partner in crime, my "first" wife Karen, has graciously attached herself to this willy-nilly sleighride I've taken her on. We love beautiful things and are always excited when we're able to satisfy or stimulate similar interests and longings in others. You hear people say that you should pursue your passions and we're great believers in that. I'll never be "The Richest Man in Babylon" (to borrow from a book title), but I'll be able to look back and say I've been true to myself and did the things I wanted to do regardless of how they turned out or if other people can ever understand why.

Superbowl and Scottsdale Pen

At first you might not think there would be a connection between a pen shop and the Superbowl, but in our case we were at ground zero for the ESPN broadcast booth, set up some 75 yards from our door during the week leading up to the big game. Celebrity parties were scheduled at venues surrounding our location as were several charity events. Some of the names connected with these events included John Travolta, Carmen Electra, P. Diddy, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, and Paris Hilton. Of course, during the many broadcasts from ESPN numerous big name football stars both past and present sat in including Emmett Smith, Matt Leinhart, Jerry Rice, Donovan McNabb, and Mike Ditka. The Goodyear blimp circled over our shopping district for several days adding to the general air of excitement and anticipation. One evening, Bill Clinton appeared at an event at a restaurant directly across the street from us.

Through the kindness of the folks at Parker/Waterman, Scottsdale Pen was able to participate in two of the main charity events by giving away 100 Waterman Expert rollerball pens. We don't have an official list of who of the who's who received our gifts, but we were thrilled to have been able to be part of the festivities. And what a fun Superbowl it turned out to be, too!

Welcome to the Scottsdale Pen Blog

Welcome to the Scottsdale Pen blog.

Scottsdale Pen at The Mix opened December 1, 2007 in the heart of Scottsdale's most concentrated shopping/dining district near the intersections of Camelback and Scottsdale Roads. With the combined attractions of the mall, the Waterfront, and The Mix at Southbridge Scottsdale Pen is at the epicenter of what's new and exciting in food, fun, and fashion.

We are Jay and Karen Sadow, area residents since 1980. Our goal is to enthusiastically encourage you to write. We're not picky about what you write with as long as you do so. There is nothing more personal than a handwritten thank you note or a hand-signed birthday card or holiday card. Don't you just hate getting Christmas cards that are pre-printed? Or have a label slapped on them?

We represent about 20 different pen manufacturers along with well-known brands of stationery, ink and refills, and leather accessories.