Classes and Seminars

IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASSES DURING THE 2025 ORLANDO PEN SHOW, YOU MUST BE A VALID PASS HOLDER OR TICKET-BUYING ATTENDEE. CLASSES DO NOT INCLUDE ADMISSION.

Classes are subject to change without notice, as additional classes may be added or canceled as necessary.

Pre-registration for pay classes is encouraged to guarantee a spot. If you are unable to attend a class that has pre-registration, please contact the teacher directly. The Orlando Pen Show is not responsible for any refunds.

Fountain Pen 101

Fountain Pen 101 is an introductory-level class covering the basics of fountain pens and their uses. We will explore reasons to use fountain pens, fountain pen anatomy, filling mechanisms, how to clean, ink options, pen storage, papers, and common fountain pen mistakes. Attendees will receive a fountain pen and samples of various fountain pen-friendly papers.

Fee: $15 for materials.

Payment Info:

  • Venmo: @Debbie-Bitner
  • Zelle:  Deborah Bitner
  • PayPal: Click here.

Class Schedule

  • Friday, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM  | Classroom 2
  • Saturday, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Classroom 2

Meet Your Instructor

The class is taught by Debbie Bitner, a retired NASA aerospace engineer. Debbie is a watercolor artist, avid journaler, and fountain pen enthusiast. Join us as she shares her passion for all things fountain pens!

Fountain Pen 201

So you know you like fountain pens? But what’s next? In this class we will explore how to pick out that next pen; from materials to nibs to filling systems we will cover what to think about going forward.

Fee: Free Class

Register at the show.

Class Schedule

  • Friday, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Classroom 2
  • Saturday, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Classroom 2

Meet Your Instructor

Steve Zazzaro is the co-founder of the Orlando Pen Club and an avid lover of fine stationery. Having been through his own journey in finding the right pen, now he looks to pass on what he has learned.

A Brief History of Ink

What does a Mexican beetle have to do with the American Revolution?

How did teachers grade homework in ancient Egypt? Which colors carried the death penalty for use in ancient Greece? How can you be killed by wallpaper? Colors have carried importance for us since the dawn of time, come learn a few ways humanity has used colors in the past. Ink maker Bert Anderson will go over a brief history of the uses of dyes and pigments around the world, including some unexpected and intriguing examples. A half hour presentation with a Q&A session following.

Fee: Free class.

Register at the show.

Class Schedule

  • Saturday, 11:00 am-12:00 pm | Classroom 1 – Symposium

Meet Your Instructor

Entrepreneur and owner of Anderillium Ink based out of Tampa FL, Bert Anderson started writing with a fountain pen as a very young teen. During his college years while studying biochemistry, he started making inks for his own use. Friends and family encouraged him to produce inks for sale. Anderillium, Inc. came out of that, and the rest is history.

Collage Journaling and Tunnel Pages

This workshop is open to beginners and experienced collagers/journalers both. It is for those who want to learn about Collage journaling and tunnel pages.
You will learn the following and much more:

  • how to choose a theme, concept or color scheme.
  • how to layout a single-page, double-page or tunnel-page spread.
  • layering of ephemera, scraps, stickers.

Attendees are encouraged to bring any ephemera, stamps, stickers, fountain pens, inks, postcards, stationary, vintage papers, etc., they may want to work with. This is not a requirement but will make the experience more personal for each attendee.

The following basic supplies will be provided:

  • small softcover journal
  • mini scissors
  • glue tape
  • ruler
  • washi tapes

an assortment of ephemera, paper scraps, stickers of varying themes.

Fee: $85

Pre-register by emailing susieqbb@bellsouth.net. Register early as workshop size is limited

  • pre-registration and payment required to secure your spot

Class Schedule

  • Friday, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Classroom 2
  • Saturday, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Classroom 1 – Symposium

Meet Your Instructor

Suzette is a licensed Interior Designer by day and a crafter, journaler, fountain-pen enthusiast all the time. She has been crafting and making art since she was a little girl. She enjoys Photography, gardening in her succulent garden and crafting in her small studio.

Demystifying Vintage Pens for the Modern Pen User

Ever thought about buying vintage pens but didn’t know anything about them or where to begin? Myk will bring vintage pens for you to see, touch, and examine along with his many years of vintage pen knowledge and experience. This class is great for the novice or experienced Pen user that is new to vintage.

Fee: Free Class

Register at the show.

Class Schedule

  • Friday, 7:00 PM | Classroom 2

Meet Your Instructor

Myk Daigle of Pen Collectors of America

Travel Journaling

With over 17 years of creative journaling, I’ve continually found new ways to weave fountain pens, washi tape, stamps, stickers, and cherished memories into one. For the past four years, I’ve shared my journal setups and memory-keeping process on Twitch, connecting with a community that shares a love for creativity and storytelling. This marks my fourth year teaching at the Orlando Pen Show, and I’m eager to be inspired by all of you as we explore the art of journaling together.

Included with class seat:

  • You will receive a pocket journal, custom stickers and access to craft supplies during class.

Fee: $20

Payment Info:

Class Schedule

  • Friday, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Classroom 1 – Symposium
  • Saturday, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Classroom 1 – Symposium

Meet Your Instructor

A south Florida native who has been doing creative journaling for the last 15 years. Check out her weekly Twitch stream showcasing stationery. 

Get Tangled Up with Patty Duffy

Whether you’re an artsy pro or someone who thinks “I can’t draw,” come join me for a relaxing, creative adventure making beautiful patterns with fountain pens.

What’s Zentangle?

It’s a fun, meditative way to create art by drawing simple, repetitive patterns—no art skills needed!

What to Expect:

  • Play with Fountain Pens: Use those gorgeous pens to create mesmerizing Zentangle patterns.
  • All Are Welcome: Perfect for artsy folks, non-artists, and anyone who loves ink and paper.
  • Chill & Create: Relax, unwind, and make stunning designs one stroke at a time.

Click here to learn more.

Fee: $25

Payment Info:

Class Schedule

  • Friday, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Classroom 1 – Symposium
  • Saturday, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Classroom 1 – Symposium

Meet Your Instructor

Dive into the vibrant world of Patty Duffy, a Certified Zentangle Teacher and award-winning artist who transforms Florida’s wildlife and sea life into whimsical creations! Her art blends anatomically precise forms with bold, vibrant colors, intricate repeating patterns, and delicate shading to create pieces that sparkle with life. Using translucent inks and fine-tipped pens like Sakura Pigma Microns, Patty handcrafts each large-scale masterpiece over months, often weaving hidden words of love and affirmation into her designs for an extra touch of magic.

Originally from New England and now thriving in Indian River County, Florida, Patty’s lifelong passion for making marks on paper comes alive in her sunny studio. Her iconic piece, Big Papa Kevin the gator, stole hearts and snagged an award at the Cocoa Beach Juried Art Show, proving her knack for turning nature into art that captivates.

The Decorated Journal

Join us for a fun and inspiring workshop where writing meets creativity!  Whether you’re brand new to journaling or looking to enhance your current style, this hands-on class will help you explore new ways to combine words, art and memory keeping.

In this lively session, you’ll learn:

  • Creative ways to decorate and embellish your journal pages
  • How to use color, ephemera, and layout to reflect your thoughts and mood
  • Tips on different journaling styles and reasons to journal
  • Prompts to help you get started (or unstuck!)
  • A quick brush lettering tutorial to add flair to your pages

All supplies are provided, including a journal, pens, and decorative materials.  No experience is needed – just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore your creative side!

Fee: $75

Payment Info:

  • Venmo: @Debbie-Bitner
  • Zelle:  Deborah Bitner
  • PayPal: Click here.

Class Schedule

  • Friday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Classroom 2
  • Saturday, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Classroom 2

Meet Your Instructor

Debbie is a retired NASA Aerospace Engineer turned watercolor artist and avid creative journaler. She’ll share samples from her own beautifully crafted journals and guide you through exercises to help you discover your personal journaling style. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have several completed pages and a journal that’s uniquely yours.

Let your creativity flow and turn your journal into a personal work of art!

Make a Pocket Sketch Journal

Join us for this fun, hands-on workshop. From one piece of premium paper, you’ll fold and customize your own pocket-sized journal for ink swatching, journaling, urban sketches, and collecting ephemera. Then you’ll customize it with accordion-fold page inserts, notecards & more.Get lots of tips for creative ways to fill your journal, even for beginners, including a brief introduction to Urban Sketching. The size makes it easy to keep on hand to fill throughout your day. Pocket journals are excellent for telling a sequential story, like a little timeline of a weekend or a short travel experience. Once filled, your pocket journal will turn into a quirky visual diary unique to you. Makes a great travel journal and souvenir of the Orlando Pen Show.

All materials will be provided for creating and customizing your pocket journal plus a few fun extras.

Fee: $58.79, includes $5.20 fee + $3.59 sales tax.

Payment Info:

Class Schedule

  • Friday, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Classroom 1 – Symposium
  • Saturday, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Classroom 2

Meet Your Instructor

Judith Butler Dollar is a graphic designer and artist who has been an urban sketcher since discovering the online community in 2010. She is an admin for Urban Sketchers Houston and is North American Regional Coordinator, Urban Sketchers Global Membership Committee. She has traveled extensively, capturing both urban and rural settings from around the world, as well as everyday life in over 100 sketchbooks. Her favorite fude sketching pen can be found at Dave Dollar Custom Pens.

Click here to find Judith on Instagram @tx_sketcher

American Cursive Handwriting

Please join our 1-hour introduction class to American Cursive Handwriting. Where fun happens while you learn correct letter forms and some pizzazz strokes to WOW your handwriting style.

Supplies needed:

  • No. 2 Pencils, sharpener OR mechanical pencil with .05 lead
    • OR .05 tip pen such as the 0.5 needle tip Energel liquid gel ink pen (My favorite)
    • OR any favorite fountain pen with the same nib size
  • Tracing paper or marker paper
  • 2-4 paper clips to hold your papers together

Exemplars and lined guide sheets will be provided in class.

Fee: $20.00

Class Schedule

  • Saturday, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Classroom 1 – Symposium

Meet Your Instructor

Roxanne Smith was introduced to Calligraphy in 2018 through the Scribes of Central Florida: a 501©3 local and active Guild. She served as President for 3 years, 2 years as Past President and 1 year as Workshop Chair. Each year has been an excellent opportunity to grow in a giving community and learn as much as possible about lettering and handwriting styles.

She has been fortunate to travel for National and International conferences, and then under the explosive opportunity of ZOOM, studied from many renowned Calligraphy professionals. These experiences have led her to pursue teaching handwriting to all ages, and currently teaches K-12th grade students in American Cursive Handwriting.

“I have a strong desire to teach Cursive Handwriting to our youth and adults. An important skill set that has been put aside for the computer keyboard.”

Roxanne is a current member of International Association of Master Penmen and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH). She has completed the (ACICP) American Cursive Instructors Certification Program and studied under Master Penmen; Michael Sull, Vivian Mungall, Pat Blair, and Harvest Crittendon.

Urban Sketching

Whether you’re just curious, or an artist (beginner or skilled), come learn about the joy of urban sketching. An art form that can be done anywhere by all skill levels, you can even use it to enhance your journaling! This 2-hour class is divided between a discussion on urban sketching followed by a field trip onsite to try your hand at urban sketching. You’ll even participate in a throw down. Don’t know what that is? Come and find out!

Fee: Free class.

Class Schedule

  • Friday, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Classroom 1 – Symposium

  • Saturday, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Classroom 2

Meet Your Instructor

Gay Geiger is a practicing architect in Orlando, FL and an active member of the Urban Sketchers Orlando chapter having stumbled into urban sketching as a movement over 10 years ago. Her work can be seen posted online @gaygeiger in the spirit of the global community of Urban Sketchers manifesto to “Show the world, one drawing at a time,” She has also shown in local galleries and can be seen out and about on the street sketching on location and at local events in The Purple Tent.