The writing should be on the wall – we need penmanship!

I started to develop the idea of KinderCone when I made a Schultüte for Lillian, our first daughter.  She HAD to have a Schultüte because I had one growing up and it connected her and myself to our roots in Germany.  It also brought back these youthful sentiments of pride and starting something that was almost bigger than oneself.  That part of growing up and realizing that a new chapter of childhood was about to begin stuck with me.  Like so many others I distinctly remember the contents of my Kindercone; the delicious chocolates bars (Kinder Chocolate as it was called), the amazingly yellow zippered pencil case, and my first fountain pen, manufactured by the German company Pelikan.  It was blue and silver on the top and I remember being so proud of my future assignment: First Grader, first writer and reader.  The ownership of a fountain pen really was the stepping point into adulthood, albeit far away on that morning in Frau Hauptmann’s classroom filled to the rim with 30 sweaty, anxious First Graders.

I have been writing with a fountain pen ever since, even had a purple ink phase and must say that the skills of good penmanship have been very beneficial to me. I still enjoy writing letters and cards and pride myself in adressing each KinderCone customer with a hand-written little note telling them how much I appreciate their purchase and enthusiasm.

When I met Nancy Olsen at the eve of the penshow in Chicago last week I was astounded at her magazine Stylus, a magazine entirely devoted to fine writing and pen lovers.  There is hope for a resurrection of fountain pens for children after all I thought.  I would love to present these wonderful fountain pens and a new system called Griffix that Pelikan is planning on introducing to the US on my website.  Many parents would be thrilled to find these products of their youth and being able to include them with their Schultüte gift.  Nancy was so helpful with giving me great ideas on how to connect KinderCone with this wonderful prospect of re-introducing penmanship to our children.  I am looking forward to embarking on yet another tradition; create a new generation of writers in the age of all encompassing technology.

I recommend Nancy’s blog, NancyOlsonInk where she reflects on the art of writing and penmanship, reviews pens and looks at new trends.