
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Some of you sharp nerds reading this will think a Midwestern Stationery Fest MUST be in Chicago — ;but you would be incorrect. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Some of you sharp nerds reading this will also recognize Debra Skinner&#8217;s name. She is already an official and esteemed Paper Nerd at Large, with an impressive expertise in stationery fests (just witness her existing trifecta of TPN contributions <a href="https://thepapernerd.com/chicago-stationery-fest-an-unofficial-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>, <a href="https://thepapernerd.com/csf-a-love-letter-to-from-the-community/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> and <a href="https://thepapernerd.com/back-to-csf-a-qa-with-tyler-mccall/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here)</a>. This Chicagoan&#8217;s boots are literally always on the ground, traveling to fests and shops around the world — and even hosting <a href="https://thepapernerd.com/stationery-market-fomo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her own Stationery Market last winter</a>, in a snowstorm no less.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Today Debra drops in to spill on her latest project: Aurora Stationery Fest (ASF), happening this November 1. Aurora, Illinois, perches on the Fox River roughly 41 miles West of downtown Chicago, and as the second most populous city in the state, it is definitely not part of Chicagoland. I&#8217;ll let Debra take it from here!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CardinalJ.png" alt="" class="wp-image-10022410"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">_____________________________________________________________________________________</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When I attended the inaugural New York City Stationery Festival in 2024, stationery markets and festivals were a new phenomenon in the United States. At the time, stationery and journaling were still relatively niche hobbies, with local paper-lovers often ordering stationery from overseas or from one of a few domestic stationery stores, such as Yoseka or Atlas Stationers. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As such, New York City Stationery Fest was a dream come true for U.S.-based journalers who had long admired from afar the international stationery fests planned in countries like England and Japan. Stationery fans traveled from all over the country to attend, including myself from Chicago, but nothing could have prepared me for how popular stationery would become in the United States soon after. ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Bungu L.A., Chicago Stationery Fest, Little Craft Fest, St. Louis Stationery Fest, and more, seemingly every day – lovers of washi tape and stickers now have a litany of stationery festivals to choose from each year. With their own personalities and vendors, each fest brings something distinctive to the U.S. stationery event scene. But as founder of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stationeryclubco/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stationery Club Co.</a> who has attended many stationery festivals, I knew something was missing. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/postcard.png" alt="" class="wp-image-10022416"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While fests in big cities like New York and Los Angeles are incredible, they can be costly to attend for both stationery vendors and attendees, especially with increasing venue and travel costs. And with so many attendees, it could be difficult to really interact with other members of the stationery community, meet new paper pals, and enjoy the company of fellow journalers.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So now, Aurora Stationery Fest has entered the fray! ;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Blue-Minimalist-Fundraising-Event-Instagram-Post-819x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-10022411"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">ASF aims to be a cozy, Midwestern stationery festival focusing on local vendors and making stationery events more accessible. Held at <a href="https://www.twobrothersbrewing.com/restaurants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Two Brothers Roundhouse</a> in Aurora, Illinois, ASF is one of the first U.S. stationery festivals with a restaurant, brewery, and cafe on-site for attendees. Most tickets to ASF are free, and paid VIP tickets directly support the cost of the fest. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/STATIONERY-FOR-EVERY-STORY-14.png" alt="" class="wp-image-10022407"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Two Brothers is a historical venue that used to be home to a train roundhouse, and is still located in the same building as the Aurora train station, making it convenient via public transportation. This dynamic history contributed to the train theme of Aurora Stationery Fest, highlighting local culture and landmarks. To celebrate the stationery community in Chicagoland, meetups are hosted by members of local stationery and journaling clubs, and all meetups are FREE to attend (though RSVPs are required!).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/GirlJ.png" alt="" class="wp-image-10022422"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, what does it take to plan and organize an entire stationery festival with limited resources? In short, a community who believes in it. From partnering with a venue committed to helping a new stationery event succeed, to working with local artists to create graphics, to consulting with many, many members of local stationery clubs, Aurora Stationery Fest is a true celebration of everyone who makes the stationery community so special in the Midwest.</p><div class="inline-post clearfix"><div class="see-also byline">See also</div><div id="block-wrap-16737" class="block-wrap-native block-wrap block-wrap-23 block-css-16737 block-wrap-classic columns__m--1 elements-design-3 block-ani block-skin-0 tipi-box block-wrap-thumbnail ppl-m-1 clearfix" data-id="16737" data-base="0"><div class="tipi-row-inner-style clearfix"><div class="tipi-row-inner-box contents sticky--wrap"><div class="block block-23 clearfix"><article class="tipi-xs-12 clearfix with-fi ani-base tipi-xs-typo split-1 split-design-1 loop-0 preview-thumbnail preview-23 elements-design-3 post-10021941 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-favorites category-papernerd-at-large tag-alexis-mattox-design tag-anna-griffin tag-bellinvito tag-bella-figura tag-crane-co tag-darcy-miller tag-design tag-hannah-rodewald tag-invitations tag-kramer-drive tag-letterpress tag-martha-stewart tag-oblation-papers-press tag-page-stationery tag-patti-stracher-lee tag-sarah-schwartz tag-saturn-press tag-smock tag-stationery tag-stationery-blog tag-stationery-design tag-the-pleasure-of-your-company" style="--animation-order:0"><div class="preview-mini-wrap clearfix"><div class="mask"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/stationery-redesign/" class="mask-img"><img width="100" height="100" src="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=120%2C120&;ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=275%2C275&;ssl=1 275w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=372%2C372&;ssl=1 372w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=567%2C567&;ssl=1 567w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=882%2C882&;ssl=1 882w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=24%2C24&;ssl=1 24w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=48%2C48&;ssl=1 48w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=150%2C150&;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=300%2C300&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?resize=50%2C50&;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2.png?zoom=2&;resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 200w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" /></a></div><div class="meta"><div class="byline byline-2 byline-cats-design-4"><div class="byline-part cats"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/category/favorites/" style="color:#b79b0d" class="cat">Favorites</a><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/category/papernerd-at-large/" style="color:#b79b0d" class="cat">Papernerd At Large</a></div></div><div class="title-wrap"><h3 class="title"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/stationery-redesign/">Stationery (re)Design</a></h3></div><div class="byline byline-3"><span class="byline-part date"><i class="tipi-i-calendar" aria-hidden="true"></i> <time class="entry-date published dateCreated flipboard-date" datetime="2026-07-17T17:13:01+00:00">July 17, 2026</time></span><span class="byline-part likes-count"><a href="#" class="tipi-like-count " data-pid="10021941"><span class="likes-heart"><i class="tipi-i-heart-o" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="tipi-i-heart" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="tipi-value">3</span></a></span></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></tipimidc>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/raccoon-885x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-10022421"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">All aboard to Aurora Stationery Fest on November 1st, 2026! Next stop – your journal! <a href="https://stationeryclubco.com/aurora-stationery-fest-il" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reserve your ticket here</a>!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">P.S. Limited vendor spots are still available! If you are interested, <a href="https://forms.gle/hrqtfrMy6X5Mkiyf6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">please apply here</a>!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DeerJ.png" alt="" class="wp-image-10022412"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">______________________________________________________________________________________</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Thank you so much again Debra! As of now, I am planning on hauling my cookies from my current Aurora, Ohio, address to ASF&#8217;s Aurora, Illinois, one. I hope to see you there — ;and if you have any questions at all, please don&#8217;t hesitate to give me a shout. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/little-love-press-aurora-stationery-fest-postcard-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022425"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Please note the Aurora Stationery Fest emblem you see atop this post, above and below. Brought to beautiful life by Chihiro Jameson of <a href="https://littlelovepress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Little Love Press</a>, expect to see it gracing an array of memorable merch. Preorders are available! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/little-love-press-aurora-stationery-fest-gift-bag-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022423"/></figure>


A Cozy, Midwestern Stationery Fest
