Top Five Best (and Worst) Round-Up

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

There’s been several new Top Five pen lists pop-up on the web in the past few weeks so I thought I’d share them here.

Alt.Haven’s Top 5 Pens. The list is fountain pens but its a great assortment. Brad’s collected Top 5 Pens list includes his top five fountain pens, micro gels, plastic-tipped, inks and more. These lists will keep you busy for awhile. The Pen Habit made a video of his favorite pens for his first year of using fountain pens. While we’re talking about videos, Goulet Pens did a Top Five Graduation Pens video.

And of course, Mr. Dowdy’s Worst Pens list. I was surprised by some of the pens that made his list. I got an Ohto Dude and did not have any problems with it. I found it to be a decent low-priced fountain pen but, in general, I think fountain pens in the $25 range tend to be hit-or-miss in terms of quality control. I concur with Brad’s opinions about the TUL ballpoint but I have also had major issues with the dry time on the TUL gel and rollerball pens. If you’re left-handed or prefer quick-drying inks, I’d give the whole TUL line a miss. As for the Sliccie Multi-pens, I haven’t had any of the issues that Brad had. I’ve used the Pilot Hi-Tec C, the Pentel Sliccie, the Uni Style Fit and the Zebra Prefill and all have worked well for me. They all orbit my desk at work and get used on-and-off for meetings. I’ve not had any issues with any of them. I have even had to replace cartridges in all of them. (I did notice that I have not written a review for the Sliccie singles or multi-pen so I’ll remedy that soon.) The other pens Brad mentioned, the Bic A1 Gel and the Caran D’Ache ballpoint I have not tried because I just can’t use 0.7mm or wider gel pens without making a smeary mess and ballpoints and I do not get along.

Should I do a Top Five list? Do you have a Top Five list of your own?

7Feb2014

Link Love: Instagrammatical & TWSBIs (made-up words!)

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

Image credits (clockwise from top left: Noyolajose, Mary Kate McDevitt, Tuesday Next [that’s me!], FPGeeks, Rad And Hungry, MyCoffeePot, Rad And Hungry, Elltbr, and GouletPens)

Yeah for awesome Instagram friends! If you’re not following the folks in the photo collage above, I highly recommend them for wonderful office accoutrement photo yummies.

In other news:

Paper and Notebooks:

I May Never Buy a New Moleskine Again (via Notebooks Stories)
Fountain Pen Friendly Paper (via Rhodia Drive)
New from Palomino : Fabio Ricci Goran Hard Cover Notebooks (via European Paper)
Grandluxe Notebook Review and Giveaway (via Notebook Stories)
What to do when you hate your planner (via Plannerisms)
Semikolon Il Creativo Medium Notebook Review (via The Unroyal Warrant)

Pens and Ink:

Budget Fountain Pens: Mini Reviews (via My Pen Needs Ink)
Kaweco Dia2 Fountain Pen review (via The Pencil Case Blog)
TWSBI Mini Fountain Pen in Classic Review (via Ed Jelley)
TWSBI Classic 1.1 Stub – Pen Review (via Clicky Post)
Lifesaver: Monteverde Artista Crystal Wild Stripe Fountain Pen (via From The Pen Cup)
TWSBI 580 Review (via That One Pen)
Sailor Jentle Limited Edition Autumn 2010 Oku Yama Maroon Ink Review (via The Pen Addict)
Falling in love with an old friend (via Inkophile)
Pentel TRF100 Tradio Fountain Pen – Black Pearl Body – M nib (via No Pen Intended)
Video Pen Review: Parker 51 Special (via The Pen Habit)
Cheat Sheet for the Japanese Big-3 Fountain-Pen Makers (via Yihogyun)
How to clean cartridge pens? (via Write To Me Often)
Montblanc Oyster Grey ink review (via A Fool With A Pen)
Sailor Regulus Fountain Pen Review (via Pens! Paper! Pencils!)

Pencils:

Pencil Review: Sanford Design Drawing 3800 6B (via A Penchant for Paper)
Bent Pencils? (via Rhodia Drive)

For Valentine’s Day:

Download the hi-rez file at Creatively Curated

US Postal Service Customizes Valentine Postmarks (via Turn to 23)
Make a Valentine’s Pen Bouquet (via Jet Pens Blog)
Valentine’s Day Gift Guide (via Office Supply Geek)

17Jan2014

Link Love: Puns and Paper

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

(Ironic artwork)

Paper:

World War 2 Diaries Found in Attic (via Notebook Stories)
Pocket Notebooks: What does Fountain Pen Friendly really mean? (via Ed Jelley)
Paperblanks Journals (via Inkophile)
Moleskine Cahier Pocket Notebook (vi Ink of Me Fondly)

Pens and Ink:

Esterbrook #1461 Rigid Fine (via Fountain Pen Quest)
Kaweco Carribean Turquoise Ink (via The Pencil Case Blog)
Kaweco Allrounder Fountain Pen (via Office Supply Geek)
Delta Fusion 82 Fountain Pen Review (via From The Pen Cup)
Friends don’t let friends let the ink dry up in their fountain pens (via Rhodia Drive)
Pilot Razor Point Marker Stick Pen 0.5MM Review (via The Royal Warrant)

50 Shades of Grey: Mechanical Pencils (via Wired)

Pencils:

Forest Choice Pencil by Palomino (via The Daily Carry)
Tombow 2558 B (via Economy Pens)

Misc:

US Postal Rate Increases (via Letter Writers Alliance)
Printable Calendars (via Paper Pastries)
Inspiring Mousepads (via Domesticatd Desk)

10Jan2014

Link Love: The Deja Vu Edition

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

A lot of topics I’ve mentioned in the past, have made appearances on other blogs this week. I thought I’d start with those…

Note: In this section, the first link is my original post and the links in parentheses are the posts from other bloggers.

Write Notepads (via Pencil Revolution and My Pen Needs Ink)
Standard Memorandum (review via Ed Jelley and Unroyal Warrant)
Hobonichi Planner (review from Notebook Stories)
Plants in the workplace (via Fast Company)

(via Pelikan Edelstein)

And now back to our regularly scheduled Link Love:

Paper:

Arc Customizable Notebook System (via Office Supply Geek)
Notebooks (via Put This On)
Ink Samples in a Maruman Mnemosyne Word Book (via Pen Addict)

Pencils, Pens & Ink:

TWSBI Vac 700 (via That One Pen)
Fountain Pen Experts Share Their Favorite Pen (via Best Fountain Pen)
Kaweco Art Sport in Alabaster (via Clicky Post)
Weekly Loadout: Mike Dudek (via Ed Jelley)
TWSBI Classic (via That One Pen)
Kickstarter: Hands-On with the Masterstoke Airfoil Ballpoint Pen (via Ed Jelley)
Esterbrook #1314 Flexible Stub (via Fountain Pen Quest)
Tombow Mono 100 Review (via Pencil Revolution)
Diamine Registrar’s Ink (via Ed Jelley)

Misc:

Accidental Early Review of the Nock Co. Brasstown (via The Daily Carry)
Colored Staples That Actually Work (via Office Supply Geek)
Good Stuff on my Desk (via Inkophile)

26Dec2013

Link Love: Boxing Day Edition

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

Fabulous video of a hand-writing automaton boy built over 240 years ago (via Letter Writers Alliance)

Paper & Notebooks:

Studio Ghibli Moleskine (not for sale) (via Notebook Stories)
Overview of the Word Standard Memorandum (via East, West, Everywhere)
Doane Flap Jotter Notepad Review (via Ed Jelley)
Scout Books Mega DIY Notebooks (via Design Concussion)
Nock Co. Hobonichi Planner Cover Review (via The Pen Addict)
Hobonichi Planner Review (via Unroyal Warrant)
Gift Suggestions for Pen Pals (via Letter Writers Alliance)

Pen Pal Interview with Josh Scruggs (via Jet Pens Blog and 26symbols)

Pens and Ink:

Designing the Karas Kustoms Ink fountain pen (via Design Concussion)
Ink Fountain Pen reviews (via From the Pen Cup and Clicky Post)
Esterbrook J Fountain Pen Review with Gregg Shorthand 9556 nib (via The Pen Addict)
Listening While You Write (via My Pen Needs Ink)
Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen Review (via The Pen Addict)
Montblanc Toffee Brown (via The Pencil Case Blog)
Private Reserve Orange Crush (via Ink of Me Fondly)
Kaweco Sepia Brown (via Ed Jelley)
“Expensive” Fountain Pens Just 30 or Under (via No Pen Intended)

Misc:

Origami Santas (via How About Orange)
Foldio Kickstarter: Paper foldable portable photo light box (via Design Work Life)
Doxie portable scanner review (via Notebook Stories)

10Dec2013

Link Love: Heart-Stealing Pens, Paper & Inks

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

Pen Buying Process by Andrew Tan of Drewscape/Wibble Wibble

Pencils:

Lots of great videos including spinning pencils and Count von Faber-Castell drinking ink and throwing pencils out a castle window (via Pencil Revolution)
Bullet Pencil Restoration (via Woodclinched)

Notebooks & Paper:

Field Notes Cold Horizon Review (Unroyal Warrant)
Field Notes Planning System (via Simple Ideas and Thoughts)
Tomoe River Paper Review (via Vertical Paper)
Moleskine Star Wars Notebooks (via Plannerisms)
Prague-based Deaf Messanger Stencil Art Planner (via Plannerisms)

Ink:

Noodler’s Bed Belted Kingfisher (via Inkdependence)
Ink Twins: Diamine Twilight + Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris (via These Beautiful Pens)
Kaweco Sepia Ink (via Office Supply Geek)

Pens:

Pilot Lettering Pen #10 (via The Pen Addict)
Moleskine Metallics Rollerball Pens (via Office Supply Geek)
Lamy 2000 Rollerball (via Clicky Post)
Kaweco Classic Sport Ice (via FPQuest)
Franklin Christoph Model 40 Pocket Fountain Pen (via The Pen Addict)

Misc:

Tumblr and Instagram feed of goodies (via Office Supply Geek)
25 Craft Days of Christmas: Glue Primer (via Wild Olive)
Put Your Junk in a Box, inspired by Stanley Kubrick and Twyla Tharp (via The Pen and The Paper)
Office supply inspired desktop wallpapers (via Uppercase Magazine)
Free printable Christmas tags (via How About Orange)

4Dec2013

Link Love: Holiday Mail and More

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

Letter Writing and Postal Follies:

USPS Holiday Postal Deadlines (via Letter Writers Alliance)
SF Snail Mail Social on Friday, December 7 (via Good Mail Day)
Paper Parcel Monthly Subscriptions (via Saturday Morning Vintage)
Vintage V-Mail WWII stationery (via Missive Maven)
How to Write the Perfect Holiday Letter (via Crane & Co.)
Encouraging Thank You Notes (via Letter Writers Alliance)

Pen & Ink:

Neil Gaiman and the Lamy (via Inkophile)
Rohrer & Klingner Cassia Ink Review (via Inkophile)
Hero 9018 Fude nib Fountain Pen (via Ed Jelley)
Diamine Eau de Nil (via Inkdependence)

Notebooks & Paper:

Placecard Mini notebooks (via Notebook Stories)
DIY Leather Notebook Cover (à la Traveler) (via Notebook Stories)
Moleskine Volant vs. Greenroom (via Inkophile)
DIY Calendar Notebook (via Scout Books)
Custom Stamp for Field Notes (via Gum Road)

Misc:

Be Thankful Desktop + Mobile Wallpaper (via Adalou)
Reviving “What’s on Their Desk?” Series (via Office Supply Geek)

25Nov2013

Link Love: Miscellany Loves Company

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

There were lots of hard-to-categorize bits of wonderfulness on the pen-blogospere this week including the epic link list from the Pen Addict Podcast Gift Guide Episode (#81) which is a link list onto itself.

Fabulous Miscellany:

Pen Addict Podcast #81: You stole my Wish List Item featuring ME! with huge link list (via 5by5)
Cut Once Heirloom Ruler on Kickstarter (via Office Supply Geek)
Royal Visit: C.S. Lewis’s Royal Typewriter (via La Vie Graphite)
Is it Ms. or Mrs.: The Crane’s Blue Book of Stationery (via My Pen Needs Ink)

Letter Writing and Post:

Harry Potter USPS postage stamps! (via USPS)
The Art of Letter-Writing Isn’t Lost on These Scribblers (via NPR)

Paper:

A4 in America (via Rhodia Drive)
Rethinking the DIY Planner for 2014 (via A Penchant for Paper)
Public Supply Noble Notebooks (via A Continuous Lean)

Ink:

Diamine Salamander (via FPQuest)
J. Herbin Rouge Hematite Reviews (via No Pen Intended and These Beautiful Pens)
Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki (via A Penchant for Paper)
Inky Fingers? ReDuRan Is A Must Have For All Fountain Pen Users (via Unroyal Warrant)
What’s Standard Rollerball Ink Made of? (via Gizmodo)

Pens:

Houston, We Are in the Pocket (via The Pen and the Paper)
Pilot Prera Review and Giveaway (via From the Pen Cup)
Ed Jelley’s Pen Inventory (via Ed Jelley)
Kickstarter Visionnaire Review (via Dante Bertana)
Kaweco Elite (via Pen Addict)
TWSBI Vac 700 Oil & Lube (via FPQuest)
Pen of the Year 2013 (via Gold Spot Pens)

Digital:

Pardon my repeated turns to digital recently. As computers, cell phones and tablet devices are as much a part of our working life as pens, paper and staplers, I feel its worthwhile to include references occasionally.

Pencil, digital stylus (via FiftyThree)
Photoshop + Lightroom CC package is just $9.99/mo through 12/2/13 (via Adobe)
What Screens Want (via Frank Chimero)

11Nov2013

Link Love: Notebooks, Scanners and Places to Go

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

Notebooks:

Iconic Essay Book v.2 Review (via Vertical Paper)
Monologue Jotter A5 (via No Pen Intended)
Morning Glory Passion Notebook (via Unroyal Warrant)
Apica CD Notebook CD15 (semi-B5) (via Ed Jelley)
Word. Bandana Books (via Pencil Revolution)
Ideal Notebook Size for In-Flight Tray? (via Rhodia Drive)

Places to Visit:

A Tour of Karas Kustoms and making the RETRAKT (via Clicky Post)
Joe Rogers Office Supply (via My Pen Needs Ink)

Pens:

Kaweco Classic Sport Demonstrator Fountain Pen (via Clicky Post)
Kaweco Lilliput Fountain Pen (via The Pencil Case Blog)
New Wood TWSBI (via Inkdependence)
J. Herbin Refillable Rollerball (via Unroyal Warrant)
OHTO Fude Ball 1.5 red (via Economy Pens)

Pencils:

Three Horse Pencils (via Bleistift)
How to Use a Long Point Pencil Sharpener (via European Paper)

Ink:

TWSBI Inkwell Review (via The Pen Addict)
P.W. Akkerman Shocking Blue Ink (via Ed Jelley)
Diamine Salamander Ink (via The Pen Addict)

Misc:

Field Notes + Doxie Flip (via Field Notes)
Doxie Flip Review (via The Pen Addict)
Max Security Stamp (via Office Supply Geek)

30Oct2013

Link Love: Fountain Pen Day and NaNoWriMo

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

Two big pen- and paper-related events are happening on November 1. There is the second annual Fountain Pen Day so its time to dust off your collection, clean ’em or refill them and show your fountain pen pride. And then there’s the annual NaNoWriMo, AKA The National Novel Writing Month, which starts on November 1 and hopes to inspire and challenge anyone who’s considered writing a novel to devote the month of November to getting it on paper. If you’re more inclined to knit than write, you can join me and the other fiber-obsessed for NaKniSweMo (National Knit a Sweater in a Month) over on Ravelry. We use lots of pens, pencils and highlighters to annotate our patterns and keep track of our stitches.

So, how can I inspire you to participate in these upcoming events?

7 Ways to Make the Most of NaNoWriMo (via European Paper)

November 1 is Fountain Pen Day (via Fountain Pen Day)

Inks:

Organics Studio Arsenic Grey (via Inkdependence)
Noodler’s Bernake Black (via Ink on Hand)
Noodler’s Qin Shi Huang (via Unroyal Warrant)
Purple Ink Review (via Just Davey B)
Diamine Meadow (via A Penchant For Paper)
Rohrer & Klingner Scabiosa Iron Gall (via Ed Jelley)

Pens:

Zebra Sarasa 2+S 2-color 0.5mm Gel Ink MultiPen… (via The Pen Addict)
Uniball Jetstream RT BLX 1.0 mm Green Black (via Economy Pens)
Pelikan M205 Review (via The Pen Addict)

Paper & Notebooks:

Tomoe River Journal (via Unroyal Warrant)
Shinola Paper Cover Journal Review (via Unroyal Warrant)
Midori The World Meister’s Santina (via East, West, Everywhere)

2Oct2013

Link Love: I HAVE ALL THE LINKS!

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

Hot News:

Penmanship Workshop (on Thursday in Chicago!) (via Behind The Curtain)

Nock Co. Reviews and Previews:

The Nock Co. Hightower 3+1 (via The Clicky Post)
The Nock Co. Sassafras (via From The Pen Cup)
The Nock Co. Lookout Pen Case (via Ed Jelley)

Postal Enthusiasm:

William H. Gross Stamp Gallery Opening (via Smithsonian Postal Museum)
A Personal Account of the Gross Stamp Gallery Opening (via Letter Writers Alliance)
Ex Postal Facto Mail Art Call (via Letter Writers Alliance)

Pencils:

The Pencil by Staedtler (via Pencil Talk)
The Sonic Rachetta Pencil Sharpener (via Pencil Revolution)
Les Crayons de la Maison Caran d’Ache Edition #2 (via Pencil Talk)
Hi-Uni Mixed Grade Pencils (via Pencil Revolution)
Pentel Sharp Carbon Black 0.5 mm Drafting Pencil Review (via Pen Addict)
Helix Pencil Top Sharpener Combo (via Pencil Revolution)
Bullet Pencils (via Woodclinched)
KUM Tip Top Sharpener and Pencil Cap (via Pencil Revolution)
Faber- Castell Castell 9000 4H Pencil Review (via A Penchant for Paper)
New Pencil Blog (via My Pencil Draws Worlds)
Vintage Pedigree 600 Red/Blue Pencils (via Economy Pens)

Pens:

Esterbrook Collection (via Fountain of Pens)
Esterbrook 2314F Nib (via Fountain Pen Quest)
Pelikan M450 Fountain Pen Review (via Write to Me Often)
Pilot Acroball 1.0 black (via Economy Pens)
Kaweco Fountain Pens (via Postcrossing)
Lamy Vista F Fountain Pen (via Clicky Post)
Sailor Fude de Mannen (brush style nib) (via Ink Of Me Fondly)
Franklin-Christoph Model 27 Diamondline Fountain Pen (via From The Pen Cup)
Pilot G2 0.38mm vs. Uni-ball Signo 207 Ultra Micro (via No Pen Intended)
Care and Maintenance of Fountain Pens (via Rhodia Drive)
Pilot Petit Pens (via From The Pen Cup)
Kaweco AL-Sport (via Ed Jelley)
Morning Glory Mach3 Rollerball 0.38mm (via Pen Addict)
Pentel Slicci Metallic Violet 0.8 (via Economy Pens)

Ink:

Lamy Turquoise Ink (via The Pencil Case blog)
Noodlers X-Feather (via Fountain Pen Quest)
Noodlers Baystate Blue Ink Review (via Ed Jelley)
Diamine/Cult Pens Deep Dark Blue Ink Review (via Informal Scribble)
Private Reserve Invincible Black (via Fountain Pen Quest)

Paper and Notebooks:

Carta Pura Notebooks (via These Beautiful Pens)
Rhodia R Premium Notepad (via Pen Addict)
Monologue Notebooks (via No Pen Intended)
Raymay DaVinci Tomoe River Paper Refills (via Pen Addict)
New goodies for mail and paper lovers (via Paper Pastries)
Field Nuts: The Official Field Notes Appreciation Society (via Field Notes)

30Aug2013

Link Love: Long Labor Day Weekend Edition

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

I’m taking off for the Labor Day weekend but will be back, re-inked, freshly sharpened and opened to a clean page on Tuesday. In the meantime, enjoy the diverse collection of links this week and feel free to explore the archives! Happy Labor Day!

Pens:

Difference Between Ballpoint and Rollerball (via Write To Me Often)
Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen Review (via Pen Addict)
Paperchase Wonderland Fountain Pen Review (via No Pen Intended)
Retro 51 Ballpoints (via From The Pen Cup)
The Most Awful Jetstream (via No Pen Intended)

Inks:

Organics Studio Jules Verne Nautilus Ink (via Inkdependence)
Diamine Sapphire Blue (via Informal Scribble)

Paper and Notebooks:

Five Best Paper Notebooks (via Lifehacker)

Misc:

Calendar Stamp (via Hello Dear Friend)
DIY Jar Sharpener (via Pencil Revolution)
Letter Openers (via Pencil Talk)
What famous authors write with (via Notebook Stories)
Analog Research Lab (via Fast Co)
Midwest Typewriter Repair (via Letter Writers Alliance)
The Pen Addict “Penultimate” Article (via The Magazine)
How to get that “Back to School” back (via Inc)

22Aug2013

Link Love: The Gossip Edition

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

The Gossip:

There’s been some big news around The Pen Addict and a soon-to-be-launched Kickstarter project under the name Nock Co.
There’s rumors that following the success of the RETRAKT, Karas Kustoms might be making something fountain pennish. You didn’t hear it from me.
Field Notes 18-month wall calendar is available and it won’t be long before the #20 in the Colors Editions will be announced. Find out more about Field Notes and its co-creator Jim Coudal on this week’s CMD+Space podcast.

My darling friend Sandi did this fabulous sketch and kindly included the pens she used — the ever-handy Sakura Pigma Microns.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program:

Scripto Mechanical Pencils (via Le Vie Graphite)
Brad Finally Reviews the Lamy 2000 (via Pen Addict)
I love it when pen folks are more OCD than me, like Just Davey B numbering his nibs. Warms my heart.

16Aug2013

Link Love: Handwriting, Pencils and Rollerball Refills

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

Handwriting:

Life as an Addicted Cursive Writer by Alice Jenkins (via A Penchant For Paper)
A Word or Two on Penmanship (via East West Everywhere)
The Dying Art of Handwriting (via Time)

Pens:

Green Pen Comparison (via A Penchant for Paper)
Schmidt P8126 Rollerball Refills (via Pen Addict)
Schmidt Easy Flow 9000 Rollerball Refills (via Clicky Post)
Pilot Capless Fountain Pen (via The Pencil Case Blog)
Pilot Juice 0.38 Dark Red (via No Pen Intended)
Pilot Hi-Tec C Knock Review (via Pen Addict)
Inside the pen, ink and nib selection process (via JustDaveyB)
Pilot Prera Fountain Pen Review (via The Pencil Case Blog)

Inks:

Diamine Red Dragon Ink Review (via Pen Addict)
Pilot Iroshizuku Tsukiyo (Moonlight) Ink Review (via Ink of Me Fondly)
Noodler’s Sequoia Ink Review (via Ed Jelley)
Pelikan Edelstein Onyx Ink Review (via Pen Addict)

Pencils:

The $425 Pencil (via Pencil Revolution)
Some Special Pencils (via The Pencil Case Blog)
Blackwing Pencils in the Hollywood Reporter (via Pencil Talk)
KUM Automatic Long Point Sharpener (via Informal Scribble)
General Pencil Co Kimberely Review (via A Penchant for Paper)
Another Ode to the Blackwing (via Pencil Revolution)

Paper and Notebooks:

Analyzing Paper Weight (via Notebook Stories)
Sir Isaac Newtons Notebooks (via Notebook Stories)
One Star Leather Goods Notebook Wallet (via Clicky Post)
Anderson Pen Co Proper Pads (via Inkdependence)

Misc:

Dusting Off Erasers (via Huckberry)

18Jul2013

Link Love: Minding the Ps and Qs

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

I absolutely love perpetual calendars and Oh, Hello Friend has a fabulous collection.

Pens and Pencils:

Lamy Noto Ballpoint Pen Review (via Clicky Post)
How to refill a Coleto Mechanical Pencil component (via East, West, Everywhere)
Schneider Xtra 805 0.5 Black and Red Pen Review (via Economy Pens)
Kaweco AL Sport Fountain Pen Review (via Clicky Post)
Retractable Eraser Review: Sanford SpeedErase vs. Pentel Clic Eraser (via A Penchant for Paper)
Pentel TRFS Tradio Mini Fountain Pen Review (via The Pen Addict)
Pilot Petit1 Fountain Pen Review (via Ed Jelley)
Highlighter Alternative (via East, West, Everywhere)
Pilot Prera Caligraphy Nib Fountain Pen Review (via The Pen Addict)
Five Disappointing Pens (via A Penchant for Paper)
Pilot 78g Fountain Pen (via Daily Acquisition)

Notebooks and Paper:

Staples Sustainable Earth Notebook (via Fountain Pen Quest)
1000 Journals Film (via Notebook Stories)
Orla Kiely Notebooks (via Ink of Me Fondly)

Ink:

Ink Education: Pharmacist’s Urkundentinte (via The Pen Addict)
Ink Notes: Private Reserve Gray Flannel (via Fountain Pen Quest)
Diamine Kelly Green (via Ink of Me Fondly)

Misc.

Meet The Zeller Writing Company (via My Pen Needs Ink)
“The Block” by Mike Dudek (via From the Pen Cup)
Richard Binder Nib Shaping Class (via Rhodia Drive)

This week, FPQuest inked up a fabulous collection of vintage Esterbrooks. So many lovely examples!

PS: P is for pens, paper, perpetual calendars and pencils. Q is for Quest as in Fountain Pen Quest.

27Jun2013

Link Love: Inks, RETRAKT and general pen love

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

Remind yourself to take a break throughout the day with this desktop wallpaper from How About Orange.

The BIG NEWS:

If you are interested in the Karas Kustoms RETRAKT project on Kickstarter, check out the Karas Kustoms blog , Clicky Post and From the Pen Cup or my short write-up and goofy video.
Brad over at Pen Addict tries a vintage Esterbrook LJ with 9284 stub nib.
Johnny at Pencil Revolution reviews the Deflect-o organizer system and waxes poetic about a vintage Bostitch hand stapler Model B8. The photos are fabulous!

Pens:

UniBall RT 0.28 and Uni ProMark Highlighter Review (Pen Addict)
Pentel Tradio Energel (via Clicky Post)
Rhodia Pencil Review (A Penchant for Paper)
Bamboo Style Fountain Pen by Ken Cavers (via From the Pen Cup)
Hero 616 Review (via Ink of Me Fondly)
Pocket-sized pen pals (via My Pen Needs Ink)

Inks:

Noodlers Bad Belted Kingfisher (East West Everywhere)
Cult Pens Deep Dark Blue (Pen Addict)
Organics Studio Edgar Allen Poe (via Inkdependence)
Pelikan Edelstein Amber (via East West Everywhere)
Diaminie Denim (via Ed Jelley)
Pilot Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku (via Ed Jelley)
Platinum Brown (Fountain Pen Quest)

The Great Gatsby manuscript in pencil (via Pencil Revolution)

Paper:

Doane Paper Products Review (via ClickyPost)
Tomoe River Paper Review (via Ed Jelley)

Other link lists:

June Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper (via Ed Jelley)
Sunday Notes and Links (via Fountain Pen Quest)

24Jun2013

Black and White Winner and Loads of Links!

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

We have almost come to the end of the week of giveaways. My office is looking much tidier now that I’ve boxed up all these extraneous office supplies which will give me room to search for more goodies.

So, the winning number for the black and white giveaway is:

Saturday Winner

And that coincides with this comment:

Black and White Winner

Congrats Zee!! I’ll be contacting you by email today to arrange delivery.

Thanks to everyone who entered and left lots of great sites to shop and read.

Here are some of the sites mentioned frequently:

A cherry on top
A Penchant For Paper
Apartment Therapy
Black Cover
Bleistift
Clickypost
Contrapuntalism
Cult Pens
D*I*Y Planner
Design Sponge
Doane
Economy Pens
EdJelley
Fahrneys
Field Notes
FPGeeks
FPN
From the Pen Cup
Goulet Pens (and their blog Ink Nouveau)
Gourmet Pens
houzz.com
Inkophile
Jenny’s Sketchbook
Jetpens (and their blog)
JustDaveyB
kawaiishopjapan.com
Lady Dandelion
Leigh Reyes: My Life As A Verb
Leo Babuta’s Zen Habits
Lexikaliker
Lung Sketching Scrolls
Missive Maven
Moleskine.com
No Pen Intended
Notebook Stories
Notebookism
Office Supply Geek
Okami-whatever
Paper Crave
Paper Lovestory
Paper Source
Pencil Revolution
Pencil Talk
Pencils.com
Peninkcillin
Pentulant
Philofaxy
Pocket Blonde
Rants of The Archer
Recording Thoughts
Rhodia Drive
Richard Binder
Scription
See Jane Work
Sharing Our Notebooks
Spiritual Evolution Of The Bean
Stationery Review
stationerylove and thestationeryaddict on Tumblr
Storage Geek on tumblr
The Five Cat PENagerie
The Pen Addict (of course, and 5by5)
The Writing Desk
Went Sketching
Writers Bloc
Writing by Hand
Writing Through Life

Phew! That was a lot of links. I may have missed a few sites unintentionally since several sites were mentioned multiple times. I hope you find a new source of inspiration from this epic list!

30May2013

Link Love: Inky Minky Meinie Mo

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

Loved Objects (via Behind The Curtain)

Pens and Pencils:

Paper Mate Flair, Brown (UPS Edition) (via Clickypost)
My Fountain Pen Evolution (via Fountain Pen Quest)
TWSBI Vac 700 Review (via Ed Jelley)
Retro 51 Tornado Vintage Surf Review (via From the Pen Cup)
Tale of Two Nibs: Lamy Safari Edition (via From The Pen Cup)
Bic Exact Tip Roller 0.6 Review (via A Penchant For Paper)
22 Different Pencil Designs (via Pencil Revolution
A Brief History of the BIC/Biro Cristal Audio Clip (via Economy Pens)

Inks:

Diamine Eau De Nil Ink Review (via Ink of Me Fondly)
Noodlers Rome Burning Ink Review (via Inkdependence)
Mont Blanc Burgundy Red Ink Review (via Fountain Pen Quest)
Waterman Preface Red with Noodlers Summer Tanager (via JustDaveyB)
Two More Inks, Noodlers (via DaveyB)

Paper:

Hobonichi Japanese Page-a-Day Planner
Palomino Luxury Notebook Review and Giveaway (via Notebook Stories)
From the Mailbag notebook roundup (via Notebook Stories)

Misc:

Walnut Pen Holder Cube (via Clicky Post)
How To Take Meeting Notes That Really Work (via Macworld)
Luciano Lozano Rainy Day iPhone wallpapers (via Ilustrista)
Eight Things Productive People Do at Work (via Lifehack)

(via East…West…Everywhere)

9May2013

Link Love: Brown, Instagram and Feedbin… to name a few

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

Favorite products in brown by A Penchant For Paper

Pens:

Sailor 1911 Clear Demonstrator Review with Noodlers Van Gogh Starry Night (via JustDaveyB)
Pentel Stylo Sketch Pen Review (via Ink of Me Fondly)

Here are a few of the great photos I found on Instagram this week: (clockwise from top right) Empty cartridges from Brad Dowdy, two-toned pens by Patrick Ng, an old Parker Washable Blue cartridge from Ivan R, Shiraz notebooks from PaperBlanks, Osmiroid italic nib from Ivan R, typewriter at Arch Drafting Supplies Letter Writing Social by The Black and the Red, Pelikan ink cartridges from Rad + Hungry, demonstrator fountaun pens by slotracer21 and “Smooth writing” sample by Bakanekosan

Paper:

Whitelines product development video (via Notebook Stories)
Miquelrius notebooks are perfect for fountain pens (so says Inkophile)
Printable papers (via Notebookism)
Free office printables from Poppin (via Design Work Life)
Poppin Office Supplies (via Paper Pastries)

The new Palomino Blackwing Pearl Review is coming! Check out these great photos from Pencil Revolution while you wait.

Digital Bits:

May Wallpapers for your Desktop (via How About Orange)
What the heck is an iNotebook?
Goodbye Feedly, Hello Feedbin (via Matthew Lang)

And finally, I hope you will all take a moment to read and comment on 13-year-old Kayte’s post on how she became a pen addict. Its inspiring to see her enthusiasm and passion. Let’s support her!

2May2013

Link Love: TWSBI Future Releases, Inks, Notebooks and Bag Check

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

Pens and Pencils:

TWSBI shows off new designs (via FPGeeks)
In anticipation of the release (today!) of the Palomino Blackwing Pearl, a review of the Palomino Blackwing 602 (via Pencil Revolution)
Why I use wooden pens (via The Pen Company)
Don’t Be Afraid of a Pencil (via Medium) — this article is so good I’m posting it twice!
Pilot Hi-Tec C Maica 0.4 Blue-Black Review (via From The Pen Cup)

A sample of Mont Blanc Toffee Brown from IvanR via Instagram

Inks:

Diamine Music Ink Set (via Pens, Papers, Inks…Whatever)
Diamine Soft Mint Ink Review (via Ed Jelley)
DeAtramentis Moss Green Ink Review (via Inkdependence)
Diamine Dark Brown Ink Review (via Inkophile)
J. Herbin 1670 Bleu Ocean Review (via Rhodia Drive)

Paper:

Tops Focus Notes Notepads Review (via Pencil Revolution)
Kickstarter: Kline Layered Sketchbooks and Journals (via Notebookism)
Miquelrius “Boarding” Notebook (via Notebook Stories)

Flora Chang has released some of her whimsical designs as exclusive covers fr iPhone 5 and iPads through Redbubble

Flora Chang has released some of her whimsical designs as exclusive covers for iPhone 5 and iPads through her very own Redbubble Shop.

Misc:

How to take better pen photos (via Leigh Reyes from My Life as a Verb)
Camera Pencil Sharpener (via How About Orange)
How journalist Clive Thompson Works (via Lifehacker)
Jonathan Adler Washi Tape Collection (via How About Orange)
What’s In Your Bag (via Moleskinerie)

20Apr2013

Link Love: Instagram Love

Posted in photo by The Well-Appointed Desk

CLockwise from top left, photos by: _______, TagTeamTompkins, Ben Jones, and new button badges from Emma at LetterLoves

Clockwise from top left, photos by: Pilot Falcon by Bakanekosan AKA East…West…Everywhere, a new stash of Pilot Hi-Tec C pens straight from Japan by TagTeamTompkins, PMS3965 inked up on a Heidelberg windmill press by Benjamin Cole Jones, and new button badges from Emma at LetterLoves

Acquired any new pens or office ephemera this week? Put your Instagram username in the comments so I can see your fresh goodies! And if you want to follow me, see the link in the sidebar.

17Apr2013

Link Love: Eraser Day and His Bradness Goes to a Pen Show

Posted in link by The Well-Appointed Desk

Happy (belated) Eraser Day from Present + Correct.

For me, the big news this week was The Pen Addict’s trip to the Atlanta Pen Show so if you read nothing else, check out both of his recaps from the show.

Atlanta Pen Show Recap, Part 1 (via Pen Addict)
Atlanta Pen Show Recap, Part 2 (via Pen Addict)

Pens and Pencils

Pens and Inks for March (via Rants of the Archer)
Kaweco Ice Sport Fine Nib Pen review (via Delectable Pens)
Pilot Hi-Tec C Maica Review (via Addicted to Pens and Paper)
USA Silver Pencils Review (via Pencil Revolution)

Notebooks

No Way to Treat a Notebook! (via Recording Thoughts)
Reporter Notebooks are perfect for EDC (via Tiger Pens blog)

Misc. goodies

Acorn Clips? (via Rhodia Drive)
Travel Kit (via East… West… Everywhere)
Watercolor Desktop Patterns for FREE (via Design Love Fest)

14Apr2013

Fountain Pen Network

Posted in feature by The Well-Appointed Desk

If you are interested in fountain pens, you may already know about Fountain Pen Network. If not, FPN is a chat forum and shop-and-swap for all sorts of fountain pens. The forums are hugely helpful in learning about different vintage and modern fountain pens and inks. Some of the posts I found helpful today were:

I spend a lot of time leafing through all the ink reviews as well which is a great way to get a comparison of different inks from lots of different users, on a lot of different paper stocks, from everyday writing to people who do spectacular calligraphy.

And not to be forum-ist, another great resource is the FPGeeks forum. Enjoy!