Fountain Pens and Inks, OH MY!!!

          As you have may have guessed from the title of the post, I'm going to be talking about my collection of ink and fountain pens...not all of them though just my favorites and the ones I use the most. So let's get started.

          My story with fountain pens started when I got my first pen for school. I still remember that it had cartridges of course but I don't remember what brand it was. I continued to use them on and off into adulthood; however, it wasn't until 2011 when I got really serious about using them. By the end of 2016 I was done with cartilages and had moved on to convertors and inks. I’m going to start with my favorite inks.

1. Pilot Iroshizuku Inks

I got this on Amazon: 18.89$
I could not find the exact shade on Goulet pens but I did find a different shade: 19.99$

I got this on Amazon: 19.05$
On Goulet Pens: 19.99$

I got this on Amazon: 19.07$

On Goulet Pens: 19.99$

       
I've tried a lot of Blue, Black and Red inks but these three are by far my favorite. The red is called Yama Budo, the black is Take-Sumi and the blue is Shin-Kai. I find that these inks dry faster than anything that I have tried so far.

2. Lamy Inks

I got this on Goulet Pens:12$
On Amazon: 13.95$ but it doesn't seem to be the same shade of green.

I got this from Goulet Pens but it seems to be out of stock so no price is listed there is a LAMY Turquoise: 12$
On Amazon:  13.93$

So far I've only tried these two colors from the brand Lamy, which is a German brand. The colors are vibrant and look really good on paper. But the do need around a minute to dry.

3. Assorted Inks

I got this from Goulet Pens:  19.95$
On Amazon:  21.50$  

This color also looks good on paper. The same as the Lamy Inks it does need about a minute to dry so try not to touch it while writing.
     

I got this from Goulet Pens: 12.50$
Amazon: 12.50$

This one is one of the inks I have a love hate relationship with.  I bought this because I loved the color, but it takes forever to dry. Some times as long as half an hour before I could close my journal. It smudges easily. BUT, I have used it in a painting once as a substitute for the watercolor I would have used as sunset. It took 3 days for the painting to dry but the effect was just so beautiful!

I got it on Goulet Pens: 30$
On Amazon: 31.49$

As browns go this one is one of my favorites. It drys within half a minute and it looks good on paper.

I got this on Goulet Pens: 12$
On Amazon: 12.96$

If I am in the mood to write in real black then this is my go to ink. It does take about a minute to dry which is why I don't use it a lot.

I got this on Goulet Pens: 15$
On Amazon: This shade is not available on Amazon.

This brown actually looks more black on paper, as you can see I used it to write the names of all the inks on the swatches. However, it does dry super fast and looks really good on paper.

          Now let me talk you about my favorite pens, you’ll notice that I have quite a few from the same brand and that is because after you work with fountain pens for a while you tend to pick favorites based on your personal needs and how a pen feels in your hand. You also tend to pick favorite types of nibs (the metal bit you write with) that work with your handwriting. So let’s get started. 

1. Assorted Pens

This Faber-Castell pen is a real pleasure to write with even thought it feels scratchy sometimes and that is because it has a fine nib which I don't like to use much and it was the only one available to use with that pen at the time of purchase all others were sold out. Goulet Pens: Out of Stock but there is other colors that cost around 55$

This Pilot Prera is small and it fits in the hand very well, unfortunately the nib which is medium is leaking and it can be unusable because of that, as you can see from when I tried to write its name on the paper and from the nib.  I'm not sure if it is a problem that happens often with this pen or not. Goulet Pens: 56$

This is a new acquisition and so far I love it. I love the way it handles and I love the why it writes. It gives me a lot of control and that is important to me. Goulet Pens: 13.50$

2. TWSBI Pens

This was my first TWSBI and I was so proud of it in the beginning, but now I'm not so sure. The bit where I fill in the ink now leaks in a bad way and it is getting really annoying to me. Goulet Pens: 50$ (back then I bought it for 65$)

This was my second TWSBI and it works great, it is also lighter that the Diamond and easier to handle. Goulet Pens: 28.99$ (apparently now it is a special edition and it is out of stock)

This is the baby of the TWSBI family and I never expected to like it after I held it in my hand, but it has become my favorite TWSBI now. Goulet Pens: 50$

3. LAMY Pens

Goulet Pens: 29.60$

Goulet Pens: 167.20$

Goulet Pens: It is no longer on Goulet pens

Amazon: 39.24$

Goulet Pens:  29.60$

Goulet Pens: 29.60$

Goulet Pens: Closest I can find is Graphite color for 37.60$

I got this pen from LAMY Kuwait and can't find the same exact one anywhere but on the LAMY website, so if you find where it can be sold online let me know in the comments.

If you can't tell how much I love LAMYs from the number of LAMYs I have then allow me to tell you I LOVE LAMYs. They have a good price range, they work really well, and they look good on any paper it doesn't have to be fountain pen friendly. My current favorite is the LAMY 2000 but this is just for this week, last week it was the LAMY accent LOL.

You may have also notice that in almost all the pend I either have broad or medium nibs and that is because this is what works best with my handwriting and how I hold the pen to write. Fine nibs end up being scratchy and not easy to use for me but that is my preference only, your milage may vary.

Some Advice:

1. How to choose inks. Instead of getting a whole bottle and finding out that you hate the way the ink looks on paper or the time it takes to dry get ink samples of the inks you want to buy first. I get mine from Goulet Pens. They are really good about selling samples for you to try.

2. How to choose nibs. Try all type of nibs to see which ones work for you and the way you write best. be adventurous lol.

3. Make lists. Always swatch your inks, write the names under them and any notes that you notice when using that ink. Things like does it dry quickly, does it smudge easy, does it leave gunk on the pen? Some ink compositions are heavy and can wear a pen out fast. Also always keep a record of which ink was used in which pen.

4. Invest in watching some fountain pen cleaning videos and 101 videos (Goulet pens has the best ones I think) and have a cleaning kit around. You can get one from Goulet pens.

Spotlight Stationery

          I don't think I laughed as hard as this when reading any note card from a subscription box before; however, as soon as I read the theme from this box of Spotlight Stationery I burst out laughing. It tickled my weird sense of humor. The theme was "From the Sea: Stationery for foodies!" Even before I really looked at what was inside the box I was wondering how they were going to pull that off and they did not disappoint!

          The personalized envelope with the beautiful post cards came first. These featured interesting pieces of art work from illustrators as usual but I'm not sure that they really fit in with the theme of the box. I still enjoyed them very much though so no worries!

          The next thing that caught my eye is the pens and pencil. You know me, I love pens and pencils. I can never have enough of those. There was a Blackwing pencil in pearl color so I guess that is the bit that had to do with the sea lol. Here is the thing, I've been meaning to buy one of these pencils and now I don't have too!!!!!

          Next up are the cards. Both had lots of sea life on them and yes! I started to feel a craving for some fish 😜

          There was one final goody in the box and that is a notebook from Poach My Lobster. It has a...you guessed it, lobster on the top and it is in a pretty color that I like. It will be used with relish!

          As usual the curators of the Spotlight Stationery box have done a great job with their selection of items...some may not have exactly fit in with the theme of the box but most did and all the items in the box were something that I would not hesitate to use.

Content of the Blog

Hello everyone,

          Thanks to everyone who is following my blog so far. I’d like to update you all on what the content of the blog will be and what I have been doing lately. 

          You may have noticed that the blog no longer updates as much as previously, this is because I’ve been thinking about the direction of the blog. In the coming weeks you will notice a change in the way the blog works. I’ll still be doing some reviews of my favorite subscriptions but you’ll also see me sharing some creative projects I’m working on. I’ll also be dedicating some posts to all things Kpop, journaling, and Asian dramas that I have watched and liked.

          I hope you like what you see on my blog and for everyone who follows me to find something in the new content that they are interested in.

Cloth and Paper -April 2018

          April’s Cloth & Paper subscription box was a lot of fun for me. It included a lot of stuff that I’ve been thinking about lately like getting a smaller planner and trying it out for a while. So let me get into the box.

          I’ve been meaning to buy a small ruler that would fit into my hand bags and this rose gold ruler is just what I needed. It is sturdy but still small enough to be carried around in a bag without fear of it breaking.

          These three pockets are interesting. On the left hand I could probably insert some cards though I’m not sure my cards are small enough to fit in there but on the right hand there are pockets which I could store things into like some notes or money or even the cards that might not fit. 

          The box provided a pen loop and a pen holder I prefer the pen holder but the loop looks good clipped on to any notebook too.

          This is my favorite bit in the box. The planner. It is a bit smaller than pocket sized notebooks but still very chic and functional. I’m used to this sort of planners having elastic bands however and at first I struggled with it to insert the pockets provided...then I looked at the blog post on the Cloth & Paper website and I found out that the rods come out! It was so much easier to insert them then.

          They also provided the small -sized notebooks that fit into the planner. I added those in and this is the end result!

Isn’t it pretty? I can’t wait to use it!

OwlCrate - April 2018

          The theme for April's Owlcrate box is "Shadows & Secrets". One of my favorite things was included in this box...I'm sure by the end you'll know what it is. Oh! And no it is not the book lol.

 
          Speaking of the book, this month's book is the first in the Shadow Games series by Amanda Goody, Ace of Shadows. From Goodreads.com: "Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…
and secrets hide in every shadow.

Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school—and her reputation—behind to follow her mother’s trail to the city where no one survives uncorrupted.

Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected—he’s a street lord and a con man. Levi is also only one payment away from cleaning up a rapidly unraveling investment scam, so he doesn't have time to investigate a woman leading a dangerous double life. Enne's offer of compensation, however, could be the solution to all his problems.

Their search for clues leads them through glamorous casinos, illicit cabarets and into the clutches of a ruthless mafia donna. As Enne unearths an impossible secret about her past, Levi's enemies catch up to them, ensnaring him in a vicious execution game where the players always lose. To save him, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city…

And she’ll need to play."

I have another book by Amanda Foody, Daughter of the Burning City, but I have not read it yet.


 
          Next up is a sneak peak for a book by Stephanie Garber, author of Caraval. This is an excerpt from her latest which goes on sale on May 29, 2018.



          COFFEE!!!! Need I say more? This brew is from Bones Coffee Company.


   
          This is the second time that I have seen Owlcrate include a pillow case in their boxes and as usual, good quality with a quote from Crooked Kingdom and designed by Stella Bookish Art.



          As the label says, handcrafted Bar Soap from Three Sisters Apothecary by Soap Cauldron.



          Finally, these pretty pencils with quotes from Harry Potter on them. They were created by Owlcrate and Jubilee Designs.

Have you guessed my favorite thing in this box??

The Zakka Kit - April 2018

          Following their awesome Cherry Blossom Kit is the Spring Rabbit Kit. So let us just get into the box.

          A Black Brush Pen from Uni (Mitsubishi). The pen has two sides one for thick lines and one for thin lines. This would be great for sketching and lettering. 

          Next up is a Pastel Soufflé 3D Ink Pen by Sakura. There were two different options that one could get, pastel green or pastel pink. I’m glad I got the green one :-) 

          This cutesy Rabbit Memo Pad is by Oriental Berry. It is cute enough to be used in mixed media projects, journals or for good old reminders.

          I didn’t know what these cute little rabbits were used for but it turns out they are paper clips. They are made by Midori and can hold up to 7 pieces of paper. I only tried it on two think papers and it works but I still need to try it on normal paper. Just remember to slide the papers into place not forcing the clips open.

          I love the washi tape that is included in the Zakka kits. The designs are always unique and lovely. 

          Spring Rabbit Letter Paper and Envelopes by Frontia are really sweet and lovely. It makes me wish that I had someone to write letters too. I think I will probably use them with gifts instead of letters.

          Rabbit Stickers by Seal Do and Shinzi Katoh are made from transparent plastic so they are waterproof and can be used on plastic and glass as decorations.

          Finally, Spring Petal Masking Seal Stickers by Mindwave. These are stickers which are made from translucent washi paper so they can be used to decorate notes, gift cards and journal pages.