I was serious last week when I said I bought the Kipling 100 Pens Case. I found it on sale at the Kipling USA website in the dragonfly pattern but they offer new patterns every season as well as an assortment of solids. The 100 Pens Case retail for about $49 but can be found on sale for as low as $25 or as high as $80 for past season popular colors or patterns. The fern colorway is currently available for $34 plus the additional 40% off “BIGSCOOP” discount code making it about $21 which is quite a deal.
The case reminds me of a soft-sided cigar box. The case measures approximately 8.75″ x 6.5″ x 3.25″ with a big sutrdy plastic zipper. The zipper only has one pull. I’d prefer if it had two so it could be zipped closed on the long side rather than along the spine.
I’ve decided to use this case as my traveling sketchbook/art-making tool kit and its PERFECT for this task.
Inside is a stiff divider panel with elastic loops to hold pens or pencils as well as matching loops on the inside of the cover. The loops are perfect for colored pencils or slender pens like Marvy LePens but they would not work for beefier tools like fountain pens or pens with big clips or silicone grips. There are 26 loops which is just about enough for a travel assortment of colored pencils. I’ve used the case for over a week and its easy to slide pencils under the loops, point first from the bottom. I just love looking at my array of colors!
When the pencil flap is folded back, a large open compartment is exposed that can be filled with additional tools and supplies. As you can see, mine is packed solid.
There is a hack on YouTube for adding a few elastic straps on the blank flap to hold loose papers like cards, stickers or notes.
These are all the tools, pens, pencils and brushes stored in the open compartment. The tin holds a small traveling supply of watercolor pans.
And here’s everything in the case. Did I get 100 pens into it? Not quite. I was able to fit 77 pen-like objects including an assortment of water brushes, wide drawing markers, Tombow brush markers, and felt tip pens as well as three pencil sharpeners, tape, glue stick, ruler, letter opener, ink cartridges, bone folder and my “tool” keychain. At present, it zips closed but just barely. I’m hoping to determine if there are a few tools I don’t use regularly and pull those out.
This case is going everywhere with me these days. Its perfect for storing art supplies on-the-go since it makes everything easy to see and access as opposed to more common zip pouches.
How could I pass up a chance to take a picture of the lime green gorilla key fob that was included with the case? It is easily removable if toys on your pen case are not your speed.
Wonderful review! I have trouble finding bags that will hold everything I need and after reading this, the Kipling bag is definitely on my wish list!
That key fob is so cute. By the way, I use my Keep The Post Office Public stamp on all my mail.
Great review! I would be interested if you shared more reviews on your sketch materials such as Tombow markers, watercolors, colored pencils, etc. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us all.
Ordered one last night – French lavender! Am I the only one who doesn’t like the monkey charm? LOL
No, I don’t like the gorilla either. As soon as I saw how closely the elastic loops were sewn together I knew the case wouldn’t live up to its claims. But it is a cute case and useful if are OK with its limitations. Love the seafoam green.
A lot of people just stitch rip every other loop to make room for larger pens. There’s hack-a-thon galore on YouTube for the 100 Pen Cases because a lot of folks find them super cheap at TJ Maxx and similar stores.