(*Featured image from Selvedge by Donovan Beeson on Patreon)
Last week, Paper & Pencil (the Chicago-based stationery shop) posted about the new tariffs and how they have been directly affected. Because the tariffs are changing day-by-day, some vendors might receive a bill for astronomical fees one day and the next, the tariffs are on hold for 90 days. I fret for how this will effect small shops and small businesses. I purchase some items for the shop from other small makers and I know not everything they create is made in the US. I have had to hold off on making anymore custom washi tape designs until I can verify that I won’t be hit with 135% tariff fees to import it (washi tape can only be made in Asia at the present). If I were to be hit with fees that high, I’d have to double the price for a roll of tape which I don’t think would end well for anyone.
Check out the article below from Notebook Stories about how notebooks and journals will also be affected by potential tariffs. These import fees will definitely change how we, as pen and stationery fans, purchase and collect our favorite items. Time to reach into our current stash and use some of those notebooks we’ve saved for a “special occasion”.
Pens:
- What’s It Like to Get a Nib Modified at a Pen Show? Follow Along! (via The Gentleman Stationer)
- Pen Porn: Stanford Pen Studio Intwana Chameleon (via Rachel’s Reflections)
- Brief Ballad of my First Kaweco (via Dime Novel Raven)
- Review: Esterbook x TheCoffeeMonsterzCo Estie Fountain Pen (via Inky Imaginings)
- Video-Review: TWSBI GO (via Scrively)
Ink:
- Cult Pens Michael (via Inkcredible Colours)
- Ink Review #2732: Teranishi Guitar Melancholic Blue (via Mountain of Ink)
- Ink Review #2734: Ferris Wheel Press Lores of the Loch (via Mountain of Ink)
- Dominant Industry Sunset Ink vs. Lavender Ink: Side by Side Ink Swatches (via Pen Chalet)
- Diamine Forever Ink Review (via FOUNTAIN PEN INK ART)
- Wearingeul The Old Man and the Sea Ink Review (via The Pen Addict)
- Ink Swatch Wednesday: Colorverse Arrokoth, featuring Pelikan M600 Art Glauco Cambon (via CJs Wunderkammer)
Pencils:
- Why Pencil? (via Ian Hedley)
Notebooks & Paper:
- How Will Tariffs Affect Notebook Prices? (via Notebook Stories)
- Insert Exchange (via Philofaxy)
- The 10 Best Weekly Planners with sewn binding (via All About Planners)
- The History of the Pocket Slim Filofax: Series Introduction (via Notebook Stories)
- Why three pages (of journaling) make all the difference (via Rediscover Analog)
- A New Journal (via Wonder Pens)
- How I Use My Notebooks: New Streamlined Weekly Review Format (via Writing at Large)
Art & Creativity:
- Reading Notes: Zen of Drawing (via Apple-Pine)
- Cockatoo Island experiments (via Liz Steel)
Post & Letter-Writing:
- The art and pleasure of writing a letter : Life Kit : (via NPR)
- The Royal Mail’s magical new Myths and Legends stamps – created by illustrator Adam Simpson (via Creative Boom)
- How to Make and Send Your Own Artistic Postcards (via The Postman’s Knock)
- Keep the Post Office Public (via Selvedge by Donovan Beeson on Patreon)
In these uncertain times, small creators and makers need you to keep doing what they’re doing. Buy from small makers, Etsy makers, subscribe to podcasts and YouTube channels and maybe even consider joining our Patreon. Together, we can keep going. Thank you!
