Review by Tina Koyama What is all the fuss about a “long point”? For this long-time colored pencil user, long points are not needed (or wanted) for most colored pencil purposes. So when I first began using graphite pencils more seriously for drawing and writing and became involved in the pencil community, I was fascinated…
Following discussions and suggestions from friends and followers of the blog, we are introducing two new rubber stamps in the shop this week. This post falls clearly in the category of shameless self-promotion so proceed forewarned. We created two different ink bottle rubber stamp designs. The first stamp is based on a classic bottle design…
Review by Tina Koyama The venerable Carl Angel-5 hand-crank sharpener (also known as a “classroom-friendly” sharpener) is a popular, reliable favorite for many pencil users. With a metal body and “original quality,” it has a classic, sturdy build. I’ve had mine for several years, but sadly, I don’t love it. For one thing, its pencil…
In the US, there are three major colored pencil brands that vie for the “most popular” spot in the professional/high-quality colored pencil category. They are colloquially known as the Ps: Prismacolors, Pablos and Polychromos. Prismacolors First up are Prismacolors which are currently called Prismacolor Premiers. These beloved pencils have been passed around to so many…
Review by Tina Koyama Since I don’t do much “real” watercolor painting – my main use of brushes is with water-soluble colored pencils – convenient water brushes serve me better than traditional paint brushes. Some new water brushes hit the scene recently at JetPens, so I jumped right on them: the East Hill line of…
Review by Laura Cameron Recently I was contacted by the people behind Thinkers Notebook ($19.95) and asked if I wanted to try their Thinkers Notebook system. I’m always game to try something new so I said yes! The Thinkers Notebook is a 6″ x 9″ landscape notebook, designed to be used in concert with an…
I admit it. I am always looking for the perfect case. I must have dozens of pencil cases, pen cases, sleeves, pouches, etc. I always think the next one will be “the one.” One pen case to rule them all! I’m not alone in this, right? So, when I saw the Raymay Clam Pencase in…
