In Desk Set

Do you need blotter paper?

Author Laura CameronPosted on 6 Comments

A few weeks ago, when I ordered the Esterbrook x Bungubox Kachofugetsu Flower Fountain Pen, Esterbrook included a set of their Esterbrook Nature Blotter Paper ($13.95) as a free gift with purchase. Since blotter paper isn’t altogether a commonly used item these days, I thought today I’d talk a little about blotter paper in general.

First off, what is blotter paper? Blotter paper is a super absorbent sheet of paper. It is commonly used to “blot” up extra ink or hand oils that may get on your page as you write. You could use a piece of blotter paper to remove excess ink, or put it between the pages of an notebook to prevent transfer to the back of the previous sheet. You could also use it as a protective sheet behind your paper in case of bleed through.

Do you need any specific paper? No! As a rule, you want something that’s more absorbent than the paper you’re writing on. That super thin Tomoe River is not the droid paper you’re looking for. The Esterbrook pages feel like porous cardstock. Ana has some swanky Vintage Blotter Paper ($5 per set of 5 sheets) in the shop. And if it’s easier to raid the kids’ craft supplies a piece of regular old construction paper will do!

Do you have to use blotter paper? Absolutely not. Mostly I think about blotter paper harkening back to a time where folks were using ink pots and quills and there could be a lot of splotches or areas of excess ink. Today’s modern fountain pen inks dry fairly quickly, particularly if you’re using smaller nibs. Honestly it’s something to think about if you find your inks smearing on your paper, or you need to close the notebook fairly quickly and you’re getting transfer at the back of your pages.

The single biggest place where I use blotter paper is in my Crossfield Journal ($24.00). That’s one of the notebooks that I use for my ink swatching, and when I use the eyedropper to lay down those big inkblots, I place a blotter sheet behind the page so I don’t bleed through to the next one. It keeps the next page shiny and ready to go for any subsequent ink swatches.

So that’s a little about blotter paper!

(P.S. For those who were interested in what color I chose for the new pen, it was KWZ Raspberry!)

In feature

Stationery Haul: STICKII Sticker Kits & More

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments
Stationery Haul: STICKII Sticker Kits & More

I don’t remember where or how I stumbled across Stickii, the sticker subscription club, but boy, am I glad I did. Over the Memorial Day week, they had a big, blow-out sale and I was able to purchase a metric ton (okay, a slight exaggeration but a lot of stickers just the same). or individual sticker sheets as well as pick up several of there previous sticker club sets.

I do have to warn you that it took almost 3 weeks to get my order. I understand that I placed a rather large order and I was probably not the only person who took advantage of their generous sale. However, waiting over 2 weeks to receive a shipping notification is  a bit extreme. If there had been clear information about shipping delays or a follow-up email, I would be less grumpy but as someone who ships on a daily basis, I get up early to make sure orders are filled and out the door since I don’t have much control once the orders leave my hands. Is it too much to hope that other small businesses do the same?

If you go into your purchase knowing order fulfillment and shipping is slow, then you won’t be disappointed. I think if you participate in their monthly subscription programs ($12 per month plus shipping per style), then the shipping expectations would be very different and less annoying since everyone probably gets their monthly orders at the same time.

All of that aside, the designs, quality and packaging was top notch.

I purchased loose sticker sheets ($3.50 per sheet), die cut vinyl stickers (approx. $2 each) and a few clear polymer stamps ($2.50 each). I also purchased several of the packaged “past subscription” kits ($17.95 each set). I clearly favored the POP style packs as that was all the past kits that I purchased. The other kit styles are VINTAGE and CUTE.

Each kit comes in an envelope and includes an A5 binder sheet with all the pieces from the kit tucked into the front and back pockets. Each kit includes several sticker sheets (most of the kits I purchased had 6 different sheets) and a small notepad. Kits included a polymer rubber stamp, a diecut vinyl sticker and/or a greeting card in addition to the sticker sheets. I was tickled that these extras were all included into the 6-hole A5 binder sleeves. There is also a small triangular sticker set to add to your binder sleeve corner to label the collection making it easier to find just the right sticker assortment.

One binder sleeve could easily be tucked into the back of an A5 Filofax or other binder so that you had quick access to your favorite collection on a daily basis. Stickii does sell extra binder sheets in sets of 5 sheets ($4 per set) which I might order to store the extra sticker sheets I purchased and some of the stickers I’ve acquired from other makers.

The collection shown above is the Coffee with Friends Kit ($17.95).

I particularly like the die cut coffee cup-shaped notepad. Today, all projects require skull-levels of coffee. I did not test any of the notepads for fountain pen friendliness. Just touching the paper, I could tell it was pretty thin and is unlikely to be fountain pen friendly. That’s okay, I have a drawer full of gel pens and such that don’t get a lot of use these days and now I have an excuse to use those.

I added the individual past kits that I purchased into the clear A5 binder I purchased a few weeks ago (It’s like I knew I was going to need it!).  I have attached the corner stickers to label each kit:

Even as “past kits” the value of the sets is much better than purchasing items individually. Subscriptions are the absolute best way to go, pricewise,  if you think you’ll like all or most of the sticker sheets included in each kit.

I did buy a few extra sheets of stickers included in the kits because I knew I would use them up quickly and I don’t want to hoard them. I will use them!!!

I can’t believe how happy these stickers and kits have made me. The art is fantastic, there is such a wonderful variety or sticker materials: some have gold foil, some are washi paper, some are clear and others die cut to look like postage stamps.

Despite slow shipping, I can’t help but highly recommend Stickii stickers. I might even invest in a subscription or two as these are such wonderful mailbox delights. And my planner is gonna look so cool next month!

In feature

Sticky Note Day: Midori Sticky Paper Secret Cat Pattern

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment
Sticky Note Day: Midori Sticky Paper Secret Cat Pattern

Finding sticky notes that I like, that aregood with fountain pens and unique is my newest mission in life. So I was delighted to find the Midori Sticky Note: Secret Cat Pattern ($6.99 for set of  two 10-sheet mini pads).

Printed on each sheet is a cat face and a peachy-colored belly area to write your message. And a yarn ball! It’s like they made these sticky notes just for me!

There is a die cut slot under the cat’s face so the paper can be folded up and tucked under the flap. When folded, there is a fish printed on the back so it looks like the cat has a treat. Printed on the fish is a “To” field so these sticky notes are perfect for passing notes in class or in a meeting.

The flat sheets are approximately 5″ x 2.5″. When folded, the sheet measures about 2.75″ x 2.5″.

An extra treat is the paw print on the back side of the note. This set is beautifully designed and easy to use. The paper is even fairly fountain pen ink friendly though I’m sure gel, rollerball and ballpoint would be perfectly acceptable.

Apple helped me with today’s photo shoot.

The packet includes two small pads with 10 sheets on each pad so they are thin enough to be tucked inside the pocket of your journal or planner.

DISCLAIMER: The item in this review include affiliate links. The Well-Appointed Desk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Please see the About page for more details.

In feature, news

New Products are in the Shop!

Author AnaPosted on 4 Comments
New Products are in the Shop!

I am so excited to bring in The Creeping Moon to The Well-Appointed Desk Shop. When I saw the products that Megan Wyreweden and Creeping Moon were creating I was blown away! All the products are beautifully illustrated and inspired by antique tomes, D&D, haunted houses and all things spooky and goth.

Whether you are a fan of fantasy novels, spooky movies, D&D or video gaming, there is something in this new collection in the shop to intrigue you.

The B6 sketchbooks and journals are beautifully crafted with foil accents on the covers, ribbon bookmarks and good quality paper. The Botanist watercolor paper is extra thick and remain smooth even with a good deal of wet media and you can use both sides of the paper. The Wanderer and Astronomer Journals both use 120gsm paper (one dot grid and one blank), which works great with a wide variety of tools including fountain pens. There are also journal clips, page markers and a collection of fabulous washi tapes. Find them all under our Creeping Moon Category tag.

I hope you like these new products as much as I do and I’m so happy to share them with you first. If inventory gets depleted, don’t worry, I’ll have more in stock soon! The Creeping Moon products will only be available through our Big Cartel shop. My apologies to any non-US shoppers.

But that’s not all!

I have revised, redesigned and added to many of my current rubber stamp designs and they are now available in much more budget-friendly clear photopolymer stamp sets. There are currently four sets available: (2) 4″x6″ sets that include over 15 stamps on each sheet and (2) 3″x4″ sets with over 6 stamps on each sheet.

4″x6″ sets are $20 each and 3″x4″ sets are $10 each. That’s right! 6 stamps for the price of ONE of my older wood block stamps!!!!

I’m so happy to be able to offer these clear stamps. They stamp beautifully, are easy to store and carry and its no much easier to place clear stamps on your page with our new clear acrylic mounting block. And one mounting block can work with all the stamps in our sets. Blocks are $6 each and include a grid on the block to help with alignment and make it so easy to precisely align your stamp on your paper.

Don’t forget to grab a stamp pad and some stamp cleaner so you’ll be set to stamp your heart out!

For our international customers, clear stamp sets and acrylic blocks are available on our Etsy shop.

Oh, and I even made a video to show how to use clear stamps in case these are new to you.

In Link Love

Link Love: Summer TBR

Author AnaPosted on 1 Comment
Link Love: Summer TBR

Slightly dark humor below but I collect books like I collect everything else I love — obsessively and continuosly which means my TBR pile could probably have its own zip code. How about you?

Tom Gauld for The Guardian (via Causal Optimist).

PS: For folks in the US, don’t forget to grab a Father’s Day card or make plans to celebrate your favorite fathers or father figures this Sunday.

Pens:

Ink:

Pencils:

Notebooks & Paper:

Art & Creativity:

Other Interesting Things:

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In photo

Help me choose an ink color for my new pen!

Author Laura CameronPosted on 15 Comments

Ana’s gorgeous post got me hook, line and sinker and I just had to have the Esterbrook x Bungubox Kachofugetsu Flower Fountain Pen. It arrived yesterday and I was faced with a big decision: what to ink it with? As it turns out, I don’t know if I have the right ink!

I decided that I wanted the ink to be pink, and I’d like it to be legible. My first thought was Sailor Sakura Mori, but that is more peach and the Kachofugetsu Flower design is pink leaning lilac or purple. So here are my choices:

What do you think I should choose? I’m leaning towards Robert Oster Dusky Pink, but maybe there’s an ink I don’t have that I need. What would you choose?

In Pencil Review

When The Product Isn’t What You Expected

Author AnaPosted on 9 Comments
When The Product Isn’t What You Expected

Some of the hardest reviews to write are the products that don’t work, or don’t work for me. Sadly, the Metacil ($10.25, available in multiple color options) (which is a horrible name for a product so I should have known better) is just such a product.

When I purchased the Metacil, I didn’t read the fine print. I thought it was a mechanical pencil with a leather pencil cap. It turns out, its actually one of those metal pencil-like pencils where the tip cannot be sharpened. Its just scratching metal onto paper in order to use it.

So, I decided to try to figure out what the description on the back of the package says.

Here’s what Google Translate came up with:

“What is metal pencil?
The lead is made of a special lead containing graphite and metal, which causes extremely little wear on the lead, allowing you to continue writing for long periods of time without chipping.

  • Hands don’t get dirty easily
  • Can be erased with an eraser
  • Not easily smeared with water or water-based markers
  • There is no need to cut back, and your concentration continues.
  • Depending on the type of eraser, it may be difficult to erase.

Writable distance: Approximately 16km
Density: Equivalent to 2H pencil (compared to our company)
*Darkness varies depending on the type of paper.

please note

  • The cap does not necessarily prevent the core from breaking. It’s not a thing.
  • Pencil sharpener (manual and electric) Do not use it. It may cause damage or malfunction.
  • The tip may break or chip due to being dropped or writing with excessive pressure. This may occur. In that case, please stop using it.
  • There are some types of paper that cannot be written on, such as printed paper and coated paper.
  • Please do not use it for anything other than writing or drawing.
  • Please be careful as the tip is sharp. Do not disassemble or modify. Doing so may cause damage.
  • Do not place it in direct sunlight, fire, or high temperatures.
  • Please keep out of reach of children to prevent them from accidentally putting it in their mouth or licking it.”

I really liked the look of the leather pencil cap and may be the one thing I will keep  using even after this review. Its a snug fit on this pencil and makes me wonder why more people aren’t making fabric caps like this.

Now, let’s talk about how this “pencil” writes. Pretty much, it doesn’t. And it’s scratchy. I had to apply an excess of pressure just to get this to write in the above sample. And its really light.

I pressed even harder and this was as dark as I could get the marks. And erasing is out of the question so what is the point?

So, to say I was frustrated is an understatement. I have used one of those mark-marking, non-graphite pencils in the past and they are always a disappointment. Why do companies keep trying to reinvent the pencil?

I am glad, at least, I got the pencil cap.

DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were provided free of charge by JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.