Link Love: Cat(ch)-22 Edition

First, the USPS Droids stamps are out and available. When Bob picked up some at the local post office, the woman behind the counter said “these seem to be very popular”. Duh. These ARE the Droids we’re looking for.

This week, we had so many delightful cat links, our favorite pet gets its own cat-egory. Oh, the puns!

On a more serious note, Parka Blogs linked to an artist discussing why Instagram is not good for artists. I think her sentiments ring true for all creators not just artists but also musicians, illustrators, designers and even small makers. She delves into the issues that have been created as a result of the algorithms put into place by Facebook that makes it necessary for anyone who wants to be seen on Instagram to have to post repeatedly and create Reels and Stories in order to be bumped up in the viewing algorithm. All this creates exponentially more work for creators just to be seen in the cacophony of noise the Instagram perpetuates. This work to create eye catching posts, reels, and stories and post them daily takes away from the time they could be creating new work.

This “endless hamster wheel of posting” issue doesn’t even delve into the issues Instagram creates in viewers. Instagram presents an endless stream of products to purchase and people with whom to compare ourselves. We all know that social media presents a curated “perfect world” life of those who post but it doesn’t make it any easier for our ape brains that only see the things we are not, don’t have, haven’t accomplished or don’t look like.

This Instagram hamster wheel is something I’ve been giving a lot of thought lately. I was tired of being bombarded with moving images every time I “checked in”. I considered deleting the app completely until Laura reminded me I would be unable to post without it. The sad truth is that for many small creators, Instagram is still one of the key channels to reach potential clients, customers or readers. Instagram, at present, is the Catch-22 of the digital world right now. You can’t live with it, but you live survive without it either.

Pens:

• Dodecagon and on and on (via United Inkdom)
• D1 ≠ D1 (via Bleistift)
• Copic Markers: A Comprehensive Guide (via JetPens. Blog)
• The Invention of the Space Pen (via Pen Boutique Ltd Blog)
• Platinum Curidas – One Year On (via dapprman)

Ink:

• Pennonia Vattacukor Cotton Candy Fountain Pen Ink Review (via The Pen Addict)
• Colorverse Crab Nebula & Horsehead Nebula (via Mountain of Ink)
• Pelikan Edelstein Moonstone (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist)
• PenBBS #505 Clear and Bright (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist)
• L’Artisan Pastellier Callifolio Grenat (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist)
• Taccia Grey Jeans on Rhodia (via Inkcredible Colours)
• Why I Keep A Currently Inked Journal (And Why You Should, Too) (via Fountain Pen Love)
• Five Ways to Swab A Fountain Pen Ink Using Reusable Tools (via Gourmet Pens)

Pencils:

• A Victorian Hoard (Part One) (via The Leadhead’s Pencil Blog)
• Review: DOMS Aqua Watercolor Pencils (via Fueled by Clouds & Coffee)
• Indian Colored Pencils Comparison (via Fueled by Clouds & Coffee)
• Fake Lumographs (via Bleistift)

Notebooks & Paper:

• TRU RED Starter Journal (via Mountain of Ink)
• Kunisawa Executive Ring Notebook – Fountain Pen Friendly! (via Gourmet Pens)
• Discover SPIRAL RING NOTEBOOK (via TRAVELER’S COMPANY USA Blog)
• Eagle Discbound Notebook Review Including Pen Test (and comparison with other discbound brands) (via All About Planners)

Art & Creativity:

• How to Use Stitch Markers (via Tin Can Knits)
• Collaboration, Character and Consideration: Marie Boulanger’s mindful typographic practice (via Creative Boom)
• I Don’t Think Instagram is Good For Artists (via Parka Blogs)
• 10 Best Watercolor Sketchbooks for Artists Who Want to Paint On-the-Go (via My Modern Met)
• Review: Phoenix Watercolour Paper (180gsm) (via Parka Blogs)
• Design students protest online art school with a book of protest signs (via It’s Nice That)
• Artistic Watercolor Sketching: Dare to Express Your Ideas by Felix Scheinberger (online course review) (via Parka Blogs)
• Architects’ Sketchbooks as Visual Conversation (via Notebook Stories)

Cat-egory:

• “Excommunicated” Cat Waits to Be Absolved of Feline Sins Outside Temple Gate (via Design You Trust)
• Digital Paintings Captures the Charm of Cats in Leisure (via My Modern Met)
• Adorable Cat Paintings of Kitties Wearing Babushkas (via Brown Paper Bag)

Other Interesting Things:

• A practical guide to Sign Painting (via Creative Boom)
• Bad Astronomy | Another brain-frying optical illusion: What color are these spheres? (via SYFY Wire)
• Collapsible Essentials to Trim your Daily Carry (via Carryology)
• Why handwriting beats typing – On my Om (via The Cramped)
• RARE Japanese Toshiba Typewriter (via The Cramped)
• Making Typewriter Desks (via oz.Typewriter)
• Nature’s Palette: Art, Nature, and Color Theory Get a Modern Revival (via My Modern Met)
• The Pantone Pee Chart (via Kottke.org)

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