I decided to jump on the bandwagon and answer OliveOctopus’ #12PenPersonQuestions list!
1. If you consider the different ways you can engage with pens and stationery—as a user, a collector, a hobbyist, a creator, a maker, a vendor—which roles fit best and what percentage of 100% would you assign to each? Are you happy with the balance?
Hmmmm this one is a hard one. I write with my pens and paper every day and I enjoy using them. I’m somewhat of a collector, but that’s mostly so I can write posts about them and share my thoughts with you. I don’t know if my collection would be as big as it is if I were purely a hobbyist and a user. So I’d say probably 50% Hobbyist/User and 50% Collector/Creator of content.
2. What is something you want to understand better or develop more informed opinions about?
I’ve never had a nib ground. In fact, while I understand the point of nib grinding, I’ve never played with different nibs to feel the differences (other than the obvious fine nib puts down a fine line, broad nibs put down wider lines). In general I sort of have “this pen feels great” and “this one doesn’t.”
3. In the pen community, what’s something someone has said or done that stuck with you?
I can’t think of any one person or thing that’s been said. All I know is that the pen community is full of great people who are generous with their knowledge and always ready to let you try out their new pen to see how cool it is! Whether it’s learning the secrets of Parker Vacumatics from a vintage dealer to understanding the amazing differences in paper (Daryl at Musubi I’m looking at you) there are always people happy to spread the love of pens and stationery.
4. There are now 25 hours in a day, a bonus hour is available to use however you like as long as pens or stationery are involved—how do you spend your hour?
Journaling. I have so many hobbies (most of them creative and artsy), and between work, chores (who needs clean clothes or food?), I always feel pressed at the end of the day to fit in all the things I want to do. Sadly, my journaling always gets shorted as I sit down to knit and listen to a book first. I would spend it recording the events of the day and playing around with adding more art to my journal.
Or painting. I keep watching friends get into watercolor painting and it’s a talent I would love to develop. I’ve never progressed much beyond stick figures.
5. In the pen community yearbook, what would your superlative be? (i.e. “Best ______”, “Most _______” “Most likely to _______”)
If we’re talking about my work on the Desk I’m going with “Best Administrative Assistant” because I do lots of little things behind the scenes. Also I might be the “Most Reliable Sidekick?” You can ask Ana!
6. How do you feel about your handwriting?
In general I’m happy enough with it. I won’t lie – every time I see Ana playing around with lettering I wish I could do more of that, but generally speaking I’m happy enough with my writing. Except when I let it get too messy to read!
7. What is something you are proud of doing, achieving, or overcoming?
The year I turned 30 I left my job and my life as I knew it in my hometown, and moved halfway across the country to be with my fiance (now husband). It was 2008 and finding another job in the economy was ROUGH. I ended taking any job to make it through and proved to myself that I would do whatever it took even if it was soul-sucking. I’m happy to say I’ve found better jobs since and we’re going on 17+ years of wedded bliss!
8. You’re going on a writing retreat anywhere in the world—where would you go, what would you write, and what would you write with?
Hmmmm I want to say someplace somewhat isolated, without too many people around. Definitely someplace where I could hear water – either the ocean waves, or rivers/streams tinkling along. As for pen, probably my Pelikan M205 Apatite because my hand never gets tired of holding it. It writes smoothly, puts down a nice amount of ink, is thin enough that my hand doesn’t ache holding it. As for paper, something that dries quickly so I can keep writing without fear of smearing the ink.
The above photo is from Estes Park, where I’ve been a few times for fiber festivals and vacations.
9. What’s a current or favorite creative outlet?
I have so many! Currently my favorite is sitting at my sewing machine. In the last two years I’ve gotten more into quilting (occupational hazard of working for a fabric company). Whereas I’ve been knitting since I was a kid and don’t always find new things to explore, almost everything in quilting is new to me. It’s both incredibly hard (have you tried to sew a straight line before?) and incredibly easy to grow my skills. It’s been super rewarding to see my progress in how my quilts are coming together.
10. What’s something that causes you benign envy—the kind of admiration and desire that leads to inspiration or motivation?
I have to agree with OliveOctopus here. Watching other people’s journals or watercolor explorations makes me admire what they are doing and become envious of their skills!
11. What’s a comfort item, material, or color?
Anything super soft and squishy – quilts backed with Cuddle, knitted blankets, cozy plush socks. The more color the better!
12. What would be a dream collaboration, project, or partnership?
This is a hard question for me to answer because this isn’t my first hobby industry. Don’t get me wrong – I love pens and paper, but my collaborative energy often goes into knitting and quilting. I love being a part of the Desk though – I get to review new products, get sneak peeks on what’s coming. I think that’s my favorite project!
What would your answers be to #12PenPersonQuestions? I’d love to read them!
