Review by Laura Cameron Almost two weeks ago Retro 51 announced that they would be retiring and closing the business at the end of the year. This has caused quite a bit of discussion in the fountain pen world. When I heard the news, I immediately thought about how Retro 51 was really my introduction…
Showing all posts by Laura Cameron
Pencil Review: Staedtler Mars Lumograph 12B
Review by Tina Koyama When I started using the Mitsubishi Kohitsu 10B “brush pencil,” I thought I had the softest graphite core I would ever meet. I figured graphite couldn’t go much softer without needing to be mixed with something else like carbon before it loses its stability. But when I saw that the Staedtler…
Sketchbook Review: Stillman & Birn Nova – Beige
Review by Tina Koyama Stillman & Birn sketchbooks have been my favorites for a long time, especially Beta (toothy paper for wet media), Zeta (smooth, mixed media paper) and the Nova series of toned books in beige, gray and black. This review is of the beige Nova in the versatile 5½-by-8½-inch, portrait-format softcover ($19.99). The…
Eye Candy: Franklin Christoph New Penvelope 3
Review by Laura Cameron Some lovely friends sent me an even lovelier gift this holiday season: the new Franklin Christoph Penvelope 3 ($25) in Cranberry. This natural wood fiber (NWF) 3-pen case is a perfect fit in my handbag and will hold 3-5 of my favorite pens. (if you don’t mind them touching!) The NWF…
Pen Accessory Review: Mark’s Break Time Metal Pen Holder
Review by Tina Koyama One day I was scrolling through new products on JetPens and spotted adorable beverage-themed metal pen loops from Mark’s called Break Time. “Coffee” was bound to go fast, so I was thrilled to get one before it sold out (which it did, almost immediately). The loop is springy metal. I’ve used…
Fountain Pen Review: Ensso XS Minimalist Pocket Fountain Pen
Review by Laura Cameron Being of small hands, I’m always up for trying cute pocket pens. So when Ana sent over the Ensso XS Minimalist Pocket Fountain Pen in Silver Aluminum ($59) that she backed on Kickstarter, I was excited to give it a try! Ensso is committed to building “Sleek, minimal, and modern pens…
Eye Candy: Stampitude Custom Wax Seal Stamp
One of the best gifts that I received for the holidays was a lovely little custom wax seal stamp from Stampitude ($35-46). My husband saw an ad on Facebook (those really work!) and decided to have one made with my logo. He presented it to me a few days before the holidays as “just a…