our winner of the Baron Fig Confidant Metamorphosis! I’ve contacted Mark via email so he can get started on his commonplace book in his new Metamporphosis this week, should he so choose.
I got home from Chicago last night so timely posts should resume tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy this photo of me with Matt from The Pen Habit and Brad from Pen Addict. The one moment the three of us actually stood still all weekend during the pen show. We worked our butts off but we had a great time, sold lots of ink, pens and pen cases and met lots of great people and probably ate and drank a bit too much. More soon!
I’m new around here, but I have a confession to make: I might be addicted to pens.
From left to right: Retro 51 Tornado Rollerball in Pink, Twinkle and Fountain Pen, Pilot Metropolitan Pops in Turquoise and Lime and TWSBI Eco in Lime.
I’ve been around pen enthusiasts for years. My father can always be found with a pen in his shirt pocket and, more often than not, it’s a fountain pen with a fine nib and peacock blue ink. When I moved to Kansas City almost a decade ago, Ana and I met through other shared interests (knitting and tea), but it wasn’t long before I was a regular reader of the Well-Appointed Desk.
Almost two years ago now, I had a taste of my first gateway drug: a Retro 51 Tornado Rollerball. It was pink and I was in love. It wrote so smoothly, and I loved the weight of the metal pen in my hand. It wasn’t long before another Retro came to live in my house. This time it was the Retro Tornado Limited Edition Twinkle. I saw it and I had to have one.
It took a little longer for me to move onto the “hard stuff.” I’m a left-hander and all I remembered from trying fountain pens as a kid was that I smeared the ink all over my hands and I thought fountain pens were fussy. But in late 2016, while listening to the Pen Addict and idly browsing Pen Chalet, I found a deal that was too good to pass up. I ordered a Lamy Safari in Dark Lilac and a box of the Dark Lilac Ink to match. And I hated it. I feel bad even saying that, but it just wasn’t a good match for me. I really disliked the angled (molded) grip the most, but I also didn’t how lightweight it felt. I used it halfheartedly for a few weeks and then sold it to what I hope was its forever home.
I mulled my options over. And then I went back to my favorite dealer and ordered something I hoped I would truly love: a Retro Tornado Medium Nib in Black Cherry. It arrived and I took a few weeks to load it with ink, afraid that I’d be let down once again. I don’t even think I told Ana I was experimenting with pens and inks. Eventually, I loaded it with a black cartridge and played a little bit. The feel was SO much better. I really wanted the weight of a metal pen in my hand, and a smooth grip really pleased me. The medium nib let the ink flow beautifully.
Then I saw several reviews of Robert Oster’s Fire & Ice and I wanted that particular ink so badly. I had to wait until it was back in stock, but finally it was mine. And it was a perfect match. I’ve been trying other pens lately, contemplating additional purchases, but I still go back to the Tornado most of the time. I just can’t beat the “high” of the right pen and ink.
A few weeks ago Ana generously lent me a few other pens to try out. One was a Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Turquoise with a fine nib. I immediately gravitated towards this one because it was more of what I liked: a metal body that had some weight to it, a round smooth grip, and a nib that let ink flow smoothly. Another confession: within a few days of testing Ana’s out, I had ordered a green one for myself.
The second pen I had been jonesing for was a TWSBI Eco. This one was obviously a little different in terms of materials and style than what I knew I liked, but I was fascinated by the clear model where you could just twist it to load the ink. I dithered about purchasing one until Ana offered me hers to try. At first I wasn’t sure about it. The TWSBI is a bigger pen than either the Retro or the Pilot, and of course it’s a plastic body. But I used it for a few days and it grew on me so I expect one to come live with me soon. Ana’s TWSBI Eco has a fine nib and that was probably the least pleasant nib I tested. I found it to feel kind of scratchy on paper, so I’m looking forward to trying one with a medium nib to see if that feels better.
The final pen that I wanted to play with was a freebie that I received from Goldspot with my first order. It was a Jinhao 599A Orange Demonstrator pen. It didn’t have any of my preferred options (it’s plastic, it has an angled [molded] grip, etc.) but I eagerly inked it up with a sample ink and wanted to test it. However, I was really disappointed because it leaked everywhere. I think the seal between the feed and the barrel was defective because I kept ending up with ink blobs on my page every time I pulled it out. Since it was a freebie I have to admit I chucked it.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of things about this new addiction of mine. First of all, there are some really lovely pen people who have a lot of knowledge and are generous about sharing that knowledge. I have added quite a few blogs and Instagram feeds to my daily routine, and I’ve also found some great stores to work with. All of the pens that I’ve spoken about above are available for less than $50, which I consider to be a reasonable starting fee. The Pilot Metropolitan is a steal at under $15 (via Jetpens) and looks and feels fun to boot. I’ve really enjoyed learning about what features I like the most and I’ve also enjoyed spending the time with analog tools. I spend so much of my day typing, that it’s nice to get back to writing with nice pens and ink. I’ve also noticed my writing style change. In the last several years I’ve developed a very heavy hand. I grip my pen fairly hard, and I tend to press down hard on paper when writing. I don’t know that I was aware I was doing it, except now I’m lighter and easier with a fountain pen, I am happier with the results.
So, I guess the only question is what’s my next pen?
(Editors Note: Today is Laura’s birthday and her first post here on The Well-Appointed Desk so please leave her lots of nice comments and a birthday wish or two, okay?)
Laura Cameron is a tech editor, podcaster, knitter, spinner and recent pen addict. You can learn more about her knitting and tea adventures on her website, The Corner of Knit & Tea and can find her on Instagram as Fluffykira.
In honor of May The Fourth Be With You (AKA Star Wars Day) and a tribute to Carrie Fisher, I thought I’d do Fashionable Friday early this week and focus on my favorite theme: Star Wars. Pens inspired by C3P0 and Dark Vader, pencil cases designed to look like my favorite droid R2-D2 and some accessories that are rebel-centric. Of course, you can always embrace your Dark Side, I’ve heard they have cookies.
Star Wars enamel pin – Fly Casual Han Solo Quote $10 (via RatherKeen on Etsy)
Star Wars enamel pin – We’re Doomed C-3PO Quote $10 (via RatherKeen on Etsy)
PIUMA Minimal Fountain Pen in Black Aluminum $79 (via Ensso)
Inkaren Corner Ring Bound Notebook in Black unlined (also available in lined with dark green cover and grid with gray cover) $16 (via Fresh Stock Japan)
Loungefly x Star Wars R2-D2 Faux Leather Pencil Bag $18 (via Loungefly)
I borrowed another photo from Franz Dimson of Hand Over That Pen who takes amazing photos! This was another Atlanta “After Hours” pen swap shot. I was sitting at the bar trying out the Sailor King Eagle.
Baron Fig has become a product releasing machine. Metamorphosis ($20 for individual purchase or $74 per year for quarterly subscription) is the second release in 2017 in the subscription series for the Confidant. This time, they are making fewer waves than they did with the Askew, which ruffled quite a few feathers.
The Metamorphosis treads more familiar Baron Fig territory with a peach book cloth cover and cobalt blue end papers and cotton ribbon book mark. The design message with the Metamorphosis is comes from a quote by Van Gogh, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
The colors are striking. Springy peach on the outside and shockingly vivid on the inside. The graphics are as sleek and clean as any edition previously. Tasteful and understated. Kudos to the design team.
Inside the on the right side is a space for name or a title or a doodle.
I love the bubble graphics. The germination of an idea… or is it the filtration of particles? Your call.
On the inside of the back cover, the trays are blank. I love the boxes that Baron Fig uses. They are sturdy and are endlessly reusable.
The ribbon bookmark matches the cobalt blue exactly. Quite the design feat. I just wish Baron Fig would make their ribbon bookmarks a little longer.
The dot grid remains the same as previous books and the paper is good quality and fountain pen friendly and well as friendly to a lot of other pens and pencils. Baron Fig is really doing simple and well-designed notebooks right.
So, all in all, the Metamorphosis notebook is a winner. So, I’d like to pick a winner.
THE RULES: In the spirit of Metamorphosis, what would you like to bloom, change or grow this spring? Are you working on a new project? Training for a race? Watching your garden grow? Watching your new baby grow? Growing out your hair? Leave a comment below on what you want to metamorphosize below to be entered to win this (one) Baron Fig Metamorphsis dot grid notebook.
FINE PRINT: All entries must be submitted by 10pm CST on Monday, May 8, 2017. All entries must be submitted at wellappointeddesk.com, not Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook, okay? Winner will be announced on Tuesday. Winner will be selected by random number generator from entries that played by the rules (see above). Please include your email address in the comment form (not in the comment itself) so that I can contact you if you win. I will not save email addresses or sell them to anyone — pinky swear. If winner does not respond within 30 days, I will draw a new giveaway winner. Shipping via USPS first class is covered. Additional shipping options or insurance will have to be paid by the winner. We are generous but we’re not made of money. US and APO residents only.
DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Baron Fig for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
It’s taken me almost a week to recover from the Atlanta Pen Show. I was so busy working behind the Vanness Pens table, I forgot to take photos but luckily, everyone else took tons.
During the day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I sold ink, pens and paper with Lisa Vanness and Christa at the Vanness Pen table in “the Cool Kids room” as Brad and Myke deemed it near the Karas table, Carolina Pens and the ink testing station. In the evenings, we spent time sharing pens, eating and drinking. Friday night was a cookout by the pool for vendors and 3-day pass holders so we spent time outside until it was so dark we were looking at pens and ink by the light of our phones.
Saturday night was the recording of the Pen Addict podcast in front of a live studio audience. It was nerve-wracking but not as stressful as last year. I thought I was going to pass out last year. Luckily, there were other guests to interview this year; Vito from Story Supply Co. and Jonathan from Carolina Pen Co. so I really didn’t have to talk much. I just sat around, easy peasy.
By Sunday, we were all getting tired and the weather got cold and rainy which made the show pretty slow. It was disappointing for the vendors and everyone started packing up early and had to load up in the rain.
There were some pretty scary coloring pages left at the ink testing station too.
So, if you’re in the Midwest, I hope you’ll be coming to the Chicago Pen Show this weekend. We’ve been madly making more Col-o-ring books to bring to the show. Once again, I’ll be at the Vanness Pens booth. This time, it will be Lisa, Matt Armstrong of the Pen Habit and I and we’ll be right next to Brad and Nock Co. so it’ll still be the “cool kids,” right?
The show is way out in the northwest suburbs but, trust me, it is totally worth the trip. Its near a great big Target too so you can get a toothbrush and TP while you’re schlepping to the suburbs. No sense in paying those toll and not get your money’s worth. If you’re coming in from Wisconsin, Michigan or Iowa, the hotel is not far from an Ikea so add that to your agenda and leave a little space in the car for pens and some build-it-yourself bookshelves.
Looking forward to another great pen show weekend even though the forecast is predicting another rainy one! We are made of tougher stuff than that, right? Italian beef will make us strong! If not, I’ll pack the Malort.
May I recommend trying The Foghorn, a drink made famous at the Waldorf-Astoria?
Pour 2 oz of your favorite, ice cold gin into a tall (Tom Collins) glass full of ice. Fill with good quality ginger ale or ginger beer. Add 1/2 oz of fresh lime juice and garnish with lime wedge.
I know De Atramentis makes a slew of scented inks in an array of wines, whiskeys and such but I couldn’t find any currently in stock through my favorite online pen shops. If this is something you would be interested in purchasing, please ask your favorite pen shop to order them or leave a note in the comments and I’ll put in requests to get them restocked. But there are many ink colors that look like good cocktail colors that won’t make you smell like you’ve been having a three martini lunch. KWZ Honey is a good whiskey color, for example, as is Callifolio Huere Doree. Keep the ice tray full and the liquor cabinet well-stocked!
Laura Cameron is a tech editor, podcaster, knitter, spinner and recent pen addict. You can learn more about her knitting and tea adventures on her website, 
