The Well-Appointed Desk

Ink Review: Montegrappa Violet

AnaMay 17, 2017May 30, 20171 Comment

I’ve been blogging about pens and ink for seven years and this is the first time I’ve tried a Montegrappa ink. Its safe to say, “Its about time!” So, my first bottle is the Montegrappa Violet (50ml $20).

Bottle rating? A+. Those Italians know a thing or two about making things look fabulous. The faceted glass bottle is elegant and classic and the matching facted top with gold coin logo is bellissima! The grippy gear at the bottom makes it possible to open and close the bottle even if your fingers are wet. Engineering points too!

I had fun using Montegrappa Violet as a watercolor. I was able to pull some of the pink out around the edges and get to see exactly how vivid and rich this ink is. Montegrappa Violet is a very saturated ink. In some ways it almost looks indigo its so rich.

In Link Love

Link Love: Paper Love

AnaMay 17, 2017May 17, 20173 Comments

Post of the Week:

I am touched and flattered that Rhodia took the time to read and respond to my Dot Grid Showdown post. In their reply, they mentioned my biggest complaint which is the ribbon length and said that they are hoping to lengthen it! Joy! They also explained why the dot colors are as dark as they are. And I know for some users, they prefer the color. So, despite my preference for lighter dots, the world has options for a reason. I also discovered, upon opening a different color Leuchtturm 1917 dot grid that not all editions have the same color dots so there may be some consistency issues with how dark the dots print from one volume of Leuchtturm to the other. Whichever notebook you choose, I think all the companies are thoughtful and upstanding and working hard to stand by their products. Thanks, Rhodia for listening to your customers!

Bullet Journaling Dot-Grid Notebook Comparisons (via Rhodia Drive)

Pens:

The humble ballpoint pen has become a new symbol of China’s innovation economy — Quartz (via The Cramped)
Video: Two of My Favorite Fountain Pens (via The Frugal Fountain Pen)
Namisu Studio (via Inkdependence)
Where Fountain Pens Are Saved and Sold (via NYTimes)
Sailor 1911 Black Luster (via Gentleman Stationer)

Inks:

PW Akkerman Dutch Masters Series – Swatch Test (via Fountain Pens Inks & Bleach)
Franklin-Christoph Midnight Emerald (via Gourmet Pens)
Robert Oster Tangerine (via Pen Chalet Blog)
Monteverde Canyon Rust (via Office Supply Geek)

Pencils:

On Point (Nice nail polish, Caroline!) (via Flow Magazine)
Les Crayons de la maison Caran d’Ache, Wooden Pencil Box Edition No. 1 (via Pencil Talk)
The Point of a Pencil – 5 Reasons I Sharpen With A Knife (via Pencilism)
A Moment in Pencil History: Japanese Pencil Designations (via C.W. Pencils Blog)

Paper & Notebooks:

Getting Things Done, Deep Work and Bullet Journals (via Liz Steel)
Col-o-ring Ink Testing Book (via Pen Addict)
The Hobonichi Techo as a Bullet Journal (via The Finer Point)
Leuchtturm1917 A5 Hardbound Notebook (via The Finer Point)
Baron Fig Vanguard Infinity Edition (via The Finer Point)
Baron Fig Mastermind and Nomad Sticky Notes (via Gentleman Stationer)
Rhodia X Marc Jacobs (via Rhodia Drive)
A Baron Fig Extravaganza! (via All Things Stationery)
Story Supply Co X CW Pencil Enterprise Pencil Pusher Pocket Staple Notebook (via Comfortable Shoes Studio)
‘…back to the roots’ – testing small portable notebooks – Part 4. ‘Back to basics’ (via The Clumsy Penman’s Inkfusion Site)
How I use notebooks (via Bleistift)
Video: Mr Paper on Itoya Petite Journal (via Anderson Pens Blog)

Other Interesting Things:

May Desktop Downloads (via Oh So Beautiful Paper)
Studio Ink Wallpapers (via Think. Make. Share.)
RSVP: Stationery Podcast Episode Zero (via RSVP)
Common Calligraphy Ink Problems + Solutions (via The Postman’s Knock)
Chicago Pen Show 2017 Journal Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 (via Pen Habit)
Stationery Shop Map Update 2017 (via All Things Stationery)
Thermochromic Eclipse Stamp (via Letter Writers Alliance)
My (Liz Steel) Daniel Smith Dot Card (via Liz Steel)

*Editor’s Note: It appears that The Finer Point‘s RSS feed was out of commission for a few weeks so I’m doubling down on her content this week. If you don’t have Jenny in your favorites already, this would be a good time to add her to your list. She’s been reviewing a lot of notebooks recently and she’s one of my favorite reads.

In feature

Product Review: Art Snacks May 2017 Subscription Box

AnaMay 15, 2017September 20, 20173 Comments

The May ArtSnacks subscription box was my turn to review a box since Tina is traveling the Italian countryside. This box was probably a bit more to my taste than hers anyway so it probably all worked out. Acrylic paint isn’t exactly urban sketch-friendly.

This month featured a tube of Liquitex heavy body acrylic paint in Muted Pink. I fell in love with the limited edition inks that Liquitex did last year in the muted colors so I can see why they decided to try the formula with their acrylic paints.

I’m more inclined to mix colors with paints and I like fluid acrylics better than heavy body, especially for everyday use but I can see the appeal. And it’s pretty easy to thin these heavy body paints down with water or mediums into a thinner glaze for more mileage. Besides, the tube fits into the classic ArtSnacks box a lot easier than a Liquitex liquid acrylic bottle. I got the color Muted Pink which is very “dried blood” color or if you are more inclined “brick red”.

In news

News & Follow-Up

AnaMay 14, 2017May 14, 20173 Comments

In Sad News:

Susan Wirth’s obituary can be found in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Janesville Press-Gazette.

I am continuing to receive photos and stories for the book I’m putting together. If you’d like to contribute, please email me. Details in the previous post.

In Other Sad News:

Dan Smith’s pen case was stolen in Chicago. There is information regarding the serial numbers and individual items in the Instagram photos and link below. If you see any of the pens listed for sale on eBay or any of the online boards, please notify Dan.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Daniel Smith (@thenibsmith)

In Good News:

I’ll end with some good news because we need something uplifting this week, don’t we?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Leigh Reyes (@leighpod)

Col-o-ring Ink Testing books are being used by folks all over the world in new and exciting ways. Leigh Reyes is dipping the ends of the cards in her ink bottles for a great look and a quick way to sample her inks.

Col-o-rings are back in stock in my Big Cartel shop as well as being stocked in many of your favorite locations like:

and coming soon to:

Cult Pens (UK)
Notemaker (Australia)
Pen Classics (New Zealand)

So, folks overseas will finally have some options to get Col-o-rings outside the US! More European and US vendors are coming on board soon too so stay tuned!

Col-o-rings will also be available at the D.C. and San Francisco Pen Shows for sure, more details to follow as the shows get closer.

In news

In Memory of Susan Wirth

AnaMay 10, 201723 Comments

(Image from the Long Island Pen Show Web Site, circa 2009)

On Monday afternoon, the pen community received devastating news that Susan Wirth, the Godmother of Pen Shows, Queen of Ink, and someone I like to think of as a friend, passed away.

My “word of the day” today was “moxie” and it couldn’t be a more appropriate word to remember Susan because she had it in spades. Courage, nerve, pep and know-how… that’s how the word moxie is defined and it’s exactly how I would describe Susan Wirth. She had a wealth of knowledge about fountain pens that she was willing to share and fearless courage and energy that put people half her age to shame.

She held court on Sunday in Chicago with all the verve and passion that we all remember her having so I am glad to know that she did not suffer long and that her last days were happy, doing what she loved, surrounded by people that “got her” and sharing her knowledge and passions.

According to announcements on the Pen Addict Announcements, there will be a family service in Milwaukee next week. An obituary will published on Sunday in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

There will be a pen show memorial at the DC pen show in August this year. More details will become available as the event comes closer.

I’d like to collect images, stories or anecdotes to put together a book to share in DC. If you have photos or a story you’d like to contribute, please email them to me at chair@wellappointeddesk.com. I’d be most grateful.

In Link Love

Link Love: A Very Inky Week

AnaMay 10, 2017May 10, 2017Leave a comment

Col-o-Ring News!

Experiment 16: Upgrading Ink Tests With the Col-o-ring (via Inkpothesis)
Mr. Paper! Col-o-ring! (via Anderson Pens Blog)
An Inky Giveaway! (via Hand Over That Pen)

Pens:

M800 Royal Gold Raden (via The Pelikan’s Perch)
Retro 51 Rollerball Classic Desk Set in Turquoise (via Clicky Post)
Montegrappa Game of Thrones (via Inkdependence)
Lamy Safari 2017 Petrol Fountain Pen (via Gourmet Pens)
Video: Time for a Bath — Cleaning my Pens (via Pen Habit)
Baron Fig Squire Rollerball Pens & Confidant Notebook (via Gourmet Pens)
Lingmo Lorelei LM-2016 Fountain Pen (via Alt. Haven)
Benu Purple Night Silver Fountain Pen (via Pen Addict)

Ink:

KWZ Inks Meta-review (via United Inkdom)
P.W. Akkerman Dutch Masters Gele Oker van Frans (via Gourmet Pens)
Peppermint – Robert Oster Signature Ink (via Fountain Pen Inks & Bleach)
Private Reserve Arabian Rose (via Alt. Haven)
Robert Oster Signature Grün-Schwarz (via Alt. Haven)
Diamine Cocoa Shimmer (via My Pen Needs Ink)
Chicago Pen Show Exclusives from Papier Plume! (via Inkdependence)
Callifolio Bleu Pacifique (via Pen Addict)
Levenger Shiraz (via Write to Me Often)
Kyo-Iro Stone Road of Gion (via The Pencilcase Blog)
Video: Sailor Ultra Marine (via Anderson Pens Blog)
Lamy Petrol Bottled Ink + Cartridges (via Wonder Pens Blog)
Robert Oster Australian Opal Mauve (via Pen Chalet Blog)
Monteverde Napa Burgundy (via Pen Chalet Blog)
Fire and Ice – Robert Oster Signature Ink (via Fountain Pen Inks & Bleach)
Robert Oster Signature Ink Fire & Ice (via Pen Chalet Blog)
Video: Montblanc UNICEF Blue (via Anderson Pens Blog)

Pencils:

Mysterious Mono 100s (via Bleistift)
A custom Pentel Kerry pencil and a surprise from Clairefontaine (via Pencil Talk)

Paper & Notebooks:

8 of the best notebooks for fountain pen users (via Pocket Notebooks)
Who knew there was so much crap in my head? (via From The Pen Cup)
An Additional Bullet Symbol for your Bullet Journal (via Tiny Ray of Sunshine)
My first official Hobonichi cover (via Bleistift)
Notes on Utility Field Notes (via Pens and Junk)
Field Notes + Bellroy Everyday Inspiration Cover (via Pen Addict)
New Nock Co DotDash Notecards – Gigante and Petite (via Clicky Post)

Other Interesting Things:

Notes to Self: Create More (via Seaweed Kisses)
Calligraphy Tips: Solving Common Problems (via JetPens Blog)
WIP: Gelli Printing on Tomoe River Paper + process video! (via Contemplations of a Kitty/Miss Thundercat)
Experiment 17: The Chicago Pen Show & The Meaning of Pens (via Inkpothesis)
2017 Seoul Pen Show (Spring) (via Inklode)

Link artwork by Chris Grine, illustrator of the web comic Wicked Crispy AND Time Shifters which is due to be released May 30, 2017 by Scholastic! Go, Chris! Now go order a copy!

In news

Giveaway Winner: Baron Fig Confidant Metamorphosis

AnaMay 9, 20174 Comments

Congrats to:

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!