Ink: Papier Plume Inks

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My fine friend Father Kyle, sent me an assortment of inks to try out including three Papier Plume colors. Papier Plume is a New Orleans-based pen shop with a small collection of their own inks. I had the pleasure of trying out the Midnight Blue, Violet and Forget-Me-Not Blue. Papier Plume offers their inks in three bottle sizes: 15ml ($5), 30ml ($8) and 50ml bottles ($12).

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I tested the inks with an Esterbrook 2442 nib in a Shawn Newton nib holder on Rhodia paper as well as did swabs with a watercolor paintbrush on the left hand side. On the right hand side, I waited for the inks to dry and then went over the swabs with water to see how much the inks bled.

The Violet was dried to a lovely chalky hue. It was a very mellow violet and pretty. The Violet was the least The Midnight Blue looked almost black when its wet and but dried lighter like a denim-y blue. What was so surprising to me is how much I liked the Forget-Me-Not Blue. I normally think of a true blue as blah but this blue is lip-smackingly beautiful. The only comparison I could make was to describe it as Cornflower blue. Its lovely.

All the colors dried fairly quickly, even in the stub nib and wielded by a messy left-handed writer. I’m inclined to recommend placing an order for either the Violet or the Forget-Me-Not Blue right now.  I would also love to try their Moss Green if its ever restocked. It looks fabulous!

Love Wins

I know people are already starting to complain about too many rainbows in their Facebook and Instagram feeds but I was so tickled at the outpouring of love and support from all the folks in my Instagram feed yesterday that I couldn’t help but share some of the wonderful, creative and paper-inspired images. I love that people are using their tools to celebrate and embrace everyone. I’m proud to be a part of such a great community.

lovewins1Top to bottom, left to right: @lilasymons, @filednotesbrand, @besamecosmetics, @skylabletterpress, @tagteamtompkins, @presentandcorrect, @gemmacorrell, @emilymcdowell, @bygumbygolly.

If you’re interested in the #LoveWins split-fountain letterpress print that Skylab Letterpress made yesterday, email them from their web site and let them know you want to order one. They are hoping to donate the proceeds for the sale of the print to a local LGBT charity here in KC.

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Top to bottom, left to right: @michaelong, @jasperfforde, @cwpencilenterprise, @4theloveoftoys, @mypapercrane, @heymatthew, @candyspotting, @shopcraftgasm, @sarahwalshmakesthings.

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Left to right, top to bottom: @ceylangul, @wellapptdesk, @curbsidetreasure, @adelinesattic, @paperpastries and @dovbee.

#lovewins

Fashionable Friday: Peacock

Fashionable Friday: peacock

  • Aviary Fond Memory Necklace $19.99 (via Modcloth)
  • Pilot Iroshizuku Mini Ink in Ku-jaku Peacock $14 (via Jet Pens)
  • Modern Peacock print $22.43 and up (via Etsy)
  • Kaweco ART Sport Fountain Pen in Lapis $81 (via Pen Chalet)
  • Filofax Saffiano Aquamarine A5 Organizer $65 (via Goldspot Pens)
  • Lamy Safari Neonlime fountain pen (2015 Special Edition) €19,50 (via Fontoplumo)
  • Retro 51 Tornado Peacock Lacquer Finish Rollerball Pen $20 (via Goldspot Pens)
  • Ogami Professional Hardcover Notebook in Aqua Green $20 (via Jet Pens)
  • Craft Design Technology Pencils Set of 3 HB $6.50 (via Fresh Stock)
  • Faber-Castell Grip 2011 Teal Blue Mechanical Pencil $16 (via Anderson Pens)
  • CUBE by Karas Kustoms & Dudek Modern Goods $85 (via Karas Kustoms)
  • Peacock Mobile Phone Case $35 (via Society 6)
  • Kokuyo KadoKeshi Stick Mini Twist Eraser in Lime Green $3.30 (via Jet Pens)
  • Mitsubishi No. 101 Colored Pencils Set of 12 $9 (via Fresh Stock)

Link Love: Moleskine Blowback!

rp_link-ana111111111.jpgPost of the Week:
Brad over at Pen Addict annoyed and infuriated a lot of people with his opinions on a recent podcast about the Moleskine notebook. This week, he posted his favorite Moleskine Alternatives and talked at length on the show this week about how Moleskines are not evil but they are more hype, marketing and brand recognition than they are quality paper goods.

Pens:

Inks:

Pencils:

Paper & Notebooks:

Other Interesting Things:

Desk Set: DIY Pipe Desk

Pipe Table Anatomy

I posted another set of instructions for making a cool, cost-effective pipe table but I feel required to bring it up again. Maybe its a reminder to myself to make one?

Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body finished the surface of this table in a dark stain which gives it a more refined look. She did the whole project for under $200 and its real wood and metal, not Ikea particle board and laminate.

(via Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body)

Pre-Order: Retro 51 Popper Lift-Off

Okay, now that I have already pre-ordered my Retro 51 Limited Edition Popper Lift-Off, its safe to tell you’all about it.

While other people get excited about the sports-themed Retro 51s, the nerds at Chez Desk get grabby hands for anything NASA or space-themed. Having just finished reading The Martian, I’m particularly excited about this limited-to-500 edition of the Retro 51, in all its Saturn V-inspired rocket glory.

Pre-order yours at Goldspot Pens for $35 and remember to tell them you heard about it fro The Well-Appointed Desk!