The Well-Appointed Desk

If you’ve been around the paperazzi blogs recently, you may have seen someone mention the new Kickstarter project for these whimsical sticky page markers that feature cities like Tokyo, complete with Godzilla and New York with King Kong to Mars landscapes and rainbows and clouds. They are well designed and a fun way to brighten those science textbooks or business books you’ve been slogging through.

The project has met its initial goal and is now aiming for the stretch goal — a set of Nessie page markers. If the campaign reaches £50,000, any pledge over £10 will receive a set of Nessie page markers as well.

The Sticky Page Markers project is created by Duncan Shotton who also created the Rainbow Pencils and the Pinnochio-inspired push pins. He’s clever and all his designs have been extremely well-executed and beautifully designed. I really want the Hong Kong set and Nessie! There’s only seven days left so submit your pledge soon!

In From the Archives, Pencil Review

From The Archive: Retro 51 Tornado Mini Crossword Pencil

AnaOctober 7, 2014September 30, 20141 Comment

Mini Retro 51 crossword pencil

The Retro 51 Tornado Mini Crossword pencil is a 1.15mm pencil lead twist in a miniature version of the larger classic pencil.

As a crossword puzzle (and other paper puzzles) enthusiast, I received this pencil as a gift so I am not sure how expensive it was originally and I was unable to find a price for this particular model but plain Retro 51 mini pencils pop up on Amazon for around $20.

Mini Retro 51 pencil size comparison

Compared to a full-sized Retro 51, the mini is tiny! Even the Kaweco Sport and Liliput look large next to it. That said, this is not a pencil I would use for long writing sessions because the clip did end up digging into my hand. However, for twiddling while filling in a crossword puzzle at lunch or jotting quick notes like a phone number or grocery list, it’s totally fine for me. But its just at 3.5″ long — without the eraser which I lost sometime ago.

Mini Retro 51 crossword pencil writing sample

The thick lead is surprisingly easy to write with and its added width makes it unliekly to break easily. Because of its small size, it often gets tucked into a pocket in my purse so I always have a pencil with me should the need arise.

I like using this pencil enough to strongly consider getting a full-sized Retro 51 Tornado pencil. I could even get a matching Crossword pencil in the full sized model for $33 (Also available in Sudoku or Stealth Black).

In feature

Rhodia 80th Anniversary Set

AnaOctober 5, 2014October 2, 20141 Comment

The Rhodia 80th Anniversary Limited Edition Set is finally available for purchase at $10 per set. The set includes a No. 80 sized tablet with a black cover and special Rhodia logo cover design and a black Rhodia pencil with matching pattern printed on it. the whole set comes in a special orange gift box.

Details:
Graph paper with faint grey grid
90 gsm, acid-free ivory paper
140 Pages (70 sheets)
6 x 8 ¼” (14.8 x 21 cm)

I don’t have any of the Rhodia paper in ivory with the grey grid so I might buy it for that though I’d hate to break up the perfect collector set. How about you?

(via European Paper)

In feature

LWA Fountain Pen Laboratory

AnaOctober 4, 2014October 2, 20145 Comments

The Letter Writers Alliance is hosting a Fountain Pen Lab next Saturday in Chicago at the amazing Greer Stationery Shop. The lab is limited to 6 people and the lab fee includes a Kaweco sport demonstrator pen with a medium nib as well as all their experiences and knowledge about using fountain pens and improving penmanship.

Fountain Pen Laboratory
Saturday, Oct. 11th from 1-3pm
Location: Greer, 1657 N Wells St, Chicago, IL
Fee: $75

Go to the Letter Writers Alliance blog to register.

In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Gold Heist

AnaOctober 3, 2014October 2, 20143 Comments

Since I’m traveling this week, I didn’t have a lot of time to pull together a Fashionable Friday. But never fear, the internet came to my rescue with this wonderful assortment of gold accoutrements for your office.

Bright & Beautiful Blog's gold office accessories — Items shown in photo tape dispenser || stapler || paper clips || mug || striped notebook || cards || clipboard || starburst || embosser || scissors || ‘Hustle’ print || tray || lamp || candle || iPhone case || (curated by Bright & Beautiful Blog)

Thanks to the Bright & Beautiful Blog for unknowingly doing my job for me this week. I’ll be back next week with my own take on fashion for the office. Until then… Enjoy!

In Link Love

Link Love: Loving the “Other” Stuff

AnaOctober 2, 20145 Comments

This week’s links of the week are all those “Other Neat Stuff” links at the bottom. Two pen shows, the Pennaquod update, “The Pen Debacle” and Harry Marks’ “I Wrote a Novel” article are all excellent reads. I hope you enjoy them too.

Pens:

Noodler’s Creaper Fountain Pen (via Gourmet Pens)
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Roller Ball Pen (via Unroyal Warrant)
A Pair of Edison Pens: Menlo and Beaumont (via Leigh Reyes)
MonteVerde One Touch Tool Fountain Pen (via Ink of Me Fondly)
Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Gel Ink Pen Red Orange (via Pen Addict)
Rainbow Gel Pens (via Gourmet Pens)
Paper Mate Flair Ultra Fine and a Sharpie Pen Comparison (via Office Supply Geek)

Ink:

Sailor Kobe No:3 Sepia (via Write To Me Often)

Pencils:

Caran D’Ache Couleurs Fluos Pencils (via All Things Stationery)
My Favorite Budget Pencil (This Week)… Palomino Golden Bear (via Gentleman Stationer)

Paper & Notebooks:

Airmail Stationery Via Amazon (via Inkophile)
YellowPaperHouse “Hobonichi Style” notebook (via Fountain Pen Physicist)
You don’t like the notebook you started… Now what? (via Rhodia Drive)
Kickstarter: The Week Dominator planner (via Plannerisms)

Other Neat Stuff:

The Ink Debacle: A Cautionary Tale (via From The Pen Cup)
Commonwealth Pen Show Highlights (via Modern Stationer)
Tilburg Pen Show 2014 (via The Pencil Case Blog)
Pennaquod update (via Pen! Paper! Pencils!)
I Wrote a Novel By Hand (via The Cramped)

In feature

Kickstarter: Office Putty

AnaOctober 2, 2014September 30, 20148 Comments

I really like the idea of having office “toys”. When I was a manager, I would often cover conference room tables with Silly Putty eggs and jars full of Lego. I find it helps people forget they are in a big room feeling awkward. It can give people something to do with their hand besides check their phones for messages and I’d like to believe that doing something tactile can get you thinking more clearly.

So, I was intrigued by the idea of Office Putty. It’s targeted for the office — in a respectable tin in a pleasing blue color and in a good sized wad.

However, I think the $20US/$22CAD opening price point seems a bit steep for the product. Normally, Kickstarter prices are a bit lower than the final retail prices and this seems like a high price, even at retail.

I really want to support this project but it seems a bit too expensive for what it is. Is it just me? Is $20 for a big tin of putty resonable? Talk me into it.