If you buy fountain pens, then you’ve probably stumbled across the term “iridium-tipped” at some point in regards to fountain pen nibs. But do you know anything about iridium? I knew it was used to harden the nibs of pens but I did not know it was one of the hardest metals in existence. I have also noticed recently that some pen manufacturers are describing the material they use to tip nibs as “iridium alloy”. I also didn’t know that its also one of the most expensive metals in the world. As of today, iridium is selling for upwards of $925 per troy ounce. For some scale, gold is at about $1300. Crazy.
Nibs.com has a detailed article about the iridium and alternatives used for nibs.
(via Wired 21.08, article is not currently available online but is the current Aug 2013 issue on newsstands today)
When you are an office supply junkie, its easy for people to find a gift for you when traveling. Nothing makes me happier than getting a box of pencils from Japan, a pill-shaped pen from Korea or Lego-shaped erasers from the Lego Discovery Center store in Kansas City.
The erasers are a nice rubber and actually erase pretty well. Sadly, you cannot stack them like Lego bricks and it will wear away the brick to use it as an eraser, but it sure is fun.
Do people bring you pens, paper or other office supply goodies when they travel? Or is it time to drop some hints?
Reader Lilardie sent me some samples of three of colors of ink available from Franklin-Christoph recently. I received samples of Dark Denim (a deep blue/blue-black), Syrah Syrah (a red burgundy) and Olde Emerald (a muted deep green).
I like all the colors. None of the colors are overly vibrant. Instead they are deep or muted and feel a little vintage-looking. Each color has a bit of grey or black in it. They all went onto the paper smoothly and flowed easily when I was testing them. All three offered a little bit of shading which would be more apparent with a stub or calligraphy nib.
The Franklin-Christoph site is pretty thorough in its descriptions of their inks which is quite useful. The detail water resistance, dry time, pH levels and other details that are often not available when purchasing other inks. The Dark Denim is water resistant but the Syrah Syrah and Olde Emerald are not.
I am quite fond of these inks and plan on investing in a couple as well as trying the Deep Purple as well. Their color offering is not broad but I think they’ve made good choices about the colors in their collection thus far.
Each ink, as well as their other colors are available directly from Franklin-Christoph for $12 per 2 oz. bottle.
Inks were tested on y bright white blank Quo Vadis Habana notebook with a TWSBI Mini EF.
Rad + Hungry is clearing our some of the treasures collected all over the globe right now so there are some choice goodies to be had like pencil packs, vintage inks and past kits. Rad + Hungry does a great job making every package feel like a gift from a vagabond pal.
Those red/blue pencils are calling my name!
A peek inside the office of Meghan Goulette, Director of Marketing at Rockit Ranch Productions shows a space with traditional modern office furniture with her own aesthetic touches to make it feel more personal and luxe. She keeps a vase of fresh flowers and a vase of oranges to give a joyous pop of color. She added some in-box trays in lime and a black ceramic dish to hold her personal items. On the wall, she added zig zag striped fabric panels for notes and inspiration. Hot pink storage boxes on the shelf help hide any additional clutter.
Do you have any techniques for jazzing up corporate office basics?
(via The Every Girl, photos by Jennifer Kathryn Photography)
I miss Rolodexes. Sure, I love having my iPhone with all my addresses and contacts in it but I miss Rolodexes just the same. All those little cards with names, phone numbers added and crossed off and added again; business cards stapled to a card; or those extra special cards that either came pre-cut to fit in your Rolodex or earned the rare plastic sleeve to make it easier to find.
When I found this article about Envelopements custom made and wildly colorful Rolodex that they call a Roll-O Decks, I wanted one with the passion of a toddler in the toy aisle at Target. Let’s just say that when I discovered that Envelopements is no longer selling them that the toddler metaphor continued to the tantrum I threw knowing I couldn’t order one RIGHT NOW.
What it did leave me was with the distinctive urge to make my own colorful Rolodex. I could fill it with contact information, idea starters or just admire its rainbow of colors.
Now I just need to find the perfect vintage Rolodex to start my project…
