The Well-Appointed Desk

The new Lamy Safari is in the most delicious shade of apple green (my signature color!). If only I could love the special grip utilized by Lamy in this model– its so lefty-incompatible! But I can still lust after the color.

Remember: if you order anything through Notemaker, Well-Appointed Desk readers get a 10% discount at checkout with the code WELLAPPDESK through August. And they have flat rate international shipping. Its never too soon to plan your back-to-school purchases!

(via Notemaker’s blog Field Notes)

In feature

A peek at notebooks of artists and authors

AnaMay 30, 2012Leave a comment

A peek inside the handwritten dictionary of Nick Cave from 1984. From Nick Cave Collection at the Arts Centre in Melbourne.

Punk rock legends not your speed? How about a snippet from Mark Twain’s pocket notebook including what looks like an assortment of potential character names. I think “Syphilis Briggs” is my favorite.

Visit the Flavorwire for a dozen more notebooks from artists and authors and see all sorts of handwriting, notebooks and a few choice notes!

In feature

Winner of the May Kaweco Giveaway!

AnaMay 30, 2012Leave a comment

Wow! We received 121 entries into the Celebrate Summer Kaweco Giveaway and all of the responses were wonderful. Thanks to everyone for sharing your Kaweco plans and thanks to JetPens for making it all possible.

Drum roll please for the Random Number Generator…

Looks like its comment #1, Rori! I’ll be contacting you by email to make arrangements for the delivery of your Kaweco!

In feature

Embellish it with Washi Tape

AnaMay 29, 2012Leave a comment

Notebook Stories embellished a plain black notebook with a bunch of wonderful, patterned washi tapes. What a great way to identify one plain black notebook from another. I am notorious for buying an endless stream of A5 black notebooks and just sticking a couple stickers on the cover to identify one from the other. But this…. this is a beautiful solution.

Check out the full post for other design ideas and more excuses to stock up on washi tape.

In photo

Handwritten letter by Edgar Allen Poe

AnaMay 28, 20122 Comments

Isn’t this a delight to see Edgar Allen Poe’s handwriting? I’m amused to see that the original correspondence was sent in November but Poe did not reply until February. Procrastination is not a new concept.

(via Why Evolution Is True)

In DIY

Refilling a Kaweco with a syringe

AnaMay 27, 2012May 27, 20174 Comments

With the Kaweco giveaway deadline fast approaching, I thought I would share my technique for refilling my Kaweco with ink. I don’t like being limited to just the cartridge ink colors available. Kaweco has a nice variety for cartridges but there are SO many other ink colors available that its nice to have an option for playing into your own whims.

First step is to collect the necessary supplies:

a pen in need of a little inky love (in my case, Kawecos as they are cartridge-only)
a long syringe (with about a 1.5″ long needle, approx 1mm in diameter. I got mine from Goulet Pens but if you know someone in the medical profession, they might be able to find something comparable for you)
an empty cartridge, cleaned and dry
ink (sample vials or a great big bottle will work equally well)