I met Titanium, the maker behind Penultimate Inks at the Dallas Pen Show and felt like kindred spirits. I was so excited to see the selection of unique ink colors all named after D&D characters like Paladin, Barbarian, and Cleric. Are these the perfect ink to use for your gaming journal, Gamify planning or just for everyday. My first experience with Penultimate inks was at the Ink Crawl following the Pelikan Hub.

I've seen a lot of people on Reddit discovering fountain pens by way of Amazon, Temu and other low-cost options with a focus on the Chinese pen makers. So today I want take time to compare the nib sizes on the Jinhao 82 -- a "dupe" for a Sailor ProGear Slim or similar in terms of overall design aesthetics.

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway this week. Now, for the winner of our Owl Paper Co. A5 Undated Planner: I hope this A5 planner convinces you to give them another shot! Stay tuned for more giveaways soon!

The Dallas Pen Show was a great experience this year. Despite an extra day and a half of show which was tiring, the attendees, vendors and organizers were all a delight. Not only did people share their love of pens and stationery with us but also with each other. I'm always tickled to watch one attendee help another by recommending their favorite ink, helping someone find something on the ink racks or just make new friends simply flipping through the ink swatch books and ooh-ing and ahh-ing together over the colors.

So, this month I changed my planner set-up, added new notebooks and temporarily retired others. Chaos reigns supreme for October! Check out the video for all the details. Links to everything mentioned in the video: Orilum Magical Readathon Journal Video Audrey Matteson charms On the Paper Trail LIVE in Nashville On the Paper Trail LIVE Workshops Lauren Phelps A6 Live Plan Dream Notebook…

I have a beautiful planner from Owl Paper Co. to give away today. I reviewed another Owl Paper Co. planner last week that uses the same 80 gsm Delphina paper and a similar layout if you'd like to see pen tests and ink swatches. The Owl Paper A5 Undated Bullet Journal features a Caramel Macchiato leatherette cover. It is a 6-month, undated bullet journal.

I'm headed off to Dallas for the pen show tomorrow. If you're attending the show, please come by the Dromgoole's corner in the main ballroom and say hi. I'd love to see you! In Link Love news, its a very arty week and art markers get some serious love. USPS provides shipping guidelines for the upcoming holiday season and there's some tips for reusing old planner inserts from Philofaxy.

For months, I have been looking at the Sailor Pro Gear Slim 2024 Celestial Grey EF ($280) on the JetPens site. It is one of the last places that had one in stock and the price was more 2024 than 2026. However, I have been on a budget and even at the reasonable 2024 prices, the Celestial Grey was still pricey.

Last year I did a review comparison of lots of different planners papers following the Tomoe River issues in Hobonichi and other planners in 2025. Since then, several planner companies have changed or updated their paper selections. Owl Paper Co. is one of the companies that has switched from Tomoe River paper to a very unique 80gsm Delphina Paper. As far as I can tell, Owl Paper Co.

I spend way too much time on Reddit and the Jinhao #59 pocket fountain pen ($9.99-$12.99) is a popular pen amongst the folks in r/fountainpens. So, I finally broke down and purchased one. I was iffy as to the quality and I am fully aware its a dupe of the legendary Pilot E95s ($176) but the price of the Jinhao version makes it a very appealing alternative.

I am slowly starting to feel better after a long bout of bronchitis and FluA (me and just about everyone else who went to the SF Pen Show. As I slowly come back to the world, get more energy and see my ever-growing to-do list, I agree with Rachel's post that, right now, in our current world, its okay to not be okay all the time.

This Sunday, Sept. 20 is the 20th Anniversary of Skylab Letterpress and we would like to invite any Desk reader to join us at our Open House from 2pm-5pm. Light refreshments will be available as well as a tour of the shop, shopping, freebies and maybe a chance to get inky and print up some stuff we'll have locked up on press.

As an asthmatic, when I catch a cold, it turns into full-fledged bronchitis. I have all the meds on-hand from my doctor since I've been through this for decades but the recovery time is long and slow. I have to let my body recover and, as anyone who runs a small business can tell you, slowing down and letting go is hard to do.

Rickshaw Bagworks is now offering the classic NockCo Brasstown pen roll and zip case (starting at $60). This was one of the earliest designs created by NockCo way back in the day and a case I've had and abused for over 11 years. I have had a pen leak in mine, thrown it in the wash, ironed on custom decals and stained it repeatedly.

Hello, and welcome to Labor Day, the day we should not be laboring. So take a little break today if you had to work. If not, why are you looking at your phone, laptop or tablet?!?! Go play! Read a book, take a walk, play a game, hang out with friends! We will be here tomorrow. We promise.

I dig through my growing pile of unused notebooks and try to avoid the lure of new planner season by using or repurposing notebooks and journals I already own.

Okay, its not entirely true that all I got at the SF Pen Show was a cold but it was the most memorable. I am currently suffering from laryngitis with no voice at all as well as a healthy does of bronchitis. Despite the rapid onset of the con crud, the show was really good. Everyday was busy, full of happy people buying new pens, inks, paper and accessories.

Okay, its not entirely true that all I got at the SF Pen Show was a cold but it was the most memorable. I am currently suffering from laryngitis with no voice at all as well as a healthy does of bronchitis. Despite the rapid onset of the con crud, the show was really good. Everyday was busy, full of happy people buying new pens, inks, paper and accessories.

A few weeks ago I became aware of a new trend: adding stickers to your pens! I was immediately intrigued, and went looking through YouTube, Reddit and all my other sources. Here's some things I found: Identify what pen you'd like to add stickers too. I went ahead and chose a Pilot Kakuno Demonstrator that I bought a while ago. Like writing with it, design is very neutral, don't mind adding stickers to it (which could potentially devalue a potential pen for resale, but you do you!).

I am still a little vague on the specifics around what has actually happened with the Pelikan Hub events but many local events were cancelled by Pelikan and many attendees were "uninvited" to the events. Hubmasters do not have the contact info for people who were uninvited so they cannot reach out and let them know about the event, invite them without swag from Pelikan or just organize a non-Pelikan-sponsored meetup.

  I love making a fresh start for each month and doing a themed set-up at the start of each month gives me a chance to start over. Each month is a new beginning and a chance to recommit to goals, trackers, etc. This month's theme was sort of "the whole world in your hands" inspired by globes, back-to-school and a sense of optimism and hope, at least for me.

I love to read and I love to gamify my life. I like to play for "imaginary internet points" and just generally find new ways to trim down my ever-growing TBR (to be read) list. So, when a friend of mine introduced me to the World of Aeldia and the Orilium Fall Equinox Magical Readathon, I knew this was going to be something I would enjoy.

I'm in the last-dash packing stage getting ready to fly out for the SF Pen Show. I'm excited to spend time with my West Coast Pen Friends and see how crazy the SF show will be this year. If you're coming to the show, be prepared for the crowds. Deep breaths, pack snacks and water and try out your own slim, low-profile Pen Show Bag (see link below!).

I recently picked up a bottle of Dominant Industry Leaf Green ($17 for 25ml bottle -- $1.47 per ml). I must have been inspired by the Oregon landscape with this deep green, forest-y vibe ink as I had just been there for the PNW Pen Show. When swatched, the ink is  deep green with a little shading that shows a tiny bit of a yellow-y undertone.

I recently picked up a bottle of Dominant Industry Leaf Green ($17 for 25ml bottle -- $1.47 per ml). I must have been inspired by the Oregon landscape with this deep green, forest-y vibe ink as I had just been there for the PNW Pen Show. When swatched, the ink is  deep green with a little shading that shows a tiny bit of a yellow-y undertone.

For those who don't know my history before becoming a full-time content creator and stationery maker, I worked as a graphic designer for Hallmark Cards for almost 20 years. I worked with some of the most talented lettering artists, illustrators and writers. I went on to work for two other companies as a product developer (not digital products but a design of physical goods like tea sets, Christmas ornaments, home decor goods and more) where I had the pleasure of collaborating with artist and illustrators as well as creating my own artwork.

With every week that I do Link Love, I see and feel transitions in the types of posts I find. Lately, I've seen a shift towards the paper part of our hobby. As the vessel for our thoughts, ideas, plans and memories, paper can often be the most important part of the stationery hobby. Whether you are looking for notecards or writing paper for letters, notebooks for ideas and projects, journals for memory keeping or planners for (finally) getting your life in order, paper is the key.

You know how sometimes you see the measurements of a notebooks and think, "Oh, I know what size that is" and just order it? Yeah, that's what happened to me when I ordered the Kobeha Graphilo Notebook - Style - 8.3" x 4.7" - Blank ($34 or $0.36 per page, ). I thought it was Traveler's Standard-size since JetPens listed it as "A5 Slim" so I assumed I'd have an existing cover to use with the notebook.

Thanks to everyone who entered the Galen Leather Sinclair case giveaway. I wish I had more to give away but I only have one so let's celebrate today's lucky winner: I'm happy to treat you this beautiful case! More giveaways soon so stay tuned! I've emailed the winner directly. If its you, check your spam filter. If winner does not reach out within 7 days, I will pick a new winner. 

Dromgoole's released a new collection of inks for the Portland PNW Pen Show. The set was a collaboration with Monteverde x Dromgoole’s Trailhead Coffee and Cathedral Grove (30ml ink set + 30ml Pen Flush for $23.04  - 0.25 per ml) and were inspired by the Pacific Northwest. Trailhead Coffee: Trailhead Coffee is a rich, earthy brown inspired by freshly brewed coffee with the addition of a gold shimmer.

The latest release from Kaweco has been a source of fascination and, for some, disappointment. The Kaweco Sport Marble Ocean with EF Nib ($37) features a marbled plastic barrel that features teal blues, greens and clear areas. Because the material is subject to unexpected variations, purchasing one of these pens can be a bit of like blind box roulette. Will the model I get be full of swirly colors or be…

Often when I work for Dromgoole's at a pen show, I will have several people ask for the same ink. Inevitably, an influencer or two will have posted about a particular ink. Sometimes its a video or a TikTok but when I was setting up Link Love, I found out why I had dozens of people asking for Wearinguel Undine…

I spent some time talking with the team at Galen Leather at the DC Supershow and had them pick the best of the best of their new Leather Sinclair Pen Case in Deep Cognac just to share with one lucky reader. If you're not familiar with the Nock Co. Sinclair case, it started its life as a simple fabric case created in the Atlanta area and was then recreated in custom-printed fabrics by Rickshaw Bagworks and now Galen is bringing a new level of luxury to the humble Sinclair by producing it in fine leathers with soft, supple handwoven Kutnu lining.

Tomorrow is International Cat Day. If you know me, everyday is Cat Day so let's celebrate our favorite feline couch potatoes. Trying to narrow down our combined love for stationery and cats was such a challenge. Van Dieman's has a 15-color ink collection called Feline with fabulous illustrations on the bottles including Persian Princess which looks 100% like Princess Donut (IYKYK).

I am hopping on an airplane right now and I'm headed to the biggest pen show in the US! Come see me at the DC Supershow this weekend. I will be at the Dromgoole's tables as their resident ink expert. I would be happy to help you find the perfect ink to match your new pen, seek out your "must have" ink and celebrate paper, planners and all the other stationery products.

Thanks to all the entries into our recent Aura Estelle Undated Planner Giveaway. There is still time to order a copy of the Undated or 2027 versions on their website. Now, on to our winners! BrooklynBeka is our winner for the B6 Undated Daily version of the Aura Estelle Magnet planner. Congrats to Jennifer L! She'll be getting the Weekly version.

This week is the end of the Yoseka Stationery Fest in Brooklyn and, for many of us, counting down the hours and days until the two largest pen shows in the US -- the DC Supershow and the SF Pen Show. As we prepare for the upcoming shows, check out our special "Pen Show Prep" category to plan your shopping, packing and preparation for the upcoming shows.

Just after the original Kickstarter launch of the Drillog machined dip nib pens, I was able to test one. I recall really liking the nib but the original shape of the super-short sprial nib holder was not to my liking. It was a  little too short and a little too wide. For such an elegant nib design, the nib holder did not have the same elegance.

Just after the original Kickstarter launch of the Drillog machined dip nib pens, I was able to test one. I recall really liking the nib but the original shape of the super-short sprial nib holder was not to my liking. It was a  little too short and a little too wide. For such an elegant nib design, the nib holder did not have the same elegance.

For August, I was inspired by Lawrence of Arabia and The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi. If it going to be this hot out, I want desert adventures, treasures, tombs and Indiana Jones. Printables are available for Patrons. Become a Patron today and download your very own printables. Where will your paper adventures take you? Stationery Items: Aura Estelle 2026 B6 Magnet Daily Planner…

I have been super happy with my Aura Estelle B6 Magnet Daily Planner that when the company reached out to me last week asking if I'd be interested in sharing my love for Aura Estelle planners I said "Yes, please and thank you!" Aura Estelle has provided me with TWO planners to share with readers: B6 Magnet Weekly Horizontal UNDATED…

We love Kawecos as much as anyone so check out the JetPens Blog comprehensive guide to the Kaweco Sport this week. I am really loving the new colors they are doing like the Lunar Sport collection and the newest Marble Ocean Collection. The Marble OCean 100% goes with my mermaid vibe this month! Pens: If I Could Only Keep Ten Fountain Pens....

I picked up the Kuretake Ink-Cafe Meiji No Iro Bottled Ink in Ebicha (20ml bottle for $19.30) last year and have been meaning to post a review. I had been waiting to get all six colors but I can never find all in stock at the same time.  The "MEIJI NO IRO" series of inks is nspired by popular colors from the Meiji era of Japanese history that occurred between 1868 to 1912, the Japanese equivalent of the Edwardian period.

I picked up the Kuretake Ink-Cafe Meiji No Iro Bottled Ink in Ebicha (20ml bottle for $19.30) last year and have been meaning to post a review. I had been waiting to get all six colors but I can never find all in stock at the same time.  The "MEIJI NO IRO" series of inks is nspired by popular colors from the Meiji era of Japanese history that occurred between 1868 to 1912, the Japanese equivalent of the Edwardian period.

I found a magical package on my door step this week, filled with the sweet Moomin stationery in celebration of The Summer of Moomin, an event at the New York Botanical Gardens. This summer, NYBG has filled their gardens with the creatures of Moominland and of course produced an array of goods to celebrate the event. If you're not familiar with Moomin, they are the characters from Moominland created by Tove Jansson.

I found a magical package on my door step this week, filled with the sweet Moomin stationery in celebration of The Summer of Moomin, an event at the New York Botanical Gardens. This summer, NYBG has filled their gardens with the creatures of Moominland and of course produced an array of goods to celebrate the event. If you're not familiar with Moomin, they are the characters from Moominland created by Tove Jansson.

I grabbed a handful of Sailor Studio Inks at the Portland PNW Pen Show. Some of the colors I grabbed are being discontinued so I wanted to be able to see if I can find some dupes* for the discontinued colors as well as just share the joy of finding a new favorite color. *Dupe is a term used in the cosmetics community to describe a very similar color of a product that is less expensive or not a limited edition.  

More of the pen community has taken on the "Only Ten Pens" Challenge. I love these community challenges and the chance to see what other people love. Sometimes its $10 pens and sometimes its $1000+ pens... and sometimes both. I've continued to think on this project and if it would inspire me to remove some pens from my collection and possibly add more of what I love most?

I was so excited to try a new ink from Taccia. I picked up a bottle of the Hokusai Sabimidori (40ml bottle for $32). First, I have always liked the work of Hokusai and this ink collection includes four inks inspired by the Ukiyo-e prints of legendary artist Hokusai. I was able to see an exhibition of Hokusai's work this year at the Nelson-Atkins Museum.

I have been using a very specific ink for the past few years. The ink is Pen BBS #224 Leo Tolstoy which was released a few years ago never to be seen again. It's a dark yellow-green that has low saturation but a dark enough ink for a fine Japanese nib. It's not a bright grassy green but more of a brined olive color.