Archive for November, 2009
Antique Mall Joy: 67 Year Old Parker 51 for $36
Video Eleven on Flickr posted the above image about a few recent antique store pen finds. A Parker “51″ Aerometric in Midnight Blue, Sheaffer Balance in Red Carmine striated, Continue Readering »
Thanksgiving Giveaway: Win one of 20 Pocket 2010 Rhodia Planners
The new Rhodia planners turned out to be such a huge success that at this time they are in extremely limited supply. Continue Readering »
Artist Inspiration: Carla Trujillo
Carla Trujillo is a mixed media artist living and working in the greater Cincinnati area. Continue Readering »
Rhodia, an Omelet and a Cup of Coffee
Flickr member Margaret Mendel posted the following to the Rhodia Drive Flickr Group:
“Yesterday I took my trusty RHODIA notebook to Brooklyn to work out the plot to my next writing project. I sat in a coffee shop and had an omelet with grated apple, brie cheese and ham and a hearty cup of coffee. Then I took a walkabout and shot some pictures. All in all it was a very relaxing and satisfying day.”
I don’t usually write in public places, and I always wonder if I should give it a try… I wonder if the atmosphere and surroundings would provide inspiration, or distraction? My neighborhood is pretty quiet during the day, and I sometimes think about going to the library to write but when everything is so quiet at home, I often end up just staying right here with all my pens & notebooks & quilted slippers…
What’s in your #dailyarsenal?
Image courtesy of Flickr member Margaret Mendel
I recently found out about the #dailyarsenal on Twitter. Allow me to first explain what the “#” is all about. Continue Readering »
Finding Rhodia Down Under
In response to our “Show us where you buy your Rhodia” post, our first two entries come from the land down under. I received the top image from our friends at Crane Brothers in Auckland New Zealand… Continue Readering »
New Pen Makers
Are pens and notebooks making a slight comeback? I have noticed that even people who manage most of their calendar and communications by a blackberry, iPhone, or some other kind of electronic devise still like to to carry around a notebook for meetings or to record their ideas, private thoughts and observations. They also carry a pen. Or two.
Along with the surge in notebook interest have come some new pen makers. Three new pen companies I am following are Edison Pen Co. in Ohio; The Goulet Pen Company in Virginia; and the Norsk Workshop in Florida. You can also follow them on Facebook: Brian at The Goulet Pen Company, Patrick at Norsk Workshop and Brian at Edison Pen Co.
I hope to get to meet each of them at a pen show in 2010, where I will leave poorer but much happier!
Do you have a new or favorite pen maker to recommend? Are you considering entering the field?
User Review: CopyGuru and the Large Webbie
CopyGuru from The Fountain Pen Network reviews his new Rhodia Webbie: Continue Readering »
Tom Bihn and Rhodia
Seems as though there are a few Rhodia fans over at Tom Bihn… Continue Readering »
Flickr Friday :: Orange Day
Photo courtesy of Flickr member bettybl
Paper, pen & tunes? To me, that’s like Ready, Set, Go! Continue Readering »
Grab Your Camera and Show us Where You Buy Your Rhodia!
Target? Dick Blick? Borders? Art Brown? We want you to show us where you buy your Rhodia… Continue Readering »
Veterans Day
Every Veterans Day is a day to remember my father, who served in the U.S. Marines in WWII. He was 20 years old when he was drafted. He mostly saw action in the Philippines and was also sent to China for a time. I have pictures of my father on the Great Wall of China, and also a piece of silk with a dragon embroidered on it he brought back and ended up with me. Dad saw horrible things during the war, and never spoke about it very much at all. But he was always very proud to be a Marine.
From my father’s stories I began to realize that historical accounts, whether of an event or conflict, often didn’t reflect the stories men and women told who had been on the battlefields or the aftermath. Or, the effect of war and its mayhem on the people on the ground both inside and outside. My father, who I would say was a pretty brave guy, could not sleep without a light for several years after getting home, and until the day he died at 67 he needed to have a radio on to fall asleep at night. He thought this came from doing guard duty in complete darkness and silence, with the knowledge a lot of Marines had their throats cut walking the same perimeters.
He returned home to Elizabeth, New Jersey as an amputee. Since he lost his right hand during the war, his dream to be a commerical fisherman was over, and he had to make another living. He also had to learn to write with his left hand. Dad went to Rutgers University on the G. I. Bill and became in English teacher. At some point he acquired his father’s pen, which was a dip pen in a black bakelite inkwell. Dad used this all through his decades of teaching to grade papers and write comments. I never saw him use anything but burgundy ink. When I was little I would stand by his desk and try to very carefully write my name with the pen and ink I thought was so grownup.
When my father passed away–20 years ago this month–at his behest I received his college ring and the pen set. They are among my most treasured possessions. The pen is on my writing desk, so it’s always in view as I write or ponder. In honor of my father I never use anything in it but burgundy ink.
Today is the day to remember–and to thank–all the veterans who have served our country with honor and courage. There was sacrifice involved on many levels, sacrifice that can often not be undone or healed. To all the veterans who read or participate on this blog, a special thanks to you, and I hope you feel our admiration and respect.
Let’s Talk Pens
Image © Biffybeans All Rights Reserved
I would like you to tell me about your most favorite writing pens. The one(s) that you reach for when you plan on sitting down and staying for a while…. filling page after page of your thoughts, plans, dreams and aspirations, shopping lists and homework. Continue Readering »
J. Herbin Glass Dip Pen Tutorial at JetPens
Image ©Biffybeans All rights Reserved
Curious on how to use the J. Herbin glass nibbed pens? JetPens has put together a quick and easy tutorial on how to use them. I have one (that’s mine in the image above) and I love it for dip testing inks and I also use it for drawing. I was at first afraid that a glass pen would be extremely fragile, but having had it accidentally hit the kitchen linoleum, I was quite surprised when it did not shatter into a billion pieces- in fact, it survived unscathed.
I seem to have some sort of artistic blockage when it comes to metal nibbed dip pens – I know how they work but just can’t get them to work… and so the glass dip pen is my friend.
Have you tried one yet?
Halloween Webnotebook Contest Winners!
372 of you entered to win one of 15 large Webnotebooks and we were absolutely THRILLED with your enthusiasm for the giveaway.
Many of you were from the US, but there were also entrants from all around the world; Peru, Netherlands, UK, Malaysia, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, Turkey, South Africa, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, Canada…. Continue Readering »
