Archive for Give us Your Feedback
When do you prefer to use paper?
Sitting and tapping out ideas for this post via my iPhone, I am not afraid to admit that I regularly utilize various electronic devices to write – though not really by choice. More often than not, I use them out of convenience because my time management skills stink.
I have always preferred to work with a pen and paper because it’s so much more of an organic process than the manipulation of a cursor on a backlit screen. I think if paper were no longer accessible, I’d really struggle to perform all of my writing tasks on a laptop or tablet. Seeing my own handwriting on a piece of paper is a significant reminder of my own existence. Pages printed from my computer? Black ink, boring font, the words might be prize-winning but they could belong to anyone. Nothing personal, no identity. Bleh.
I absolutely prefer paper for journal writing and brainstorming and of course, for drawing and doodling.
What kinds of writing do you feel are better on paper, and why?
Image courtesy of nenonafirestardragonstrgteg1
Selling on Amazon
Thank you all for your comments about selling on Amazon. They are interesting to read – pro and con. Thank you so much to the person who originally wrote to us asking to sell on Amazon – it got a good conversation going. Click here to read the original post.
To give you some background: we have been approached by Amazon multiple times through calls, email messages and visits at trade shows. We were getting several calls a month from various Amazon employees who wanted to do business.
Amazon was eager to take our entire line of Rhodia products–something none of our current retailers does. That in itself was appealing, because we always get calls and emails requesting references online retailers don’t stock. Like any other stores, online retailers tend to cherry-pick what their customers want or what they think will sell. That makes sense for them, but sometimes presents issues for us and the random consumer who can’t find what they want.
The Amazon representatives wanted Rhodia, but also expressed interest in Clairefontaine. I have to say it is an intriguing prospect – it would make it very easy for consumers to find us and buy. It will also give our brands exposure to potentially millions of new customers. Several of our retailers sell product on Amazon, including Rhodia, Quo Vadis and others. It seems they do pretty well, but I also know Amazon isn’t their only outlet. Other than their own prospecting via the web and shows, I suspect Amazon buyers called us because “Rhodia” or “Rhodia notepads” appeared enough in their Search bar to prompt the contact.
We ultimately decided not to sell on Amazon for these reasons:
1) It would severely impact our online retailers–especially those who market and support us with their customers
2) Since Amazon is driven on lowest price – ultimately we may not be able to sell them them (and survive) on the price they demand
3) We will not agree to Amazon’s returns policy
The door to selling on Amazon is not nailed shut, since we don’t know what the future will hold. But we are not contemplating selling through them at this time.
Thank you again for your thoughtful and sincere comments, which I have passed along through Exaclair and onto France as well.
Tear or Flip?
On our top stapled pads, do you flip the page over or tear it out? I myself don’t like seeing the pages bent so I have to tear out a page before moving on to the next. This works well with “to-do” lists when you are likely to be copying a few items over from the previous list.
Also, do you write on the back of the paper? This seems most convenient once the sheet has been removed from the pad.
Soft Cover Notebooks
We have recently received several requests for soft cover notebooks. 
“Any plans to make the webnotebooks in SOFT cover? I’ve been using the webby, and love them, but I wish it came in soft cover!”
Rhodia does not make a soft cover Webby. Should we? Do you think there would be a large enough demand vs. hardcover?
The Rhodia Unlimited pocket notebook has a very soft touch cover. However, it has a lot less sheets than a Webnotebook, and only comes in pocket size. Our sales for the Unlimited continue to grow, especially since it is now available in ruled as well as grid.
The ePure line by Rhodia (which is currently not imported to the US since the paper is made in Asia, not France,) includes soft cover leather journals and a thin, flexible leatherette cover. Both are available in large and pocket. The leatherette version is thicker than a Webby.
I have a few samples of ePure available if Webby owners want to try them out and share what they experience with others on Rhodia Drive. Please comment and let me know of your interest.
If you could read anyone’s notes or memoirs…
Sometimes I really miss my Gram. She was a wonderful person and it was no secret that she was very much loved for her food. She worked as a cook for 18 years and the whole family would go crazy for her meatloaf, stroganoff, stuffed cabbages, and baked hams. Gram loved watching cooking shows and when she went on vacation, all she’d talk about was the food she ate while on the trip. I have no idea what Gram thought of the Sistine Chapel, but she made sure to tell you what she ate while in Italy.
If there was one person I wished had left a journal or two behind, it’s Gram.
Whose notes would you want to read?
Image courtesy of mimi_pan11 on Instagram.
Rhodia “On the Road”
Rhodia – our parent company – prepared this video as part of a contest for French customers. See it here. 
It’s a cute video. (Spoiler) – the cute orange pad ends up with the ride!
Can you see a different ending or new episode?
What was your first fountain pen?
My first fountain pen was a red Lamy Safari that I purchased in late 2007 from Pendemonium. I called them to help me select the nib, as I had no idea how it might write when compared to a typical gel pen or roller ball. Continue Readering »
Sketches and Doodles in a dotPad
Working out some rough ideas for custom vector symbols, Petr uses the Rhodia dotPad as a daily tool.
We’ve seen many people using the dotPad for sketching and doodling – practicing calligraphy and such. I myself have been known to use the dotPad or the occasional mandala doodle.
What do think it is about the dot grid that makes it so popular for drawing and doodling?
Image courtesy of Petr Vlk follow Petr as imagiag on Instagram.
What are Your Favorite Blogs?
We’ve received a lot of feedback from our readers about how much you enjoy our Friday Link Shares and I appreciate knowing that you like reading these as much as I do discovering it. I typically search for content for these posts amongst my 150+ blog subscriptions but will also scour Twitter and Facebook for interesting articles to further enhance the list.
As I am always looking for new content, I would love for you to tell me your favorite blogs so I can check them out. My personal favorites include a plethora of stationery/pen/ink reviewers, tip sites such as Mashable and Lifehacker, and funny sites such as The Oatmeal.
If you have a personal site you’d like me to review for possible addition to our Rhodia Drive Blogroll, please feel free to list that as well.
Passing Time
From Kim King, author of the blog “Consider the Lilies.”
“Had a couple hours in the Charlotte airport today…awesome people watching and writing time. The two go hand in hand for me now that I think on it…I enjoy writing in public places. The noise and movement give parameters–something to push against and lean into all at the same time.”
These statements raise a few interesting questions; Do you always carry a notebook with you, and do you like writing in public? As solitary as I often prefer my creative time to be, there is something to be said for the quiet that lives amongst the chaos.
Rhodia Pad Holders
Have you tried using any of our pad holders and if so, do you like them? Do you find them to be practical for your needs? Do they hold up to the daily punishment of bouncing around in your bag?
Guest post from journalist Andrew Steadman
“I’m a journalist (currently working for the Jersey Journal) who uses Rhodia notepads exclusively while on the job. It took me a while to figure out exactly what worked best for me, but I believe I’ve found it: the spiral-bound Rhodia No 13 with graph paper. Continue Readering »
Fear of the Blank Page?
Reading back through the posts on our Rhodia Journal Swap Tumblr blog I came across an entry from early in the swap by Pam Hero: Continue Readering »
Going Shopping
Ever since the introduction of online shopping, I’ve found it a challenge to rely on what my local retailers stock when I want to buy something. Continue Readering »
Journal Prompt: List your All-Time Favorite Television Shows
In my infamous “Book of Lists” I like to note my current favorite television shows as well as those from my past. Growing up in the 1970′s, that means Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, Land of the Lost, Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley. Continue Readering »
