Archive for Instagram
Pen Tests Are Part of The Fun
I believe one of the joys of writing with a fountain pen is being able to explore so many different options. From the various nib types to literally hundreds of different ink options in every imaginable color, this allows you to customize your experience which in turn, can make every writing task seem less of a chore and more like like something to look forward to. Rhodia and Clairefontaine papers are consistent performers when paired with these water based inks and can help make your writing experience become even more enjoyable.
Do you have a pen test page like the one above? This is always a fun way to compare which inks are your favorites in which pen. I know some people who choose famous quotations when trying out new inks. Me? I always found myself writing the alphabet or doodling with a new pen/ink.
Image courtesy of heymatthew on Instagram
Friday Link Share
Handmade Fonts on Behance
Why I Use Fountain Pens on FPGeeks
Embroidery on the Fashion Figure on CopicMarker.com
Music Ink in Music Nibs at Leigh Reyes My Life as a Verb
Safety Flair: Our Favorite Reflective Cycling Gear at Bicycling.com
Is Your Writing Timeless? at GoinsWriter.com
A Young Colorist, Antennas Aquiver at The New York Times
TS Eliot’s fountain pen gets first outing at Royal Society of Literature at The Guardian
This Old Notebook at Patrick Rhone
Write for Palimpsest at Palimpsest
To Do Lists at Onigiri Sama & her 21Kittens
Follow the Leaders: Faber-Castell e-motion Fountain Pen (M nib) at From the Pen Cup
Are You Honest In Your Journal? at Kaizen Journaling
New Rhodiactive Professional Business Collection – Meeting Book Review at Writer’s Bloc
Experimenting Every Time at Urban Sketchers
Talking with Tom Hanks about What Really Matters at Psychology Today
The Battle Between Japan’s Big 3 at Pentorium
Recent Acquisitions, Massive Edition at A Penchant for Paper
Anne Frank, Danville, Ohio & the Letter Writers Alliance at Pentamento
My Fountain Pen Education: The Edison Pearl at The Pen Addict
Budget Fountain Pen Showdown at The Well Appointed Desk
The letter: an abstract gift of time at The Missive Maven: Epistolary Exultation
Papeterie nouvelle: Georges & Co. thinks—& inks—differently at Felt & Wire
The Claustrophobic Notebook at Notebookism
Oh, and then this happened…
Image above of a Rhodiarama Webbie and a Nikon D5000 courtesy of Courtney Oliver, (designwinesunshine on Instagram) who also happens to design for one of our retailers – European Paper Company
Staying connected all day, every day- helpful or not?
I managed to stay off the web and e-mail for an entire 24 hours this past Friday. I am proud of myself but it was, quite honestly, pretty freaking hard. I can’t believe how many times a day I reach out to check on things. Does anyone else feel the need to stay connected all day, every day? Does anyone implement strict “I only check my e-mail once/twice a day” type rules? Do they work?
So what did I do on my day off? I read for a while, (The Survivor Personality) wrote in my journal, worked on a to-do list, then in my specially designated Rhodia Drive Meeting Book, I came up with about 60 blog post ideas. Including the beginnings of a NEW improved Journal Swap which may include the use of a 6×8″ staplebound Rhodia notebook like the one you see above.
(I also watched Paranormal Activity 3 – probably my favorite of the three, though I’ve liked each in the series so far… )
Image courtesy of kepickles on Instagram
A Kindergartener’s #dailyarsenal: Rhodia Reverse and a Red Crayon
What young child doesn’t like to draw? Especially with a red crayon in a special notebook like a Rhodia Reverse. When is the last time you picked up a crayon? The smell alone reminds me of childhood. If you have access to a few crayons, I think you should take the time to pull them out and let your inner child have some fun.
Image courtesy of Fr. Matthew Thurman. Follow gmatthewthurman on Instagram.
Jonathan Gilmour: In Your Bag
“This is what I normally have in my bag. Being a Uni student, I gotta have a big bunch of notebooks, so I have a few Clairefontaine A5 lined notebooks, and a couple of A4 Rhodia Cahiers, grid ruled for Calculus. My pens include a Platinum Century 3776, Pilot VP, Lamy 2000, and Lamy safari blue fountain pen, pencil, and rollerball. I have to have a Palomino blackwing plus variable-length sharpener for graphs and quick notes, and three Rhodia pads of different sizes for planning projects and to dos. My Traveler’s notebook goes with me pretty much everywhere and has all my plans and schedule inside. I’m a diabetic do I have my blood glucose meter and insulin all the time, as well as lollies and a muesli bar! And of course my wallet and keys!”
PS: Check out the staff favorite work bag pics at NoteMaker. Love peeking in people’s bags!
Image courtesy of Jonathan Gilmour. Follow him as jonogilmour on Instagram.
Rhodia Makes for a Great Gift
It isn’t too early to be thinking about gift giving for the holidays-or for your friend’s retirement, your sister’s birthday, doghouse gifts… you get the picture.
If you are looking for an online or brick and mortar retailer in the US, please visit: rhodiapads.com
If you are looking for a retailer outside the US, please visit Clairefontaine.com
What’s in the image above? 1) hand painted #fireclay coasters, 2) #paddywax hand-poured candle, 3) siskiyou cedar pouch, 4) #rhodia notepad. Image courtesy of Andrew Kimmel. Follow andrewkimmel on Instagram.
PS: Have you entered our current giveaway yet? Win 1 of 20 NEW Rhodia reporter style Webbie Pads!
Do you plan your day?
Part of the charm of being a self-employed creative is that I don’t have to plan my day – but I’m not saying that’s necessarily a decent strategy for success. In fact, I know that I could probably be a lot more productive (and efficient) if I started to lay down even the simplest of guidelines for what needs to be done instead of constantly reacting to what has to be done. And then of course there’s that whole having to rely on my 43 year old mind to even remember what needs to be done.
I’m one of those strange mixes of left/right brain that allows me to be creative yet very analytical. The downside to this is that the creative side doesn’t like to be constrained. Ever. It doesn’t like deadlines and wants to stay up till 3 AM working to develop a new project. It laughs at to-do lists while ripping them to pieces to be used in a future collage project.
But I digress.
If you were to offer a few simple words of advice to someone wishing to be better organized with their time, what would they be?
Image courtesy of bgiglio on Instagram
Kaweco and Rhodia
Kaweco is a German pen company whose tagline is “License to Write”. They have been manufacturing pens since 1883. I’ll admit that I don’t know much about these pens but judging by the following reviews, people seem to really like them.
Review: Kaweco Liliput Al Fountain Pen – Medium on Gourmet Pens
Kaweco Sport Classic fountain pen review on PenInkcillin Continue Readering »
Pen pouches
I once sent away for a free cigar case because I heard they made great pen holders. It did ok. Sadly, my pens usually end up at the bottom of my purse or bag and do not get the respect they deserve. I have a 20 pen case where I keep my un-inked fountain pens and various pencil cases I could be using, but I don’t seem to have a go-to case for daily use.
Do you use a pen pouch/case? Does keeping your pens organized make your writing tasks more efficient? Do you have a favorite type of case?
Image courtesy of Ed Jelley – follow edjelley on Instagram.
Fisheye Rhodia
People are taking their smartphone photography quite seriously these days. Hundreds of apps (software applications) are available to tweak and modify the digital images taken with the built-in cameras on our phones. With the ever increasing quality of these cameras seemingly never ending, (My 1st digital camera was 1.4 megapixel and the built-in camera on the iPhone 4S is 8 MP.) it’s not surprising that people are spending real money to further expand the abilities of these cameras with the addition of external lenses. Continue Readering »
Rhodia Pencils
Rhodia pencils are one of our best selling and most loved products. Signature orange over a black wood body of Linden wood, their triangular shape helps to keep them from rolling of your desk. They can be purchased individually or in boxes of 25 from select retailers.
The lead grade is HB – which happens to be the same #2 pencil that we all remember from filling out the little circles in the standardized tests of our childhood. Per Wiki: Many pencils across the world, and almost all in Europe, are graded on the European system using a continuum from “H” (for hardness) to “B” (for blackness), as well as “F” (for fine point).
Are you a fan of the Rhodia pencil?
Image courtesy of Chris Howard. Follow chrisa511 on Instagram
Custom Rhodia iPad cover
Image courtesy of Jonathan Gilmour, whose girlfriend made this totally sweet Rhodia inspired iPad case. Check out the grid patterned fabric on the back!
We most certainly appreciate the folks who love our products so much that they create tribute items such as this – great big thanks to you!
You can follow Jonathan as jonogilmour and his girlfriend bunniesinblazers on Instagram.
Rhodia Mouse Pad Doodles
Multi-tasking devices are not just cool but also practical and the Rhodia Mouse Pad is an obvious choice. Acting as a cushion for your mouse and also a note/doodle/list/sketch pad – if you haven’t already tried one, we think you might like it.
30 sheets of 7 ½ x 9 “ 80g grid ruled Rhodia paper has a non-skid backing to stay where you put it.
Image courtesy of Ben Brown – follow ben_brownie on Instagram
Bedraggled and beloved
I have Rhodia tablets that look just like this. Do you as well? Mine would live at the bottom of my purse and the edges of the tablet would begin to get a smooth and worn feel to it over time- but when you’d fold the cover back, a fresh sheet of paper would be ready to jot that quick to-do list, items to pick up from the store, or a quick note to be slipped into the lunch bag of a loved one.
Image courtesy of Natalyn Bradshaw (who called her tablet “Bedraggled and beloved”) follow npbradshaw on Instagram
The typewriter store on Hudson street
Stuart Matz snapped this at the typewriter store on Hudson street in the West Village, NYC. A bit of sleuthing uncovered AFAX Business Machines to be the store in question at 181 Hudson Street, Suite 2A New York, NY 10013.
I haven’t really spent a lot of time in NYC despite it being only a 90 minute bus ride away, and as I am somewhat enamored of all the mom & pop specialty stores that exist there, I should make the ride more often.
Do you have a favorite little specialty shop in NYC? Or in your hometown? I’d like to hear about it.
