Archive for Interesting
A Notebook for Everyone
Our UK friends at the Pens and Paper blog tested a number of notebook papers with four different fountain pens – each filled with a different ink. If you ever wanted to know how water based inks react on a certain paper, this is a great series of photos and commentary to help you choose the best product for your needs. The papers that were tested:
- Whitelines (grid);
- Rhodia Webnotebook (lined and dot grid);
- Quo Vadis Habana (lined);
- Monseiur (plain);
- Moleskine (lined);
- Leuchtturm 1917 (lined);
- Rhodia ePure (plain);
- Jottrr (lined/plain);
- Rhodia Exabook (lined);
- Clairefontaine (lined and Séyès ruled);
- Smythson Featherweight (lined); and,
- Archie Grand (plain).
Read the full post here.
Questions about J. Herbin Perle Noire Ink
Karen recently received some questions about Herbin’s Perle Noire ink. Since this is one I have reviewed and regularly use, I’d be happy to respond.
Is this ink a really dark black? While I haven’t tried every black ink on the market, Continue Readering »
Pinteresting?
Okay yes. I’ll admit it. I am slightly addicted to Pinterest. What is Pinterest? It’s a virtual pinboard that allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things we find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.
I love browsing to find new ideas for patterns color combinations to use in my art. I find so much inspiration there…
Are you using Pinterest? How do you like it? Pin any Rhodia lately?
National Handwriting Day Today!
National Handwriting Day was established by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association in 1977 to promote the consumption of pens, pencils, and writing paper. January 23rd was chosen because it is the birthday of John Hancock- the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.
In this modern age of computers, I love how so many people continue to joyously express themselves through paper and their choice of a manual writing device. Oh happy day to paper & pens & pencils!
Keeping a Dream Journal
Can’t remember your dreams? I’ve often heard that the best way to remember them is to write down anything you can remember immediately upon waking. Much insight and inspiration can come from examining our subconscious.
To learn more about keeping a dream journal:
Benefits of Keeping a Dream Journal
Keep a Dream Journal – Why Bother?
Dream Journaling 101: How to Keep a Dream Journal
Official Call for Entries for the 2012 Rhodia Journal Swap: “Favorite Things”
It’s here! Time to roll our our first ever Rhodia Journal Swap: “Favorite Things.” Interested in participating? Read on, then please fill out the form below by Jan 18th. We’d love if you would share this opportunity with your friends! Questions? Please submit via comments. Continue Readering »
Something to Write Home About
I saw this article the other day about a 76 year old woman who just had removed from her intestines a pen that she had swallowed TWENTY FIVE years ago. Once removed, it still worked! Continue Readering »
Disco Fountain Pen!
I found this sign at a local antique co-op and couldn’t stop giggling because what on EARTH does disco dancing have to do with fountain pens? What an interesting marketing idea! I would love to know how many people sent away for this book and whether or not the book helped them to improve their dance moves. (Or writing ability!)
After a little digging, it appears as though the book dates from 1965 and includes dances such as “The Watusi” and “The Hitch-Hiker.” What, no “Hustle?” Additional images of the pen packaging can be found here.
Fond Food Memories
My grandmother used to drink Folgers instant coffee. (The best part of wakin’ up, is Folgers in your cup!) She’s been gone since 2000 and I wonder what she’d think of all of the gourmet coffee available today. She had been a cook in a nursing home for 18 years somewhat of a food snob long before the Food Network started converting us. She’d go on group tours to other countries – to Italy to see the Sistine Chapel, ask her about the trip and she’d describe it by the food she ate.
I remember once sitting on her couch and watching a cooking show where they were making something with portabello mushrooms. I told her I wished I could make that dish but how portabellos (at the time) were pretty expensive. I couldn’t even get that out of my mouth before she is pulling a $10 bill from her change purse and pressing it into my hand. “Buy them” she says…
I really appreciate that she encouraged me to experiment in the kitchen. I only wish that I would have written down some of her recipes. She made a meatloaf that I still dream about – nothing has ever come close.
Is there anything that one of your relatives used to cook that you long for? Something that you have tried to replicate but cannot?
Photo courtesy of Mike Rodriquez.
Most Popular Pads
The most popular Rhodia pads are the No. 11 & No. 12 (3 x 4 and 3 3/8 x 4 3/4 respectively). This has held steady for a number of years–people like the pocket-size ease and convenience. 
But another size is rapidly closing the gap…the No. 16…which is sized at 6 x 8 1/4. So much so, one of the top two may be replaced by the end of this year.
Are you surprised? What is your favorite size Rhodia pad?
Creative Inspiration
A recent Wall Street Journal article – “The Biking Detective” by Alexandra Alter, described how crime writer George Pelecanos gets his inspiration and details: biking around Washington, DC on his road bike, “lingering in back alleys, cemeteries and abandoned parking lots.” “That’s really the time when I’m writing the book,” said Mr. Pelecanos. “In terms of plot, I don’t outline, I kind of search for it when I’m out here.” Mr. Pelecanos has published 17 books and worked as a writer on HBO shows “The Wire” and “Treme.” 
He is working on a new novel called “The Cut.” The main character is Spero Lucas, a 29-year-old Marine who returns from Iraq to find work as an investigator for a Washington lawyer and his shady clients. When a drug dealer wants him to recover a missing package of marijuana, Lucas demands a 40% cut, and enters into a dangerous stand-off with a criminal ex-cop named Ricardo Holley.
The article describes how the plot came together during one of Pelecanos’ daily rides. “One day, he found a squat, dark red brick bungalow near Georgia Avenue that looked like it could house a low-profile criminal like Holley. He rode around back and saw that it was protected only by a cheap, low fence. ‘You could break into it during the day and no one would know,’ he says. The details about the house–the hopable fence and the secluded back alley sparked a break-in scene in the novel that jolts the plot forward.
Reading about George Pelecanos’ creative inspiration reminded me of one of my own. I was hiking along the banks of the Delaware River, when I spotted a bone sticking out of the riverbank. I was sure it was either a relic of the historic skirmishes with the Indians, or the remains of some murder victim. I dug it out and remembering all the crime sitcoms, put it carefully in a plastic bag. I brought it to the local police station to hear it…was…a…sheep bone. Oh, well. But I remember the thrill of discovery, and all the plot lines that began to emerge.
Is your writing or creative inspiration prompted by unexpected discoveries?
Click here to read more about George Pelecanos and “The Cut.”
Maps to where?
I think maybe we all have probably doodled something at one time or another that looked something like a map. The image above is one I found that I made several years ago, but it’s nothing compared to what Jerry Gretzinger’s been doing. Watch his amazing video below.
Jerry’s Map from Jerry Gretzinger on Vimeo.
Yard Sale Pad Cover
One of the favorite summer activities in my area is going from yard sale to yard sale to see what you can find–one person’s junk is someone else’s treasure. I have found antique oil lamps, old first edition books, puppets, inkwells, bookcases, fountain pens, tintypes and more at a bargain. Most of my cookbooks have come from yard sales. It’s especially fun to find old postcards and letters stashed away in the pages.
One of my “finds” this summer was an old leather case. I polished it up as best I could and tried to figure out what to use it for. A No. 10 Rhodia pad fit, so I keep it in my purse to for quick notes and to hold business cards at networking events.
Anyone else enjoy yard sales or flea markets? What’s your best find so far?
New Pen Photos!
I recently received a number of new pen pictures to add to our Favorite Pen Photo gallery. I’ve always been of the mindset that a good pen makes you want to write more. If you’d like your pen added to the gallery, simply send a nice clear shot to: stephanie@rhodiadrive.com with “My Favorite Pen” in the subject line. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just needs to be what you most enjoy writing with.
Our Official Rhodia Drive Mascot – Rhody!
If you’ve ever entered one of our contests, I always include a space for any comments or feedback you’d like us to see. That’s how I found out about this sweet little girl named Rhodia Ruth or “Rhody” from her owner Kelly. Rhody is a 10 week old “Jug” – a Pug/Jack Russell mix. Continue Readering »
