Archive for Product Spotlights
Another Look at Paul Smith Notepads
Christina Villecco is an attorney and consultant who works in fashion merchandizing and related services. She also maintains a style blog, Wearing White After Labor Day. Here’s what she had to say about Paul Smith Rhodia pads: 
“No outfit is complete without the perfect accessories. Whether you’re a fashion addict like me, or someone who occasionally browses the New York Times Style section, the Rhodia notepad is a must-have. I’ve never been a one-size-fits-all kind of girl, so when it comes to my notebooks, there’s no exception. When Rhodia celebrated their 75th anniversary last year by collaborating with English fashion legend Paul Smith, the result was both obvious and irresistible. The iconic orange and black notepads got a facelift with ironic images from the English brand. If you’re wearing a simple white T and jeans kind of dresser, the classics are still a safe bet. But if you have a little edge in your step and prefer to mix stripes and patterns, try out the Paul Smith logo collection for an accessory sure to put the finishing touch on your ensemble.”
Product Spotlight: New Blank Habana Journals from Quo Vadis
Image courtesy of Biffybeans © All Rights Reserved
New developments on the Habana front! The small 4×6 3/8″ Habana (which I’ve always referred to as the “Baby” Habana) is new & improved. There is now a blank version available with the 90g Clairefontaine paper – the same paper found in the large version. For the doodlers among us, Wheeee! Continue Readering »
Exclusive NEW Clairefontaine products available from Levenger for a limited time!
For a limited time, Levenger will be carrying an exclusive line of Clairefontaine Linicolor products – spiral bound with bright Polypro covers, (blue, green, orange, pink & yellow) they contain Clairefontaine 90g paper and are available in the following formats:
- 4 7/8″ x 5 7/8″ Lined Wirebound Notebook (120 pages)
- 8 3/4″ x 11 3/4″ Lined Wirebound Notebook (80 pages)
- 5 3/4″ x 8 3/4″ Lined Wirebound Notebook – Steno Style (80 pages)
- 8 3/4″ x 11 3/4″ Lined Wirebound Notebook – Top Bound (80 pages)
- 8 3/4″ x 11 3/4″ Wirebound Notebook – Meeting Format (80 pages)
Big Pad Little Pad
Rhodia pads range in size from the wee little #10 at 2×3″ to the monster #38 at 16 1/2 x 12 1/2″.
While I can see a plethora of uses for the #10 since it can easily fit into just about any pocket or bag, I’m wondering exactly how people are using the #38. My first thought was back to the mid 80′s and my short but enjoyable career as dungeon master playing Dungeons & Dragons, drawing careful and complex castle schematics on graph paper. (Are people still playing D&D the old way, or is it all done via computer now?)
Some other uses I can imagine for the #38 include, garden planning, dream house visualizing, calligraphy practice….
How would you use each of these?
What would you do with lighting bug ink?
Uh-oh, I guess I should add a disclaimer that the ink isn’t actually made out of lightning bugs….
Exaclair will be debuting this new J. Herbin Phosphorescente ink at the upcoming National Stationery Show in New York City, May 16th-19th at the Javits Center.
Karen told me that this ink is meant to “glow like a firefly’s belly” and that it does! It is not an ink for fountain pens, so break out the dip pens for this one. And I’m certain you can guess what I did with it the minute I got it, right? Glow-in-the-dark mandala? You betcha! Now I just have to figure out how to take a picture of the results!
NEW Rhodia Le Carre and dotPads are on their way to the US!
All four of the new Rhodia Le Carre pads, sizes 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 and 8 1/4 x 8 1/4 in both black and orange are on their way to the US warehouse, having recently cleared Customs in Montreal. (As Karen sent me this information last week, they have most likely arrived by now and are ready to ship to retailers.) Continue Readering »
New 340th Anniversary J. Herbin Scarlet Ink : Rouge Hematite
Just got word that a sample of this new J. Herbin limited edition Scarlet ink (“Rouge Hematite” is its French name) is on its way to me. Rouge translates to red, and Hematite is an iron ore that when pulverized into a powder, can be used as red pigment. Continue Readering »
Rhodia Responds! Logo to be removed from Webbie pages
After many of you had commented on the Rhodia logo being a distraction on the bottom of every page of the Webbie, Rhodia has responded by removing it. I believe this new version will be seen later this year, and I’ve also heard that there has been improvements made to make the book open flatter. (I’ll report back on that feature when I have a new copy to review.)
With Rhodia’s blog & Facebook presence, we always appreciate feedback both good and bad on our products. We appreciate hearing from you when you review our products on your own blogs and discuss them in open forums like on the Fountain Pen Network. Your comments can only help to improve what Rhodia has to offer.
Brause Advanced Calligraphy Set
Brause nibs are in the toolbox of many modern artists,
calligraphers and people who enjoy writing with a steel pen.
“Brause was founded in Iserlohn, Germany in 1850. It was a region famous for the quality of its steel and skill of its craftsmen. Brause manufactures a complete set of calligraphy nibs considered to be one of the best on the market by professionals. They are strong yet flexible, a balance seldom achieved by nibs of lesser quality.” Continue Readering »
How will you use your new Clairefontaine Twinbook?
This spring, Exaclair will begin importing the new Clairefontaine Twinbook – a dual purpose notebook! They contain 96 pages of 90g graph paper which are divided into two tabbed sections. Use them for two different school subjects or personal projects and lighten the load in your bag.
How will you use yours?
Rhodia Weekly Notebooks Update
In 2009 Rhodia introduced a Weekly Notebook. It features the week on the left, and a full page for notes in the famous Rhodia grid. The large size is made with 90g paper, and the pocket version with 64g paper. They are very slim and light.
Although the paper and cover materials come from France, it is made for Rhodia by Quo Vadis in Hamburg, NY. Quo Vadis does not consider it a Quo Vadis planner. It is a Rhodia product. While only offered now in the U.S., I understand it may be picked up by Rhodia for other countries including France.
We sold out two printings completely by September 2009. We could have reprinted a third time, but couldn’t get cover material in time from France.
The standard Weekly Notebook runs from January-December. This year we are introducing an academic year version that will run August-July.
If you plan to attend CAMEX, the college bookstore show in Orlando in March; the National Stationery Show in May, or the DC Pen Show in August, Rhodia Weekly Notebooks will be on display for you to see and examine.
As always, your comments and thoughtful suggestions are much appreciated.
What is your favorite size Bloc Rhodia Pad?
Image © Biffybeans All Rights Reserved
My first exposure to Rhodia was about 5 years ago when perusing the selection of Bloc Rhodia pads in my local Blick Art Supply store. The first pads I ever bought were a pair of the 3×4″ N° 11′s, and I kept one in my backpack everywhere I went. As a writer, I found there were certain bits of information I wanted to easily reference and that’s where I kept it – jotted down in my always close-at-hand N° 11. Continue Readering »
New for Spring 2010: Rhodia Dot Pad!
I’m really looking forward to seeing these in person- I bet they will be great for doodling.
Functional black stapled notepad with a dot grid for creative minds! An alternative to traditional lines and boxes, the dot grid is a favorite for graphic designers, architects, artists and everyone looking for a subtle grid. Perfect for notations and sketches, the dot grid offers great results with scanners and photocopies. Continue Readering »
On notebooks and randomness
Leah from Quo Vadis here, coming to you from Karen’s account to blog about my new favorite product, the so-called “Clic Bloc” mousepad-cum-notebook by Rhodia.
I thought I’d worked out a pretty decent system for keeping track of work-related tasks: my planner holds my appointments, while a Steno pad on the side of my desk houses a running project to-do list. Various other notebooks are dedicated to specific projects or assignments, like interviewing sources or jotting down story ideas. Continue Readering »
Rhodia Reverse Book – Have you tried one yet?
Image courtesy of margaret mendel
The Rhodia Reverse book is one of the few Rhodia products I’ve yet to try. I can’t hep but wonder how the square format and gridded paper might lend itself to drawing the mandalas that I am so fond of – and also for teaching others how to make them. Is it a notebook or pad? Pad or notebook? It’s versatile because you can write using spiral on the side or at the top. (I’m fairly certain I’d use them with the spiral on the top.) I also like the fact that the pages are micro-perforated for easy removal.
I’m going to have to get my hands on one of these… Have you tried one yet? If yes, how do you use it?
