Archive for Product Spotlights
Speaking of the Habana…
Yesterday I mentioned moving into a Quo Vadis Habana. Did you know that the new Habanas with 85g ivory paper are now available? I’m very much looking forward to trying one of these as I prefer ivory paper to white and I like the sizing of the small Habana for travel. If you missed the story on why the paper was changed, you can read about it here.
Wondering if this 85g paper will stand up to your favorite fountain pen and ink? According to Brian Goulet of Goulet Pens, it will indeed. Other than the color of the paper changing, the width of the ruling has been modified as well. Continue Readering »
David’s Most Excellent Clairefontaine Sketchbook Review
A short while back when we were looking for bloggers to review Exaclair products, David from the blog David-Wasting-Paper responded that he would like to try one of the 8×8″ Clairefontaine sketchbooks. (One of my favorite Exaclair products because the round mandalas that I draw happen to fit nicely into a square page.)
“I really like this sketchbook and look forward to filling it up. The paper takes a nice smooth pen line even though it is medium toothed and also handles watercolors well without much buckling. The heavy back cover is definitely a plus.”
David’s review struck a chord with me because I am partial to product reviews which a ton of photos. Especially ones that showcase a plethora of art supplies. You can see David’s review in it’s entirety, here.
Junior Rhodia Circa Notebooks now available at Levenger!
I know you wanted it, and now you can finally get it! Junior sized Circa Rhodia Notebooks are available right now, only at Levenger. When Circa met Rhodia, it was a match made in heaven. Pairing Rhodia’s classic orange and black notebook with the convenience of Circa organization is a win-win note-taking combination.
Features of the Circa Rhodia Products:
- Annotation margin is compatible with the Cornell method of note-taking
- 60 Circa-punched sheets of 90g Clairefontaine paper, milled in France
- 1/2-inch Circa discs can hold up to 80 sheets
- Durable translucent cover with Rhodia orange cover sheet
- Pages are printed in Rhodia’s signature purple ink
- Printed and assembled in the USA
- Junior, 6 1/4W x 1/2D x 8 3/4H
- Letter, 9 3/8W x 1/2D x 11 1/4H
Have you ever tried Circa products, or any other brand of disc-bound notebooks? I have, and I love the having the flexibility of moving the pages where I want/need them when working on a writing project.
R by Rhodia: Ivory Papered Pads
The new “R” by Rhodia notepads contain a 90g Ivory Clairefontaine paper and are available both blank or lined. I am most definitely looking forward to seeing these! For writing, I prefer off-white paper. For drawing, I prefer white but not a super bright white. How about you? What’s your preference for writing or drawing?
dotWebbies!!!
Look what showed up in my mailbox today! dotWebbies! These were shipped special from France so Karen & the Exaclair folks would have them for NAMTA, the National Stationery Show and the Book Expo. If you are a retailer visiting one of these trade shows, you will be able to see (and order!) the dotWebbies at that time. Otherwise, it will be a little while until they are available from your favorite US retailers. (Late Spring maybe?) Karen promised I could give a bunch away as soon as she can get her hands on more.
Off-white paper with gray dots.
J. Herbin Ink Color Names.. Who Knew?
Did you ever question the names of J. Herbin’s inks? From what I understand, the chosen names for each color are poetic to preserve the originality of the brand, and as a French tradition.
For Example: Rose Tendresse shown above, whose name translates to English as “Tenderness Pink,” This is the rose of love and the flowers of the same name and symbol of love. The color represents the feeling of love and also tenderness shared by 2 lovers.
You can read about each of the names of the 30 inks on the J Herbin website. While you are there, feel free to poke around the rest of the site. Lost of great information to be found!
Check out all the new Exaclair products for 2011!
Rhodia dotWebbies, Rhodia Premium Stapled Pads with Soft Touch covers, Continue Readering »
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.
