It was a rainy weekend lacking any charm until a long ignored Pilot Kaküno crept onto my desk where it joined a collage in a Traveler’s Notebook. Someday I will find an ink to match the cap and give it the attention it is due. Honestly, who can resist a nib like this?
Organizing for the new year is a great opportunity to search out the best tools in your collection and put together a satisfying setup that makes you happy every time you look at it. It should also encourage you to pursue your goals whatever they may be.
Note that most of the product links are to Amazon where the items were purchased. If you buy from these links, Inkophile might earn a tiny commission that helps keep this blog going.
Five fountain pens, one mechanical pencil, and one gel pen are more than enough for me.
Blue Marble Delike New Moon 2 Fude with Diamine Eau de Nil
Green Marble Delike New Moon 2 Fude with Diamine Dark Brown
Burgundy Marble Delike New Moon 2 Extra-Fine with Diamine Earl Grey
Platinum #3776 Century Medium with J Herbin Poussiere de Lune
Lamy Studio Fine with Noodler’s Black Swan in English Roses
Uni Alpha-Gel Shaker Mechanical Pencil – Black/Soft Grip 0.5mm
Faber-Castel Fast Gel Z 0.5 Black
Seven notebooks might seem like a lot, but that number allows subjects to be separated. An undated Traveler’s planner has been my choice for years. A Traveler’s Notebook Refill 013, Lightweight Blank Paper, 128 Page is all I need for a journal. Blank Traveler’s notebooks suit collages though I have found an economical substitute that has slightly heavier paper and is perfect with fountain pen ink. The A6 and A5 notebooks are for work and project notes. Attractive dividers and good paper make these a perfect fit. The two cuties are the bottom hold 6 x 8 cm paper that is surprisingly good with fountain pen ink though they are primarily used for collages. The covers are ones I made that can easily be swapped for extra variety at my desk.
A few other tools are consistently on my desk including scissors, tweezers, clips and a stylus. All except the stylus were new in 2022 and have proven to be indispensable, especially the tweezers for delicate tasks.
Also on my desk are a craft knife, a six inch metal ruler or a very small tin of six watercolor pans. Not in the tool category but ever-present is a mood-setting Wick candle with a wooden wick that crackles as it burns.
Still to acquire is an A5 clipboard for times when an open notebook would take up too much space. This one caught my eye but Santa might have a different idea.
Ta-da. That’s my plan for 2023. We shall see how long it lasts. What will be on your desk to start the new year?
Recently, Elena asked me about Traveler’s Notebooks and I realized to what extent they have taken over my journal writing. I am on my sixth undated planner (#019), third personal journal (#013) and third collage journal (#003). Also used, if a bit less often, are notebooks for lists and swatches. On occasion, a passport sized notebook hitches a ride in my handbag for notes at events and appointments.
I made the move to Traveler’s when it was Midori and after Moleskine paper failed to meet my standards. I like the customizable format and the variety of handcrafted soft covers that can be found at eBay and Etsy.
I am not in a rut, but am very content to use these with the fude fountain pens, mechanical pencil and gel pen that are always at hand.
None of my current covers are from Traveler’s though I might elect to add one in leather next year. Most of my writing is at my desk so a lightweight cover or even none at all is very workable.
My A5 and A6 notebooks are very jealous of the attention the Traveler’s Notebooks receive though they do get the call to action when removeable paper is needed. At least there is that for the poor things.
What is your favorite notebook? Hobonichi is the one for many writers. Is it yours?
The esterbrook_official account on Instagram has posted some videos of fountain pens used in journals that have been embellished with ephemera. Also known as scrapbooking, this method of decorating a journal employs colors and shapes to make appealing designs using stickers, stamps and seals.
Fountain pen writing is not required when creating a layout. Here are two of mine that didn’t need words.
Although I used a Traveler’s Notebook, any journal will do including those that did not take well to fountain pen ink. You don’t have notebooks with less than stellar paper do you? Ha!
For years my planner has been divided into sections defined by washi tape and often stickers. Full-page layouts are a natural extension of that and are very satisfying to make. If there is interest, I will write a post about a few techniques, tools and products.
Very highly recommended activity if you need/want/crave another hobby.
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