Stationery Orbit: Recent Episodes
John West
I'm slowly getting the word out, one snail mail at a time. Stationery Orbit is where we can all come to learn more about creative letter writing.
This episode is the Pen Pal primer.
I followed this episode up with a more in-depth look at other letter writing societies:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1020967/episodes/7980349
http://www.penpalworld.com/
2,300,000 members
Easy to read Privacy policy
Free and paid options
Started in 1998
Mostly online
https://www.snailmailpenpals.net/
Snail mail
Free
Pretty long privacy statement
https://www.globalpenfriends.com/
Email and snail mail
Start in 1995
Good privacy policy
https://www.penpalsnow.com/
more of an online personal ad site for Pen Pals
Does abide by EU Privacy Regulations
Don’t bother signing up if you are under 16
The only info on the site is what you post in your ad
https://www.sassociations.net/
Another a personal ad page looking for pen pals
No privacy policy, again what is on the site is what you post.
https://incowrimo.org (part of the reason I started this podcast)
A letter every day in February
There are address exchanges
Not all Pen Pal sites are for everyone:
https://geekgirlpenpals.com/
Very snail mail centric
Very clever writing on the website
Has a Patreon for support
Good safety page
Get sorted into houses based on age.
They allow any gender, but can we let them have this one please?
I also had a chance to interview a director of the IGGLES:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1020967/episodes/5845951
http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/penpals/snail_mail_penpals.html
Students, kids, teachers only
Admins will make matches
More of a language exchange
https://www.interpals.net/
http://coloradocorrespondence.co/
https://www.marthastewart.com/1538505/how-to-find-pen-pal
You can find PenPals on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/penpalswanted/
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/snailmailwanted/
Or ideas for SnailMail
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/snailmailrevolution/
How to get a PO Box
https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm
This episode is the mail art primer. (re-issue)
Cling vinyl stamps allow the stamps to be used with an acrylic handle for support.
Three-color stamps
The TAM Rubber Stamp Archive has a collection of prints of rubber stamps mail-artists have used since 1983.
Harriet Tubman stamp for the $20 bill
https://occupygeorge.com/
https://indroneswetrust.tumblr.com/participate
https://www.stampstampede.org/
East Asian seals
Mulready stationery
https://www.jetpens.com/blog/how-to-use-washi-tape/pt/698
https://every-tuesday.com/10-hand-lettering-enhancements/
This episode is the wax seals primer.
Intaglio seals are cut into the surface of the matrix. Intaglio seals are most commonly used for wax seals and create a design in raised relief in the wax.
Relief seals have designs that are above the surface of the matrix. Relief seals are commonly set behind a piece of paper for embossing that also creates a raised relief design. If a relief seal is used in wax it creates an impressed design more like a mold.
Catherine Craft Supply
Dexter Rings
Regnas Rings
Letterlocking
http://brienne.org/exhibit-4
http://letterlocking.org/about
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-did-people-do-before-envelopes-letterlocking
My personal favorite method is to use wax beads in a wax furnace to heat the spoon with the wax in it and the spoon gives you more control over how the wax is applied to the letter. Melting wax beads in a spoon also gives you the ability to mix wax colors to add to the character of the seal.
Wax furnace
Non-machinable postage
And a few links from the Wax Seals Revisited Episode
https://backtozero.co/
https://www.letterseals.com/
https://www.carolinapencompany.com/custom-wax-seal
https://vanness1938.com/collections/wax-seals
J.Herbin Wax seal ink pads
Global Solutions Metallic White Shimmer Stamp Pad
Stick wax
Glue gun wax - especially clear wax
Wax beads
This is the Paper Primer.
What is paper?
A thin cellulose mesh
Rags Make Paper
Paper Makes Money
Money Makes Banks
Banks Make Loans
Loans Make Beggars
Beggars Make Rags
-----Anon. English 19th C.
What does it take to make paper?
Pulping
Machining -mesh forming
Drying
Finishing (sizing)
Washi fiber length 13-17 mm, naturally acid free
Cotton 3-5 mm
Wood pulp cellulose 2-7mm
Begasse paper 1.2 mm
Recycled fibers <1 mm
What are the characteristics that make one paper more suited for a particular application?
Absorption/ghosting / Bleed through
Feathering
Shade
Sheens
drying time
Western paper makers
Clairefontaine
Rhodia
Leuchtturm
Strathmore
Baron Fig
Story Supply
Field Notes
G Lalo
Fabriano
Mnemosyne
Life
Apica
Midori
Tamoe River
Kokuyo
Graphilo
Ink Jet paper
Massive List of Fountain Pen Friendly Paper
Best Fountain Pen Paper
Basel Paper Museum
Williams Paper Museum at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA.
Fabriano Paper Museum
This episode is the Ink Primer.
The Pen Addict
Anderson Pens Ink Tool
Richard Binder’s website
3 Oysters
Bungubox
Colorverse
Kobe
KWZ
Kyoto TAG
Namiki
PenBBS
Penlux
Pilot
Platinum
Sailor
TWSBI
Taccia
Vinta Inks
Robert Oster
Standard Bindery
Van Dieman's Ink
Akkerman
Blackstone
Aurora
Callifolio
Caran d'Ache
DeAtramentis
Diamine
Ferris Wheel Press
Graf von Faber Castell
J Herbin
Kaweco
Lamy
Leonardo Officina Italiana
Montblanc
Montegrappa
Organics Studio
Re-issue note: I listened through this episode in preparation for this re-issue and I was very pleased with how well it stood up to two years in the stationery world. There were a (fortunately) few deletions and while there could have been a few additions, I will let this stand for now. This re-issue now has the transcript and fits in with the current intro and outro. Please let me know if I missed something big through our email at john at stationeryorbit dot com
Start the Wayback Machine Mr. Peabody...
This is the first of the primer episodes and I’ll be talking about pens today
Update: this podcast will be produced on a two-week schedule.
The Pen Addict
The Tokyo Inklings
https://www.penaddict.com/top-5-pens/
Uni Jetstream
Parker Jotter
Fischer Space Pen
Uni Power Tank
Uni Deluxe
Pilot G2
The EPIC Refill Guide
Sharpie
Tombow markers
Multi-pens
Glass nib pens
Comic/Manga nibs
Fountain pen makeup
Nib makers
What are nib grinds
Safari
AL Star
Lamy 2000
Sport
Lilliput
Student
Supro
Pelican M1000
https://thepelikansperch.com/
Preppy/Prefounte
3776
Metropolitan
Custom 74
Vanishing Point/Decimo
Custom 823
Pro Gear /Realo
Pro Gear Slim
1911 Large
Go
You can find me at
@gneissguyco on Instagram
In today’s episode, we will be talking about good old fashioned letter writing, how it is good for your brain and my recent experience in going gasp... paperless.
Postal Bulletin
Webb Space telescope stampshttps://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22603/html/info_003.htm
Lagrange pointhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrange_point
Post Office shut downshttps://bestlifeonline.com/usps-closing-post-offices-wildfire-news/
The power of the handwritten notehttps://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/why-handwritten-letters-and-cards-are-one-of-your-most-powerful-tools-20220720-p5b3aj
Step away from the keyboard, it works even if you don’t mail ithttps://www.yourtango.com/love/intimacy-through-writing-letters
The sandwich notebook strikes again but this time with an airmail sethttps://www.tbsnews.net/features/brands/khata-khori-dip-nostalgia-reimagining-stationery-460190
So many wax sealshttps://bookriot.com/wax-seals/
Did you say Descartes?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1082326931/statues-sculptures-wax-seal-stamp?click_key=83982be80b43bdecc3d460e2919624c8f5bb245a%3A1082326931&click_sum=703d2685&ref=shop_home_active_151&pro=1&sts=1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes
The use of the Mac ecosystem with an iPad for handwriting in the digital space
Notability
https://notability.com/
PDF Expert
https://pdfexpert.com/
David Sparks Paperless Field Guide
https://learn.macsparky.com/p/paperless
Procreate
https://procreate.art/
Learn Calligraphy guide sheets for Procreate
https://www.learncalligraphy.com/offers/3kQzw49E/checkout
In today’s episode, we will be talking about how to fold paper will make the world better.
Postal bulletin
Pony Cars and as many California State Fair postmarks as your heart could desire
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22602/html/info_007.htm
USPS doubles EV order to 2 vehicles (jk) was 5K now 10K
https://electrek.co/2022/07/20/us-postal-service-ev/
Industrial origami
https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2022/04/23/startup-uses-industrial-origami-technique-to-build-electric-motorbikes/50504/
https://www.yankodesign.com/2022/04/04/foldable-origami-cup-can-transform-into-a-flat-disc-making-it-easier-to-carry-with-you/
https://www.labmanager.com/news/using-origami-and-kirigami-to-inspire-reconfigurable-yet-structural-materials-28152
Here are the two links: from friend of the show Richard
- Decoding the Defiance of Henry VIII’s First Wife (New York Times)
- https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/arts/ciphers-henry-viii-catherine.html
- A letter from Queen Anne to Buckingham locked with silk embroidery floss (The Collation at Folger Library)
- https://collation.folger.edu/2013/01/a-letter-from-queen-anne-to-buckingham-locked-with-silk-embroidery-floss/
TPA silent auction
https://www.chrono24.com/omega/pocket-watch-pocket-watch-limited-edition-of-15-pieces--id23641189.htm
https://www.richardmille.com/collections/mechanical-fountain-pen
In today’s episode, we will be talking about how to improve your thinking through handwriting and letter writing.
Postal Bulletin
Buzz Lightyear stamps!!
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22601/html/info_008.htm
National Marine Sanctuaries Stamps
Elephants Stamps
Postmark for Hyattville Lions Club
Ten Sleep, WY -Hello to Ten Sleep’s own Jalan Crossland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaNWJysic0I
Handwriting and incubation of ideas.
https://observatory.tec.mx/edu-news/study-reveals-the-advantages-of-taking-notes-by-hand
https://www.publicationcoach.com/become-a-better-writer-by-incubating/
Charles Darwin’s notebooks showing his process toward his theories.
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/charles-darwins-theory-evolution-forged-24428636
QR codes on stamps, Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society is not amused
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-tuesday-edition-1.6510937/barcodes-on-british-stamps-draw-the-ire-of-hand-written-letter-aficionados-1.6510940
https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps#:~:text=The%20barcodes%20will%20enable%20exciting,valid%20until%2031%20January%202023.
The ultimate pencil for the person that insists on chewing on their pencil
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/POLYGIENE-GROUP-AB-39436377/news/Bio5-launches-stationery-with-superpowers-40688449/
Khata Khori stationery brand out of Bangladesh
https://www.instagram.com/khata_khori/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/KhataKhori/
The Sandwich notebook
https://www.daraz.com.bd/products/creative-sandwich-shape-hard-cover-sketchbook-by-khata-khori-i232298050-s1175174750.html?spm=a2a0e.searchlistbrand.list.50.182e45f4zjbmCS&search=1
A few neat new designs. A rolling stamp pen, a curved nib pen.
https://www.yankodesign.com/2022/07/08/modern-stationery-designs-for-modern-stationery-lovers/
In today’s episode, we will be talking about letters we write to loved ones and new stuff hitting Kickstarter.
New acquisitions?
John bought another Mythic Pen, this one is in Brook’s Golden Rule, cannot wait to see it in person
I can talk about the pens I got for my sister’s wedding, and what a ketubah isStellios
Postal Bulletin
Nancy Reagan (the stamp that should totally be laced with LSD)
And Pete Seeger (I know there is a way of getting to more diametrically opposed individuals into this kind of proximity, but you’d have to work at it)
Japan encouraging love letters (from the Straits Times)
And I am including this entirely for the last line in the article
I can relate to this one a bit more than most.
I think this is a great idea for any Dad out there.
Mark 3 Pencil
Thoroughly Considered podcast
More Kickstarter pen goodness
https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/the-cocoon-pen-co-launches-kickstarter-campaign-for-its-nano-fountain-pen
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/silhouettepen/cocoon-nano-fountain-pen
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ensso/japanese-ebonite-fountain-pens?ref=recommendation-projectpage-footer-discover-more
Happy birthday to the ballpoint!
Fun, quirky, long article about a South African playwright that uses fountain pens. (the good part is just past the picture for Master Harold)
In today’s episode, we will be talking about getting the Postal Service into shape and shiny pens that you pretty much just get to look at.
USPS Price Increase we missed two months ago:
Postal Bulletin
Mariachi and Migratory Bird Hunting
Underwhelming set of postmarks except the new Mariachi color postmark
John Oliver Duck Stamps: (explicit language warning)
That thing got a Hemi? The USPS Cargo Trikes
Zebra Pressurized ballpoint (thanks to friend of the show, Vance)
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3285228A/en
Midori for notebook of the year? I agree.
The Kaweco Iridescent Pearl Fountain Pen
Hand lettering on the rise again
Were you envious of your Dad’s toolbox as a kid? Get a caddy box for your laptop! I love the production value of this item.
My favorite recent use of letter writing, kids helping shelter pets!
Dunhill teamed up with Namiki in the 1930 and produce some amazing pens that are now sought after collectors items!
It’s Aztec, but does it have abs?
So GvFC’s main website is greedy on details but the Singapore site gives it up. The pen has an obsidian grip section!!
Rocket pen (multipen?), yes please!
Benu is back! Now located in Armenia:
In today’s episode, we will be talking about Wearingeul Inks and more Singaporean stationery stores and maybe some write in the dark pens..
Postal Bulletin
Floral geometry stamps
The F1 Montegrappa pen
https://montegrappa.com/en/collections/edizionilimitate/f1---speed-1268.html?c=239
The Backmarkers Podcast
Pen Gallery from Malaysia with a Coffee (Kopi) ink
https://www.instagram.com/pengallery/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdNEzIPv3dJ/
Fook Hing Trading in Bras Basah
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd46sEtvP05/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Wearingeul Inks from South Korea
https://www.instagram.com/wearingeul/?utm_medium=copy_link
https://www.penchalet.com/wearingeul/
Natsume Sōseki the Japanese treasure that wrote I am a Cat.
https://www.penchalet.com/ink_refills/fountain_pen_ink/wearingeul_natsume_soseki_lit_collection_30ml_fountain_pen_ink.html
For Whom the Bell Tolls (Wow!)
Urban Write/Right corner in Popular Bookstores in Bras Basah
Zebra Light Write Pens
Pentel Cat Pens/Pencils
Niel Gaiman and Jonathon Brooks!!
In today’s episode, we will be talking about strange things afoot in the ink world and apparently all things Mont Blanc.
Acquisitions
John- New Super Orange Mark One from Studio Neat
Postal Bulletin
Katharine Graham (1917–2001)
United States Postal Service
300th Anniversary Station (Barrington, not the USPS)
Happy Birthday, Barrington!
Noodler’s Anti-Semitic Antics
Controversial earlier this year
This week’s label issue, not noticed since about ‘18-’19
Noodler’s Statment
Goulet Statement
Anderson Pens and Atlas Stationers are also dropping Noodler’s
New Ink names
Keeping Oregon Strange(r)
Letter writing is getting expensive in the UK.
Can writing a letter help you get the winning bid for a house? It can again now.
The Mont Blanc monolith has been spotted in Germany
And Mont Blanc in Kenya (130,000 KES = 1,119.53 USD)
NERD Alert! It’s a Jony Ives article and his favorite tools
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/05/09/jony-ive-essential-tools-designing/
https://trendfool.com/business/jony-ive-chooses-the-12-tools-of-his-trade/
https://www.ft.com/content/b73731f5-7563-4ff3-9c78-a226643b4648
https://hwebber.co.uk/product-category/c-s-osborne-leather-working-tools/edgers-creasers-bone-folders/
https://www.montegrappa.com/en/cluster/fattoperte/myfirstmontegrappa/fortuna/
https://shop.mitutoyo.co.uk/web/mitutoyo/en_GB/mitutoyo/01.05.05/Universal%20Bevel%20Protractor/index.xhtml
In today’s episode, we celebrate 2 years of Stationery Orbit! We'll also talk about Postal Banking, some really expensive pens and some comforting storing about post offices and stationery stores.
The current top five episodes of SO
15. Brad Dowdy of The Pen Addict
27. Exploring the world of socially responsible stationery with Daryl of Musubi
22. Learning about fountain pen fluid dynamics from Nicole Sharp
1: The Pen Primer
25. Emergency Episode : Paper Source Bankruptcy
All Time Total Downloads18K
COUNTRIES / TERRITORIES (71 Total)
CITIES (1829 Total)
Postal Bulletin: Women’s rowing stamps, Mighty Mississippi Stamps, stamps and color postmarks, a few fun B&W postmarks
Postal Merch
Postal Banking? It could happen… again.
More postal banking
More postal banking
More postal banking
More postal banking
To be filed away in the weirdest Post Office article I’ve seen:
Also: see Compassion
OK, Myke and Brad got me, I’ve been watching too much F1:Drive to Survive! Go Pirelli!
The damage
Out of my comfort zone for pens, but the picture of the Guilloche by CNC machine at Otto Hutt is awesome!
Looking for stationery that’s easy to find and makes you feel good about yourself? Look no further than BeRooted Stationery at your local Target store.
And something to keep an eye on out of Malaysia:
This episode covers some Postal Services offerings we missed, some fun articles that are stationery adjacent, and some very expensive stationery offerings.
Evan’s New Acquisitions: (I know I said I’d be trying not to buy anything soon so I could get an Emperor)
Sailor Fika Coffee
Lamy Safari Cream
Postal Bulletin
George Morrison stamp we missed, this is the color postmark
Other stamp not in the bulletin?
Women's rowing stamps
George Morrison stamp announcement:
Possible FOREVER stamp from Ukraine
Possible FOREVER stamp from Ukraine
Where to buy the stamp from Ukraine
The Letter Locking article from Atlas Obscura (thanks to Friend of the Show Janet for the tip)
This list includes a $1860 notebook and an $8 million fountain pen
The $8 Million stamp
To be filed in the “Should have spent more on spell check”
I’ll keep an eye out for SOLO products but I haven’t seen this “global” brand yet.
5 letter writing tips from a letter writing club out of the UK
Letter writing campaign for Ukrainian refugees
To be filed under “keep your address book updated”
Are you Jonesing for a tee-time? What’s the answer? Write a letter of course!
Fun look at why fountain pens have become a “cult” and a really good pen list!
Singapore’s idea of FOMO! Did someone say…Namiki?
List of pens for a gentleman’s desk and yes it includes a Yard O-led!
Last and not least, a love letter to Ranga Pens from India!
In today’s episode, we have news from the Postal Service, stationery exploration from Singapore and more places for you addicts to get your stationery fix.
John latest acquisitions: Sakura Midori letter paper
Iroshizuku inks - Tsutsuji and Syo-Ro
Sailor ink three pack
Taccia Sabimidori
Another pad of Midori A4 grid
Evan got to try a Namiki Emperor
US Postal Bulletin
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22594/html/info_004.htm#ep1461694
https://store.usps.com/store/product/cards-envelopes/title-ix-field-notes-notebooks-S_481799
New postal reform act
TWSBI - Narwhal drama
Wearingeul Ink Glitter Potion
https://www.penchalet.com/ink_refills/fountain_pen_ink/wearingeul_wonderful_wizard_of_oz_glitter_potion_fountain_pen_ink.html
https://mountainofink.com/blog/wearingeul-inks
https://vanness1938.com/collections/wearingeul
Nib Lab
https://www.instagram.com/nib.lab/?hl=en
Shawn Newton article
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/mar/06/arkansas-artists-penchant-for-pens-paying-off-for/
https://www.penaddict.com/blog/2015/10/2/an-interview-with-shawn-newton
Cleanroom stationery
https://www.businessmerseyside.co.uk/cleanroom-stationery-market-share-2022-analysis-by-leading-keyplayers-contec-basan-the-texwipe-co-micronclean/
Fountain Pens for sustainability
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/03/10/opinion/rethinking-your-ink-service-planet
And in today's episode, we are joined live from Singapore by the two founders of Straits Pens, Sunny and Lip, and they were kind enough to come on the show with us to discuss their Honest Inks line and the state of their Myu and Murex collections.
Straits Pens - pens, Honest Inks and bespoke ink mixing.
CYs tear down
Hero (Wingsung) 698
Hero 850
3776 Century
Clarification from Lip Sing:
In regards to the 4 new colours, I mentioned about Peranakan. They are actually also called Straits-born Chinese. They are basically Chinese that married the Malay women and have their own culture and food that is Malay influenced and have a very interesting culture. For the caucasian that married local women, they are known as Eurasians.
In today’s episode, we have news from the Postal Service, stationery exploration from Singapore and more places for you addicts to get your stationery fix.
New Aquisitoins:
Figboot Leonardo Momento (Zero?)
Shel Silverstein stamp announcement! It looks like they are allowing special station postmarks.
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22592/html/info_004.htm
Studio Ghibli Stationery! Kinokuniya in Singapore! So much winning!
https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/t/hobby-and-goods/stationery/studio-ghibli-stationery
John’s exploration in Singapore stationery so far
-Art shop at City Square
-Japanese art shop at Paya Lebar Quarter, Tokyu Hands
-Got to meet Sunny and Lip at Straits Pens, great guys, Sunny showed me an actual Arabic nib, https://www.instagram.com/p/Carod5HvJce/ Interview coming soon!
And I wanted to throw out a special thanks to Dan and Tom of Studio Neat for re-opening the Orange Mark One for worldwide orders. One will be on its way to Singapore. Sorry, it’s sold out now.
https://www.studioneat.com/products/limited
Elle magazine (India) delivering all the Etsy stores!
https://elle.in/stationery-brands-enthusiasts-will-love/
She used the magic words Stationery addict!
https://www.forbes.com/sites/catherineerdly/2022/03/02/is-analogue-the-new-digital-papier-pursues-200-billion-global-stationery-market/?sh=7ddb1d8e11c3
The Papier shop, some emphasis on mental wellness but not what I would call curated. Maybe this is just what you do with $50 million in startup funding.
https://www.papier.com/wellness/
Another appeal for more letter writing.
https://fordhamobserver.com/67855/opinions/a-letter-to-those-who-dont-write-them/
And we (maybe just I) missed InCoWriMo!!
In today’s episode, we have a guest that is from the fountain pen world. Evan Rosenberg is the co-creator along with his father Julian Rosenberg of the Penquisition Blog.
Acquisitions?
John- Mythic Pen Aeschylus XL in Cool Tones PM
Postal Bulletin Update
Several New stamps: Mountain Flora, Sunflower Bouquet, Tulips
Interview with Evan Rosenberg
3D printed pen rests
Living Classrooms Foundation
Urushi
Sofer (scribe)
What are some of the pens that have been most surprising to review?
Lamy 2000 Multipen
Pilot Dr. Grip Multipen
BIC Multipen
The review for the Fortuna Credo Shema
Favorite Paper?
Write Notepads
What pen have you been reaching for lately?Beta V2 from Mad Science Pen Company in The Pensmiths Dark Arts material.
Can you share one technique with the listeners that you think will elevate their snail mail art?
Just do it.
Are there artists that you think are doing amazing work that stationery lovers need to know about?Cosme Gumuzio
What is your favorite purchase (stationery or not) in the last 6 months?
Beta V2 from Mad Science Pen Company in The Pensmiths Dark Arts material.
Where to find Evan on the internets:
Penquisition Blog
Penquisition on Instagram
In today’s episode, we’ll look at the latest postal bulletin and news about the next-gen vehicles, the Pen Addict Slack survey results, and more reasons to write letters than being a pen pal.
USPS releases Title IX stamps and postmarks, a few Valentine’s Day Postmarks,
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22590/html/info_006.htm#ep1460573
Lack of environmental analysis before awarding the contract, 0.4 MPG increase in fuel efficiency for a fleet that is 30 years old.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/02/02/usps-trucks-epa-climate-change/
The Pen Addict Slack survey results from TheTempTrac and InkyKatWrites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPrD5DGyyxk
The PDF
https://d.pr/f/OX6OxZ
The Pen Addict Episode “A guy named Dean”
https://www.relay.fm/penaddict/493
Postcard Paul with 47,000 cards sent in 29 years
https://www.kwqc.com/2022/01/07/postcard-paul-scaling-back-after-nearly-three-decades-letter-writing/
Want results, Write a letter, not just for politics
https://qctimes.com/opinion/columnists/column-want-results-write-a-letter/article_d2826540-f601-503e-a572-49c6ba95ca07.html
Book riot, the case for writing letters. Therapy. Journaling and releasing feelings.
https://bookriot.com/case-for-writing-letters/
Letter writing to the next generation. Jewish principle of l’dor v’dor
https://www.jweekly.com/2022/02/04/oakland-woman-helps-connect-generations-of-families-through-letter-writing/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbSKubUD4SA
Missed delivery notification phishing emails and malware attachments
https://www.forbes.com/sites/leemathews/2022/01/31/hackers-spoof-post-office-notices-to-spread-notorious-trickbot-malware/?sh=51e4d20026dd
New stamp releases
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2022/0111-usps-reveals-more-stamps-for-2022.htm
Postal Bulletin (1/13/22)
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22589/html/info_010.htm
Letters of Note IG Account
https://www.instagram.com/lettersofnote/
More letter locking!
https://www.studyfinds.org/letters-17th-century-aristocrats-virtualy-unfolded/
More on Edmonia Lewis
https://www.baystatebanner.com/2022/01/20/usps-black-heritage-stamp-honors-edmonia-lewis/
https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/african-american-stamp-subjects.htm
Using letter writing to reinforce communications learning
https://baylorlariat.com/2021/11/04/engage-listening-writing-skills-with-pen-pals/
Yoseka re-opening after the holidays
https://greenpointers.com/2022/01/19/yoseka-stationery-on-west-street-reopens/
Latinx Stationery
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/best-latinx-stationery-brands
Ink buying ink?
https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/stationery-maker-bic-to-buy-toronto-temporary-tattoo-company-for-us-65-million-1.5744377
Oldest known seal
https://www.livescience.com/oldest-seal-impression-israel.html
In today's episode, we'll be catching up with the latest postal bulletin talking about the new year and some new goals for the new year and talking about some other stuff out of the letter, writing world
New Acquisitions
John - Got my Drillog, haven’t had a chance to play with it.
Evan - MB for BMW Ink
Space Cat Coozy
Other Two pen sleeves from Rickshaw
New year’s plans/goals?
John - Going to buy basic stuff to rebuild my stationery supplies in Singapore. BTW, for anyone that was wondering, before I was supposed to leave I trimmed my collection to three pen cases, but all of my higher-end pens are going with me.
Evan - Get through my reply pile, invest in interesting designed pens, last year was interesting mechanisms (If CONID is back, I’m getting one ASAP)
New Stamp https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22588/html/info_004.htm#ep1461078
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22587/html/info_007.htm
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22587/html/info_008.htm
Mailing It! Interview with the Postal Service Inspector Service head
https://usps-mailin-it.simplecast.com/episodes/americas-oldest-law-enforcement-agency-the-united-states-postal-inspection-service
Hobinichi Stationery Club
https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/magazine/2022/contents/stationeryclub/qtaqdmu7a.html
Call to action for writing in support of libraries and books
https://bookriot.com/freadom-letter-writing-campaign/
Easy templates, calls to action
https://www.freadom.us/campaigns-actions
India pen pal connections (world wide really)
https://www.thehindu.com/society/these-homegrown-initiatives-are-helping-people-find-pen-pals-to-connect-with/article38086614.ece
https://www.letterstostrangers.org/
Stationery pub crawl
https://billypenn.com/2021/12/16/philly-stationery-crawl-publetters-pen-pals/
Sometimes life throws you a curveball. This last week was one of those times. I'm happy to be safely back in the US, but this week's normal episodes was a casualty of life's craziness this last week. My sincere apologies to our listeners for missing this week's recording. We will see you all in the new year.
EP 45
In today’s episode, we will be catching up with the latest postal bulletin, some great letter locking new and more news of letter writing and stationery coming into the holidays.
12/2 Postal bulletin
USPS Holiday Stamps Retro 51
Letter writing for documentation of the pandemic and self-care
Mary Queen of Scots letter lock
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/12/mary-queen-of-scots-sealed-her-final-missive-with-an-intricate-spiral-letterlock/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/dec/10/mary-queen-of-scots-locked-final-letter-using-paper-folding-research-finds
The actual article with the full letterlock steps
Pen pal project to battle loneliness during the holidays
The actual project site (They got sponsored by Tetley Tea)
Inkvent 2021
Green Guide to Stationery
Zenzoi Bamboo Fountain Pen
J. Herbin inks
Paperage Recycled Paper Journals
Review of the Paperage Notebook
Stationery corporate responsibility - Shared by one of our listeners, Todd!
Coral and Blue
Stationery market growth
https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/stationery-and-cards-market-to-see-huge-growth-by-2026-hallmark-kokuyo-mitsubishi-pencil
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-consumer-stationery-retailing-market-095200293.html
Brick and mortar stores adapting to the pandemic
The Letter Farmer
In today’s episode, we will be catching up with new acquisitions, the latest postal bulletin, and more news of letter writing in the age of email.
Postal Bulletin
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22585/html/info_006.htm
Postmark America - Lighthouses in Ohio
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22585/html/info_008.htm
Follow up on the Paper Source Bankruptcy
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/11/barnes-noble-owner-buys-stationery-retailer-paper-source-out-of-bankruptcy.html
Elliott Investment Management, the owner of Barnes & Noble, said Tuesday it will acquire gift and stationery retailer Paper Source.
Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt will oversee both companies. While the two businesses plan to operate independently, it hinted at possible partnerships in the future.
The acquisition will provide Paper Source with the funding it needs to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Palace hiring assistant correspondence officer
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/ever-fancied-writing-letters-for-the-queen-41090344.html
Bridgerton spawns Regencycore which re-ignites letter writing and wax seals
https://bookriot.com/wax-seals/
Regencycore? Cottagecore? Check out my previous guest Joanna with IGGPPC/Charm Bomb Podcast for Broadwaycore.
https://geekgirlpenpals.com/charmbomb/page/2/
Letters from Marie Antoinette’s lover uncovered
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/10/x-rays-reveal-censored-portions-of-marie-antoinettes-letters-to-swedish-count/
https://cen.acs.org/analytical-chemistry/art-&-artifacts/Spectroscopy-reveals-crossedpassages-Marie-Antoinettes/99/web/2021/10
Just a quick note in the show notes, Shawn Newton is fundraising for a new machine for his shop and would appreciate your support.
In today’s episode, we will be catching up with new acquisitions, the latest postal bulletin, and all of the latest news of people in the world keeping letter writing alive in the age of email and DMs.
Acquisitions
John - Trilogy nib has returned!
Evan - skis, Oculus
Postal Bulletin
An SO listener sent a postcard through the Blue Origin program
Fighting for Space by Amy Shira Teitel
News of letter writers keeping letter writing alive
It’s the Macy’s Believe Campaign, letters to Santa generate a $1 donation to Make-a-Wish and that program has raised over $25 million
Letters from kids in juvie, the ones delivered to teachers impacted their reaction to the students which in turn lowered the recidivism rate, SF Examiner article, EdSource article, original paper
This is from AI UK for their Write for Rights campaign to support people who AI has identified as needing support (the campaign has successes in the past)
Joe Wagner had penpals when he was younger and this project is another pandemic inspired project for Belle Glos winery
Here is where you can find the Belle Glos stationery
Barbara Heller’s project to tell the “Little Women” story through reproductions of their letters, fueled by the talented calligraphers of the New Orlean’s Lettering Arts Association.
Article about a letter writing workshop for writing letters to cancer patients
Here’s the group that did it and their letter writing tips
In today’s episode, we will be catching up with new acquisitions, the latest postal bulletin, and something breaktaking.
Acquisitions
John - Schon DSGN PEEK-a-boo, (Bent Tines epsiode with Ian))
Kilk pen and
OPUS 88 demo with a new Parallel nib
Evan- VHS London Fog
Visconti Travel Filler
Iroshizuku Yama-Budo
Postal Bulletin
Four pictorial postmarks
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22583/html/info_005.htm
USPS official podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mailin-it-the-official-usps-podcast/id1587184784
USPS Daffy Duck trucks
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/10/29/biden-usps-dejoy-trucks/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Nock Co. is no more
https://nockco.com/
Cases 50% off - Most of his stock is sold out
https://www.relay.fm/penaddict/484 episode talking about the shut down
NaNoWriMo -30 days 50,0000 words!
Brad Dowdy committed! He’ll be copying a book for it. Goal: using all the things!
https://nanowrimo.org/
Taccia Miyabi Winter's Breath Fountain Pen (Special Edition)[18 pieces]
https://www.gouletpens.com/products/taccia-miyabi-winters-breath-fountain-pen-special-edition?utm_source=Klaviyo-campaign&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Taccia%20Winters%20Breath&_kx=DCj5rCuXZ_ctMdx_jfGHS7QYYaJ0fm-IlVi1N75mdCE%3D.McJ78z
In today’s episode, we will be catching up with the latest postal bulletin, diving into some Link Love, and looking at a great summary of FPC.ink.
Acquisitions
John- nope (but going to a pen swap today)
Evan-celebratory pen? (hasn’t arrived yet)
Graf Von FC Storm Grey Ink
Franklin-christoph is having an online pen show on Oct 19th.
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22582/html/info_007.htm#ep1462469
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/local-releases/ca/2021/1008-new-for-the-holiday-prices-shipping-rates-and-dates.htm
Holiday shipping deadlines
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUpCC0lgDgp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2021/10/link-love-beyond-tired/
https://kottke.org/21/10/letters-to-the-future
Vietnamese creative agency Ki Saigon has designed a book out of recycled plastic containing letters to read a millennium from now.
Chicago Pen Show recaps
https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/blog/2021/10/2/report-from-chicago-pen-show-highlights-from-friday
https://www.penaddict.com/blog/2021/10/8/2021-chicago-pen-show-recap
https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/blog/2021/10/6/2021-chicago-pen-show-recap-back-to-normal-slowly-cQgWK
https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/blog/2021/10/13/swapping-fountain-pen-nibs-from-easy-to-expert
https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2021/10/support-your-favorite-stationery-people/
https://thepostmansknock.com/black-crow-halloween-mail-art-tutorial/
https://www.penaddict.com/blog/2021/9/24/fountain-pen-companion-not-just-for-ink-addicts
https://twitter.com/ryanoferguson/status/1439928079665795072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1440144477616623623%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellappointeddesk.com%2F2021%2F09%2Flink-love-ama-with-aoc%2F
AMA (ask me anything) with AOC (US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez). She showed off her three favorite pens (Kaweco Sport, Fischer Space pen and Pilot Precise V5)
In today’s episode, we will have a special guest who has become an established part of the fountain pen world through his YouTube channel and now a custom Leonardo pen release. Please welcome David Parker aka Figboot on Pens.
What is your current grail pen?
Namiki Yukari Royale
(I'm just getting into golf) What has been your favorite golf course?
Tobacco Road Golf, NC
Torrey Pines
Pebble Beach
St Andrews (go on Sunday, play on Monday)
What do you think are the most underrated pens in the market?
Cross Peerless 125 (I thought Fountain Pen Hospital had them but they are out of stock)
Diplomat Aero (Pen Chalet link so you can use your Pen Addict code)
What is your favorite pen in the $100-200 price bracket?
Lamy 2000
Pilot VP
What is your favorite snail mail embellishment?
Wax Seals
Figboot on Pens Leo
Pen18111
Rockster pens
In today’s episode, we will be catching up with pen acquisitions and the Postal Bulletin.
New acquisitions
John (better grab a Snickers)
Aurora Optima Abissi JE 2016
Pilot Vanishing Point
Pilot Murex
Red Dragon Pen Company Pocket Parallel
Kickstarter Drillog
Evan
Calipers and thread gauge set (for a future pen related project), custom pen makers, I may be reaching out for an odd request soon.
New letter lock I found
https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Fold-and-Lock-a-Letter/
New Stamps and postmarks (last two bulletins)
https://about.usps.com/resources/postal-bulletin.htm
https://vanness1938.com/collections/planners/2022-planner?sort_by=created-descending&_kx=HxHsgK8Z25S4lghVYB3eKV4sNASdkjSTW7LYO-FKwm8%3D.WQ54UZ
https://vanness1938.com/products/midori-planner-stickers-chatty-cats?_kx=HxHsgK8Z25S4lghVYB3eKV4sNASdkjSTW7LYO-FKwm8%3D.WQ54UZ
https://www.amexessentials.com/best-historical-letter-collections-to-read/ Ernest Hemingway’s 6,000 letters
In today’s episode, we will have a special guest who has been tearing up the pen show scene and expanding his reputation as a nib grinder and shop owner. Please welcome Kirk Speer.
Pen Realm
Dromgoole's
Mark Bacas
Kilk Pens
Bokumondoh
Kokuyo Bobbin maker
Scribe ink
Mont Blanc Agatha Christie
Classic Pens
Esterbrook
In today’s episode, we will be talking all about the newest postal bulletin and wax seals
Acquisitions:
Evan - SLC 2002 Olympic Fountain Pen
NPR’s Life Kit did an episode on writing a letter
New regional postmarks, including one in PR
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22578/html/info_010.htm
https://www.stationeryorbit.com/4-the-wax-seals-primer/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Catherinecraftsupply?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=722484130
https://backtozero.co/
https://www.letterseals.com/
https://www.carolinapencompany.com/custom-wax-seal
https://vanness1938.com/collections/wax-seals
J.Herbin Wax seal ink pads
Global Solutions Metallic White Shimmer Stamp Pad
Stick wax
Glue gun wax - especially clear wax
Wax beads -Melting spoons - Melting furnaces
DexterRings -from the UK
Regnas - from Thailand
In today’s episode, we will be talking all about the results of the 2021 Droids Postmark Experiment
Drilllog KickstarterMusubi
The new rates will take effect on August 29, 2021.
New Postal Bulletin
The results blog post
The results table
The Chien-Shiung Wu postmarks were returned but they were all done with the black and white postmark.
For the Droids postmarks, the 24 Pounds Strathmores and the Envelopes.com Press-N-Peel envelopes came out on top of this 5 envelope comparison. The 24# Strathmores, in my opinion, are a better product than the USPS uses for their own postmark product. I will be posting pictures from the experiment on Instagram in the following days. Each of the envelope types have links to their product pages on Envelopes.com. All materials, including stamps, mailers, envelopes, and postage were paid for by John West.
You can write to us at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
StationeryOrbit is our main website where you can find links there to the Patreon page and Stationery Orbit Merch which will help support Stationery Orbit. Making a podcast isn’t free and costs for hosting, recording, and editing add up quick. If you can help out by becoming a patron or buying merch, you will help keep Stationery Orbit in everyone’s ears.
You can also find links to the Stationery Orbit Discord.
Last and not least there is a link to rate Stationery Orbit on Apple Podcasts, getting the work out also helps this podcast grow.
In today’s episode we will be talking about a postmark experiment update and custom ink from the Philippines
New acquisitions
John-Backed the Drillog Kickstarter
Evan- New ink, Koyo No Oto #7
The Stationery Orbit Deep Space Custom Ink from New Brew Inks in Manila, Philippines
USPS Postal Bulletin
Royal Mail New Coastal Animals Stamps
In today’s episode, we will be talking about how we write letters to our pen pals, and a quick postmark experiment update
Bokumondoh urushi/raden pen IG post
Inky Rocks Bokumondo Video
24-pound paper envelopes and applied theB&W postmark to that set of envelopes.
Question from Brad of Mythic Pen Company and As the Pen Turns podcast:
Letter writing, how do we write to our pen pals. Any tips?
Standard things I do in a letter.
Date the first page, number pages ½ 2/2 etc
List the pen and ink at the bottom of the page
Eg Kaweco Brass Sport
I try to put the By Snail/Par Escargot stamp on most of my letters
Jeff Besos/Blue Origin Postcards to space (will get link later) https://www.clubforfuture.org/missions/
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22574/pb22574.pdf
Not mentioned in the episode but very topical so I'll add it here:Inky Rocks Letter Writing Video
In today’s episode, we will be talking about postmarks, fun media mentions of fountain pens, the postmark experiment, and the possibility of using origami diagrams for letterlocking .
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22573/html/info_007.htm
Seen on Tim Ferris’s newsletter
https://www.fountainpenhospital.com/
Shop I’m excited to visit once again —
Fountain Pen Hospital. Now that I’m fully vaccinated, I’m excited to get back to the Fountain Pen Hospital, which was “founded in 1946 by Phil Wiederlight and Al Wiederlight (the father and grandfather, respectively, of today’s proprietors – Terry and Steve Wiederlight). Terry and Steve have a combined 60 years experience in all phases of vintage and modern writing instruments.” Special thanks to Neil Gaiman for recommending it during our conversation together, in which he described how and why he does so much writing by hand.
The Pigeon Letterlock YR diagram (based on A4 size paper)
The Pigeon Letterlock my instructions (based on A4 size paper)Fountain Pen Love's Tomoe River replacement options
Also John revised his paper testing:
https://hinzepens.com/
Here is Jacob’s original article:
YR diagramming for origami, maybe useful for letter locking?
In today's episode, we'll be talking about stamps, erasable ink, and the history of envelopes.
USPS Price Increase, First Class Letter going from 55 to 58 on August 29th:
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/0528-usps-proceeds-with-request-for-postal-rate-change.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_United_States_postage_rates#/media/File:US_Postage_History.svg
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/0518ma-usps-announces-upcoming-stamp-dedications.htm
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/1117-usps-announces-upcoming-stamps.htm
https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/351973-erasable-fountain-pen-ink/
http://letterlocking.org/categories
https://www.wsel.com/sites/default/files/uploads/pdfs/EMA_History.pdf
In today’s episode, we will be talking about stamps, pen clubs, the postmark experiment, and the table of letterlocking
Erasable Fountain Pen ink: https://www.instagram.com/p/CO_PXcODU1G/
https://www.kiwiinks.com/collections/erasable/products/erasable-ink
Another Space Retro51: https://www.instagram.com/p/CPBS5_PjPMH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Sun Science Stamps:
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22572/html/info_004.htm
Postmarks:
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22572/html/info_006.htm
https://www.wsel.com/sites/default/files/uploads/pdfs/EMA_History.pdf Unlocking History, Table of Letterlocking
http://letterlocking.org/categories
Metric Paper video from CPG Grey
Ep 30
In today’s episode we will be talking about stamps, postmarks and mail art
The etymology behind the word stationery
Interesting call for pandemic mail-related items
Barbados stamps for Centenarians. “Comprising a total of 27 stamps, the collection was released on December 8, 2016”
New Canadian stamps
https://twitter.com/renatalorelei__/status/1390056806018392065?s=21
More neat stamps from the Royal Mail
Japanese Pokemon Stamps! https://t.co/heLSiqQOiH?amp=1
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&u=https://www.post.japanpost.jp/kitte/collection/archive/2021/0825_01/
Go for Broke: Japanese American Soldiers of WWII Stamp (will release June 3rd)
United in Mail Art
In today’s episode we will talking about pen clubs so when we can all get out of the house, we may have some folks to share our fountain pens with.
Acquisitions:
NockCo Brasstown
King Jim Magflap Clipboard
Nakabayashi Lifestyle Tool Box
Kaweco Supra Fountain Pen
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22569/html/info_006.htm#ep1466399
https://store.usps.com/store/product/stamp-gifts/espresso-drinks-coasters-S_683298
Nathanials PostmarksAs The Pen Turns podcast
Maruman Croquis Sketch Pad
Pen Clubs Map!
Calgary Pen Club
London Pen Club (Ontario)
Southern California Pen Collectors Club
Southeast Pen Collector’s Club
Boston Pen People
Greater New York Pen & Ink Group (GNYPIG)
Research Triangle Pen Club
Seattle Pen Club
Seattle-ish Pen Posse
GLAMPIG - The Greater Los Angeles Metro Pen & Ink Group
Colorado Pen Posse
Dallas Pen Club
IowaPen
London Pen Club
Fountain Pen Network
Russian Penlovers Club
San Francisco Stationery Meetup
Huntsville Pen Munch
Middle TN Fountain Pen Club
Charlotte Fountain Pen Club
Wellington Fountain Pen Meetup
CoPenHagen Meetup
Fountain Pen Fans
In this episode, we will be talking about new acquisitions, new droid postmarks, and Quill pens.
Any new acquisitions?
Evan -
Musubi purchases
- Pen sleeve
- Notebook
Rickshaw Bagworks Golden Waves Pen Sleeve
Hero H718
Quills!
John - Montegrappa Monte Grappa
Box of Sheaffer pens from TX
htps://epica.com/products/classic-leather-journal-featuring-hand-made-amalfi-paper
Pictorial Postmarks:
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22567/html/info_006.htm#ep1480012
Canada Post sends a prepaid postcard to every household in the country
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/03/07/canada-post-is-sending-every-household-free-postcard-help-deliver-smile/
Follow up on star wars stamps, being released May 4th, virtual event on FB and Twitter
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/events/star-wars-droids-forever-stamp-ceremony.htm
March 25th Postal Bulletin https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22568/html/info_004.htm
and the Pictorial Postmarks are in for the Droids, they are going to have a different one for each droid
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2021/pb22568/html/info_005.htm
USPS guidelines for color pictorial postmarks
“Customers may submit #6 or #10 envelopes constructed of paper rated as “laser safe.” The Postal Service™ recommends envelopes of 80-pound Accent Opaque, acid-free, 9/16-inch side seams with no glue on the flap.”
Royal Mail King Author Stamp series
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMeZ7-7gRpB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
ColorVerse Eye on the Universe Season 7 https://www.instagram.com/p/CMbRFr4ju8a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Quill Pen:
http://dennisruud.com/quill-pens/
If you would like to leave us feedback we have a channel dedicated to feedback on the Stationery Orbit Discord
In today’s episode we will be talking about the magical world of high-end notebooks and what it takes to be a socially conscious company in an Amazon packed world. Our guest today has established himself as a fixture at pen shows, a trusted source of knowledge for Tomoe River paper, he has just released a new series of notebooks featuring Cosmo Air Light Paper, and will be releasing his new line of Folio Covers later this year! Please join me in welcoming him all the way from Singapore, Daryl from Musubi.
https://www.ozuwashi.net/en/index.html
https://ozuwashi.com (store)
Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise,raiSE
Musubi
@ateliermusubi on Instagram
Episode 26
Any new acquisitions?
John-
Nock Co Waxed Canvas Brasstown
Jeweler's loupe, and brass shims for tuning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxHM6JjScRs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwrV1Qb1vp0
What projects are we working on?
Evan- Postal Bulletin _ postmark
Evan’s January postmarks started getting delivered March 4th
John- fountain pen tuning
Getting back to sealing with clear sealing wax out of a glue gun and dried flowers
Dr. Chien Shiung Wu stamp and sending it off for postmark
What is going on in the stationery world?
Jana Dambrogio has been busy!
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/opening-sealed-letters-study-scn/index.html
Videos on this fold! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_awvL2O4PVY
Even made NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/02/science/locked-letters-unfolding.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur
Related: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/buried-ash-vesuvius-scrolls-are-being-read-new-xray-technique-180969358/
Stamps we haven’t mentioned yet that are coming out soon. New postal bulletin won’t be out till after recording (for new postmarks)
https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-droid-stamps
New non-machinable (75c) stamp
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/colorado-hairstreak-75-cents-S_121204
Diamine Reddit ink (don’t know if there is a show preferred store to link to for something so available):
https://vanness1938.com/products/diamine-writers-blood-reddit-ink-project?variant=37562926858415
https://www.diamineinks.co.uk/detail.aspx?prodcode=DIA%20110
Letterlocking projects we have already done
John- Dagger lock
Tuck lock
Evan- A.Dumbledor
Hexagonal
Pinwheel
One of our listeners, Janet Faughtwill be puting on a Letter Locking class in June
https://societyforcalligraphy.org/event-4187067
Emergency Episode!
Paper Source Bankruptcy
https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2021/03/breaking-news-from-the-stationery-world-paper-source-files-bankruptcy/
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/retail/paper-source-bankruptcy-squeezes-small-greeting-card-sellers
The Card Bureau - https://www.thecardbureau.com/
http://steelpetalpress.com/cat/blog/
1Canoe2
417 Press
Amy Heitman
Antiquaria Design
Bench Pressed
Bloom Wolf
Charm Cat
Chez Gange
Constellation & Co
Good JuJu Ink
Darling Lemon
Inklings Paperie
Kiss and Punch
Knot and Bow
Ladyfingers Letterpress
Lake + Loft
Loudhouse Creative
Noteworthy Paper
Paper Epiphanies
Paper Baristas
Paula & Waffle
Power and Light Press
Rhino Parade
Sapling Press
Steel Petal Press (based in Chicago, like Paper Source)
The Good Twin
The Lavender Whim
The Paper Wilderness
The Social Type
Unblushing
Up With Paper
Wild Ink Press
Yellow Daisy Paper Co.
More information came in after the episode was recorded but I wanted to pass it along, you can see more on my blog post on the Stationery Orbit website
In today’s episode, I am happy to be introducing Evan Harris as the co-host of Stationery Orbit.
Welcome, Evan!
End of InCoWriMo, how did your InCoWriMo go?
Address labels
A5 sheets
New postal vehicle/reactions ?
New Pictorial Postmarks
Will you marry me? Postmark and Perseverance on Mars Station Postmark
Anything new on the market?
NockCo waxed canvas Kickstarter
New Parker 51
Safari re-release in Terra and Savanah
Pura – Leonardo Momento Zero Grande
Scribe Inks
PENNONIA INK
Letterlocking YouTube site
Dictionary of Letterlocking
In today’s episode we will be talking all about letter writing societies.
Letter writing society directory
Arizona Correspondence Society
Coast Side Letter Writing Society
Mojave Correspondence Club
Colorado Correspondence Co
Paper Seahorse/Tampa Bay Letter Writers Social
The Paper Seahorse
Midwest Letter Society
New Mexico Letter Writers Society
Lone Star Letter Writers
South Sound Letter Writing Society
Correspondence Club
Laramie Letter Writing Community
- The Pen Pal Primer
Geek Girl Pen Pals
Victorian Letter Writers Guild
Dudes Who Write
Stationery Orbit Pen Pal Primer
- Joanna, IGGPPC Director
Geek Girl Pen Pals
Charm Bomb Podcast
Podcasts:
The Pen Addict
Senders-receive Podcast
The Nib Section
As the Pen Turns
The Tokyo Inklings
The Bent Tines
In today’s episode, we will be talking all about how your favorite fountain pen works. Behind every design, there is engineering. Behind fountain pens, there is fluid dynamics and I’m excited to have on as a guest a Ph.D in fluid dynamics. Her goal in life is to spread the word about fluid dynamics and today she will explain the various ways physics puts ink to paper.
You can find amazing articles that will expand your knowledge of the world of fluid dynamics on her website fyfluiddynamics.com/
Please welcome, Nicole Sharp!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_pen_ink
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_tension
Do you have a favorite fountain pen ink?
Conservative- Platinum Carbon Black
Wild- Looking for the perfect orange
Papier Plume Sazerac
KWZ Eldarado
Robert Oster Australis Tea
Papier Plume Blue Heron
Leuchtturm
Endless Recorder
Rhodia Pad
Midori
Pilot Vanishing Pont Matte Black
Sailor Manyo Yomogi
Mnemosyne pad
Sailor Colorado
Can you share one technique with the listeners that you think will elevate their snail mail art?
- A visit from the Queen of Washi, Beth Hobson
Are there artists that you think are doing amazing work that stationery lovers need to know about?
The forum for Pen and Ink Maps: https://cartographersguild.com/forumdisplay.php?f=110
And the following are all some works done specifically with ink and pen (+watercolors, pencils, etc.):
https://cartographersguild.com/album.php?albumid=4807
https://cartographersguild.com/album.php?albumid=4359
https://cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=45761
Ep 17. Timothy Ely, Artist and Bookbinder at APlanetaryCollage.com Part 1
What is your favorite purchase (stationery or not) in the last 6 months?
Pilot Vanishing Pont Matte Black
If you are interested in seeing more of Nicole’s work you can find her on the Internets at the following places:
You can find her on Instagram @fyfluiddynamics
And her fountain pen and ink @aerognome
You can find amazing articles that will expand your knowledge of the world of fluid dynamics on her website fyfluiddynamics.com
In today’s episode, we will be talking about something near and dear to most stationery lover’s hearts, WASHI TAPE! Our guest has established herself as the enabler for all things washi.
Please welcome Pen Addict Slack royalty, the Queen of Washi, tis herself, Beth Hobson!
InkyConverters https://www.etsy.com/shop/inkyconverters
Nutmeg and Arlo https://www.etsy.com/shop/NutmegandArlo
Mildred for Tea https://www.etsy.com/shop/Mildredfortea
Simply Guilded https://simplygilded.com/
Kawaii Pen Shop https://kawaiipenshop.com/
Once More with Love https://oncemorewithlove.com/
Coffee Break Planner https://www.coffeebreakplanner.com/
Wonton in a Million https://wontoninamillion.com/
Original Kawaii Pen https://originalkawaiipen.com/
Tiny Deer Studio https://tinydeerstudio.com/
Shoal https://shopshoal.com/
Jet Pens https://www.jetpens.com/
AliExpress https://www.aliexpress.com
Cocoa Daisy https://www.cocoadaisy.com/
Baum-kuchen studio https://www.baum-kuchen.net/pages/studio-shop
Welcome to Episode 20 of Stationery Orbit where we are all here to learn more about creative letter writing, I’m your host John West and in today’s episode we will be talking about something I didn’t even know was a thing until it was brought to my attention by our guest. He brings joy to his pen pals by going well above and beyond by sending in letters for special postal cancellations and sending letter-locked letter au’ natural into the wild. He is a Postal system super user!
Please welcome, Evan Harris!
Postal Bulletin
A cancellation (or cancel) is a postal marking applied to a postage stamp or a piece of postal stationery indicating that the item has been used. The primary purpose of cancels is to prevent the reuse of stamps. The terms cancel and postmark is used interchangeably.
What is your favorite postal cancellation you’ve seen in the Postal Bulletin?
Space themes
Canceled postage conference
What is letter-locking?
Letter locking on YouTube
Letter locking main website
Letter locking dictionary
What is your favorite letter lock so far?
Italian pinwheel
Do you have a favorite paper?
Rhodia Dot Grid
Original Crown Mill
Handmade paper on Etsy
Do you have a favorite snail mail embellishment?
Custom wax seal
Par Escargot stamp
What is your favorite pen?
Lamy 2000
Do you have a favorite fountain pen ink?
DeAtrementis Sherlock Holmes
Are there artists that you think are doing amazing work that stationery lovers need to know about?
@MattDayPhoto
@Kodak
@Hasselblad
What is your favorite purchase (stationery or not) in the last 6 months?
Par Escargot stamp
You can find him on Instagram
@EvanHarrisPhoto
You can find me on Instagram at:
@gneissguyco for pictures of cats and life
@stationeryorbit for stationery experiments
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
StationeryOrbit is my main website where you can find links to the Stationery Orbit Discord. You can also find links there to my Patreon page and Stationery Orbit Merch which will help support Stationery Orbit and help keep you warm while you are making beautiful snail mail this winter.
Last and not least there is an easy link to rate Stationery Orbit on Apple Podcasts.
Welcome to Episode 19 of Stationery Orbit, where we all come to learn more about creative letter writing, I’m your host John West and this episode is my 2020 recap show.
Thanks to my first patron Todd, who has believed in me almost from the start.
Mercedes Marathon
PO Box
I tried spearfishing Lionfish
Leonardo MZ in JB PM
Sammy Hagar’s b-day bash
Folded nib
Learning cursive
Pilot 823
@briankesinger
@lucyoftotality
#siberiancat
@seblester
@karenhallionart
@purr.in.ink
Kaweco Apple Pencil Holder
You can find me on Instagram at:
@gneissguyco for pictures of cats and life
@stationeryorbit for stationery experiments
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
StationeryOrbit is my main website where you can find episodes and places to subscribe to StationeryOrbit on all of the major podcast platforms. You can also find links to the Stationery Orbit Discord, my Patreon page, and Stationery Orbit Merch which will help support Stationery Orbit and help keep you warm while you are making beautiful snail mail this winter.
Last and not least there is an easy link to rate Stationery Orbit on Apple Podcasts.
Welcome to Episode 18 of Stationery Orbit where we are all here to learn more about creative letter writing, I’m your host John West and today’s episode is the continued discussion with Timothy Ely. He is an author of a multitude of art books and he has two softcover books available. We will be talking about ink manufacture and ways to use his art techniques to level up your creative letter writing.
You can find his two softcover books on Amazon and they are:
Flight into Egypt
and 8 Books
You can commission new works, and find reproduction prints on his website A Planetary Collage
The documentary for Tim’s art book, Line of Sight
01:09 Do you have a favorite snail mail embellishment?
07:52 Can you tell us about the chemistry/physics/engineering you have to consider when you make an ink?
Tim Lee’s folded pens
Ruling Pens
10:05 Do you have a favorite fountain pen ink?
De Atrementis Document Black
Noodler’s Dark Matter
Book of Kells
Grumbacher Paint
Andrew Wyeth
Formulas for painters
On food and cooking – Harold McGee
15:46 What is your favorite pen?
Rotring Rapidiograph
Rotring Art Pen
Waterman Fountain Pens
17:54 Can you share one technique with the listeners that you think will elevate their snail mail?
25:28 Are there artists that you think are doing amazing work that stationery lovers need to know about?
Lebbeus Woods or Einsteins Tomb
Asemic writing
Eduardo Paolozzi
Christopher Finch – pop art book
Joseph Cornell
Ray Johnson
Robert Allen Jensen
29:00 What is your favorite purchase (stationery or not) in the last 6 months?
Colorplan paper from Talas
Perspective guides graph paper notebook
Field Notes
A Planetary Collage
@timothyelyartist
@gneissguyco for pictures of cats and life
@stationeryorbit for stationery experiments
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
StationeryOrbit is my main website where you can find links to the Stationery Orbit Discord where I am currently hosting a Mandalorian Disney Watch party on Sunday nights at 9 pm EST for Season 2.
You can also find links there to my Patreon page and Stationery Orbit Merch which will help support Stationery Orbit and help keep you warm while you are making beautiful snail mail this winter.
Last and not least there is an easy link to rate Stationery Orbit on Apple Podcasts.
Welcome to Episode 17 of Stationery Orbit where we are all here to learn more about creative letter writing, I’m your host John West and today’s episode is a discussion with a remarkable artist. He is an author of a multitude of art books and he has two softcover books available. We will be talking about how drafting and cartography merge into art; and how to use rubber stamps to trigger creative ideas.
Please welcome, Timothy Ely!
You can find his two softcover books on Amazon and they are:
Flight into Egypt
and 8 Books
You can commission new works, and find reproduction prints on his website A Planetary Collage
Here is the link to the documentary for Tim’s art book, Line of Sight
What inspired you to mix graphic design, cartography, drafting and bookbinding into your own unique style of art?
Which piece of yours found its way to the Library of Congress?
Can you tell me about the Compound 12 piece that is at the University of Denver?
What is cribiform?
Did you learn to make Japanese paper (washi)?
Do you have a favorite paper?
Do you have a favorite drafting tool?
How many rubber stamps do you own?
If you are interested in seeing more of Tim’s work you can find him on the Internets at the following places:
You can find him on Instagram @timothyelyartist
You can also commission new works, and find books and reproduction prints on his website A Planetary Collage
You can find me on Instagram at:
@gneissguyco for pictures of cats and life
@stationeryorbit for stationery experiments
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
StationeryOrbit is my main website where you can find links to the Stationery Orbit Discord where I am currently hosting a Mandalorian Disney Watch party on Sunday nights at 9 pm EST for Season 2.
You can also find links there to my Patreon page and Stationery Orbit Merch which will help support Stationery Orbit and help keep you warm while you are making beautiful snail mail this winter.
Last and not least there is an easy link to rate Stationery Orbit on Apple Podcasts.
Today’s episode is a “ask me anything” episode with Jennie Hinchcliff of redletterdayzine
Question about getting things through safely -- wax seals not getting crushed, things like that. Any tips? Just mark "hand cancel" on everything?
-Becky Wilson via the SO Discord
Letter Seals Waterson’s Scottish postal taper
More the where to go and how to get started - it's a bit intimidating when you see some of cool work others put out. Dos and don'ts, things to be avoided.
-Karissa from TPA Slack
Add and pass
Sources for reading up on the history of mail art - including beyond the 70s and 80s.
-Karissa from TPA Slack
Eternal Network by Chuck Welch
Correspondence art- Michael Crane and Mary Stofflet
The World of Donald Evans by Willy Eisenhart
The Umbrella Anthology – Judith Hoffberg
Frog Pond Splash – edited by Elizabeth Zuba
Ray Johnson retrospective at the Art Institute of Chicago in Jan- April 2021
Siglio Publishing -Paper Snake and Not Nothing by Ray Johnson
Projects that she's working on currently
-Karissa from TPA Slack
RAS Stamp Collection
San Francisco Correspondence Coop
Ooh, will she put together another book? Took me a bit to track down the original one - I'd love to see an updated version
-Karissa from TPA Slack
Would love to.
Does she have a favorite (or several) mail art project she's participated in?
-Karissa from TPA Slack
2014 Ex Postal Facto
Who would you like to be able to correspond with, living or dead?
-Phyllis from the SO VM
Where can they find you on the Internets?
@redletterdayzine on Instagram
Redletterdayzine Wordpress site
You can contact me at:
StationeryOrbit my main website
@gneissguyco for pictures of cats and life
@stationeryorbit for stationery experiments
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
Today’s guest requires a special introduction
He once spent an entire month on a remote hilltop with pen in hand, the tender silence only broken by the sound of nib on paper, writing line after line of the same character just to achieve a number 4 that brought joy to his soul.
He is a Namiki Nerd, a Lamy Lover, a founding member of Team Safari, the King of Pen,
It’s BRAD DOWDY!
The Pen Addict blog was founded in 2008, the Pen Addict podcast followed in 2012, then NockCo and recently, a partnership in Spoke Pens and a Twitch stream for the Pen Addict.
Lamy 2000 Blue Bauhaus
What is your Top 5 Ice Cream list looking like these days? (Refill #57)
Mint chocolate chip
Pralines and cream
Moose Tracks
Sea Salt and Caramel
Coffee/Espresso
What fountain pen brand do you think has the best, most consistent quality?
Pelikan
What pen are you writing with today?
Stylo-Art Urushi
What pen do you find yourself reaching for more these days?
Spoke Design - Classic silver
Spoke Design Roadie
Caran D'Ache 849
What is one thing you wished people knew about pens?
There is always a better pen (speaking to newcomers)
Nock Notecards
Midori MD A5
Yoseka Notebook
Clairefontaine Triomphe Notepad
Are there artists that you think are doing amazing work that stationery lovers need to know about?
Raymond Pettibon
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Timothy Curtis
Joey Feldman
Musicians
Drive-by truckers
Laura Jane Grace
What is your favorite purchase (stationery or not) in the last 6 months?
R.E. Load Bags
Nike Air Max
Where can they find you on the Internets?
PenAddict.com
@gneissguyco
@stationeryorbit
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
Today’s episode is a discussion with Joanna, an International Geek Girls Pen Pal Club Director, Content Editor, Keeper of Commas, and Spreader of Smiles and we will be talking about Pen Pals and the ever-expanding world of Girl Geekdom.
Founded in March 2013, the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club (aka IGGPPC) was designed to bring together the geek community through shared interests in all things geeky, a love of stationery, and an interest in making friends.
What are the IGGPPC Houses?
House Quinn are ages 17-21
House GlaDOS are ages 22-29
House Organa are ages 30-44
House Ripley are ages 45+
Legend of Korra
Star Wars: Clone Wars
The Mandalorian
Charm Bomb Podcast
Sharpies
@MyCatIsPeople
Needle Felting Kit
International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club
IGGLEs On Twitter
IGGLEs on Instagram
IGGLEs on Facebook
IGGLEs on YouTube
@joannavolavka
@gneissguyco
@stationeryorbit
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is a discussion with Becky Wilson who is in the Top 20 on the FPC.ink leaderboards to talk about ink collecting and the current ink market.
FPC.ink leaderboards
Ikea Alex
Test tube racks
Col-o-Rings
Col-o-Dex
Vintage Rolodex
Vaness Pens
Diamine Inkvent
Diamine Jack Frost
Coloverse Cat
Ink of the witch
Seitz Kreuznach
Fox and quill Beetle Juice
Sailor Inks
Popular inks (from FPC.ink)
Waterman Patrician Purple
Yard-O-Led
Atlas Stationers
Midori md
Micheal Sull spacing drill
Leigh Reyes on Instagram @leighpod
Nock Co Kickstarter
Stationery Orbit (SO) News!
www.StationeryOrbit.com
SO Discord
SO Patreon
Where can they find you on the Internets?
Instagram
@rewil
@gneissguyco
@stationeryorbit
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is a discussion about pen restoration and nib grinding with Kirk Speer, of PenRealm.com.
Different types of nib grinds
Waterman 12 Eyedropper
Better QA/QC fountain pen brands
- Pilot
- Sailor
- Narwhal
- Jowo nibs
- Pelikan
Fountain Pen Brands with QA/QC issues
- Mont Blanc has a consistent babies bottom
- Bock nibs
- Platinum
Chatelain pens- eyedroppers worn around the neck
Maruman
Kokuyo
Rhodia
Apica
Pen Addict Newsletter
@Gestaltofatoms
@Inkyexperiments
Geha Fountain Pens - German
www.Penrealm.com
@penrealm
@gneissguyco
@stationeryorbit
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is a discussion about the very big world of mail art with Jennie Hinchcliff, co-author of Good Mail Day and author of the website www.redletterdayzine.com
Good Mail Day
Kaweco Sport
Kaweco Lilliput
Parker 51
Schaefer “Lifetime Balance”
Travelling Mail Art Kit:
- Pencil pouch
- Pen
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Glue stick
- Postage
- Double stick tape
- Waxy crayons
- Mohawk superfine
- Ink pad
- Rubber stamps
- Date stamper
Ex Postal Facto
Red Handed Rubber Stamps
What is gleaning?
- Having eyes open to ways that you can collect and use things in the world around you
- Collecting bits and pieces to use for mail art, whatever strikes one’s fancy
- Old paper, collage bits
Could you describe the difference between a hand-carved stamp and an Artistamp?
- Hand-carved =’s soft block carving/eraser carving an image of some kind that can then be stamped onto one’s mail art
- Artistamps =’s a “stamp” designed by an artist/mail artist to incorporate as an embellishment on one’s mail art or as a stand-alone work. Some artistamp makers create stamp sheets to send out to people and that is their form of mail art/way of working.
Artistamp makers:
- Carl Chew / Triangle Post: AARPEX event (artistamp conference, old school makers) in Seattle 2012
- Anna Banana: Banana Rag; did the perforations for the Griffin and Sabine series, influential artist, performance artist, maker
- Crackerjack Kid: Eternal Network (mail artist, can download the book for free online)
- Michael Thompson & Michael Hernandez de Luna: The Stamp Art and Postal History of Michael Thompson & Michael Hernandez de Luna (artistamp makers, book title)
Are there artists that you think are doing amazing work that stationery lovers need to know about?
- Sally Wurlitzer—artistamps : @sallyw3000 (IG)
- Maureen Forys – Herstorical Women Of Oakland, CA artistamps : @mailbait (IG)
- Gina Visione – activist/political mail: @ginavisione (IG)
- RF Cote – Circulaire 132 (assembling zine): @rf_cote (IG)
-
sfcorrespondencecoop (IG)
- “Seeing the World in Minature: Artistamps and Their Makers” at the Ex Postal Facto conference (moderated by Jennie Hinchcliff): https://youtu.be/2iiXfiSRpG0
My mentors:
- Postmaster James (CA, USA) – mail artist, postmaster for Burning Man / Red Rubber Tattoo camp
- Anna Banana (Canada)
- CM Bennett (OH, USA)—fluxus artist, artistampmaker, mail artist
- Chuck Welch (NH, USA)
- Carl Chew (WA, USA)
- Picasso Gaglione (KY, USA) – mail artist, one of the founders of the Bay Area Dada groups (SF, 1970’s), owner of Stampland (rubber stamp business)
Jennie on the Internets:
Instagram Redletterday
John on the Internets:
John on FPC
Instagram
@gneissguyco
@stationeryorbit
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is a discussion about ink tracking with Urban Hafner of FountainPenCompanion.com
Urban has developed an extensive website for tracking inks, pens, and more called the Fountain Pen Companion. He is also a co-host of a podcast of the same name. Urban is also an avid Chinese pens collector.
Ink Journal
Leonardo Pens on Appelboom
PenBBS on Etsy
Bobby on ChinesePen
EasyBuy on Etsy
Is your favorite ink #1 on FPC?
Fountain Pen Love
385 ink brands on FPC
E-2 Paper
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Purple Cosmos zoom nib
Pilot 78G
Wing Sung piston filler
Pen BBS 456 vacuum filler with a #6 nib
Karas Decograph cracked ice
Urban’s name chop as a two-color wax seals
Naomi Bulger’s Mail Art Coloring Books
Naomi Bulger on Instagram
Urban on the Internets:
Fountainpencompanion.com
Urban on FPC
@urbanhafner
John on the Internets:
John on FPC
Instagram
@gneissguyco
@stationeryorbit
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is a discussion about paper testing and fountain pens with John Bosley of FountainPenLove.com
John has an extensive set of paper tests on his website. He is also an avid Esterbrook and vintage inks collector.
CVS Caliber
Fabriano Eqo Qua
Fabriano Museum
Mike Masuyama - Mike It Work
Kirk – Pen Realm
Mont Blanc 149
Waterman South Sea blue (Inspired blue now)
Script/Sanford Peacock blue
Carter’s cubes
Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum
Pen Collectors of America
Vintage Inks – John Bosley,2010
https://fountainpenlove.com/paper/the-massive-list-of-fountain-pen-friendly-paper-ratings/
https://fountainpenlove.com/shop/
Nick Stewart - @Quinkandbleach
Candace - @Pensivecandy
John Bosley - @fountainpenlove
John West - @gneissguyco
@stationeryorbit
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is a discussion about letter art with Amanda McKay of LetterLetter.com
Amanda has taught creative letter writing classes at pen shows.
TwoHands Paperie
Back To Zero
Imperial Orders Notepad
Karas Kustoms Ink in Teal Kerakote
Tomoe River Paper
Carved stamps YouTube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlFVrDjAnA0
Letterlocking
Colorado Correspondence Coalition
www.Letterletter.com
@letterletter
@gneissguyco
@stationeryorbit
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/stationeryorbit?fan_landing=true)
This episode is my first interview. Virginia Howell is the director of the Robert C Williams Museum of Paper Making.
Fabriano notebooks
North American Hand Paper Makers
Dard Hunter
IAPMA
Nicole Donnelly
Cave Paper – Minneapolis
Pulp and Deckle - Portland
Facebook
RCWPaperMuseum
Instagram
@RCW_PaperMuseum
@gneissguyco
@stationeryorbit
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is the Pen Pal primer.
http://www.penpalworld.com/
2,300,000 members
Easy to read Privacy policy
Free and paid options
Started in 1998
Mostly online
https://www.snailmailpenpals.net/
Snail mail
Free
Pretty long privacy statement
https://www.globalpenfriends.com/
Email and snail mail
Start in 1995
Good privacy policy
https://www.penpalsnow.com/
more of an online personal ad site for Pen Pals
Does abide by EU Privacy Regulations
Don’t bother signing up if you are under 16
The only info on the site is what you post in your ad
https://www.sassociations.net/
Another a personal ad page looking for pen pals
No privacy policy, again what is on the site is what you post.
https://incowrimo.org (part of the reason I started this podcast)
A letter every day in February
There are address exchanges
Not all Pen Pal sites are for everyone:
https://geekgirlpenpals.com/
Very snail mail centric
Very clever writing on the website
Has a Patreon for support
Good safety page
Get sorted into houses based on age.
They allow any gender, but can we let them have this one please?
http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/penpals/snail_mail_penpals.html
Students, kids, teachers only
Admins will make matches
More of a language exchange
https://www.interpals.net/
http://coloradocorrespondence.co/
https://www.marthastewart.com/1538505/how-to-find-pen-pal
You can find PenPals on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/penpalswanted/
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/snailmailwanted/
Or ideas for SnailMail
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/snailmailrevolution/
www.letterwriters.org
How to get a PO Box
https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm
You can find me at
@gneissguyco on Instagram
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is the mail art primer.
Cling vinyl stamps allow the stamps to be used with an acrylic handle for support.
Three-color stamps
The TAM Rubber Stamp Archive has a collection of prints of rubber stamps mail-artists have used since 1983.
Harriet Tubman stamp for the $20 bill
https://occupygeorge.com/
https://indroneswetrust.tumblr.com/participate
https://www.stampstampede.org/
East Asian seals
Mulready stationery
https://www.jetpens.com/blog/how-to-use-washi-tape/pt/698
https://every-tuesday.com/10-hand-lettering-enhancements/
You can find me at
@gneissguyco on Instagram
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
Attn: John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is the wax seals primer.
Intaglio seals are cut into the surface of the matrix. Intaglio seals are most commonly used for wax seals and create a design in raised relief in the wax.
Relief seals have designs that are above the surface of the matrix. Relief seals are commonly set behind a piece of paper for embossing that also creates a raised relief design. If a relief seal is used in wax it creates an impressed design more like a mold.
Catherine Craft Supply
Dexter Rings
Regnas Rings
Letterlocking
http://brienne.org/exhibit-4
http://letterlocking.org/about
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-did-people-do-before-envelopes-letterlocking
My personal favorite method is to use wax beads in a wax furnace to heat the spoon with the wax in it and the spoon gives you more control over how the wax is applied to the letter. Melting wax beads in a spoon also gives you the ability to mix wax colors to add to the character of the seal.
Wax furnace
Non-machinable postage
You can find me at
@gneissguyco on Instagram
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This is the Paper Primer.
What is paper?
A thin cellulose mesh
Rags Make Paper
Paper Makes Money
Money Makes Banks
Banks Make Loans
Loans Make Beggars
Beggars Make Rags
-----Anon. English 19th C.
What does it take to make paper?
Pulping
Machining -mesh forming
Drying
Finishing (sizing)
Washi fiber length 13-17 mm, naturally acid free
Cotton 3-5 mm
Wood pulp cellulose 2-7mm
Begasse paper 1.2 mm
Recycled fibers <1 mm
What are the characteristics that make one paper more suited for a particular application?
Absorption/ghosting / Bleed through
Feathering
Shade
Sheens
drying time
Western paper makers
Clairefontaine
Rhodia
Leuchtturm
Strathmore
Baron Fig
Story Supply
Field Notes
G Lalo
Fabriano
Mnemosyne
Life
Apica
Midori
Tamoe River
Kokuyo
Graphilo
Ink Jet paper
Massive List of Fountain Pen Friendly Paper
Best Fountain Pen Paper
Basel Paper Museum
Williams Paper Museum at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA.
Fabriano Paper Museum
You can find me at
@gneissguyco on Instagram
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This episode is the Ink Primer.
The Pen Addict
Anderson Pens Ink Tool
Richard Binder’s website
3 Oysters
Bungubox
Colorverse
Kobe
KWZ
Kyoto TAG
Namiki
PenBBS
Penlux
Pilot
Platinum
Sailor
TWSBI
Taccia
Vinta Inks
Robert Oster
Standard Bindery
Van Dieman's Ink
Akkerman
Blackstone
Aurora
Callifolio
Caran d'Ache
DeAtramentis
Diamine
Ferris Wheel Press
Graf von Faber Castell
J Herbin
Kaweco
Lamy
Leonardo Officina Italiana
Montblanc
Montegrappa
Organics Studio
Please join me for the next primer episode on paper.
You can find me at
@gneissguyco on Instagram
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This is the first of the primer episodes and I’ll be talking about pens today
Update: this podcast will be produced on a two-week schedule.
The Pen Addict
The Nib Section
The Leaky Nib
The Tokyo Inklings
https://www.penaddict.com/top-5-pens/
Uni Jetstream
Parker Jotter
Fischer Space Pen
Uni Power Tank
Uni Deluxe
Pilot G2
The EPIC Refill Guide
Sharpie
Tombow markers
Multi-pens
Glass nib pens
Comic/Manga nibs
Fountain pen makeup
Nib makers
What are nib grinds
Safari
AL Star
Lamy 2000
Sport
Lilliput
Student
Supro
Pelican M1000
https://thepelikansperch.com/
Preppy/Prefounte
3776
Metropolitan
Custom 74
Vanishing Point/Decimo
Custom 823
Pro Gear /Realo
Pro Gear Slim
1911 Large
Go
You can find me at
@gneissguyco on Instagram
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
This is the Introductory episode
This podcast will be centered around creative letter writing and I will start it off with a series of primer episodes and later will move into interviews.
Primer episodes:
Pens
Inks
Papers
Wax Seals
Mail Art
Pen Pals
Links:
The Pen Addict
The Nib Section
The Leaky Nib
2 Guys, 0 Planners
The Tokyo Inklings
BYOB Pen Club
teamcakeforever
Pilot Metropolitan
Pilot Iroshizuku Kon Peki
Pilot 823
Platinum 3776
Sailor Pro Gear
Kanilea Kohala Sunset
Nakaya Piccolo Cigar
Pelican M1000
SABLE (Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy)
Colorado Pen Posse
Colorado Pen Show
Fountain Pen Love
Vintage Pen Shop
Pen Realm
International Correspondence Writing Month = InCoWriMo
Roterfaden Tashenbegleiter
Leuchtturm 1917 Bullet Journal
Kanilea Pen Kohala Sunset with Goulet B nib
https://www.gouletpens.com/products/goulet-6-steel-nib-black?variant=11884804833323
G. Lalo Letter Pad
You can find me at
@gneissguyco on Instagram
You can also write to me at:
Stationery Orbit
John West
P.O. Box 621
Golden, CO 80402
