Fountain Pen Review: Kaweco DIY Golw-in-the-Dark I have been collecting Kaweco Sport Fountain Pens from the early days of my fountain pen collecting days. I have way more of these tiny little plastic pens than any one human needs. I have gotten better about NOT buying every single colorway option that hits the market but sometimes I get really tempted (last year was the Limited Edition Hello Kitty edition) but this year, I fell for the DIY Glow-in-the-Dark model.

Fountain Pen Review: Kaweco DIY Golw-in-the-Dark

I have been collecting Kaweco Sport Fountain Pens from the early days of my fountain pen collecting days. I have way more of these tiny little plastic pens than any one human needs. I have gotten better about NOT buying every single colorway option…

Fountain Pen Review: Hong Dian N8 Over the years, I've bought a few Chinese-made fountain pens. I've tried to steer away from Chinese-made pens that are visible dupes to a pen being made by another manufacturer (i.e. the endless Lamy Safari or Kaweco Sport knock-offs). Over the years I've seen a real move to create more unique designs with unusual details. Sometimes, this results in pens that look like Franken-pens but sometimes the results are pretty interesting.

Fountain Pen Review: Hong Dian N8

Over the years, I've bought a few Chinese-made fountain pens. I've tried to steer away from Chinese-made pens that are visible dupes to a pen being made by another manufacturer (i.e. the endless Lamy Safari or Kaweco Sport knock-offs). Over the years I've seen a…

Two Week Until Chicago Pen Show! I cannot believe that it's only two weeks until the Chicago Pen Show! I am working on new sticker designs (proofs soon!) and we have a limited edition Col-o-ring available at the event as well. The design for the "Land of Inkin'" Col-o-ring came from my very first license plate. I hope it will be as nostaligic for other Illinois natives as it is for me and that it will be a fun keepsake for any visitors' trip to the 2026 Chicago Pen Show.

Two Week Until Chicago Pen Show!

I cannot believe that it's only two weeks until the Chicago Pen Show! I am working on new sticker designs (proofs soon!) and we have a limited edition Col-o-ring available at the event as well. The design for the "Land of Inkin'" Col-o-ring came from my very first…

Fashionable Friday: Orbiting the Moon While I know Moleskine is not a beloved brand with most fountain pen users, these notebooks are fabulous! I need a notebook for pencils, right? Inspired by the Artemis II voyage, of course! Ad Astra Per Aspera! Fisher Space Pen Matte Black Cap-O-Matic Space Pen Moleskine Limited Edition NASA-inspired Volant Journal, Soft Cover, Large (5" x 8.25"), Plain, 80 page, GLOW-IN-THE-DARK…

Fashionable Friday: Orbiting the Moon

While I know Moleskine is not a beloved brand with most fountain pen users, these notebooks are fabulous! I need a notebook for pencils, right? Inspired by the Artemis II voyage, of course! Ad Astra Per Aspera! Fisher Space Pen Matte Black Cap-O-Matic Space…

Link Love: Good News: Since the safe return of the Artemis II astronauts, photos and stories of the success of the mission and beautiful images of the moon, earth and space are being seen around the internet. Bask in the good space vibes. Links below. Bad News: There's a link below announcing price increases for postage stamps in the US starting in July.

Link Love:

Good News: Since the safe return of the Artemis II astronauts, photos and stories of the success of the mission and beautiful images of the moon, earth and space are being seen around the internet. Bask in the good space vibes. Links below. Bad News: There's a link below announcing…

Link Love: Stellar Journeys Our house has been all about the current Artemis II voyage around the moon. We cried when they named the crater after Wiseman's late wife. We cheered for their efforts and sang along with their wake-up tunes. As for me, my PPK would contain: I'm pretty sure all this would fit but boy, that is limited space for personal items! I hope a felt tip pen would work in space.

Link Love: Stellar Journeys

Our house has been all about the current Artemis II voyage around the moon. We cried when they named the crater after Wiseman's late wife. We cheered for their efforts and sang along with their wake-up tunes. As for me, my PPK would contain: I'm pretty sure all this…

This Review is Not About Paper: The XTEink X4 ereader This review is not about paper or ink or pens but about a device I think might appeal to anyone looking to get away from doomscrolling. It's the XTEink X4 ($69 available in black or white -- direct link or Amazon). It's a a 4.3" eink screen device that is not tethered to any ecosystem. You can load any epubs to the device via the microSD card that is included (it is recommended to upgrade the microSD card since the provided card is generic).

This Review is Not About Paper: The XTEink X4 ereader

This review is not about paper or ink or pens but about a device I think might appeal to anyone looking to get away from doomscrolling. It's the XTEink X4 ($69 available in black or white -- direct link or Amazon). It's a a 4.3" eink screen…

April Planner Set-Up: Second Quarter Reboot For April, I needed to reboot my set-up after a less-than-stellar March. I fell off the planner wagon for a couple weeks in March so my planner has some blank pages. I'm not switching planners, I am just turning the page and going to keep going. Those blank pages tell their own story about how my year has progressed. If this has happened to you, don't give up.

April Planner Set-Up: Second Quarter Reboot

For April, I needed to reboot my set-up after a less-than-stellar March. I fell off the planner wagon for a couple weeks in March so my planner has some blank pages. I'm not switching planners, I am just turning the page and going to keep going. Those…

Link Love: Is No Joke No April Fool's Day jokes here today. The world is too scary right now so we are gonna stay true to who we are-- pens, ink,and stationery love! This week's Link Love graphic is part of the printable goodies Patrons have access to. If you want to be a part of the fun and get free downloadable and printable files, hop over and…

Link Love: Is No Joke

Fountain Pen Review: Faber-Castell Neo Fountain Pen (Olive Green) It had been a long time since I gave Faber-Castell fountain pens a spin so when I saw the slim, metal Faber-Castell Neo Slim Aluminum Fountain Pen in Olive Green (EF nib, $67), I decided it was time to try again. The Neo Slim comes in several other color options including a black-and-rose-gold. This pen is brushed aluminum design that feel a little like the Makralon Lamy 2000, that slightly toothy exterior.

Fountain Pen Review: Faber-Castell Neo Fountain Pen (Olive Green)

Fountain Pen Review: Faber-Castell Neo Fountain Pen (Olive Green) It had been a long time since I gave Faber-Castell fountain pens a spin so when I saw the slim, metal Faber-Castell Neo Slim Aluminum Fountain Pen in Olive Green (EF nib, $67), I decided it was time to try again. The Neo Slim comes in several other color options including a black-and-rose-gold. This pen is brushed aluminum design that feel a little like the Makralon Lamy 2000, that slightly toothy exterior.

Fountain Pen Review: Faber-Castell Neo Fountain Pen (Olive Green)

It had been a long time since I gave Faber-Castell fountain pens a spin so when I saw the slim, metal Faber-Castell Neo Slim Aluminum Fountain Pen in Olive Green (EF nib, $67), I decided it was time to try again. The Neo Slim comes…

Notebook Review: Artik Coconut Pocket Notebook (Pack Of 3) I got so excited when I saw the Artik line of pocket notebooks ($16 for a pack of 3 notebooks). For starters, each notebook in their line-up features a cover made from recycled plant by-product material like coconut, hazelnut, olive and cherry. The interior paper in all the notebooks is 100% sugarcane paper that is a warm, kraft color made with no chlorine.

Notebook Review: Artik Coconut Pocket Notebook (Pack Of 3)

Link Love: New Projects and Recuperating I am still recuperating from back-to-back pen and stationery events. It was a marathon that I had not trained for appropriately, for sure. Then, returning home meant working extra hard to catch up and tackle projects that were abandoned in preparation for everything else. New products needed to be ordered, freelance projects needed to be completed and many cats were low in their petting quotients.Why is it that we all have to work twice as hard before or after any kind of travel, whether its work-related or vacation?

Link Love: New Projects and Recuperating

Ink Review: Colorverse x Lucky Star Pens “Lucky Cosmos” If you've been around here for awhile, you know that I really like Coloverse inks and I will cut to the ending  by telling you right out of the gate, that Colorverse x Lucky Star Pens Lucky Cosmos (on sale! $16 per 30ml bottle) might be my favorite yet. Lauren, founder of Lucky Star Pens, loves shimmer and makes inks that she wants to use-- a product concept that I 100% agree with.

Ink Review: Colorverse x Lucky Star Pens "Lucky Cosmos"

Ink Review: Colorverse x Lucky Star Pens “Lucky Cosmos” If you've been around here for awhile, you know that I really like Coloverse inks and I will cut to the ending  by telling you right out of the gate, that Colorverse x Lucky Star Pens Lucky Cosmos (on sale! $16 per 30ml bottle) might be my favorite yet. Lauren, founder of Lucky Star Pens, loves shimmer and makes inks that she wants to use-- a product concept that I 100% agree with.

Ink Review: Colorverse x Lucky Star Pens “Lucky Cosmos”

If you've been around here for awhile, you know that I really like Coloverse inks and I will cut to the ending  by telling you right out of the gate, that Colorverse x Lucky Star Pens Lucky Cosmos (on sale! $16 per 30ml bottle) might be my…

Shop Updates: Mark’s EDiT, New Stamps and Creeping Moon Restock I'm so excited to announce a new product line in the shop: Mark's EDiT notebooks. The EDiT's notebook uses their original planner paper, "NEO AGENDA for EDiT," which is designed to be "thin and light" and could be a good competitor to Tomoe River 52gsm. I've been using a B7 Slim notebook since last fall and I want to share my enthusiasm for this paper with you all.

Shop Updates: Mark’s EDiT, New Stamps and Creeping Moon Restock

I'm so excited to announce a new product line in the shop: Mark's EDiT notebooks. The EDiT's notebook uses their original planner paper, "NEO AGENDA for EDiT," which is designed to be "thin and light" and could be a good competitor to…

Link Love: Midwestern Adventures While the Chicago Stationery Fest was an event in and of itself, the weather added a level of chaos we were not expecting. We got spoiled last year when it was in the 50sºF on Saturday and a little cooler and rainy on Sunday. This year?!?! The weather was a full bingo card of possibility: rain, snow, 50MPH winds, deep cold, sleet, slush, tornadoes and so much more...

Link Love: Midwestern Adventures

Link Love: Stationery Spring Break! I'm only home for a couple days before I set off for Chicago. As a result of all this non-stop traveling, we are going to take an early Spring Break here on the Desk. It'll be a little quiet here for a few days but we will be back for Link Love next week and our regularly scheduled content. If I saw you in Baltimore or might see you in Chicago, thanks so much for saying hi!

Link Love: Stationery Spring Break!

I'm only home for a couple days before I set off for Chicago. As a result of all this non-stop traveling, we are going to take an early Spring Break here on the Desk. It'll be a little quiet here for a few days but we will be back for Link Love next week and our…

3 Books That Still Inspire Me I recently spent some time browsing my own bookshelves for some inspiration in my efforts to spend less time online. I was looking for books that might inspire my own creativity and was surprised to find three wonderful books that I've owned for some time. Two I've read completely and one I browsed but am looking forward to diving into in the next couple weeks.

3 Books That Still Inspire Me

Fashionable Friday: Feeling Lucky I love all things green and would love to one day visit the lush land of Ireland. Until then, I'll write with green pens in green notebooks while drink Irish Tea while wearing a chunky knit sweater. Erin go bragh! LAMY AL-star Fountain Pen - Pine (Special Edition) (via Dromgoole's Fine Writing Instruments) Diplomat Viper Fountain Pen - Green Guilloche…

Fashionable Friday: Feeling Lucky

What’s In My Bag: Travel Edition (UPDATE) A couple of weeks ago, I posted a What’s In My Bag: Travel Edition and since I am traveling again today (this time, to the BWI Pen Show) and AGAIN next week to Chicago, I thought I'd revise and update the previous while providing a little more info. First, the new Berkeley backpack from The North Face was overall a pretty good option.

What’s In My Bag: Travel Edition (UPDATE)

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a What’s In My Bag: Travel Edition and since I am traveling again today (this time, to the BWI Pen Show) and AGAIN next week to Chicago, I thought I'd revise and update the previous while providing a little more info. First,…

Link Love: On the Way to BWIPS BWIPS? I feel like there should be more word play with BWIPS like blips, blimps, blinks, blooms, bloops... something. But in all seriousness, I'm headed to Baltimore for the BWI Pen Show. If you're in the area, pop by and say hello. I'll be at the ink counter at the Dromgoole's booth. See you soon! Pens: 6 Unique Pens from our Sun-Star Pop-up!

Link Love: On the Way to BWIPS

BWIPS? I feel like there should be more word play with BWIPS like blips, blimps, blinks, blooms, bloops... something. But in all seriousness, I'm headed to Baltimore for the BWI Pen Show. If you're in the area, pop by and say hello. I'll be at the ink counter at the…

New Ink Overview: Switchman Pen Co. At the California Pen Show, Dromgoole's unveiled a new ink line: Switchman Pen Co. This is a line of ink exclusive to Dromgoole's and it's actually created by an employee from the shop. The brand was inspired by the creator's grandfather who was a railroad man. Each ink color name is inspired with the history of the railroad in the United States.

New Ink Overview: Switchman Pen Co.

Ink Review: Ferris Wheel Press Festival Grove While at the California Pen Show, I scooped up a bottle of the Ferris Wheel Press Festival Grove ink ($22.50). I admit that the name was appealing to me, still being cold and brownish February, I miss the green woodsy vibe of a Renaissance Fair. The ink base color is deep mossy green with a twinkly gold shimmer reminding me of fairy lights hung in the trees of a Ren Fest.

Ink Review: Ferris Wheel Press Festival Grove

Link Love: House Totes or Analog Bags More and more I'm hearing people talk about finding new and less phone-based ways to entertain and educate themselves. People are employing House Totes or Analog Bags with gadgets, books, notebooks and hobbies to help encourage themselves away from mindless scrolling. While I have been employing what I call a "house purse" for sometime now, its more a means of moving my analog tools from one part of my house (home office, kitchen, couch, etc) to the other.

Link Love: House Totes or Analog Bags

California Pen Show 2026 Recap A quick recap of my experience at the California Pen Show 2026 in Los Angeles.

California Pen Show 2026 Recap

Fashionable Friday: Certainly Burgundy I've been talking among friends, pen shop owners and family about what we feel is REALLY the color that will be the color of the year for 2026 and one of the colors we have seen being very popular is burgundy. This deep, jewel-toned wine-red color is selling like hot cakes in pen shops and so I thought I'd show you a lovely collection of this deep, beautiful color.

Fashionable Friday: Certainly Burgundy

What’s In My Bag: Travel Edition Okay, nosy Nellies! I know I love seeing what other people carry in their bags so I figure its payback time. So, here's what I've packed in my bag for my trip to LA for the California Pen Show. The Bag: For this trip, I am using a small backpack from North Face called the Berkeley Day Pack. It's very similar in size to the JanSport SuperBreak and other "school bags" but does include a padded back and two pockets on the side for water bottles.

What's In My Bag: Travel Edition

Ink Review: Troublemaker Abalone Troublemaker Abalone was one of the first multichromatic inks I ever tried. I remember being absolutely ticked at the color variation and tonal qualities to the ink ranging from reddish purple-pink to a deep bluish purple with hints of teal green inbetween. Depending on the application, any of these tones may show in writing, drawing, painting or doodling. It really is an ink that was, and still is, in a class by itself.

Ink Review: Troublemaker Abalone

Link Love: Dammit, Donut! Tonight is Matt Dinniman's book signing event here in KC. If you're not familiar with Matt Dinniman, he wrote the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and has a new book out called Operation Bounce House. It will be hosted by the audiobook reader of the series, Jeff Hays. Pretty much every single one of my friends is headed to the event tonight.

Link Love: Dammit, Donut!