Category Archives: tools

VSW: Berlin Wall, 5, Crayons

Berlin is our city this month, with contributions from two photographers, Rich Matheson and Eli Weisz. (Note: For regular followers, I have been busy working on our business website and then got the flu… Dastardly flu bug but I did … Continue reading

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Tools: Esterbrook “Estie” Sunflower

Loving sunflowers and knowing how lovely the Esterbrook pens are, I had to purchase the beautiful Esterbrook “Estie” Sunflower pen from Penchalet. I ordered the 1.1 stub nib, my favorite nib for sketching and writing. I am convinced the stub … Continue reading

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Tools: Fountain Pen Revolution Himalaya

I am a huge fan of Fountain Pen Revolution’s Himalaya pen (not Himalayan as I’ve been calling it all this time!)  From here on referred to as “FPR” so not to have to spell it out!  Currently I am asking … Continue reading

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Tools: How I Make My Swabs

I am asked this a lot, and it is on my inks page, but thought I’d repost it here. For my large ink test I laydown roughly a half-square of ink, above. I let it dry, then load the bottom … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Waxed Linen Twine

Mitchell goes through so much of this twine in a year when he has upholstery projects. This is the twine that ties the seats and backs! Bright Ideas multi-color journal (which I am not sure is still sold at Barnes … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Waterman Inks

Waterman inks are ancient, not a trendy newcomer. They come in few but lovely colors, are a great price, and they take good care of our pens. Happy New Moon! Bright Ideas multi-color journal (which I am not sure is … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Platinum Carbon Pen

I adore my Platinum Carbon pen> They made a HUGE mistake when they discontinued them… I bought a few when I heard the news (guess that makes me a hoarder) because this is my workhorse pen. I free-handed this wonky … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Cleaning Brushes

Used daily, my metal brush cleaner takes good care of my brushes. It is filled with Gamblin’s Odorless Mineral Spirits (OMS). When you use watercolor on these pages it ghosts!. Bright Ideas multi-color journal (which I am not sure is … Continue reading

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Tools: Leonardo Officina Italiana Pen

Red is my favorite color… I love pens! I love gifts! Imagine how thrilled I am with three favorite things coming together in one pen? Thrilled! Leonardo Officina Italiana Pen in Red Passion… Filled with Robert Oster Direct Sun! This … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Birmingham Kentucky Bluegrass

Above, Kentucky Bluegrass ink on two different watercolor papers; right, in a Hahnemühle Nostalgie Sketchbook. Writing samples on a Post-it and on fountain-pen friendly paper in my Moo Journal, below Birmingham Kentucky Bluegrass ink is from the Crisp Formula ink … Continue reading

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Tools: Updated M.Graham Palette

Recently I reorganized my palettes, and the M.Graham was moved into a smaller Schminke palette.  I still find MG watercolors a bit stinky, but remember I returned the following pigments out of my palette and that stopped the headaches: Sap … Continue reading

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Tools: Rhodia Touch

I’ve been playing in the Rhodia Touch “Lavis Technique” journal made for pen and ink-wash and sketching, a journal that is new to me. I usually would do a lot more testing of a journal, but I am ready to … Continue reading

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Marianne’s Gift Inks

I am so behind on posts!! Marianne sent me several samples…. All are beautiful (Marianne has amazingly grat  ink taste) but I am in love with a few that I have on my to-buy list…  I am starting to play … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Diamine Festive Cheer

From their website: “Manufacturers since 1864, Diamine Inks relocated to this state of the art factory in Liverpool in 1925, where they successfully carried on using the traditional methods and formulas for ink production. Over the years the company has … Continue reading

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Tools: Mitchell’s Glitter Inks, 3

So I gave you a little taste of Mitchell’s glittery collection here, with the help of Yamantaka! Part 2, we looked at the warm shimmers in our collection… Now for the cool inks! Diamine Shimmer-tastic Lilac Satin ink has won … Continue reading

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Tools: Mitchell’s Glitter Inks, 2

So I gave you a little taste of Mitchell glittery collection here, with the help of Yamantaka! Now I’ll show you our favorites! I bought a few bottles of inkmasters we know, so we trusted the ink quality, and some … Continue reading

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Tools: Mitchell’s Glitter Inks, 1

Mitchell fell in love with glitterinks, starting with Robert Oster’s Sterling Silver… I made him a long visual record of what he has because it was getting confusing… “i think you did this all wrong” Yaman checked it all out … Continue reading

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Four Glitter Inks

We bought two bottles and a couple of shimmery ink samples! I don’t buy samples often — tiny plastic thangs — but will when I have never tried an ink company. Gorgeous! Robert Oster has to very different golds (gads … Continue reading

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