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Author: Rachel

Even More Indie Makers

Posted in Fountain Pens

First of all, happy Fountain Pen Day!

I’m well behind in my annual update of my Indie Pen Makers reference page, and, what better day to share this post than on Fountain Pen Day? Of course, being behind means there’s a good chance you already know about the makers listed below, and there are more than usual for one of these updates.

As I scroll through Instagram, I bookmark new-to-me makers to share here. This is my fourth update. These update posts are meant to let new-to-me pen makers have their time in the spotlight, and allow you to know who is new to the reference page without having to scroll through the entire list.

Every time I publish a new post about indie makers, I update the reference page, adding new makers, and removing any who no longer meet the qualifications listed below. Keep in mind, I have not purchased a pen from most of these makers, so consider this an informational list, not an endorsement.

Inktober 2025 Skirmishes, Wrap Up

Posted in Ink

This is my final installment of my Inktober Skirmishes series. If you want to see the photos of the skirmishes, check out my other Inktober 2025 posts.

My initial goal was to use Inktober to work on my resolution to get rid of some inks. I’d hoped to get rid of one ink from each skirmish, but that’s not quite how things worked out. Although a bit time-consuming with needing to clean out the pens each day, I enjoyed these skirmishes. They were a great way to clear out some inks, and more fun — for me — than Ink Battles.

I’ve got a favor to ask of you at the end of this post, so even if you aren’t interested in reading through, please scroll down. Thanks in advance!

Inktober 2025 Skirmishes, The Chaos

Posted in Ink

Welcome back to Inktober Skirmishes. As a reminder, I’m using Inktober to work on my resolution to get rid of some inks. The goal is to remove one ink from my collection for each skirmish, but if the two inks are different enough, I’m open to keeping them both.

Skirmishes are similar to Ink Battles, but without scoring, just final judgment. I am writing out the first chapter, one skirmish at a time, of as many of my favorite books as necessary to get through the 31 days of Inktober.

This is my last set of skirmishes for Inktober. I chose one of my favorite poems, The Chaos, by Gerard Nolst Trenité. The version I copied from is quite a bit longer than what I’ve included below, but I got to Halloween and decided to jump to the last two lines. Side note: this poem is written for British English pronunciation, not American English.

NOTE: For some reason, the images look different on my computer upon upload than they did during editing. I’m not sure how true-to-life they’ll look on anyone’s screen. The close-up images seem to look more true-to-life than the full page images.

Inktober 2025 Skirmishes, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Posted in Ink

Welcome back to Inktober Skirmishes. As a reminder, I’m using Inktober to work on my resolution to get rid of some inks. The goal is to remove one ink from my collection for each skirmish, but if the two inks are different enough, I’m open to keeping them both.

Skirmishes are similar to Ink Battles, but without scoring, just final judgment. I am writing out the first chapter, one skirmish at a time, of as many of my favorite books as necessary to get through the 31 days of Inktober.

This time I’ve copied out the first chapter of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith.

NOTE: I still had a lot of trouble with photographing and editing these colors, so most of them aren’t quite true-to-life. I’ve done the best I can, but I wouldn’t advise making a purchasing decision based on this post. Look at some other swatches, too. The close-up photos are more correct than the full-page photos.

What Have I Done?

Posted in Paper

A few days ago, I received my “rewards” for Cute Stickers Only‘s Enchanting Pens Kickstarter campaign. I hadn’t realized how much washi tape I’d purchased, and as I stared at all the rolls, I realized I didn’t know how I’d use them. That’s when it finally hit me that I don’t decorate my notebook anymore. OK, yes, I use binders now, but you know what I mean.

I don’t know how I’ve managed to not process that I only decorate 2 items across my binders. Now that I’m thinking about it, though, I have to add another item to my “biggest differences between binders and notebooks” mental list. It’s not just the ability to move, add, and remove pages that differentiates them.

Inktober 2025 Skirmishes, Indian Captive

Posted in Ink

Welcome back to Inktober Skirmishes. As a reminder, I’m using Inktober to work on my resolution to get rid of some inks. The goal is to remove one ink from my collection for each skirmish, but if the two inks are different enough, I’m open to keeping them both.

Skirmishes are similar to Ink Battles, but without scoring, just final judgment. I am writing out the first chapter, one skirmish at a time, of as many of my favorite books as necessary to get through the 31 days of Inktober.

I’ve caught up with my skirmishes, but fell a wee bit behind with posting. But, here is the next set of skirmishes featuring Indian Captive by Lois Lenski.

NOTE: I had a lot of trouble with photographing and editing these colors, so most of them aren’t quite true-to-life. I’ve done the best I can, but I wouldn’t advise making a purchasing decision based on this post. Look at some other swatches, too.

Hyperfixation Hobby

Posted in Personal

I’ve written about my ADHD a few times now. Today you get another update.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve likely seen my crochet posts. Crochet is my new hyperfixation hobby. For those unfamiliar with the term, hyperfixation is when someone becomes intensely passionate and involved in an activity or hobby for extended periods of time — often at the expense of other responsibilities and daily tasks.

I’ve always had a tendency to return to fiber art hobbies, irrespective of the amount of time it’s been since I last engaged in them. Whether cross-stitch, knitting, embroidery, or sewing, I always find my way back to them.

Inktober 2025 Skirmishes, Little Women

Posted in Ink

Welcome back to Inktober Skirmishes. As a reminder, I’m using Inktober to work on my resolution to get rid of some inks. The goal is to remove one ink from my collection for each skirmish, but if the two inks are different enough, I’m open to keeping them both.

Skirmishes are similar to Ink Battles, but without scoring, just final judgment. I am writing out the first chapter, one skirmish at a time, of as many of my favorite books as necessary to get through the 31 days of Inktober.

I’m running a bit behind with these as I’m working on them around a lot of Halloween crochet projects. I should be fully caught up by the end of today and back to doing one a day, like I planned. Still, here is the next set of skirmishes featuring Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

Inktober 2025 Skirmishes, Pride & Prejudice

Posted in Ink

Welcome back to Inktober Skirmishes. As a reminder, I’m using Inktober to work on my resolution to get rid of some inks. The goal is to remove one ink from my collection for each skirmish, but if the two inks are different enough, I’m open to keeping them both.

Skirmishes are similar to Ink Battles, but without scoring, just final judgment. I am writing out the first chapter, one skirmish at a time, of as many of my favorite books as necessary to get through the 31 days of Inktober.

I’ve decided that I’m going to post the skirmishes as I finish a book’s chapter. This post has the rest of the first chapter of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Inktober 2025 Skirmishes, Week 1

Posted in Ink

I always want to participate in Inktober, but I often find it difficult to do so. Last year, if my memory serves me correctly, I took part in Inktober Tangles. However, I really had to push myself, and often found I didn’t have enough time to really relax and have fun.

So, this year, I’m using Inktober to work on my resolution to get rid of some inks. I haven’t done anywhere near as well with it as I’d like to. The result: Inktober Skirmishes! The goal is to remove one ink from my collection for each skirmish, but if the two inks are different enough, I’m open to keeping them both.

These will be similar to Ink Battles, but faster. No scoring, just final judgment. I haven’t even included a scribble section. My plan is to write out the first chapter, one skirmish at a time, of as many of my favorite books as necessary to get through 31 days. The first book pick is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Totally Should’ve Tag – Stationery Edition

Posted in Stationery

This post is inspired by emmmabooks‘s video TOTALLY SHOULD’VE BOOK TAG l ORIGINAL l.. In that video, they acknowledge that they were inspired by a previous tag, but this one is their own.

I’ve adapted the Totally Should’ve tag to stationery questions for funsies. I will admit I pick on Montegrappa in this post. I didn’t mean to, but their products kept coming to mind as I answered these questions.

1. Product that totally should’ve been made permanent.

This is completely self-serving, but I have to go with Pure Pens Platinum Jubilee ink. It’s such a gorgeous purple. I didn’t learn about it until well after it was discontinued, but I was able to get a sample from a friend, and it’s amazing. It’s such a shame I’ll never own it.

Pen Porn: Zek Pens

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉

This is one of two Zek Pens pens I picked up at the DC Pen Show this year. It was the first to catch my eye, so it’s the first I’m sharing. Zek Pens includes — but may not be limited to — a brother-sister team. The brother makes the pens, and the sister paints them. This design is hand-painted Turkish illumination on a resin body. The paint is sealed, so you don’t have to worry about scuffs.

Zek Pens blue and turquoise

12 Pen Person Questions

Posted in Stationery

I learned about the 12 Pen Person Questions tag from The Well-Appointed Desk‘s September 8 blog post. In it, Ana linked to Olive Octopus’s original post. I enjoyed answering their 17 Ink Questions, so I’m answering these questions as well.

Now, on to the questions! I plan to write this more “stream of consciousness” style so that the answers are more genuine, since Lise (Olive Octopus) indicates a goal of answering these is to learn more about yourself.

2025 San Francisco Pen Show Experience

Posted in Pen Shows

In last week’s post, I promised you an overview of my experience of the San Francisco Pen Show (SFPS). This is that post, and I promise it’s more positive than the other one was.

For anyone who didn’t read the review post, this was my and Jim’s first time at the SFPS. We’ve wanted to attend for 6-7 years, and have been planning to go for 3-4 years, but only just made it this year.

Jim’s initial interest in the show centered on the array of Asian, especially Japanese, vendors who go to the SFPS but don’t make it to the DC show. Over the years, a few have started attending, but we found out they bring a wider variety to the SFPS. For example, check out Bungubox at DC and at SF.

My interest was more focused on seeing the second-largest pen show. And, while the show was rather nuts, I’m happy we went.

2025 San Francisco Pen Show Rating

Posted in Pen Shows

Originally, I intended to only write one post about the San Francisco Pen Show. But, after restarting my post four times, I realized I needed to break it into pieces. Today’s post is my show review.

I already know, based on the categories I rate, the SF Pen Show will have a poor showing. However, it’s not a bad show by any means. I definitely would go back again if the stars align. So, keep an eye out for my follow-up post(s).

With that out of the way, allow me to share my impressions of the 2025 SF Pen Show.

Pen Porn: Stanford Pen Studio Intwana Penguins

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉

Having shared my three Intwana pens — Chameleon, Seahorse, and Kitten — it’s time to share the pen Jim ordered, Renée Gerstner’s Penguins.

Before I get started, I want to make sure you know that, while the Koi, Phoenix, and Seahorse designs are not currently listed on the SPS website, the Chameleon, Dragon, Giraffe, Kitten, Llama, and Penguins designs are all still available.

Stanford Pen Studio Intwana Penguins

2025 DC Pen Show

Posted in Pen Shows

Well, I went to the pen show with good intentions. But, I blew my budget completely out of the water before noon on Friday. I have zero regrets, but I had planned to be good. On the plus side, no one slipped a free case of COVID in my bag this year. Yay!

Before I get started, let me say, I had a blast. It was great to see everyone, especially friends I only get to see at pen shows. I must also acknowledge, though, that it’s also exhausting. I don’t socialize like that other than at pen shows, and it definitely takes a lot out of me.

Jump to a section: Show thoughts | ⇣ Classes | ⇣ Pen case prototype| ⇣ Preparation vs. reality | ⇣ Day-by-day | ⇣ My haul


Show thoughts

I’ve reviewed the DC Pen Show a couple of times now, so I won’t go into depth in this post.

Kittenses 5-year Gotchaversary

Posted in Cat

I can hardly believe we’ve had the “Kittenses” — Ritz and Dante — for five years! But, here we are, celebrating 5 years of thievery, roly-poliness, love, and cuteness.

Ritz and Dante playing as 1.5 month-ish old kittens
Ritz and Dante playing as 1.5 month-ish old kittens

Outdoor kittenhood

For those who don’t know, Ritz and Dante are littermates, born to a feral mom Jim named Moon. However, the boys drew the lucky card. By being born in April 2020, they were raised by the neighborhood. They got bottled water, canned and dry food, and treats from the day their mother let them out of the burrow she commandeered.

Nib Design Appreciation Post

Posted in Fountain Pens

While I write a lot about fountain pens, and even have 72 pen porn posts, I don’t feel I give enough credit and attention to nibs. They are, after all, the most important part of a pen. Without a nib, a fountain pen is just a stick of material — granted, possibly a very pretty stick of material.

That said, it’s long past time I dedicate a post to nibs and the beautiful designs they can carry.

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for nib envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉


I have to start with the nib that means the most to me. This nib features Bumbledore’s ears, nose, mouth, fangs, and whiskers. It is the nib on The Right Royal Pen, my tribute pen to Bumbledore by Marian Binder and Stanford Pen Studio. I cut and smoothed it to a cursive oblique.

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