Beautiful Italian Stationery Brand Kartos

[umenohana]

(Wow, this improved attachment function is working wonderfully!)

 

Brand: Kartos (of Italy)

Store: Papyrus (of US)

 

The set (labeled "Rainbow Fleur") is a little expensive at $12.95 for a set of 10 sheets and 10 envelopes, but it is beautiful! It also comes in a matching folder (the light brown is actually gold):

 

 

The elegantly ornate letter sheet:

 

 

The envelope, which is not lined but has the design printed directly in it (Great for cutting down on weight, esp. with the upcoming change in international letter postage rates):

 

 

Here is a zoom of the design:

 

 

I had to test it out before I bought it, of course! A paper is no good--no matter how beautiful it may be--if it can't handle real pens! So I asked the person at the register if the paper was FP-friendly. She didn't flinch at all! She said, "Yes, it is." Then I had to ask her if it'd take wet flex nibs: "I'm not so sure about that.. Sorry-- but would you like to test to see if it is?" And she took out a little Kartos notepad and tore out a page just for me to test on! (I've asked if I could test out papers at other stores, and they've mostly told me "No.") It feathered a tiny bit with flex (Miss Swan filled with R&K Alt Goldgrun), but it is tolerable. (Herbin's Cafe des Iles with dip pen didn't feather at all) And since the notepad was no longer sell-able, I got it for free!

 

Here is the adorable notepad (normally $3.95):

 

 

And the sheet inside:

 

 

Papyrus sometimes has "Everything 50% Off" sales, so it maybe a good time to get it then.

 

-Hana

[Phthalo]

Looks like lovely stuff! Paper is just too addictive.

[CasmiUK]

Ooooooooo!!! How lovely!

 

I've just checked and there is actually a store in my hometown of Cranston, RI and I'll be back there in three weeks - I can see some MAJOR stocking up happening!

[Ged]

We need some of those stores here in Aussie land. Those envelopes and the matching sheet look awesome. I'll take two dozen of each. Oh wait, wrong country :bonk:

 

How are they to write on? Bond smooth?

[Farace]

I don't see that pattern on their website; I presume it's a store-only item?

 

[umenohana]

We need some of those stores here in Aussie land. Those envelopes and the matching sheet look awesome. I'll take two dozen of each. Oh wait, wrong country :bonk:

 

How are they to write on? Bond smooth?

 

They are smooth, but not Clairefontaine smooth.

 

-Hana

[umenohana]

I don't see that pattern on their website; I presume it's a store-only item?

 

I think that may be the case-- the lady at the store told me that "They make these for us." When I asked why the Kartos label wasn't on the price sticker.

 

-Hana

[playpen]

They are gorgeous and I bought them last year at Papyrus. Check out Barnes and Noble. They also sell them!

[Ged]

The sad part of this is... Clairefontaine isn't sold in Aus either... I wrote to the distributor here, they only sell Clairefontaine copy paper.

 

<sigh>

 

More mail order methinks! Thanks for the reply Hana.

 

 

They are smooth, but not Clairefontaine smooth.

 

-Hana

 

[maryannemoll]

Those are very beautiful! Thanks for sharing.