I'm A Sad, Pathetic Stationery Junkie.

[A Smug Dill]

7 hours ago, Misfit said:

One woman posted she had her notebook selection in her cart.

 

I question the accuracy of that part in the retelling. The author of that thread said nothing about a cart; her wording was, “… the stack I found today. I stepped away for a few minutes ...‹snip›... had my entire stack in her hands.” She didn't explain her (assumed) rightful claim to that (entire) stack of notebooks that were in the store; but I know of some people who imagine that, ”I spotted it first!” means they have dibs on something, even if they leave the items where they were on the shelves, in the same manner of other goods available for any shopper in store to purchase.

[Misfit]

@A Smug Dill You are right. I was typing that from memory, and evidently gave her a cart. I suppose she left the notebooks so she could take the kids’ hands.  I’ve never been a mother, so the notebooks would have stayed in my hands. 

[XYZZY]

Has something changed about Leuchtturm recently to make them this desirable?  Or is it fad like GameStop stock?

[lascosas]

I know this is stationery, but AmandaW's comment about Milligram's outlet store sent me searching.  I have wanted the orange Lamy Scala set since it came out, and I couldn't resist.  Free shipping on this order to California.  Thank you Smug Dill & Amanda!

[AmandaW]

I have been caught out twice without sketching gear this week. Once it was left in the car, the other time at home. Both times I had a fountain pen in the little crossbody I use instead of a handbag/purse, but no paper. This has to be fixed.

 

It seems the only thing that will fit (without being too bulky) and take ink as well as pencil is a Moleskine Art Pocket size.

 

 

[Misfit]

On 6/25/2023 at 12:17 PM, XYZZY said:

Has something changed about Leuchtturm recently to make them this desirable?  Or is it fad like GameStop stock?

It’s all about the price. The highest price is $7.99. These notebooks are usually around $22. So with the discounted price, you can get three for the price of one. 

[Misfit]

25 minutes ago, AmandaW said:

I have been caught out twice without sketching gear this week. Once it was left in the car, the other time at home. Both times I had a fountain pen in the little crossbody I use instead of a handbag/purse, but no paper. This has to be fixed.

 

It seems the only thing that will fit (without being too bulky) and take ink as well as pencil is a Moleskine Art Pocket size.

 

 

You need a dedicated car bag that stays in the car. Maybe paired down to what you consider necessary. You might have an old purse or tote it can be stored in. 

[A Smug Dill]

3 hours ago, AmandaW said:

It seems the only thing that will fit (without being too bulky) and take ink as well as pencil is a Moleskine Art Pocket size.

 

What about these? https://md.midori-japan.co.jp/15th/en/products/collaboration/

[A Smug Dill]

On 6/26/2023 at 3:17 AM, XYZZY said:

Has something changed about Leuchtturm recently to make them this desirable?

 

Nope. Just redditors being … *cough* redditors, effectively egging each other on by showing/bragging about their individual ‘hauls’ or ‘scores’ of what could be considered a bargain and a best-buy in isolation, and fanning FOMO like a collective fart.

[Stompie]

Smythson of Bond street in London are having a big sale at the moment.

 

I just got a refund, after a 3 year running battle with His Majesty's Revenue Service and so I indulged in 2 of their iconic notebooks! 

 

Just waiting for the mailman to arrive.

[Misfit]

@Stompie has it taken a bit to get used to His instead of Her Majesty’s Revenue Service?

[Gloucesterman]

18 minutes ago, Stompie said:

Smythson of Bond street in London are having a big sale at the moment.

 

I just got a refund, after a 3 year running battle with His Majesty's Revenue Service and so I indulged in 2 of their iconic notebooks! 

 

Just waiting for the mailman to arrive.

Beautiful notebooks. However even with the significant (50%) discount quite a bit beyond what I want to spend on a notebook.

thank you for the information though. It's always nice to look at these premium quality products.

[Stompie]

15 hours ago, Misfit said:

@Stompie has it taken a bit to get used to His instead of Her Majesty’s Revenue Service?

 

Yes indeed, one has to think before using what, over the years became second nature to say!

[TitoThePencilPimp]

On 6/21/2023 at 3:16 AM, Misfit said:

I think I’m over the wanting a Neon Leuchtturm, since I did get the silver metallic version. I hate to admit it, but I lacked impulse control when looking at my Barnes and Noble app. Leuchtturm seems to have discontinued colors, so you never know what color is next. I, um, yeah, ordered a Navy dotted (lined was not available) and a lined Emerald. The Emerald was $19.95 vs the Navy at $22.95. My membership got 10% off.  Now I think I should say I’m done buying Leuchtturm unless found for under $10 again. 
 

I kind of get @A Smug Dill’s rant. That’s partly why I didn’t share the news of discounted Leuchtturm notebooks on the Reddit notebooks sub. 
 

Although, pretty please if anyone finds Kaweco Sport pens on sale, please tell me. I can’t drive to the Kansas City pen store, shop, and come home. I worry about leaving my Mom alone that long. Two hours seems the limit. The driving time to the pen store is almost 2 hours round trip.  It’s more like 45 minutes each way. But pen shopping should not be rushed at retail. 

I had great experience ordering Kaweco Sports from Amazon. Purchased at least 10 over the years, and no duds. Colors are limited. I payed on average about $15-17.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

On 6/21/2023 at 1:02 AM, A Smug Dill said:

 

As with Daiso — or perhaps even more so — if one wants to be able to pick up “good stuff” opportunistically, one has to just drop into stores to browse once in a while, even without any specific needed items or purchases in mind. I understand that may be more “difficult” or onerous for busy people, people who live far from stores and there's a significant cost in transport/petrol to visit aimlessly, or (like me) have poor impulse control and don't really want to be spending money for the sake of it or to make the visit “worthwhile” in retrospect. It's easy for me, when I have lots of spare time and little to do in my retirement, and I can just walk to all these stores to have a look.

 

And… <RANT>

 

That's the “problem” I have (somewhat) with how seemingly a lot of redditors in r/fountainpens behave, more so than on FPN. They're consumers first, hobbyists second, and instead of throwing time, effort, and money at something they just enjoy doing (i.e. a hobby), they're always relying on — and sometimes outright demanding — others do the scouting, filtering, analysis, and distillation of market intelligence for them so that every dollar of their consumer spending could be “smarter” than average on account of others have already done the work, experienced the less-value-for-money or explored the less-smart options. That's part of why I didn't post the photos showing the prices, when I discovered three weeks ago that TK Maxx carried some European stationery products, and let others know in the discussion thread that prompted my visit to the store. I wanted others to go because they're curious, not because of some expectation that there would be “gain” in snagging specific bargains; and I certainly didn't want them to be able to gauge the likelihood or magnitude of the “gain” on account of my serving relevant information to them freely as a fellow consumer.

 

As a peer, I'd be happier to share discoveries and information with a community of self-motivated explorers who are all interested in contributing (at their expense of time, effort, and spending) to the collective's market intelligence, than to be in a small subgroup of active doers outnumbered by those who want the benefits as an end-user but not the giving in return. To me, if everyone's savings arising from information made available by others are cancelled out by the expense they made doing their own part in exploring and reporting on other items, so it's close to net zero from an effort and expense perspective, but they enjoyed the doing (because, hey, it's part of their hobby) and the collective information available keeps growing because of everyone's contribution, then there's community and advancement.

</RANT>

 

If you are ever in Daiso, and want some good quality pencils. I recommend the Golden Swords. I usually buy at least 20 packs, anytime I see them.

[Stompie]

These beauties arrived today

 

 

[AmandaW]

On 6/27/2023 at 4:35 PM, A Smug Dill said:

 

What about these? https://md.midori-japan.co.jp/15th/en/products/collaboration/

Quite. Thankyou. And an A5 Cotton F0 too. Today's fix.

 

The couple of inks coming with them: Teranishi Tangerine to tame the orange Kakuno and a backup Pilot Blue, cos it works (at $7.60 irresistible).

[Penguincollector]

@Misfit sent me a box of goodies, and I just about died of cute:

[Misfit]

@Penguincollector did send me two notebooks.  When I saw the “clear” folders with penguins, I had to get them for her. I got other designs for me. Not sure what I’ll use them for. 
 

I’m so glad they provided the cute quotient for your day. 

[Penguincollector]

17 minutes ago, Misfit said:

I’m so glad they provided the cute quotient for your day.

 (Shhh, don’t tell the cockatiel preening herself on the crook of my elbow)