Conway Stewart Tavy Ink

Back when Conway Stewart was still around - they have since been bought by British Bespoke - they had commissioned Diamine to produce some ink for them. Tavy is a pretty solid color from the line up - a classic, clean blue-black that you can't really hate. I rather like it. It has a touch of green to it, which I like in a blue-black.

Sunday Reads: April 28. 2019

Stuff I Looked At Elsewhere & Read

• Giant vanilla doughnut cake - Epicurious.
• How a Deadly Prison Island Became a Natural Paradise - Nat Geo.
• Learn to make spätzle: Germany's favorite comfort food - Saveur.
• How to Make a Lucky Charms Cereal Milk Latte - I am a food blog.
• Slow cooker sticky toffee pudding - NYT Cooking.
• Watch Sliced Fruits and Vegetables Disappear Before Your Eyes in Vibrant Animations - Colossal.
• What Meditation Can—and Can’t—Do for Your Health - Self.
• Japanese Illustrator Imagines A World Where Humans Live Among Giant Animals - Bored Panda.
• Patchwork Motifs and Knotted Thread by Francesca Colussi Cramer Add Texture to Vintage Photographs and Postcards - Colossal.
• Funniest Animal Fails Caught In Panoramic Pictures - Sad and Useless.
• Keeping creativity alive - Shutterbean.
• Beautiful Geometric Sculptures Cast From Burls Fused to Resin - Twisted Sifter.
• If Cats Were Scientists Nothing Would Happen. Ever. - Sad and Useless.

Stuff I Apparently Did This Week

• Conway Stewart Kingsand Ink
• Zebra Airfit Mechanical Pencil
• Caran d'Ache Storm Ink
• AJOTO Event at Laywine's in Toronto
• Toronto Pen Company Traveler's Notebook Leather Covers with Pyrography & Paintings

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Toronto Pen Company Traveler's Notebook Leather Covers with Pyrography & Paintings

One of the skilled makers in the Toronto pen group is Salman Khattak of Toronto Pen Company - you likely have heard me mention him while raving about my modified Pilot Parallel nibs and nib grinds. Another one of his skills is artwork with pyrography and painting, which he applies to leather journal covers like the Traveler's Notebook. I borrowed a bunch of his works to share with you here while I decide what I want my cover to feature, and to help you decide if you want one as well!

Prices vary depending on the work you want to be done and the size of the cover you are looking for, but I think they're really fair considering the amount of work, talent, and skill that is required to create each item. If you don't see what you're looking for, just get in touch with him and I know he'll fix you up with what you want. I really like the horse head one and I just cannot settle on one idea. There have been rumors of a Lord of the Rings map/Legend of Zelda map/Triforce, etc. It's just so exciting for the nerd in us!

Shop the journal covers here! If you are looking for nib work, nib holders, and other goodies, I suggest you peruse to see what else is available.

If you're into social things, you can follow Toronto Pen Company on Instagram for all creative goodness! If you do, drop by and say hi! We have to support our community makers, especially when we're lucky enough to have them local.

Edit: since I scheduled this post a few weeks ago, I have since joined The Toronto Pen Company! As such, I must let you know that if you support Toronto Pen Company, I will receive a commission from your purchase. There is no change to the purchase price, and you are not obliged to purchase anything, obviously. All of the covers I have shown you here are loaners. I'll share my personal pocket notebook cover soon!

AJOTO Event at Laywine's in Toronto

Laywine's is a gorgeous stationery shop located on Bellair Street in Toronto, Ontario. I've posted a Field Trip before, though I suppose an updated one is overdue! On Sunday, March 31, 2019,  the founder and creative director of AJOTO, Chris Holden, came to visit the store. Chris talked about setting up a new pen company in the digital world, showed us prototypes, limited editions, and special pens! It was really interesting to feel and explore the different materials and I was able to test the pens out, and see how they have evolved! The entire evening was ended with a fantastic dinner at The Host with the best naan ever.

Thank you kindly to Chris and Peter for organizing this fun event, and my good friends for joining me.

The cutest of details.

Chris's notebook is a gem.

More details.

The sterling silver is delicious.

Cork holders are sourced from Portugal.

The AJOTO x Laywine's collaboration is brass with a stainless steel mechanism.