In Stock: The Caran d'Ache 2022 Limited and Special Editions

Every year, Swiss maker Caran d’Ache releases multiple special and limited edition pens and pencils, often just in advance of the holidays. This year, they have released the “Colour Treasure” collection, the first of which have arrived! While the series will eventually include new special edition 849 Ballpoints and even a jumbo pencil set, we have in stock now these sets of 12 high-quality postcards designed to be colored using your favorite colored pencils, perfect for catching up on your holiday correspondence. (In my case, the particular postcard pictured here will be turned into a Patreon thank-you note.)

Shown here with the three-tone Midori MD colored pencil set.

We also have the rest of the Caran d’Ache 2022 releases, including this year’s Claim Your Style 849 Ballpoints, the Dark Violet and Pastel Yellow 849s, and the Black Code, Gold Bar, and Brut Rosé mechanical pencils designed to match the ballpoint versions. Finally, we have a healthy stock of the eminently giftable Swiss Wood Pencil Gift Sets, and the Caran d’Ache x Nespresso Edition No. 4 Swiss Wood Pencils.

It truly pains me to say it, but the holiday shopping season is starting now, whether I like it or not. (Personally, I enjoy Halloween and would prefer to celebrate my holidays one at a time.) That said, if you’ve had your eye on something that you are considering for a gift, please don’t sleep on it. Restocking has been delayed, especially for items arriving from overseas. Many thanks for your support!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all products sold, including Caran d’Ache.

Sunday Reading for October 16, 2022

1. Rituals: Galen Leather The Old School Molded Pen Case for Five Pens (via A Fleeting Ripple). I love the Galen old-school cases, and I’ll echo that their packaging and presentation is top-notch.

2. RIIND The Compact Pen (via KraftyCats). I really enjoyed the original RIIND pen, though some found it a bit large. The “Compact” version is worth checking out.

3. My Personal Pens: Gravitas Blue Fountain Pen (via SBRE Brown). I’ve also enjoyed getting to use the larger Gravitas model. If you appreciate larger, heavier pens, check this one out, and look for my own review soon.

4. The Plot Is Afoot (via Pen Addict - Sarah). I can’t believe NaNoWriMo is here already. I want to do SOMETHING to commemorate the occasion, since I love the idea, but I’m overwhelmed as it is and this year a novel just isn’t going to happen. Be sure to check out Sarah’s choice of pen.

5. Hieronymus XH5 Notebook Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). 120gsm paper tends to be extremely thick for me, but at this thickness it often can’t help but be fountain pen friendly.

6. The Tale of the Lady and the Scholar: My London Autumn Pen Show 2022 (via Fountain Pen Blog). I had originally intended to try to make the London Autumn Show, but life events intervened. On to the Spring? Semikolon’s new line of products intrigues me.

7. October 2022 London Pen Show (via Dapprman). A great pictorial recap of the London Pen Show!

8. Cypress Eggshell Series Dandelion (via Rachel’s Reflections). I love these eggshell designs, but I’ve not tried a pen from Cypress. Should I pick one up? (Also check out Part II of this post.)

9. Sheen with Purpose and Ink Mullets (via mnmlscholar). I’m going to submit “Ink Mullet” to the dictionary for 2022 new word of the year.

10. Ferris Wheel Press Curious Collaborations: Paper Tree (via Well-Appointed Desk). Ferris Wheel Press is killing me with all these new collaborations….

In Case You Missed It…

I was on vacation this past week! No, seriously, I probably had about five different posts noting this fact, so hopefully it didn’t take anyone by surprise. In the meantime, I did a wrap-up post discussing the 2022 Pen Show Season, since both the Colorado Show and New York Metropolitan Shows are currently ongoing. While there are a few more this year, my own pen show season has likely come to a close.

This Week in the Shop

Despite me being on vacation, a lot of new arrivals hit the shop this week! For starters, the second round of Platinum Preppy Wa fountain pens are now available for purchase, and - wait for it - the T.G.S. x Penwell exclusive “Aged Red” model is now available for preorder, with the Penwells likely arriving and shipping out sometime later this week. We are also restocked on most of our Caran d’Ache pens and pencils. There is MUCH more on the way in the near future, so stay tuned! Since I’m back in town, there should not be further delays in orders shipping, and anything placed while I was away should ship by tomorrow.

Platinum Preppy Wa

Nahvalur

Marks

Gently Used

Many Thanks for Your Shop Support, and Please Consider T.G.S. Patreon!

We’ve been surprised at the level of enthusiasm and support for our curated retail strategy over the past couple of months, and after careful consideration are beginning to build out our inventory with more brands and product categories. I love managing this aspect of T.G.S., as it offers me the opportunity to directly put great stationery - including brands I feel are underappreciated and underemphasized - into your hands. For those who want to support T.G.S. without necessarily adding to their accumulation, the Patreon Program offers two options for tiers of support: $3 and $5, and plan on making monthly meetups, pen show events, and periodic exclusive content the primary benefits. Of course, Patreon members will continue to get first access to periodic sample sales, with right of first refusal on gently used pens. (Reminder that those pens which made it through Patreon are now available to the general readership!)

It's Back! The T.G.S. x Penwell "Aged Red" Exclusive (Available for Preorder)

Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with some of my favorite makers on exclusive products, and one of the creations I’m most proud of is the first one: the T.G.S. exclusive Penwell pen holder in a unique “Aged Red” finish that draws its inspiration from the T.G.S. blog colors, burgundy and black. While these Penwells are powder-coated aluminum, as opposed to Urushi, I wanted to pick a finish that complements the look and depth of the dark red finish on my Nakaya Decapod. The subtle black and red grain on the Aged Red came out absolutely gorgeous during the last run, and given the number of requests for more I wanted to do another batch.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Penwell, it’s one of my favorite fountain pen accessories that allows you to turn any pen into a desk pen. I have one (or maybe two) on my desk at all times, and you can read my full write-up here.

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Packaging may vary with the new run.

These special edition Penwells are available for preorder in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, priced at $75, which is the same price as the prior run and qualifies for free shipping. T.G.S. Patreon Supporters receive a special pricing + free shipping, so if you are a Patreon member, please check your messages. The Penwells should arrive in a week or so, and I will ship upon receipt. Please feel free to combine your Penwell pre-order with other items to save on shipping charges, though combined orders will ship together with the Penwell. Many thanks for your support, and I can’t wait to get them in your hands!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold. Also, a reminder that today is the last day to use your discount code as I’m returning from vacation. Use “VACAY10” at checkout to receive 10% off all paper orders.

Thursday Drops: How to Spend Your Vacation Discount!

I’m going to keep reminding people that if you’re placing large paper orders this week, please use the “VACAY10” coupon code at checkout to get your 10% off paper! Orders will start shipping Saturday and Sunday, and all will include something extra to accommodate any delays. (I should be getting another round of T.G.S. stickers and buttons in stock any day now!)

If you’re looking for ideas on how to spend your discount, be sure check out the following eligible items:

1. Traveler’s Notebooks, Refills and Accessories. Looking to break into the Traveler’s Notebook System? Now is a great time to pick up a Starter Kit as well as the refills you need to set your notebook up for exactly how you’ll use it.

2. Soumkine Undated Planners. I suspect that these hardcover planners, which have a long-narrow format that many people love, will not be around for much longer. Currently we have the Charcoal and Rose covers in stock.

3. Lochby Tomoe River Refill Notebooks. Speaking of paper that may not be long for this world, the Lochby Notebook inserts feature 68gsm Tomoe River paper. While these notebooks are designed to fit the Lochby Field Journal, they are standard A5-sized.

4. WMS & Co. Undated Planner Desk Pads and Oversized Notepads. These large pads of paper are fountain pen-friendly and come in a range of colors. Be aware that YMMV with the “ColorPads” (those that contain colored writing paper) if you want to use fountain pen ink, though I’ve had success with the grey version.

5. Write Notepads Spiral and Hardcover Notebooks. Write Notepads makes some of the best overall writing paper out there, especially in the spiral notebook format. We currently have standard spirals in dot grid, lined, landscape, meeting, and “Weekly Planner” format, as well as the Classic Hardcover Notebooks.

As always we continue to stock standbys and favorites such as Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Life, Midori, and Maruman Mnemosyne. You can visit our full range of paper here, and our offerings of pens, inks, desk accessories, and washi tapes by visiting the main store page. Many thanks for your support!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

Wrapping Up Pen Show Season: This Weekend and Travels So Far

I’m on family vacation this week, so I won’t be attending, but those of you in the area(s) should remember that both the Colorado Pen Show and the New York Metropolitan Pen Show (formerly the Long Island Pen Show) are both this weekend! It’s always worth the effort to attend. If you’d like to read more about what you can expect at a pen show and what things there are to do, check out my recaps from my 2022 Pen Show Travel:

• 2022 Baltimore Pen Show

• 2022 Atlanta Pen Show

• 2022 Chicago Pen Show

• 2022 Washington D.C. Pen Show

• 2022 San Francisco Pen Show

Personally, my pen show travel is likely over for the year, so I’ll live vicariously through all of you attending the remaining 2022 shows. And for those of you who can’t visit a pen show this weekend, it’s 10% off all paper this week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, through Saturday at 11:59pm CT, using the coupon code “VACAY10” at checkout. Many thanks for your support!