Top 5 Fountain Pens of 2025 (via dwrdnet). Derek talks about the best pens he collected this year, as most of us are now in “recap” mode.
Figboot’s Favorite Things 2025 (via Figboot on Pens). David walks through his favorite items that he reviewed this year. And he’s approaching 1000 videos sooner rather than later!?!
My 2025 Favorites (via Rachel’s Reflections). Rachel focuses heavily on custom/small-batch makers, so her list features a lot of unique and unusual pen designs.
Stationery Year-in-Review and Preview (via Pen Addict - Sarah). Sometimes our years don’t turn out as expected, and that’s ok.
10 More Useful Things (via Olive Octopus). I can vouch for the fact that most of these things are very useful, as Lisa has been kind enough to show me which of these I can/should use in the shop.
Leonardo x Stilo e Stile Momento Zero “Kintsugi” Fountain Pen Review (via Weirdoforest Pens). This Leonardo collaboration featuring gold flecks suspended in clear resin turned out to be gorgeous, and I sort of regret not picking one up when I had the chance.
How to Use a Notepad (via Notebook Stories). Small memo pads and bound notepads can be useful - I pretty much have one at every workstation and computer that I use for jotting down ideas, making quick calculations, etc.
J. Herbin Opale Nocturne Ink Review (via Pen Addict). Most of the Herbin shimmer inks don't speak to me, necessarily, but this one hits closer to the excellent “Shogun” ink in that the understated blue-grey color could serve as an everyday ink?
A Little Magic (via From the Pen Cup). These “rainbow” or “magic” pencils can produce unexpected effects whether you’re using them to write or draw.
Inkmas Day 8: Diamine Lady Grey (via Well-Appointed Desk). I’m going to get my hands on this after Christmas - I love Diamine Earl Grey and this has a lot of the same color effects going on, yet at the same time is completely different.
Yes, I am still participating in Inkvent/Colorvent, though I’m behind on posting my photos. I’ll hopefully have a chance to get caught up this week.
In Case You Missed It…
I continued my own Year-in-Review series with my own Five Favorite Posts from 2025, determined by nothing other than whether I enjoyed writing it! Lisa Vanness and I also released our first YouTube Live via the On The Paper Trail… official Youtube Channel! Please subscribe to help us grow and to automatically receive future episodes, including the upcoming podcast. You can also follow us on Instagram.
This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop: Last Minute Madness!
We had a crazy - yet fun - rush in the shop this week, both in-store and online. As of today (Sunday), we only have three working days left until Christmas, so it is extremely unlikely online orders can be packed, shipped, and delivered by Christmas. If you have the opportunity, shop local and in-person, and to that end we will be open Monday and Tuesday in our Nashville location from 1pm-6pm, and will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day before reopening normal hours Friday and Saturday.
The CDT Pentel Sign Pens were a hot item this weekend.
We have plenty of unique recent arrivals if you are looking for a gift that will stand out! For starters, most of our Craft Design Technology shipment has been entered into inventory and is available to browse, including all of their special edition multi-pens and fineliners, and CDT’s signature mint-green notebooks and notepads. We also have the Camel pencil sets and their special edition Pentel Sharp Kerry, complete with matte trim. Those of you who visited us in-store will also have noticed a restock of Musgrave pencils, including the Heritage Pencil sets and the newly released special edition Songwriter pencils and Highlighters, all of which would make excellent gifts!
How to Support T.G.S. and Our Various Projects
If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and special promotions, consider supporting us via Patreon. The T.G.S. Patreon includes early access and discounts on exclusive shop releases, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly meetups. As of this morning, ALL Patreon supporters (including non-paying free members) have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail”.