Sunday Reading for July 19, 2026

1. Ten Pens, but Make it Seven (via A Gathering of Curiosities). I’ve enjoyed reading these posts, and the pens people choose really give you a sense of what forms the core of their collection and interest in pens.

2. Ten Fountain Pens (via Olive Octopus Ink). If Lisa keeps publishing photos of that Manyo “Nuts” pen I will have to get my own or steal hers.

3. How To Use Notebooks in 2026 (The Best System) (via Cal Newport). Do you keep single-purpose notebooks? Or do you have one notebook that contains everything?

4. Moving Our Store to Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Stationery Life! (via Vanness Pens). Our friends at Vanness are moving this weekend! All the details here.

5. 12 Inks to Try Instead of Baystate Blue! (via Inkdependence). Try these instead for a blue that really pops.

6. Wingback Brass Ballpoint (via Scrively). I’m a fan of Wingback products. If you enjoy small-batch machined goods that will hold up and develop their own patina/personality over time, check them out.

7. The Quest for the Perfect Art and Commute Bag (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). Because I’m still searching for the perfect bag for my everyday needs - as opposed for specific use cases - I find these sorts of posts interesting.

8. The Hunt for the Perfect Green Ink Continues…. (via Well-Appointed Desk). I’m coming around to the realization that the solution to any of these “perfect” colors might be to mix my own?

In Case You Missed It….

This week we released Episode 12 of On The Paper Trail, in which Lisa and I discussed our favorite papers (rulings and formats, not brands). You can hear us discuss why both of us enjoy the versatility of dot grid, and answer questions relating to things like lie-flat notebooks and the differences between U.S. and international paper sizing. Yesterday I published a piece on what is and is not necessary for pen maintenance, and why you should carefully vet “advice” you read online. I specifically wanted to address the current trend of completely disassembling fountain pens on a regular basis, which is not necessary as part of routine maintenance and is leading to a lot of unnecessary wear and tear.

On Friday I swatched all the Kakimori Inkstand Colour pigment inks live!

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

We had a huge response to last week’s release of the Lamy Meteorite and Meteora fountain pens. I believe we still have some in stock (at least in Meteorite) as of the time of writing. We’ve also received a full restock of Diplomat Vipers in both fountain pen and rollerball format, as well as out-of-stock Pilot items such as the Iro-Utsushi Dip Pens. Be sure to check out each week’s Thursday Drops post for a full list of new arrivals and restocks.

This week we will be open normal hours in our Nashville Shop: 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-5pm on Saturday. Come see us!

Roterfaden

OnionBrand

Tom's Studio

New Stickers!

How YOu Can Support us further: Visit Us on Patreon

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. In addition to exclusive content, Discord access, and online meetups, Patreon supporters have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released.

Sunday Reading for July 12, 2026

1. Sailor Que Será Erasable Gel Ink Pen Review (via Pen Addict). I find Sailor’s efforts to get into the erasable pen game fascinating, even if I don’t really have any great desire to use this product.

2. Enjoy Collection 2026: Q2 (via Dime Novel Raven). Sometimes I get asked whether owning a pen store diminishes my enjoyment of stationery as a “hobby”, but I honestly think it’s the opposite. It tends to expand the the number of products you are exposed to, which I have also enjoyed immensely because they’re things I’ve never tried before.

3. Finding Joy in Cheap to Moderate-Priced Nice Things (via Urban Adventure League). I wholeheartedly agree that often the moderate price bracket brings the most overall satisfaction - fun without the financial stress.

4. This Common Fountain Pen Habit May Be Doing More Harm Than Good (via Doodlebud). Repeat after me: You do not need to take your pen completely apart to clean it.

5. Meet the Family Living Like It’s the 1990’s (via Cal Newport). Bye. I’ll send y’all my landline number.

6. Fountain Pen Types (via Inky.Rocks). Ok, I now have at least five more pens on my list to add to my collection. :)

7. If I Could Only Keep Ten (via Rachel’s Reflections). Is it time for another fountain pen thought experiment?

8. If I Could Only Keep 10 Fountain Pens (via Well-Appointed Desk). Here’s Laura’s take on the latest challenge.

9. Three Art Supply Stores Worth Visiting in Central Paris (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). It’s been way too long since I’ve been to Paris, but I have fond memories of visits to 2/3.

10. Clairefontaine Pocket Squared Notebook (via Notebook Stories). Clairefontaine is one of the unsung workhorses of the stationery world, and I do my bit to keep it from falling by the wayside in favor of “trendier” paper.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I reviewed a category of pens that has played a larger role in my rotation recently: The refillable rollerball that takes fountain pen ink (often called the “inkball”). Recent iterations of these pens work much better than the ones that first hit the market several years ago, and I talk about two that I’ve enjoyed using. I also reviewed a relatively new-to-me paper that has made its way into my rotation: Graphilo, a Japanese paper from Kobeha.

IPaintBirbs Holographic Stickers!

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

We spent most of this week rebuilding our stock of Kakimori notebooks, only to see them fly off the shelves and out the door to their new homes! We still have a handful, along with a fairly healthy stock of the Kakimori metal dip nibs, holders, and other accessories. Many favorite Taccia inks have been restocked, along with OnionBrand Notebook Covers, and best of all, a bunch of new stickers from iLootPaperie and local Nashville maker IPaintBirbs!

This week our Nashville store will be open normal hours, from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-5pm on Saturday! Online shopping is available 24/7!

OnionBrand

Notsu

Maruman Basics

iPaintBirbs

How YOu Can Support us further: Visit Us on Patreon

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. In addition to exclusive content, Discord access, and online meetups, Patreon supporters have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released.

Sunday Reading for July 5, 2026

1. 2026 St. Louis Pen Show Recap (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). The St. Louis Pen Show continues to be a well-attended regional show. It’s relatively close to me, so I may have to visit in the future.

2. 2026 St. Louis Pen Show (via Olive Octopus Ink). Lisa also attended the St. Louis Show and hosted her own class/seminar/activity table!

3. 2026 Dutch Pen Show Recap (via Pen Addict - Julia). If there was one European show that I would want to visit, it would be the Dutch Pen Show. That’s quite a pen show swag bag!

4. The Largest Craziest Fountain Pen Ink Collection (via Inky.Rocks). Ok, you have to watch the video of this ink collection - not sure I’ve ever seen anything quite like this. Now I need custom shelving.

5. Swallowed by a Whale (via A Gathering of Curiosities). Here’s to original, authentic writing.

6. Traveling Stationery Kit Themes (via Urban Adventure League). Anyone else absolutely LOVE that Lochby honey color?

7. Traveling with Ink, June 2026: Part I, Albania (via Fountain Pen Blog). Just a great travelogue post, and I enjoy hearing what stationery is available in different parts of the world.

8. Ya Gotta Start Somewhere (via From the Pen Cup). Whether it’s writing or drawing, just get started!

9. If I Could Only Keep 10 Fountain Pens (via Well-Appointed Desk). Not sure I could even begin to play this game.

10. Leonardo + Stilo e Stile MZ Radici (via Figboot on Pens). I have too many Momento Zeroes, but I love seeing these materials.

In Case You Missed It…

It was a bit of a quiet week around here due to the holidays and the fact that we all needed a rest! We released Episode 11 of On The Paper Trail, in which Lisa and I discuss nib size variations within fountain pen brands, and sometimes within the same model of fountain pen. Yesterday I also addressed some logistical questions and back-end site announcements.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

This week’s new arrivals include a full restock of Taccia Ink (including all the new Kuniyoshi, Hokusai, and yes, more Sabimidori)! We also have new Kakimori notebooks, “Inkstand Colour” Mixable Pigmented Inks, Kakimori dip nibs and holders, and more Frost fountain pens and rollerballs. Finally, we have the TWSBI ECO “Horse Year” fountain pens available for pre-order, and a fresh batch of OnionBrand “Green Dragon” A5 leather covers! Be sure to check out each week’s Thursday Drops post for a full list of new arrivals and restocks.

We will be open normal hours this coming week in our Nashville shop, from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-5pm on Saturday!

TWSBI

Kakimori

Notsu

Colorverse

How YOu Can Support us further: Visit Us on Patreon

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. In addition to exclusive content, Discord access, and online meetups, Patreon supporters have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released.

Sunday Reading for June 28, 2026

1. Health & Fitness Journal with the TRAVELER’S Company Free Diary (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). This is a great proposed use of the TRAVELER’S Company undated diaries. I love to see how people are using these in everyday life!

2. Moving On… (via Vanness Pen Shop). Our friends at Vanness are moving! Follow along as they relocate the shop from Little Rock to Fort Smith.

3. Thursday Stream: Full Mildliner Swatches, Hermes 3000 Typewriter, and Lamy Vista Kuru Toga Pencil (via dwrdnet). Derek walks through his expansive collection of Mildliners, plus a fun Lamy Safari pencil featuring the Kuru Toga engine.

4. Kilk Celestial + Galen Bohemian Twilight (via Figboot on Pens). A favorite material paired with a favorite pen design!

5. Soolla: Not Quite What We Need (via Rachel’s Reflections). Soolla bags have become increasingly popular, and based on what your needs and preferences are, they may or may not work for you. But it’s a creative design!

6. Omas555 Grey Celluloid (via UK Fountain Pens). An incredibly thorough review of a gorgeous vintage pen.

7. A €10k Noris (via Bleistift). Wow. Just wow.

8. Art as Meditation (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). Another great post exploring mindfulness and how art and journaling can contribute.

9. Thank You, Brian Anderson (via From the Pen Cup). Another Waterman Laureate post! The Laureate was my first “nice” fountain pen many years ago.

10. See You In St. Louis! (via Well-Appointed Desk). If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the St. Louis Pen Show for the last day and visit Ana (and Lisa at the Ink Pony Club tables).

In Case You Missed It….

This week we finalized our 2026 mid-year review, and published a couple of new installments, including an update to the Hierarchies of Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Resource, and a post on my Top Five Personal Stationery Discoveries from the First Half of 2026.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

The most exciting new is that we received a large restock of Kaweco Fountain Pens and the TWSBI ECO Rootbeer fountain pen! We also have additional Platinum pens, including the Plaisir and Prefounte, as well as restocks of Colorverse and the Laban Greek Mythology Inks. Our Colorverse restock included additional units of the 2024 and 2025 Colorvent “Top 3” Colorvent Ink Sets. Be sure to check out each week’s Thursday Drops post for a full listing of all new shop arrivals and restocks.

Roterfaden

OnionBrand

Kaweco

Pilot

How YOu Can Support us further: Visit Us on Patreon

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. In addition to exclusive content, Discord access, and online meetups, Patreon supporters have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released.

Sunday Reading for June 21, 2026

1. Piper Trading Company Ink Review (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). A first look at some of the Piper Trading Company inks, from the same folks who brought you Franklin-Christoph!

2. They Made It Smooth, But Is It Good? BIC 4-Color Ballpoint (via Inkdependence). It doesn’t need to be good to still be a classic. :)

3. Meet Your Maker: James White, Bonecrusher 7 Studios (via Pen Addict - Caroline). I had the pleasure of meeting James and buying a pen from him at this year’s Arkansas Pen Show.

4. Pilot Custom 845 Deep Blue (via Figboot on Pens). I love my Custom 845 in this dark Prussian Blue color. We will be carrying this one going forward.

5. Visit to Office Vender Stationery Forest in Sendai, Japan (via Inkredible Colours). That is a well-stocked shop! I also love the imagery of a stationery forest.

6. The NYT Summer Reading Challenge (via Writing at Large). My own reading has sort of hit a slump and I might need something like this. 10 books through the end of August? We’ll see….

7. My Stance on AI, with Nuance, I Hope (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). I share nearly all of these viewpoints when it comes to AI and creative work.

In Case You Missed It….

This week we published Episode 10 of On The Paper Trail, where we discussed all things Japan from our recent trip! We recapped our visits to all the stationery stores, favorite things we brought home, and more. I also published my first mid-year review post yesterday, in which I looked at 5 Favorite Posts from the First Half of 2026.

In addition to lots of restocks, we have new A5 Roterfadens including this new natural leather version!

This week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop… More Roterfaden and More OnionBrand

All of those A5 Notebook covers you’ve been asking for are now back in stock! We have Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter covers in both A5 and A5 Slim sizes, as well as OnionBrand A5 leather covers in five different finishes. The OnionBrand covers are locally made in Nashville, and use a cord-based system to hold standard A5-sized notebooks. Finally, we have fresh restocks of Tom’s Studio, Anterique, and more! Check out each week’s Thursday Drops post for a full list of restocks and new arrivals.

Come see these and more this week in the Nashville shop during normal hours from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-5pm on Saturday.

OnionBrand

Tom's Studio

Pilot

Uni

How YOu Can Support us further: Visit Us on Patreon

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. In addition to exclusive content, Discord access, and online meetups, Patreon supporters have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released.