The Well-Appointed Desk

New Ink Overview: Switchman Pen Co. At the California Pen Show, Dromgoole's unveiled a new ink line: Switchman Pen Co. This is a line of ink exclusive to Dromgoole's and it's actually created by an employee from the shop. The brand was inspired by the creator's grandfather who was a railroad man. Each ink color name is inspired with the history of the railroad in the United States.

New Ink Overview: Switchman Pen Co.

Ink Review: Ferris Wheel Press Festival Grove While at the California Pen Show, I scooped up a bottle of the Ferris Wheel Press Festival Grove ink ($22.50). I admit that the name was appealing to me, still being cold and brownish February, I miss the green woodsy vibe of a Renaissance Fair. The ink base color is deep mossy green with a twinkly gold shimmer reminding me of fairy lights hung in the trees of a Ren Fest.

Ink Review: Ferris Wheel Press Festival Grove

Link Love: House Totes or Analog Bags More and more I'm hearing people talk about finding new and less phone-based ways to entertain and educate themselves. People are employing House Totes or Analog Bags with gadgets, books, notebooks and hobbies to help encourage themselves away from mindless scrolling. While I have been employing what I call a "house purse" for sometime now, its more a means of moving my analog tools from one part of my house (home office, kitchen, couch, etc) to the other.

Link Love: House Totes or Analog Bags

California Pen Show 2026 Recap A quick recap of my experience at the California Pen Show 2026 in Los Angeles.

California Pen Show 2026 Recap

Fashionable Friday: Certainly Burgundy I've been talking among friends, pen shop owners and family about what we feel is REALLY the color that will be the color of the year for 2026 and one of the colors we have seen being very popular is burgundy. This deep, jewel-toned wine-red color is selling like hot cakes in pen shops and so I thought I'd show you a lovely collection of this deep, beautiful color.

Fashionable Friday: Certainly Burgundy

What’s In My Bag: Travel Edition Okay, nosy Nellies! I know I love seeing what other people carry in their bags so I figure its payback time. So, here's what I've packed in my bag for my trip to LA for the California Pen Show. The Bag: For this trip, I am using a small backpack from North Face called the Berkeley Day Pack. It's very similar in size to the JanSport SuperBreak and other "school bags" but does include a padded back and two pockets on the side for water bottles.

What's In My Bag: Travel Edition

Ink Review: Troublemaker Abalone Troublemaker Abalone was one of the first multichromatic inks I ever tried. I remember being absolutely ticked at the color variation and tonal qualities to the ink ranging from reddish purple-pink to a deep bluish purple with hints of teal green inbetween. Depending on the application, any of these tones may show in writing, drawing, painting or doodling. It really is an ink that was, and still is, in a class by itself.

Ink Review: Troublemaker Abalone

Link Love: Dammit, Donut! Tonight is Matt Dinniman's book signing event here in KC. If you're not familiar with Matt Dinniman, he wrote the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and has a new book out called Operation Bounce House. It will be hosted by the audiobook reader of the series, Jeff Hays. Pretty much every single one of my friends is headed to the event tonight.

Link Love: Dammit, Donut!

Ink Review: Troublemaker Abalone Troublemaker Abalone was one of the first multichromatic inks I ever tried. I remember being absolutely ticked at the color variation and tonal qualities to the ink ranging from reddish purple-pink to a deep bluish purple with hints of teal green inbetween. Depending on the application, any of these tones may show in writing, drawing, painting or doodling. It really is an ink that was, and still is, in a class by itself.

Ink Review: Troublemaker Abalone

Troublemaker Abalone was one of the first multichromatic inks I ever tried. I remember being absolutely ticked at the color variation and tonal qualities to the ink ranging from reddish purple-pink to a deep bluish purple with hints of teal green inbetween.…

A Review of Paper for 6-Ring Binders I've recently acquired several packs of paper for 6-ring binders like Plotter, Filofax and similar. While you can cut and punch paper yourself to fill 6-ring binders, its fun to see that the 6-ring binder market is being revitalized. I bought a combination of Personal/Bible size (6.73x3.74") and A5 size (8.26x5.82"). Many of these are also available in the Pocket size but I don't currently have a binder in Pocket size (4.72x3.18").

A Review of Paper for 6-Ring Binders

I've recently acquired several packs of paper for 6-ring binders like Plotter, Filofax and similar. While you can cut and punch paper yourself to fill 6-ring binders, its fun to see that the 6-ring binder market is being revitalized. I bought a combination of…

Finding an Old Treasure in my “Stash” As I wander through my stash this month, I rediscovered my Caran D'ache 849 Fountain Pen. At one point, I had two (one pink and one green) but I have only been able to find the green one. These pens are soft hex shaped barrels with a snap cap. The cap can be posted but make the pen ridiculously long.

Finding an Old Treasure in my “Stash”

As I wander through my stash this month, I rediscovered my Caran D'ache 849 Fountain Pen. At one point, I had two (one pink and one green) but I have only been able to find the green one. These pens are soft hex shaped barrels with a snap cap. The cap can be…

Link Love: Overworked I got a ton of freelance work this month. Which is great because January is a slow month for the shop so I was a little short on funds. However, when it rains, it pours, right? So, all the freelance I need to get out of my financial hole means I am working A LOT. Then I am out of town for the California Pen Show in the middle of the month.

Link Love: Overworked

I got a ton of freelance work this month. Which is great because January is a slow month for the shop so I was a little short on funds. However, when it rains, it pours, right? So, all the freelance I need to get out of my financial hole means I am working A LOT. Then I am…

Finding Dupes in my Ink Collection As I am putting our Fix It, Finish It or Frog It challenge to use this month, I decided to compare a few ink samples I purchased with some of the inks I already own (in full bottles!). I grabbed samples of Troublemaker Sea Glass Robert Oster Sinner's Weed Troublemaker Sea Kelp Robert Oster Sydney Darling Harbour I am shocked at how differently these inks look in photographs versus in person.

Finding Dupes in my Ink Collection

As I am putting our Fix It, Finish It or Frog It challenge to use this month, I decided to compare a few ink samples I purchased with some of the inks I already own (in full bottles!). I grabbed samples of Troublemaker Sea Glass Robert Oster Sinner's Weed…

Shop Update: More Journal Clips, Page Markers & more Journal clips, decorative page markers and paper clips are a great way to make your daily journal/planner tasks easier and more beautiful. I have become a diehard enthusiast in journal clips which help keep your pages flat while writing. Our journal clips are weighty and just the clip will help to keep pages down, clipped tight will keep a page from moving or wiggling around so your writing is more consistent and confident.

Shop Update: More Journal Clips, Page Markers & more

Journal clips, decorative page markers and paper clips are a great way to make your daily journal/planner tasks easier and more beautiful. I have become a diehard enthusiast in journal clips which help keep your pages flat while writing. Our…

Link Love: No More Doomscrolling The trend for 2026 of getting away from doomscrolling is continuing and I am seeing posts from lots of people looking for other options to distract, entertain and grow this year. Check out the Baum-Kuchen post a well as several posts in the Planners, Notebooks and Paper section for more inspiration. Pens: Guide to Stylus Pens (via JetPens Blog)

Link Love: No More Doomscrolling

The trend for 2026 of getting away from doomscrolling is continuing and I am seeing posts from lots of people looking for other options to distract, entertain and grow this year. Check out the Baum-Kuchen post a well as several posts in the Planners, Notebooks and…

Notebook Review: Wearinguel Reservoir Thread Note B6 The Wearingeul Reservoir Thread B6 Memo & Notebooks ($12 each, available in blank, 7mm lined and 4mm grid) was interesting to me for an assortment of reasons. First, its a B6 notebook which I am a sucker for. Second, its using Wearinguel's "Reservoir" paper which is described as 140gsm with a subtle texture and minimal show through. Finally, the books feature an exposed thread binding to be layflat.

Notebook Review: Wearinguel Reservoir Thread Note B6

February Planner Set-Up: Groundhog Day This month, I start my video with a little reflection on my January set-up and how I am forging ahead into February. Everyone deserves a do over... this is mine. The products I am currently using in the video are listed below. Let me know if I forgot anything. The Basic Supplies: 2026 Magnet Planners (Aura Estelle) Leather cover (via Etsy, no longer available)

February Planner Set-Up: Groundhog Day

This month, I start my video with a little reflection on my January set-up and how I am forging ahead into February. Everyone deserves a do over... this is mine. The products I am currently using in the video are listed below. Let me know if I forgot…

Fashionable Friday: Lunar New Year This year is the Year of the Horse and Lunar New Year starts on Feb 17 and lasts for 16 days. To celebrate, we decided to put together another Lunar New Year (CNY) Fashionable Friday because its one of my favorite holidays and another chance to kickstart the year. Red Velvet Lipstick (via Besame Cosmetics) Lunar New Year Cookie Tin Gift…

Fashionable Friday: Lunar New Year

New Pen Day: Adding to my non-Fountain Pen Collection I recently reviewed my collection of gel pens, felt tips, markers and highlighters to see if I could fill in any gaps in my collection. I started sorting my various pens by color last year to make choosing pens for my monthly planner set-up faster and easier. I used random jars, cans and mugs to hold the various color collections. I have the least number of reds so they are mixed in with my browns.

New Pen Day: Adding to my non-Fountain Pen Collection

Link Love: Paper Forever! I received an email newsletter from Cult Pens UK this week that was filled with great links about the "Benefit of Analogue Tools" and all the posts they referenced have been opened my browser since then. I thought I'd share them here while also recommending that you subscribe to the Cult Pens UK newsletter as they've been doing some really great ones recently.

Link Love: Paper Forever!

Review: Midori Peelable Sticker Storage Book I recently grabbed a Midori Peelable Sticker Storage Book (Gray, $6.75) in the B6 size that I thought would be a good accompaniment to by planner set-up. The booklet is filled with slick glossy paper that can be used to store stickers until you are ready to apply to your planner or notebook. The book has 10 pages -- 20 sides to attach stickers -- and a simple, plain kraft paper cover.

Review: Midori Peelable Sticker Storage Book

I recently grabbed a Midori Peelable Sticker Storage Book (Gray, $6.75) in the B6 size that I thought would be a good accompaniment to by planner set-up. The booklet is filled with slick glossy paper that can be used to store stickers until you are…

Van Dieman’s Professional Natura Dualis Dual Tone Ink Overview Van Dieman's released a collection of Professional Natura Dualis Dual Tone inks ($23 per 40ml bottle) in 2025. Dual Tone inks are Van Dieman's answer to a line of multichromatic inks. The challenge for writing an overview of these inks was how quickly they kept selling out. I was able to grab a few samples from Vanness Pen Shop and the remainder of the inks came as samples from a generous reader.

Van Dieman’s Professional Natura Dualis Dual Tone Ink Overview

Van Dieman's released a collection of Professional Natura Dualis Dual Tone inks ($23 per 40ml bottle) in 2025. Dual Tone inks are Van Dieman's answer to a line of multichromatic inks. The challenge for writing an overview of these inks…

Digital Declutter: Step 5 The Analog Alternatives As paper and stationery lovers, the best part of changing my habits away from phone and social media overuse to a more analog or disconnected is the "analog" stuff! (I say "analog" in quotes because many of the single-purpose devices and items listed below are actual digital devices like cameras, ereaders and video game systems so I see the irony.)

Digital Declutter: Step 5 The Analog Alternatives

My “Whole” Writech Dual Color Pen Stash (to date) I have been accumulating a decent collection of the Writech Dual-Color Gel Pens. I first got the Vintage 4-Color Set and then added in the Vintage & Black 4-Color Set and over the last week or so, I've added in a few more muted and vintage colors to my collection including the Black + Amber, Coffee + Apricot, …

My “Whole” Writech Dual Color Pen Stash (to date)

I have been accumulating a decent collection of the Writech Dual-Color Gel Pens. I first got the Vintage 4-Color Set and then added in the Vintage & Black 4-Color Set and over the last week or so, I've added in a few more muted and vintage colors…

Link Love: It’s Not Too Late for 2026 Reflection posts and goals for 2026 continue to filter in and that's great! There is still time to jump start this new year, to start fresh, to start over or just turn the page and go. There are posts throughout this week's Link Love about starting fresh, starting over or just taking those first steps. So, give yourself some grace if this year has been a rocky start.

Link Love: It’s Not Too Late for 2026

Reflection posts and goals for 2026 continue to filter in and that's great! There is still time to jump start this new year, to start fresh, to start over or just turn the page and go. There are posts throughout this week's Link Love about starting fresh,…

My “Fancy” Non-Fountain Pens Over on Patreon, I talked a bit about shopping my own collection this year rather than buying MORE pens. So, I've been digging around in my cupboards and drawers and finding some gems. I found a whole box of "fancy" non-fountain pens. I've been collecting refillable ballpoint, rollerball and gel pens mostly made out of metal for YEARS. These are pens designed to be upscale alternatives to disposable and plastic pens.

My “Fancy” Non-Fountain Pens

Over on Patreon, I talked a bit about shopping my own collection this year rather than buying MORE pens. So, I've been digging around in my cupboards and drawers and finding some gems. I found a whole box of "fancy" non-fountain pens. I've been collecting refillable…

Video Review: BGM Clear Stamp Record Sheet I wanted to try out the BGM Clear Stamp Record Sheet as a new way to organize information in my planner or journal. The set includes an assortment of tracker-style stamps to track habits or activities. There are also a check box stamp, "to Do" and "Check" words, Monday-Sunday letter stamp and a few common icons like a barbell for exercising, water, book, pill and clock.

Video Review: BGM Clear Stamp Record Sheet

I wanted to try out the BGM Clear Stamp Record Sheet as a new way to organize information in my planner or journal. The set includes an assortment of tracker-style stamps to track habits or activities. There are also a check box stamp, "to Do" and "Check"…

Digital Declutter: Step 4 The Music In my process of Digital Decluttering, the biggest point of concern for me was music. I have always been a music lover. Over the years I've accumulated vinyl, CDs and cassettes, made mix tapes for friends and then fell in love with portable music devices (yes, I even had a Minidisc player!) and finally iTunes. Since the rise of streaming music and curated playlists, I felt like I was spending more time collecting new playlists and songs than I was actually listening to music and that's not on accident.

Digital Declutter: Step 4 The Music

In my process of Digital Decluttering, the biggest point of concern for me was music. I have always been a music lover. Over the years I've accumulated vinyl, CDs and cassettes, made mix tapes for friends and then fell in love with portable music devices (yes, I…

Link Love: Already Prepping for Shows If I'm already preparing for pen and stationery shows for 2026, does that make me a Pen Show Prepper? Just kidding! But I am already being asked and/or invited to participate in a variety of shows so there is lots of planning for travel, hotels, tables, workshops and more. As such, I updated the Pen Show Schedule this week with some new dates and fresh links.

Link Love: Already Prepping for Shows

If I'm already preparing for pen and stationery shows for 2026, does that make me a Pen Show Prepper? Just kidding! But I am already being asked and/or invited to participate in a variety of shows so there is lots of planning for travel, hotels, tables,…

My Planner: A Comforting Lack of Change Review by Tina Koyama For many years, I used to change to a different planner every year. Either the current one wasn’t meeting my needs, or I just got tired of the format, cover or paper and wanted a new view. Several times, I even changed planners mid-year because I couldn’t wait until January. After I retired and had more time to obsess about my stationery needs, I started making my own planner so that it would meet my needs exactly.

My Planner: A Comforting Lack of Change

Review by Tina Koyama For many years, I used to change to a different planner every year. Either the current one wasn’t meeting my needs, or I just got tired of the format, cover or paper and wanted a new view. Several times, I even changed planners mid-year…