Emotional support stationery, friendship edition
Last week, Dime Novel Raven published an excellent blog post about Emotional Support Inks, with an exploration of inks KC ends up using again and again. I absolutely loved this post, and so I began to think about my own list of emotional support inks to share. Reviewing my currently inked revealed that in September, I’ve leaned heavily into inks and ink samples given to me by friends.
Swatching some of the ink samples I received from Nicole (@aerognome)
It’s been a rough month in the world, for me personally, and in the stationery community. For about two weeks now, the stationery world has been discussing the revelation that the Goulets, owners of a popular online stationery store, have helped co-found a church which equates being gay with murder. There is a lot more to say about this - I have reviewed the evidence posted on r/fountainpens (it has since been erased), and I also read transcripts of the podcast where these sentiments are expressed. Brad Dowdy and Myke Hurley discussed this thoroughly on their podcast The Pen Addict #633: Everyone Send Myke Stuff. The podcast is great, but as a heads up, it does not have a transcript. Goulet discussion starts at around 23:59 and concludes at around 45:20ish. Thank you, Brad and Myke.
Needless to say, the LGBTQIA+ members of the stationery community have been hurting. This period has been very challenging for so many of us, stationery is where we look for an escape, and it’s been hurtful and beyond exhausting to see endless discussions of whether or not it’s ok for stationery store owners to send out newsletters in support of a church that holds dehumanizing views of our community.
But I also have to say that it’s been beautiful to see the stationery community rally and organize support in so many ways - by speaking out, checking in, and also by exhanging stationery :) I have been beyond grateful to receive some inky and general stationery goodness from pen friends, and it’s done wonders for my spirit. I know some more packages are on the way :) The care truly made writing special.
Diamine Maple Leaf in Leonardo Momento Zero Fioritura Viola. A lovely autumnal shimmer I received from Nicole (@aerognome) - it has a gorgeous autumnal moodiness to it, a wonderful flow, and a rich golden glow. I love it.
Some of the samples I received from Nicole. Thank you!
Montblanc Moctezuma in my Aurora Internazionale Arancio - a bold and happy combination. I fell in love with this ink, which was a sample I received from @evensupposing before the whole Goulet thing broke. I told some of my friends how much I loved the ink, and on my birthday I received a package with Moctezuma in it (another Montblanc ink is on its way). Thank you to Josh, Leah, Rodolfo, and Robert for this one <3
Aurora Internazionale with MB Moctezuma ink and new Menagerie bird friend
Oblation Sitka Spruce in Onoto Magna Scholar - I love this ink so much, received it from Jessica (@bezhouse), also before the Goulet controversy. It has just run out, and I’m going to reink it with another Papier Plume LE I received from Nicole.
Onoto Magna Keats with Oblation Sitka Spruce
Montblanc 80 days Brown (=gray) in Montegrappa Miya 450 in yellow celluloid. This ink is a part of my permanent ink library, but the nib is a cool Bock titanium on loan from my friend Rodolfo. It sits in a Ti Monty Winnfield housing adaptor which converts Bock nib units to fit Jowo pens. It’s been making me happy.
Montegrappa Miya 450 with a titanium nib, and Montblanc 80 days brown ink (it's grey)
A close-up of the Ti Bock nib.
Herbin Turquoise de Perse - I inked it in the Leonardo Momento Magico Bohemian Twilight. The ink was a birthday gift to myself — I think that counts. And the new menagerie bear is a birthday gift from my friend Shweta. The gorgeous turquoise with gold shimmer is a match with flashes of turquoise in the pen.
Herbin Turquoise de Perse with a new bear friend.
Bonus: the Conid Tiger went on a small trip to my friend Robert (@ink_farts) for a much needed nib adjustment. It is waiting to be inked with another gift ink, which is still in transit.
All together now :)
This past few weeks, my emotional support stationery has been reminding me of the power of community and the importance of care. I hope this post restores a tiny bit of the joy we lost with the controversy.