The DWRDNET Stationery Feed

In this episode I am joined by pen maker and artist Matthew Martin who talks about how he got into making his machined pens. Matthew talks about how a side project of helping his dad with some knife making ended up becoming his full time job of making bespoke metal pens. Matthew talks about how he explored different anodization techniques, and how that moved into using anodized titanium as a form of artistic expression.Show Linkshttps://www.matthewmartinmakes.comhttps://www.instagram.com/matthewmartinmakes/https://www.anodizedart.comhttps://www.instagram.com/anodizedart/https://www.anodizedart.com/galleryhttps://artandlightgallery.com/artist/matthew-c-martinFind Matthew at the Dallas Pen Show or the Empire Pen Show for 2026 and follow his website for 2027 details.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Matthew Martin's background02:13 Starting in machining and transition to pen making04:03 Materials used: Titanium, zirconium, Mokume Gane07:02 Design philosophy behind OG1 and OG2 models11:58 Finishing techniques: Anodizing, flame finishing, stratified coloration20:01 The artistic evolution: From simple finishes to depictive art34:07 The role of art in modern pen making and future projects44:02 How to follow Matthew Martin and upcoming releases

On this episode I get to welcome writer Michelle Geffken to talk about her work in the analog space. She is the creator of the paperblogging.com website, and is a big proponent of embracing the analog tools and mindset when it comes to writing and creativity. Be it sketching, typewriters, or fountain pens, Michelle talks about how all of these come into play in her work.Show Linkshttps://www.paperblogging.comhttps://www.thepapermouse.comhttps://juliacameronlive.com/book/the-artists-way-a-spiritual-path-to-higher-creativity/https://spitalfieldslife.comhttps://www.momentumdash.comhttps://creativefuel.substack.comhttps://www.paperblogging.com/current-giveawayhttps://arboretum.harvard.eduhttps://arboretum.harvard.edu/arnoldia/https://www.paperblogging.com/stories/barter-and-banter-a-conversation-about-analog-tools-with-derek-deweese

In this episode, Kirk Speer of PenRealm shares his journey into the world of fountain pens, nib grinding, and custom engraving. Kirk talks about opening up his new physical location, and goes through a great overview of how a nib appointment works at a pen show. Discover Kirk's insights on choosing inks, the art of nib tuning, and building a community around stationery hobbies.Show Linkshttps://www.penrealm.comhttps://www.instagram.com/penrealm/https://penrealm.com/search?q=olight&_pos=1&_psq=olight&_ss=e&_v=1.0Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Nib Wolf01:25 The Journey into Fountain Pens03:39 Ink Choices and Preferences07:31 Paper and Writing Experience09:41 Vintage Pens and Ink Safety11:18 Favorite Stationery Items12:45 Nib Grinding and Customization18:58 Transitioning to a Business20:30 Establishing a Physical Store20:57 From Garage to Storefront: The Growth of Pen Realm22:52 Engraving and Customization: Enhancing the Nib Experience28:25 Navigating the Nib World: Understanding Options and Choices39:30 Community and Collaboration: The Future of Pen Realm

In this episode we explore the world of typewriters with Richard Polt, author of The Typewriter Revolution, as he shares insights on collecting, using, and reviving this timeless technology. Learn about the history of the Typewriter Manifesto, how both of his books came to be, as well as the cultural significance of typewriters in the digital age. Richard also discusses an upcoming typewriter sale as well as an in person swap meet in Cincinnati.Details about the Typewriter Sale and Swap Meethttp://writingball.blogspot.com/2026/04/preview-of-my-typewriter-sale.htmlShow Linkshttps://www.typewriterrevolution.comhttps://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/index.htmlhttps://loosedogpress.blogspot.comhttps://www.wordplaycincy.org

Join me for in an in-depth conversation with Rob Sanchez of Rob's Penworks, exploring the art of pen making, Japanese stationery, and the intersection of craftsmanship and creativity. Discover Rob's journey, favorite tools, and tips for aspiring artisans. Learn about how Rob has branched out into other specialty items like custom pencils or x-acto holders and a bonus clip of the best rarely talked about paper to be found in bulk.Show Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/robspenworks/https://www.instagram.com/papajstudio/https://www.instagram.com/hooligan_georgia/https://www.instagram.com/hakata.kawabun/https://maps.app.goo.gl/p2H2ie2LQhrFLHwF7?g_st=icChapters00:00 Introduction to the Pen Making Journey06:04 The Allure of Japanese Stationery12:05 Essential Stationery Tools and Accessories17:48 The Art of Casting and Creating Blanks23:44 Collaboration and Community in Pen Making29:56 From Lathe to Multi-Use Tools38:31 Balancing Day Job and Passion Projects43:38 Discovering Unique Stationery in Japan50:08 Navigating the World of Pen Shows

In this episode, Addy from Stationery Stack shares how the company came to be by wanting to solve some problems she faced when it came to her use of stationery. She goes into how she went from no woodworking experience to a product launch in a very short time and how she got the ideas for her various products. We go into how she sells, pen show schedules, as well as some sneak peaks at some soon to be released new products and options that she will be able to offer through her website in terms of customization and shipping.Show LinksUnboxing The Pen Tray I Didn’t Know I Needed: Stationery Stack Alfie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM63JVDiXUQ&t=1s&pp=ygUVQWxmaWUgUGVuIFRyYXkgcmV2aWV3Pen Addict Unboxing Alfie Pen Tray https://youtu.be/QDhmUT-GDVI?t=5734A Gathering of Curiosities - Alfie Tray Review https://www.gatheringofcuriosities.com/blog/the-pleasure-of-craftsmanship-the-alfie-trayPen Addict Stationery Stack Pen Tray Review https://www.penaddict.com/blog/2025/8/1/stationery-stack-pen-tray-reviewPen Addict Unboxing the Zoila from Stationery Stackhttps://youtu.be/NLxrbWC-YJU?t=3730https://stationerystack.com/https://www.instagram.com/stationerystackhttps://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@StationeryStack⁩ https://www.tiktok.com/@stationerystackChapters00:00 Introduction to Stationery Stack and Guest Background05:02 Exploring Fountain Pens and Inks07:16 Exploring Writing Tools: Notebooks and Pens09:28 The Role of Stationery in Daily Life12:15 The Birth of Stationary Stack: From Hobby to Business15:00 Product Development: Solving Problems with Design18:07 Naming and Inspiration Behind Stationary Stack Products20:49 Future Products and Innovations in Stationery26:55 Creative Storage Solutions for Stationery27:25 Remixing Existing Products for Customization31:34 Innovative Designs in Woodworking36:33 The Importance of Visibility in Stationery37:25 Expanding Presence at Pen Shows38:46 Batch Production and Customer Engagement42:17 Future Plans: Personalization and International Shipping

In this first episode of season 2, Derek DeWeese speaks with Nick Dominguez about his experiences in the stationery world, particularly focusing on his trips to Japan where he discovered exclusive stationery items. They discuss the evolution of Nick's stationery hobby, travel tips for enthusiasts, preferences in inks and paper, and his collaboration with the Gentleman Stationer. The conversation also delves into the excitement of shopping in Japan, the importance of store exclusives, and the emerging trend of Sailor's steel nibs.Show Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/nicolaudominguez/https://www.instagram.com/gentlemanstationer/https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/curated-desk-and-reading?category=Rickshaw+Bagworkshttps://www.rickshawbags.comTakeawaysNick's journey into stationery began in 2020.Traveling to Japan is a must for stationery enthusiasts.Having a loose itinerary allows for spontaneous discoveries.Nagasawa is a top stationery store in Japan.Store exclusives serve as great souvenirs.Sailor's steel nibs are impressively smooth.Rickshaw bags are highly regarded for their quality.Inks can be overwhelming; focus on exclusives helps.Traveling with family can balance stationery shopping with cultural experiences.The Fillmore model is a favorite among many stationery lovers.

In this engaging conversation, Azizah of Gourmet Pens shares her journey in the stationery world, discussing her extensive experience with fountain pens, inks, and papers. She highlights her passion for creating inky messes and her love for collaboration with various pen makers. Azizah also reflects on the impact of social media on the pen community, the importance of fostering connections, and her ongoing projects, including classes and upcoming collaborations. The discussion emphasizes the joy of using stationery and the supportive nature of the pen community.Show Linkshttp://www.gourmetpens.comhttps://gourmetpensshop.comhttps://www.gourmetpensclub.comhttps://www.instagram.com/gourmetpens/https://www.youtube.com/gourmetpenshttps://www.patreon.com/gourmetpenshttps://penworld.comhttps://gourmetpensshop.com/products/dc-pen-show-2025-casual-broad-edge-calligraphyhttps://gourmetpensshop.com/products/dc-pen-show-2025-inky-messesTakeawaysAzizah is known for her inky messes and passion for fountain pens.She has between 80 to 120 pens inked at any given time.Eyedroppering pens helps keep ink fresh and ready to use.Her favorite pen setup is the Opus 88 with a Pilot Parallel nib.She has a reasonable collection of about 150 inks.Tomoe River paper is her top choice for writing.Azizah encourages people to embrace inky messes and creativity.She values the supportive nature of the pen community.Azizah aims to create a welcoming environment for all stationery enthusiasts.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Azizah and Gourmet Pens01:06 Inked Pens and Creative Process03:37 Favorite Pens and Opus 8808:46 Ink Preferences and Selection15:15 Paper Preferences and Recommendations22:16 Stationery Adjacent Items and Organization23:33 Organizing the Chaos of Fountain Pens26:03 The Allure of Collectible Stationery27:00 The Birth of Gourmet Pens28:59 The Impact of Social Media on Stationery36:56 Collaborations and Creative Journeys46:12 The Supportive Community of Pen Makers48:01 Writing for Pin World Magazine51:49 The Evolution of Podcasting in the Pen Community56:11 Upcoming Collaborations and Classes59:58 Future Plans for Gourmet Pens

In this episode, Logan Merrill from Little Hollow Customs shares his journey into the world of pen making, discussing his creative process, the technology he employs, and the community of makers he engages with. He highlights the importance of functional art, the evolution of his pen designs, and the impact of 3D printing on his work. Logan also shares insights into his future projects and innovations in the pen-making space.Show Linkshttps://littlehollowcustoms.comhttps://www.instagram.com/littlehollowcustoms/https://www.carolinapencompany.com/https://www.instagram.com/mikes_metalworking/https://papajstudio.comTakeawaysLogan Merrill is an outside-of-the-box thinker who enjoys functional art.He started making pens as a challenge after moving and setting up a new workshop.Logan's first fountain pen was made in May 2023, a year after he began with kits.He emphasizes the importance of repeatability in pen design for customer satisfaction.The CNC machine has significantly improved his production capabilities and safety in the workshop.Logan's 3D printing experience predates his pen-making journey and has become a valuable asset.He created a folding pen stand to save space at pen shows, which has gained popularity among other makers.Logan is experimenting with hybrid pens that combine metal and resin for better balance and usability.He is exploring new materials like gem bronze and Shibuichi for his pen designs.Logan's future projects include a rollerball option for his pens, expanding their versatility.

In this episode, Carola, known as FromCarola on social media, shares her journey as a fountain pen enthusiast and artist. She discusses her love for fountain pens, the inks she uses, and her creative process involving watercolor and abstract art. Carola also talks about her transition to live streaming on Twitch, where she engages with a community of fellow stationery lovers. Additionally, she shares her experiences teaching workshops and her aspirations for the future, emphasizing the importance of creativity and community in her life.Show Linkshttps://liliandbella.com/https://www.instagram.com/fromcarola/https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarolahttps://www.twitch.tv/fromcarolahttps://sanfranciscopenshow.com/classes/https://blog.tombowusa.com/author/carola/https://www.tombowusa.com/watercolor-florals-stamp-card-workshop.htmlTakeawaysCarola enjoys sharing her process of using fountain pen inks and watercolor paints.She keeps around 12 to 15 fountain pens inked at a time.Her grail pen is the Pilot Namiki Makie Milky Way fountain pen.Carola experiments with different inks based on her mood and the season.Tomoe River paper is her go-to for writing.She loves using pen rests and trays to display her pens.Carola dove into the fountain pen hobby during the pandemic.She finds joy in teaching others about art and creativity.Twitch allows for real-time interaction with her audience.Carola is open to future opportunities in the stationery community.

In this episode, Derek Deweese interviews Ana from The Well-Appointed Desk, exploring her journey in the stationery world, her passion for fountain pens, inks, and papers, and the evolution of her blog into a thriving business. They discuss the importance of pen shows, the impact of tariffs on stationery products, and the vibrant community surrounding stationery enthusiasts. Ana shares insights into her ink collection, favorite stationery items, and the creative projects she undertakes, including her Patreon community and podcast.Show Linkshttps://www.wellappointeddesk.comhttps://www.wellappointeddesk.com/pen-show-schedule/https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2014/06/epic-refill-guide-rollerball-gel-and-ballpoints/https://wellappointeddesk.bigcartel.com/https://www.patreon.com/c/wellappointeddeskhttps://www.wellappointeddesk.com/?s=ink+destashhttps://youtu.be/R4NG5XDcCXQ?si=W8YnWji6ybekm_nKTakeawaysAna has a passion for fountain pens and stationery.She has streamlined her ink collection from 600 to 100 bottles.The Well-Appointed Desk started as a Tumblr blog.Ana's favorite paper is B6 Stalogy.She emphasizes the importance of supporting Tomoe River paper.Ana's Col-O-Ring project has become a staple in the stationery community.Pen shows are crucial for networking and product launches.The Patreon community offers exclusive content and a book club.Ana's podcast discusses new releases and stationery trends.Future plans include expanding product offerings despite tariff challenges.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ana and The Well-Appointed Desk02:53 Ink and Pen Preferences05:58 The Journey of Ink Collection09:06 Exploring Ink Archiving and Art12:01 The Importance of Paper14:53 Stationery Adjacent Items17:49 The Birth of The Well-Appointed Desk21:01 The Col-O-Ring Revolution23:53 The Evolution of Ink Swatching27:07 The Col-O-Dex and Its Creation32:46 The Birth of Rolodex Cards36:28 The Evolution of Product Offerings41:10 Curating a Unique Product Line47:39 The Role of Pen Shows in Business55:34 Comparing Pen Shows and Stationery Events01:03:30 Engaging the Community through Patreon01:08:31 Future Plans for Well-Appointed Desk

In this episode, Derek Deweese interviews Jaclyn Myers, co-founder of KaleidoCraft Prints, a company specializing in 3D printed stationery products. Jaclyn shares her journey into the stationery hobby, her preferences for pens, inks, and paper, and the excitement of launching her business at the Chicago Pen Show. The conversation highlights the importance of community in the stationery world and the innovative potential of 3D printing to enhance the hobby.Show Linkshttps://www.kaleidocraft.comhttps://www.instagram.com/kaleidocraftprints/https://www.wellappointeddesk.comhttps://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2020/10/alternative-ink-tools-hits-misses/https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/2021/06/rethinking-the-stationery-world-post-pandemic-overcoming-burnout/https://www.wellappointeddesk.com/author/jmyers/TakeawaysJaclyn Myers launched KaleidoCraft, focusing on 3D printed stationery.She has a strong preference for unique nibs and ink combinations.The match between pen and ink is crucial for her writing experience.KaleidoCraft aims to provide affordable and customizable stationery products.The Chicago Pen Show was a successful launch for KaleidoCraft.Jaclyn emphasizes the importance of community in the stationery hobby.She encourages reconnecting with the stationery community after a hiatus.KaleidoCraft plans to donate a portion of profits to charity.The company is exploring the creation of fountain pens and nib holders.Jaclyn's passion for crafting and stationery has been lifelong.

SummaryIn this episode, Derek Deweese interviews Erick Gama, the founder of Amarillo Stationery, discussing his journey in the stationery world, his love for pens and inks, and the unique offerings of his business. They explore topics such as ink preferences, paper choices, the importance of branding, and the experiences at pen shows. Erick shares insights into his mascot, collaborations with other brands, and his future plans for Amarillo Stationery, emphasizing the importance of community and creativity in the stationery hobby.TakeawaysErick Gama is a passionate pen enthusiast and founder of Amarillo Stationery.He prefers inks that shade and interesting colors over standard blacks and blues.Erick's favorite stationery adjacent item is his personalized desk space.The idea for Amarillo Stationery came from a desire to represent Latin American brands in the U.S.His mascot, Mr. Amarillo, was developed to create a recognizable brand identity.Collaboration with Rickshaw Bags has helped promote his brand at pen shows.Erick's experiences at pen shows have been crucial for business growth and community engagement.He aims to expand his product line with more proprietary inks and merchandise.Erick emphasizes the importance of sharing creativity and supporting fellow makers in the stationery community.He is actively seeking to improve packaging and product offerings for better customer experience.https://www.amarillostationery.comhttps://www.instagram.com/amarillostationeryhttps://www.instagram.com/_erickgama_/https://www.youtube.com/@_erickgama_Chapters00:00 Introduction to Erick Gama and Amarillo Stationery02:57 Ink Preferences and Grail Pens05:55 Exploring Ink and Paper Choices08:50 Favorite Stationery Adjacent Items11:53 The Birth of Amarillo Stationery14:59 Mascots and Branding17:58 Rickshaw Collaboration and Visibility20:56 Pen Shows and Business Growth28:38 Traveling with Supplies30:09 Future Growth and Store Collaborations32:42 Creative Packaging and Design34:31 Discovering Latin American Makers36:40 Sharing and Community in Stationery38:48 Personalizing the Stationery Experience41:45 Upcoming Product Collaborations46:04 Identifying Underrepresented Products52:17 Future Plans for Amarillo Stationery