notebookism

Found (by James) : Pocket pencils

Elegant and functional pencils at Found by James, an elegantly curated site of gadgets and curiosities from around the world.

"The area surrounding Arnold Circus, East London, is one of my favourite places in the city. Walking around this industrial neighbourhood - that not so long ago was completely written off, but has risen from the ashes as a breeding ground for creativity - really lifts my spirit....It was here that I met Mr. Alex Hulme. A gentleman with an open mind, with whom I seemed to share a sense of aesthetic. This became even more evident when I had to leave and he grabbed his pencil from his chest pocket to exchange details. A beautiful piece of functional design that he himself had created...."

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Featured site: Paperwink

Elegant return addresses and other rubber stamp goodies at Paperwink. Everyone's tastes varies but an accent here and there always enlivens a journal. Rubber stamps are a convenient way to add those to a blank page if you're not too artistically gifted.

LINK (via parcel post)

Micro journaling - analog Twitting?

An interesting suggestion at Creativity Prompt about micro journaling for those "who likes to record everyday life but feels overwhelmed about it.."

Or you could get one of those Japanese, accordion-type notebooks to collect the flotsam and jetsam of everyday life.

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Book/Inspiration: Making "Tree of Codes" by Jonathan Safran Foer

Printers said Jonathan Safran Foer’s “Unmakeable” Book “could not be made.” Belgian publishing house Die Keure proved them wrong. Jonathan Safran Foer’s book is an interactive paper-sculpture: Foer and his collaborators at Die Keure in Belgium took the pages of another book, Bruno Schulz’s The Street of Crocodiles, and literally carved a brand new story out of them using a die-cut technique.

How Twitter made handwriting cool

The report of handwriting's imminent demise is exaggerated. 

"Wohlgefühl: it’s one of those enigmatic words the German language excels in constructing. It can mean ‘wellbeing’ or ‘good feeling’, but it is the word Meike Wander, owner of Berlin’s RSVP stationery shop, uses to describe the timelessly simple delight of handwriting: of pen in hand, ink on paper and skin on surface as thoughts and images transfer from the imaginative to the material..."

A Telegraph article on the resurgence of journaling and all things writerly. Rejoice!

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Transit Issue Nomad Journal

Apolis Global Citizen Transit Issue Nomad Journal - Waterproof pages in a notebook for the traveler and perennial outdoor note-taker. Looks sleek and serviceable. Anybody tried these yet?

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Black n' Red notebooks ad campaign in Edinburgh

Reader Kenny H. (who made it clear he's a Moleskine user and has no connection with R n' B) sent an email alerting us to this advert campaign in Scotland:

"  I was surprised to see a large billboard advert for Red n Black notebooks in Edinburgh, were I work. It was intriguing that a notebook brand would go for mainstream advert campaign such as this, with bill posters, taxi adverts, and free handouts (as I later found out). The adverts focus on comparing the notebook with a digital notebook and extolls the "wireless", and "endless battery life" features of the product...."

LINK

Survey: "What's Your Favorite Notebook?"

Our favorite stop, Lifehacker asks: "What's Your Favorite Notebook?"

"We want to hear about your favorite notebook no matter how the size or price. Sound off in the comments with your favorite notebook—including a link for other readers to shop for it would be most helpful—and what makes it your favorite. The quality of the paper? The perfect pocket-size of the pages? The price? Whatever makes your notebook your go-to place for analog notes we want to hear about it...."

Let your voice be heard ...and preferences be known!

Video: "How To Make A Stitched Notebook"

How to make a simple notebook for those into DIY, from Creativity Prompt. Step by step instructions are here.

Rock Paper Scissors

Rock Paper Scissors is a quaint stationery shop in Charlottesville, VA started by Amy Garder in '02. Now at a larger location, they now offer a range of  carefully-chosen items.

"Our sincere belief in clean outstanding design, fashionably organized desks and artisan printing methods for all personal correspondence keeps us growing into the future."

LINK (via Doane Paper)

Thanks to the following for linking to us:

Pen Addict, An Open Sketchbook, The Tools  Artists Use, Field Notes