My Diana X Blackwing came in. A very special one for me and my favorite. I imagine her golden arrows as my creative quiver as I design and write my poetry.
I like keeping the ones I used, as gently grinding down the arrows on the pencil into words and art.
The lotr, the non box set one, is so well done. Not the biggest fan, loved the journey element as if embarking on one as you write.
Guess what my favorite Blackwing is? Love the Diana and how it is designed to as a golden arrow. Think of it as a quiver when I design and write. “launching” my arrows of creativity lol
The second image is what I bought a few weeks ago,
was in pencils but posting here too.
I do own a design firm so some of these are gifts. They all have meaning:
• era 2025 - I’m a year of the horse so perfect
• worked in SF
• Wrote a paper on the golden ratio in 7th grade
• the artist and design since I collect art and what I do
I don’t have a problem lol!
Heading out for a few months again, and updated my travel set up. Lots of great inspiration since I posted last time from here, so thanks all! :
• Galean Leather A5 wide
• Notebook: CD Plain or Life Noble plain
Writing/Sketch
• Faber Castel Grendilla Fountain
• Faber Castel Ballpoint Gullloche Sage Green
• Blackwing Diana x Philadelphia Art my fav
• Blackwing pencil covers
• Blackwing sharpener
• Monos dust free eraser
• Nauvhal Year of the horse
• Retro 51- holding time
• Pencil eraser
• Ink Faber Castel
• Lead - Pental Ains
• Penco scissors
• Clip on post it
Stationary:
• Crane butterfly and ballon: I use these to leave notes, and came handy when someone had their phone die and gave them written directions in Munich
• mini bonderwork envelopes from a binder in Bavaria. When people ask for my contact I give them those
• Tall envelope: emergency cash in case and my small book clips
• Origami paper
Extras:
• I clip a small flashlight and a sliver gripper. The later is so handy. Helped someone get a splinter out once
All fits with room to spare!
Hi all!
The Nahvalur Year of the Horse just came in. I wouldn’t say I’m a pen collector. This is only my 3rd one and I use all of mine frequently. Mostly as part of my travels abroad.
It now joins my:
• Faber Castel Grendilla - I love the wood and the nib
• Faber Castel Guilloche- sage green
Now this one in fine nib. I’m also a horse zodiac wise, so added this. The ink I got was one made in Warsaw, I got as a souvenir. It was a higher quality one in gold.
Also, wow fountain pen prices. I haven’t looked since I bought the Grendilla, marp of that is like 250 dollars more. Geez
I’m a designer and was an executive at larger companies and have my own firm now. Love Blackwing mail day. Some to use, some to keep to admire years later. The rarest is the Bauhaus one, really enjoying the modern as well.
I also gift them to the designers at my firm and not collecting for the sake of it. There are usually ones important to my identity:
• I’m a year or the horse so the 2025 eras are great. The horses are hard to see so making a perfect stamped dozen for myself over a few boxes.
• Keith is one of the legends so a must, same with the other art themed ones.
• Used to work in SF; and actually wrote a paper on the golden ratio in design back in Middle School.
Not pictured are the Diana collaboration, which I also love and on the way and a staff favorite.
My first post here so I hope I did it right. It took me a long time to perfect this, gratefully get to travel a lot and this is my set up. I write, do oragami, and sketch so finding a lean way without sacrificing the quality I have it home took some time. Here it is!
Notebook:
I get from a shop in Munich called Carta Puta. They do custom screen printed notebooks there. Paper is not to thin or thick for sketch and writing. If I want something more practical they are the perforated Appointed ones. Perfect balance imo there of paper thickness.
Writing/sketch
- Faber Castel fountain Grenadilla /w deep sea green ink
- Faber Guilloche with retro cartridge, better imo
- Y studio brass - .7 with penal aim stein great weight
- Blackwing soft or balanced depending
- Pen eraser
- Blackwing sharpener that holds really well in the band
Origami
- Japanese chiyogami- for smaller and lighter ones
- Spanish - In Barcelona if you go ramia you can get custom cut paper for thicker work like flowers. Always get a few stacks
- penco scissors great for cuts
The paper goes behind face down behind a cardboard so it doesn’t tear
What do you think a labor of love lol
35M east coast
I’ve had a handful of dates over the years (much more success in Europe than the US) but not a ton of traction on Hinge recently.
Looking for honest feedback on what I can improve. I’m especially interested in:
First photo
Prompt quality
Overall vibe
Whether anything feels off-putting or confusing
I’m also in Spain and Bavaria fairly often and am considering spending more time there, so international perspectives are welcome too.
Blunt is okay! Thanks y’all :)
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Caption are as follows:
Image 1: Paul Guiel Barcelona ‘26
Right after some underground museums, felt like Indiana Jones
Video: Uncle to the best Aussie ever
Music: Me playing landslide Fleetwood Mac
Image 2 - Edinburgh ‘25
Arthur’s Seat - hell of a hike up. So windy I’d thought I’d fly off but the view was worth it
Image 3 - Home
I’m an art collector and gallerist as a passion. This is for a gallery shoot with parts of my collection
Image 4 - Olympia Park ‘26
Love sunsets everywhere: parks, the Agean Sea, the Mediterranean, mountains, all of it
Image 5 - Prien Chimnesse ‘ 26
Beautiful day surrounded by mountains, lakes, good friends, and wonderful food
Image 6
90’s let’s gooo! Probably why I like flowers and gardens so much