I especially resonated at 18:26 when you reflected on how pens don’t entice you to write. I’ve hit a wall in my journaling and my fountain pen use has declined despite still loving my pens and enjoying using them. I think I am forcing myself to use ink samples I don’t enjoy but just want to finish and be done with. Great video!
I completely understand that feeling. I have started enjoying #30inks30days because I get to clean out a pen after using an ink for only one day. I get to rediscover so many of my pens, and I'm giving myself permission to let go of an ink sample (donate them if there's enough left) after I've tried it for a day. I encourage you to re-examine and even edit some of the rules you have for your pens and inks, see if they actually affect the amount of joy and fulfillment you get from the hobby. I hope you can get beyond that wall! ❤️
I must say I was waiting for the answer to Qu 6. Blew my mind. I’m actually sad that you have to cull, you have some beautiful pens but I get it. It was good to watch the inserts from 2023 and get a feel for where you were then, compared to today. Plus it was amazing to see how many pens you have that matched your fave shade, like that Diamine Peppermint. You kept bringing them out 😆 Cool 8QP share!
Out of those who disclosed their numbers, yeah, that’s believable 😂 I am shocked every time I hear people’s numbers; I’m always thinking, “wait, that’s all?” 😂
I love your videos. Loved this format comparing last year and now. One thing about you, you are not afraid to go for it. I always hold myself back. Let’s see where 2024 takes us in this hobby. 👍🏽
Congratulations on your anniversary! I am not even ONE month into my fountain pen journey! I only have a handful of inexpensive color inks but can't wait to expand my collection of both inks and pens! May you please tell me about your color sample cards??? Did you make that yourself from journal paper? Loved your video!
Thank you so much! And welcome to the fountain pen hobby. Enjoy the journey, the exploration! I swatch my inks on Col-O-Ring cards. I buy them from JetPens.
I’m doing my first you tube video and I’m so inspired by the number of y’all that got started on the 8 pen question tagline also. Mines is March 25. And it’s like a sign I’ve been thinking of getting the GA ink and your video pushed me to hit the check out button on my cart. Great content.
Thank you for the compliment! Yay, you’re joining in! I can’t wait to watch your first video. And yes, Sailor 50 States Georgia is such a gorgeous ink. It’s fun to swatch on various papers, too!
Another great video! I'm not one for brown inks but we definitely have a similar love for those aqua colors. My Santini is in their 5th Avenue color, which I think would fit in with your pens, even if it's a little more to the green side. (I keep thinking of getting another, one of their faceted series... hmm...) I hope we get to meet up this year at the SF Pen Show!
Thanks for watching, Maria! I admire your Santini every time you feature it. Had to go back and re-watch your January inked pens video just now 😆 I’m planning to get a faceted Santini, but that 5th Avenue is enough to make me buy the one you have AND get a faceted one sometime in the future, too! It would be so great to finally meet you in person.
This is a really fun video! Great to get to know your history with fountain pens ❤ I, too, love my dark nutty murky browns, also swampy greens and warm muted oranges. The amount of knowledge you have about different pens and inks is wild. I've been into the hobby for a couple of years now, but haven't really expanded beyond admiring other's beautiful collections. I can see myself spending waaaaay too much 😅
Happy anniversary on UA-cam! “I’m gonna need a stack for my brown inks” - so relatable! 😅 I’m also a big fan of murky / grungy greens and browns! I love how you described them.
Happy anniversary! So cool that the pen questions last year inspired you to create your channel!!! 😊 It was fun to see snippets from last year and how things have changed since then, my ears perked up when you talked about brown-green-gold inks. :)
Congratulations on your first anniversary on YT 🎉 I’m also a fan of Sailor Shikiori Tokiwa Matsu 😊 I think you would like Robert Oster “Gold Antiqua” which is a green/gold coloured ink and maybe Troublemaker “Kelp Tea”. Thank you for sharing your answers, I really enjoyed this.
Gold Antiqua looks charming, especially on cream paper. I have a full bottle of Troublemaker Kelp Tea, and I love it! Great ink recommendations, thank you! And I’m glad you enjoyed the video 😃
Your Vertex has so many pretty colors. You’ll definitely have to add that FC 45 VanNess pen. Interesting to see the 2023 flashbacks and hear the difference in audio fidelity. The nib split views were clever, I wanted to watch those a bit longer! You’ve done a great job presenting and it was fun to learn more.
What i did with a bunch if my ink samples is to create what i call an "infinity bottle" of a particular color. An Infinity Bottle is usually associated with whiskey where people pour the last bit of their various whiskey bottles into one, therefore changing the taste and mix over time. I did that with a bunch of purple ink samples in an empty large ink bottle and its turned out really nice so far!
I really liked your video and I appreciated seeing the larger numbers of pens and inks in your collection (since mine is too :-) I know I should want to "cull my collection" too (since all of the #8 pen questions videos I have seen- people want to limit and minimize the number of pens), but....I'm not feeling that yet- Maybe my hoarding isn't healthy...lol.... But I truly respect your journey and the journey of others. Thank you for sharing. I enjoy your videos!!
Thanks for watching! I don't think one needs to cull their collection just based on an arbitrary number. I want to be where you are, not trying to limit my collection numerically, but only possessing pens that I truly love.
Fun video! This whole series is. I wish I had the courage to post videos on UA-cam. Heck, I don’t even post on instagram. Weird random question. What is the name of the beautiful paint color on the wall behind you?
That was awesome! Thank you for sharing your answers and your beautiful swatches and pens. I think I will journal out my answers. It will give me some good guidance for where to go next on my fountain pen journey-plus another reason to use a fountain pen to write!
Thank you for watching! I love finding opportunities to write with fountain pens. Reflecting on my answers has definitely helped guide me in the future, highly recommended!
I wrote out the questions and my answers in a journal! I'm really glad I did. It took me 3 pages, so I won't copy it here. I definitely feel a lot clearer about where I want to go on my journey, and I'm enjoying my pens and inks more. Excellent! @@lifeinspiresdesign
I loved this! I actually started writing out the questions on cards for myself like queue cards but I love that you showed them. May I copy you? That's the benefit of having my date be late in the month. I get the benefit of seeing everyone's great ideas! Also, I love that you have a Karas Vertex! I do too and I really like it. I got mine on goodwill online, believe it or not!
Most excellent video. I like the way you included last years parts, and it makes me want to revisit your last years to match it up. I too feel more inclined, well I feel like writing more, anything even if there nothing when I have superior nibs inked up. I too have to sell off some pens, but I have a hard time letting go. And I just learned, well didn't actually learn, but regained how my Sailors write recently. A couple of weeks ago I wasn't enjoying them. I have made the decision I am only buying OMAS now so that's it folks,
I have a Santini Italia with the "superflexy" nib. I love it. It's pretty flexible, so if you're not used to that you might find it a little difficult to control, at least at first. He makes other nibs too. The quality of the pen is very high, especially for the price. If you're not in the EU, the import duties will add to the cost, of course. If you'd like to know anything else about my experience with the pen, just ask.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Santini Italia! I'm interested in one with a non-flex cursive italic nib, and your comment makes me feel more sure of that decision. I love bounce in my nibs, but I'd have to be in a specific mood in order to really enjoy a flex or super flex nib.
@@lifeinspiresdesign In that case, I think any of his nibs will give you an excellent writing experience. And being able to choose from so many materials and trims is nice. Overall, an outstanding pen, and one of favourites.
I am wondering which style Omas Paragon is your Grail, the old/vintage style Paragon, which is a small-medium size pen with a celluloid grip section, or the new style Paragon which is a larger size pen (like the Milord that you showed in your photo) with a metal grip section? I am an Omas collector, so if you have any questions I might be able to help. Thanks for the video!
Thank you for commenting! I thought I've seen multiple versions of this pen LOL! I am drawn more strongly to the smaller Paragon with the celluloid grip section. I tend to shy away from metal sections nowadays, and the smaller version is probably just right for my hand - as long as it's larger than a Sailor PGS. I'll be more diligent in my online perusals now, since I've just learned that there are two different versions of this celluloid pen!
@@lifeinspiresdesign Some years before OMAS ceased production, they redesigned some of their pens, and brought back some older names from around the 50s. What was known as the Paragon (14 cm) became the Milord, and new Paragon became the Grand Paragon (15cm - and thicker) with the metal section.
I had to record something last year because my answers were floating in my head for too long. It’s crazy that reflecting on your journey can affect your future so immensely. Are you participating this year? I’d love to hear your answers.
Culling a collection is soooooo hard but needed. I resist even looking at where and how to sell. Mostly because I only have about 20ish viable pens 😅 The rest are cheap and flimsy. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Okay I congratulated you and left our appreciation for your sharing and your content. But my previous comment somehow is nowhere herein. Hmmm... anyway, I further inquired, where were you able to acquire ina-ho... that is my unicorn. Would love to try some.
Thank you so much! I found Ina-ho on AliExpress. It was available, then sold out, then available again for a little while. I’d recommend scoping out various shops on there that sell Iroshizuku inks - and exercising patience through the process. I hope you’re able to find it!
I especially resonated at 18:26 when you reflected on how pens don’t entice you to write. I’ve hit a wall in my journaling and my fountain pen use has declined despite still loving my pens and enjoying using them. I think I am forcing myself to use ink samples I don’t enjoy but just want to finish and be done with. Great video!
I completely understand that feeling. I have started enjoying #30inks30days because I get to clean out a pen after using an ink for only one day. I get to rediscover so many of my pens, and I'm giving myself permission to let go of an ink sample (donate them if there's enough left) after I've tried it for a day. I encourage you to re-examine and even edit some of the rules you have for your pens and inks, see if they actually affect the amount of joy and fulfillment you get from the hobby. I hope you can get beyond that wall! ❤️
I've been so looking forward to your video!! Yay!
Yay! Thank you!
I must say I was waiting for the answer to Qu 6. Blew my mind. I’m actually sad that you have to cull, you have some beautiful pens but I get it. It was good to watch the inserts from 2023 and get a feel for where you were then, compared to today. Plus it was amazing to see how many pens you have that matched your fave shade, like that Diamine Peppermint. You kept bringing them out 😆 Cool 8QP share!
Omg! I just got my FIRST Lamy pen from Goulet TODAY! It's the violet blackberry!
Congratulations on the new pen! I bought one, too and it’s so lovely.
I think of all the people that i have watched I think you have the highest number of pens and inks! Just amazing.
Out of those who disclosed their numbers, yeah, that’s believable 😂 I am shocked every time I hear people’s numbers; I’m always thinking, “wait, that’s all?” 😂
I'm all for the muted browns and greens. Happy Anniversary!!
Thank you so much!
What an *INCREDIBLE* overview of your journey and Happy Anniversary!!! I just realized that I *never* use brown ink! 😳 That needs to be changed!
Thank you so much! Yesss try ALL the brown inks! 😆
Happy Anniversary!!!! Thank you for sharing 🫶 really enjoyed listening to your answers and your fountain pen journey. Keep it up 🔥🔥🔥
Thanks so much, Kay! 😊
I love your videos. Loved this format comparing last year and now. One thing about you, you are not afraid to go for it. I always hold myself back. Let’s see where 2024 takes us in this hobby. 👍🏽
Thank you so much for watching! It's 2024, be bold! Let's gooo! 😄
Congratulations on your anniversary! I am not even ONE month into my fountain pen journey! I only have a handful of inexpensive color inks but can't wait to expand my collection of both inks and pens! May you please tell me about your color sample cards??? Did you make that yourself from journal paper? Loved your video!
Thank you so much! And welcome to the fountain pen hobby. Enjoy the journey, the exploration! I swatch my inks on Col-O-Ring cards. I buy them from JetPens.
I’m doing my first you tube video and I’m so inspired by the number of y’all that got started on the 8 pen question tagline also. Mines is March 25. And it’s like a sign I’ve been thinking of getting the GA ink and your video pushed me to hit the check out button on my cart. Great content.
Thank you for the compliment! Yay, you’re joining in! I can’t wait to watch your first video. And yes, Sailor 50 States Georgia is such a gorgeous ink. It’s fun to swatch on various papers, too!
Another great video! I'm not one for brown inks but we definitely have a similar love for those aqua colors. My Santini is in their 5th Avenue color, which I think would fit in with your pens, even if it's a little more to the green side. (I keep thinking of getting another, one of their faceted series... hmm...) I hope we get to meet up this year at the SF Pen Show!
Thanks for watching, Maria! I admire your Santini every time you feature it. Had to go back and re-watch your January inked pens video just now 😆 I’m planning to get a faceted Santini, but that 5th Avenue is enough to make me buy the one you have AND get a faceted one sometime in the future, too! It would be so great to finally meet you in person.
Forgot to mention, Edelweiss is also on my list because of your videos 😆
This is a really fun video! Great to get to know your history with fountain pens ❤ I, too, love my dark nutty murky browns, also swampy greens and warm muted oranges.
The amount of knowledge you have about different pens and inks is wild. I've been into the hobby for a couple of years now, but haven't really expanded beyond admiring other's beautiful collections. I can see myself spending waaaaay too much 😅
Thanks so much! 😊 Yes, if you're not careful, this hobby can lead you down a verrrrry slippery slope.
Happy anniversary on UA-cam! “I’m gonna need a stack for my brown inks” - so relatable! 😅 I’m also a big fan of murky / grungy greens and browns! I love how you described them.
Yes! Thank you!
Happy anniversary! So cool that the pen questions last year inspired you to create your channel!!! 😊 It was fun to see snippets from last year and how things have changed since then, my ears perked up when you talked about brown-green-gold inks. :)
LOL brown-green-gold inks are awesome! Thank you so much for watching! I enjoy your content immensely; you inspire so many of us through your videos.
you're a pleasure to watch & listen to. Excellent video 👍
Many thanks!
Congratulations on your first anniversary on YT 🎉 I’m also a fan of Sailor Shikiori Tokiwa Matsu 😊 I think you would like Robert Oster “Gold Antiqua” which is a green/gold coloured ink and maybe Troublemaker “Kelp Tea”. Thank you for sharing your answers, I really enjoyed this.
Gold Antiqua looks charming, especially on cream paper. I have a full bottle of Troublemaker Kelp Tea, and I love it! Great ink recommendations, thank you! And I’m glad you enjoyed the video 😃
Your Vertex has so many pretty colors. You’ll definitely have to add that FC 45 VanNess pen. Interesting to see the 2023 flashbacks and hear the difference in audio fidelity. The nib split views were clever, I wanted to watch those a bit longer! You’ve done a great job presenting and it was fun to learn more.
Thank you so much! Yes, that Vanness color is sooo beautiful.
I love your input on all things pens and inks, thank you for another fun video! 🌸🖋 Dag
You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Awesome presentation. Happy Anniversary..!! ❤
Thank you so much 🙂❤️
Wonderful video Kristen! I loved your format and enjoyed hearing your updates. And the bloopers are so fun! Thank you so much for sharing! 🤘🏼😸🧡🖋
LOL Thank you so much for watching!
Great video! I loved hearing more about your fountain pen journey💜
Thank you so much!
This was a great way to do this video, having your previous answers!
Thank you so much!
Great video, I like how you answered the Pen Questions. Subscribed !
Awesome! Thank you!
What i did with a bunch if my ink samples is to create what i call an "infinity bottle" of a particular color. An Infinity Bottle is usually associated with whiskey where people pour the last bit of their various whiskey bottles into one, therefore changing the taste and mix over time. I did that with a bunch of purple ink samples in an empty large ink bottle and its turned out really nice so far!
Oh, nice! I bet it's a beautiful shade of purple!
thanks Kristen, this was fun
I really liked your video and I appreciated seeing the larger numbers of pens and inks in your collection (since mine is too :-) I know I should want to "cull my collection" too (since all of the #8 pen questions videos I have seen- people want to limit and minimize the number of pens), but....I'm not feeling that yet- Maybe my hoarding isn't healthy...lol.... But I truly respect your journey and the journey of others. Thank you for sharing. I enjoy your videos!!
Thanks for watching! I don't think one needs to cull their collection just based on an arbitrary number. I want to be where you are, not trying to limit my collection numerically, but only possessing pens that I truly love.
Fun video! This whole series is. I wish I had the courage to post videos on UA-cam. Heck, I don’t even post on instagram.
Weird random question. What is the name of the beautiful paint color on the wall behind you?
That was awesome! Thank you for sharing your answers and your beautiful swatches and pens. I think I will journal out my answers. It will give me some good guidance for where to go next on my fountain pen journey-plus another reason to use a fountain pen to write!
Thank you for watching! I love finding opportunities to write with fountain pens. Reflecting on my answers has definitely helped guide me in the future, highly recommended!
I wrote out the questions and my answers in a journal! I'm really glad I did. It took me 3 pages, so I won't copy it here. I definitely feel a lot clearer about where I want to go on my journey, and I'm enjoying my pens and inks more. Excellent! @@lifeinspiresdesign
@@ProofByConundrum awesome! So glad that was helpful for you!
I loved this! I actually started writing out the questions on cards for myself like queue cards but I love that you showed them. May I copy you? That's the benefit of having my date be late in the month. I get the benefit of seeing everyone's great ideas!
Also, I love that you have a Karas Vertex! I do too and I really like it. I got mine on goodwill online, believe it or not!
Absolutely! Feel free to take inspiration! I look forward to seeing yours! Yes, the Vertex really is a nice pen. What?!? Goodwill?!? 😱
Most excellent video. I like the way you included last years parts, and it makes me want to revisit your last years to match it up. I too feel more inclined, well I feel like writing more, anything even if there nothing when I have superior nibs inked up. I too have to sell off some pens, but I have a hard time letting go. And I just learned, well didn't actually learn, but regained how my Sailors write recently. A couple of weeks ago I wasn't enjoying them.
I have made the decision I am only buying OMAS now so that's it folks,
Thanks for watching! I'm going through the process of letting go of some pens, and it actually feels good each time I do.
I have a Santini Italia with the "superflexy" nib. I love it. It's pretty flexible, so if you're not used to that you might find it a little difficult to control, at least at first. He makes other nibs too. The quality of the pen is very high, especially for the price. If you're not in the EU, the import duties will add to the cost, of course. If you'd like to know anything else about my experience with the pen, just ask.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Santini Italia! I'm interested in one with a non-flex cursive italic nib, and your comment makes me feel more sure of that decision. I love bounce in my nibs, but I'd have to be in a specific mood in order to really enjoy a flex or super flex nib.
@@lifeinspiresdesign In that case, I think any of his nibs will give you an excellent writing experience. And being able to choose from so many materials and trims is nice. Overall, an outstanding pen, and one of favourites.
@@amydebuitleir awesome, thank you!
I am wondering which style Omas Paragon is your Grail, the old/vintage style Paragon, which is a small-medium size pen with a celluloid grip section, or the new style Paragon which is a larger size pen (like the Milord that you showed in your photo) with a metal grip section? I am an Omas collector, so if you have any questions I might be able to help. Thanks for the video!
Thank you for commenting! I thought I've seen multiple versions of this pen LOL! I am drawn more strongly to the smaller Paragon with the celluloid grip section. I tend to shy away from metal sections nowadays, and the smaller version is probably just right for my hand - as long as it's larger than a Sailor PGS. I'll be more diligent in my online perusals now, since I've just learned that there are two different versions of this celluloid pen!
@@lifeinspiresdesign Some years before OMAS ceased production, they redesigned some of their pens, and brought back some older names from around the 50s. What was known as the Paragon (14 cm) became the Milord, and new Paragon became the Grand Paragon (15cm - and thicker) with the metal section.
I regret not participating in this last year
I had to record something last year because my answers were floating in my head for too long. It’s crazy that reflecting on your journey can affect your future so immensely. Are you participating this year? I’d love to hear your answers.
Culling a collection is soooooo hard but needed. I resist even looking at where and how to sell. Mostly because I only have about 20ish viable pens 😅 The rest are cheap and flimsy. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
LOL yes, it is so difficult! I wish you the best in your own pen culling!
Okay I congratulated you and left our appreciation for your sharing and your content. But my previous comment somehow is nowhere herein. Hmmm... anyway, I further inquired, where were you able to acquire ina-ho... that is my unicorn. Would love to try some.
Thank you so much! I found Ina-ho on AliExpress. It was available, then sold out, then available again for a little while. I’d recommend scoping out various shops on there that sell Iroshizuku inks - and exercising patience through the process. I hope you’re able to find it!
We are penoblese, IG.