Thanks to the folks who shared this little questionnaire. You can read more answers at Rachel’s Reflections, Olive Octopus (who started the chain), Pen Addict, Well Appointed Desk, and Line Variation (whose post I saw first).

One. If you consider the different ways you can engage with pens and stationery—as a user, a collector, a hobbyist, a creator, a maker, a vendor—which roles fit best and what percentage of 100% would you assign to each? Are you happy with the balance?

Probably the hardest split for me here was the hobbyist versus user. User ended squeaking ahead of hobbyist because I would keep writing with my fountain pens even if I left the hobby. I personally own very few pens that aren’t fountain pens these days (I have a trusty ballpoint for writing checks and what not).

My next biggest category would be creator because of this blog. It started out as just a place to chat about stationery and has given me the courage to start being more involved in the in-person community. I appreciate everyone who has come to my workshops or read this little blog in our niche corner of the internet.

Collector is only at 10% because I’ve slowed down significantly in the past few years. Rather than always acquiring, I’ve been trying to go deeper with what I already have. That’s not to say I don’t get new things, but it’s not a big part of how I engage with my collection. Making use of it and organizing it brings me a lot of joy.

As far as maker and vendor go, I am dipping my toes into that world with a focus on ways to connect people to the world through paper, pen, and ink.

Two. What is something you want to understand better or develop more informed opinions about?

I really want to learn more about nib grinding. I have gotten a variety of grinds and I’m fascinated by how every nibmeister does it a little differently. I’ve gotten pretty confident at tuning/smoothing - actually attempting a grind is something I still need to do.

I think I want to start by learning stub grinding, but then maybe get fancier and do my own attempts at grinds like this Imperial by Kirk Speer.

Three. In the pen community, what's something someone has said or done that stuck with you?

Just the sheer friendliness in the hobby is so amazing. I’ve always ended up going to pen shows alone and it’s been wonderful to make pen friends with people from all of the country and world. It’s something that doesn’t exist in every hobby and it just fills my heart every time I have a chance to spend time with pen people.

Four. There are now 25 hours in a day, a bonus hour is available to use however you like as long as pens or stationery are involved—how do you spend your hour?

I would spend more time creating stories. I often struggle with making time for storytelling even when I know I am happier when I dabble in fiction frequently.

Five. In the pen community yearbook, what would your superlative be? (i.e. "Best ______", "Most _______" "Most likely to _______")

Perhaps “Most likely to have a Kaweco pen within reach.”

Six. How do you feel about your handwriting?

I think my handwriting is crazy messy - in cursive and in print. I have learned to embrace both, and I do feel like my cursive has improved quite a bit over the last two years.

Seven. What is something you are proud of doing, achieving, or overcoming?

I am really proud of myself for taking the plunge to share my love of stationery with others. It’s been so awesome to connect with other pen nerds online and in person.

Eight. You're going on a writing retreat anywhere in the world—where would you go, what would you write, and what would you write with?

If the main goal was to spend as much time with pen to paper as possible I think it would be really fun to take a trans-Pacific cruise (with a balcony cabin). When I went on my first cruise in September I loved that there were so many nooks and crannies to hang out in. Combine that with not having to plan meals and having an endless supply of free coffee and tea? Perfect setup. And if I end up in Japan at the other end? Even better.

I really need to figure out a way to fund this trip, haha.

Even though it was a little chilly on the way to Alaska, sitting on the ship balcony and scribbling was so nice.

As far as what I would bring I would have a decent stack of notebooks tucked into my travel journal. These would probably be Hobonichi, Wonderland222, Sterling Ink, or Stalogy notebooks. I would also be carrying my always inked trio (my two liliputs and my sport with a BB ‘journaler’). Ink-wise would probably be black or gray, and a blue. I would also throw in a few fun colors to mix it up now and again.

I would write all kinds of things - stories, journal entries, and long-winded intellectual musings to myself.

Nine. What's a current or favorite creative outlet?

I have been toying with a few mini-zine concepts. I’ve been enjoying the ability to play with ephemera and writing out little articles.

It’s spooky season and I made this spooky quotes junk journal/zine for a local art exhibition. I really need to watch this movie again. And I’m super proud of how this page turned out. If you’re looking for a scary movie and haven’t seen Sinister… definitely check it out, it’s a great horror movie.

Ten. What's something that causes you benign envy—the kind of admiration and desire that leads to inspiration or motivation?

Folks that are connected to pen communities and are able to meet monthly or even weekly. This has inspired me to jump into trying to create and connect people here in Duluth and it’s gaining steam. I think 2026 is going to be a fun year for pen shenanigans.

Eleven. What's a comfort item, material, or color?

My liliput pens in their Rickshaw Bags duo pen sleeve are a constant companion. I really don’t go anywhere without them. As far as colors go, middle of the road royal blues are a great no nonsense color that I like to use when things feel crazy. Inks like Coloverse Office Blue or Amarillo Azul Frida are straight forward and comforting.

Twelve. What would be a dream collaboration, project, or partnership?

I would love to have a collaboration with Kaweco or Colorverse someday.

Currently Inked

I am still in the midst of using up Colorverse Brinicles, Diamine Wilted Rose, and Ferris Wheel Press Madame Mulberry.

Colorverse Sky-tinted Waters (MN ink) - Esterbrook JR Paradise Purple B - I haven’t used this ink in a while and it’s such a pretty delicate blue. It’s part of the USA Collection for Minnesota. Now that Sailor has finally come out with their Minnesota ink, I wanted to revisit Colorverse’s take. I feel like the name should have been the other way around, it’s much more the color of the sky than the lakes themselves… but I suppose a reflection of the sky in a still lake could produce the same effect. The shading of this ink is great.

Anderillium Tolype Moth Warm - Lamy Safari F - I haven’t inked up this pen in ages, but decided to take it with me to a fountain pen workshop I was teaching this past week. The Safari was my first fountain pen. I do need to troubleshoot it though because I had an ink fill dump into the cap and I’m not sure what happened. I want to do that before the Pelikan Hub on Friday. As far as the ink goes, I love this brown. It’s a soft vintage brown and reminds me of old paper. It has shading and can get that kind of “halo” effect (darker on the outside of the lines) on certain papers.

If you are in the Duluth area (or a fountain pen friend from elsewhere in the Northland), I am hosting an open Pelikan Hub at the Duluth Folk School from 6:30 to 8:30 this Friday, Oct. 24!

#12PenPerson Questions

Enjoy Collection 2025: Q3