Pen Stands, Friendly Competition and Pen Show Planning | Pencast 142

[@Gouletpens]

Oops! We weren't sure about the status of Mike Dudek's pen holders but now we're aware that his shop has since closed, and was not affiliated with The Gentleman Stationer. Sorry for the mix-up!

[@craft-o-matic399]

No Benu pen for me until they bring back the Benu Ambrosia Brown Orchid!!! I must have one!!! Lisa

[@born2bebon]

DREW! You are one of the only people I’ve ever known to share my disdain of Summer. Others think of pool parties, picnics, weddings, and sun! For me, it is a black hole in the middle of the year.

[@JoeyTrejo10]

🙋🏻‍♀ You have another one here... Heat/Really sunny weather and me, we don't get along.

[@cubwidow]

You definitely don’t live in Alaska. Summer is The Season When All Things Get Done. Except for a brief time in October when we look forward to snow, we eagerly await summer. The only time we hate summer is when clouds and rain mess it up…a too-frequent occurrence.

[@schrodingerscat20]

⁠@@cubwidowI’ve lived in Alaska, by summer you mean mosquito season.😂

[@cubwidow]

@@schrodingerscat20correct!

[@born2bebon]

@@cubwidow I went to Alaska last year for the first time. It was magical! Crisp air, fog, and misty rain. Love love loved it.

[@BlinkiesNoGood]

I like to spend the Dorothy-in-Kansas opening moments of the Pencast guessing what color Drew's shirt is, and I'm usually wrong.

[@JewishArtJournaling]

I’ve been looking for a good pen stand for a while and haven’t found anything I liked. Until today. So if you start selling Brian’s wood block stands I’m there! Or find someone else to make them for you. The asymmetrical natural form makes them a stand-out. Thanks for doing this segment.

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

Same here, I love the woodblock look! If Brian ever wanted to gift to a random stranger or two, well, here we are (wink wink). I love my leather pen keepers from - hope it’s okay if I give a shoutout to another company, but DiLoro makes nice ones with your choice(s) in number of slots, plus their individuals for desk and pocket/purse. They have different colors in nice leather, and I can be coordinated with my pens that way. Anyway, they’re nice and they make my journals and notebooks look more pulled together. But the wood blocks speak my language too, and how nice they would look on a writing table! Thanks for sharing those, Brian.

[@Hey_its_CeeTee]

I recently spent some time choosing the right pen and ink to write the first letter to my birth mother. We later met in person and it was a memorable once in a lifetime moment. For those who are curious, I used my Homo Sapiens Bronze with Graf von Faber-Castell Carbon black.

[@pk3178]

On the fart joke topic…. My grandpas favorite joke was “ Why do farts smell?” “So deaf people can enjoy them too!”

[@stareenafraser]

Hahahahhaha 😂 I never thought of this, and now I feel I would never forget that's for this 😂😂😂

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

I’d forgotten about that one. Oldie goldie!

[@blondescales1]

I really like the pen holders Brian made. That natural edge on it adds something really cool to the way it looks.

[@supersayre]

I'm with you, Summer is the worst. East coast living is bog living in the summer. October is the best month.

[@907bigdog]

I agree who heartily and that's why I live in Alaska. Beautiful summers, not too hot and not too cool. And, it's very dry=D

[@darkwing_don2391]

@@907bigdog How do you deal with the dark season? That sounds rough...

[@907bigdog]

@@darkwing_don2391 Just need to have plenty of stuff to do. Stay busy and if you like winter sports, you won’t even notice that much.

[@uhoh32]

Loved the clip of Brian playing the Sax! Glad you are enjoying it so mich!

[@norahkmurphy]

Brian, you sound great on the bari sax! Thank you for sharing your saxophone journey and joy with us. It’s wonderful to see and hear your talent, passion and hard work all come together. Keep having fun!

[@MamaTomasu]

At this particular stage in my life (with a young toddler who grabs anything and moves things around the house or hides things she can reach), pen cases make more sense for me to store my pens out of reach of my kids. Maybe later in life when I have my own dedicated hobby space, a pen stand would be lovely to have. Your wood work is great, Brian. Maybe a super cool prize to use as a giveaway for a future major Goulet milestone?

[@creamsiclecat]

Been so stressed, but seeing the pencast come on is just so calming for my nerves

[@MrsAlchemist]

Yay! Pencast 🎉 Unbelievable how long two weeks are without a new pencast

[@debcarroll8192]

I think the "squirrel" pen case looks like a chipmunk--they have stripes like that; perhaps that was the intent. Brian, congratulations on your new baritone sax! I am so happy you finally got it!

[@SnowDragonka]

Chipmunk was exactly what I thought too when they mentioned the stripes. They do have those in Japan, so might just be translation thing...

[@stareenafraser]

I am all for a sushi rice Brian sticker !!! Hahahaha that visual was too funny 😂😂😂

[@michaelnovarese9430]

I just turned 20 and ive been watching the pencast for probably 2 or more years now. i listen to it while i clean my room and do laundry... sometimes i end up doing some shopping too. always excited to hear about all the new stuff

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks for watching, Michael! - Drew

[@penelopewarren3168]

I love the glitter of Diamine Golden Sands but it’s a tad light for some uses. I added just a tiny bit of Diamine Ancient Copper. What I got was a very readable gold.

[@blythetretick7081]

The Arctic Montegrappa looks good in the ice blue Benu holder, like an ice flow. I bought the two together.

[@ksek]

Shannon's tattoo looks SO good!

[@BrichaJulbry]

1:17:10 "The rising tide raises all boats." ❤❤❤ Wisdom indeed! Thanks, Brian, for such an inspiring word.

[@judyjacobs5827]

Quoting the Wisdom dispenser, "Bless yer little pea-pickin' heart."

[@joistevens4454]

I have mixed the same brand ink together to get rid of two almost empty vials. And of course, I think the two combinations would make a good color, however it’s a never-ending cycle like that extra hotdog bun that makes you go buy another pack of hotdogs and it never ends.😂

[@shazzagirl9803]

Oh my Gosh Brian! Your Bari Sax playing is just fantastic. You've really played down your talent. Thanks so much for the concert that was unreal. Yay!

[@puppetaccess]

On the subject of pen holders I'm not a fan of the upright since I suspect it encourages hard starts. I would love to see manufacturers do modern versions of desk-pens.

[@kjmav10135]

I’m commenting way too much. But Brian, work more on diet than on exercise. I lost 70 pounds as a 60-year-old woman, and I didn’t add exercise at all. Now I do exercise, but for other reasons than weight loss. I lost the weight by increasing greens, veggies and healthy fats, cutting refined sugar and high sugar fruits almost completely, and reducing starchy food (breads, pastas, crackery stuff, potatoes, oatmeal) to 1/2 a cup a day. Lost 70 pounds in a year. It’s all about your gut microbiome and how your body recognizes anything starch as sugar meant to be packed on as fat. I did this under a doctor’s supervision, and it works! Exercise helps with metabolism, increases bloodflow, and does all kinds of good stuff, but it’s the diet is the real driver when it comes to how to lose the weight.

[@JoeyTrejo10]

I would want one of those live wood pen stands Brian makes 🤣Very cool!

[@patriciaclark7135]

Yes, I'd buy one of those too!

[@patriciaclark7135]

Brian--Tower of Power?? I grew up in the SF Bay Area where they got started. There's one original member who still performs with the group. I saw them perform last year. So much fun!

[@NoDecaf7]

I get hating summer, I grew up in the Deep South, but since I've moved north of the Mason Dixon, summer is my favorite season. I just sit outside in 85-90 degree heat and bask in the sunlight. If spring is when things grow, summer is when things mature, nature becomes rich and lush. Young birds leave their nests, others seek mates. I saw a family of trash pandas the other day and it just made me so happy, they were headed toward the river. Nature is alive in summer, rain or shine.

[@NoDecaf7]

Oh! The Steve Martin ink thing, there's an article in October 1987's issue of Esquire, featuring Martin on the cover! :)

[@mellow-jello]

For office use, nothing beats a Pilot Vanishing Point for quick note taking, and a Lamy Studio for long form & signatures. In the Canadian winter, I reserve my Conklin Duraphs for the season with a titanium body, both in a rose gold & gunmetal trims, inked with Noodler's Polar Blue.

[@SnowDragonka]

Never before did I feel so close to Drew. Dying in the sun, the life ticking slowly away, that's exactly how I feel. It doesn't matter what I wear, it's just pure torture. Autumn and winter are my seasons. And I also have seasonal pens, that's how I justify having multiples of a single pen (different colours/paintjobs) :D On top of it I do have 4 "categories" I put my pens in and I ink up always one per category at any given time.

[@GingahSnapsArt]

On the topic of ink permanence - another thing is different dyes will have different degrees of permanence. So if you write something in purple ink, the red component will likely fade faster than the blue - so it might appear to "turn blue" over time. You can do lightfast testing (putting swatches in a window for a few months or so) to see how it might fade.

[@ksek]

I've got a BENU pen stand that I love. And I've also got a vintage wooden test tube holder that I use as a pen stand. I love them!

[@MarshaLove0723]

Great Sax segment! For my desk, I have a Penwell Classic in Oak (by Good Made Better). It holds the pen of the day. ❤

[@stampedinhisimage1]

Brian, your sax picture and playing was AWESOME! I had no idea it was going to be so big. I so enjoyed hearing you play!!! You mentioned that you had played the base clarinet; I smiled because in Jr High I played the Clarinet, Base Clarinet and the oboe. I enjoyed playing in the marching band for a while. Those were good days.

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks! I've always gravitated to big/low instruments. Tenor/bari sax, bass and contrabass clarinet, sousaphone, bass guitar...the most fun for me has been the bari sax (and bass guitar I'm just not as good on that!). I remember marching back in the day too, that's a whole other level of musicianship required! -Brian Goulet

[@dmjohnso]

I love pen stands. I like to display my pens and a good pen cup or stand adds some flair to my desk.

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

I love Drew’s shirts! Hey, some idea for fountain pen color patterns, huh? I’d buy, Drew. I would buy. ❤

[@karinamcconell1828]

❤ thank you both for this pencast! ❤ I love it... you playing that saxophone 🎷 is so enjoyable it shows that you really love it. 😊

[@halfsourlizard9319]

Total Recall is the best. 'Two weeks ... TWO WEEKS!!!!!!'

[@schrodingerscat20]

First-time commentator here. I fell down the fountain pen rabbit hole a few months ago, how might be a little odd, okay maybe more than a bit, but that is a story for another time. I discovered your channel and have watched most of the Pencasts. I started with a couple of Twsbi 580s (including Iceberg blue) then two Lamy ALs (one was Aquatic), jumped to a Pilot Custom 74 (blue - seems there’s a pattern here), then the Lamy 2000 (I ordered the “M” nib & it was not for me -y’all did the return and exchanged it for an “F” with amazing service) Then it was an Estie Nouveau Bleu (the journaler nib is awesome) and finally both the Benu Euphoria Earl Grey (inked with Diamine “Earl Grey”) and Iced Carmel Latte (inked with Robert Oster “Caffe Crema”). Drew, I too am addicted to ink samples and had to buy a second sample holder. Now, I want to make something very clear - “The Pencast made me do it.” did NOT work when explaining all of this to my wife.😎 Drew, I hate heat too, and feel the same about pants. As a former corgi owner, I love them. I’m sure you are aware of the greatest and smartest corgi of all time, Ein!!! Bought one of my daughters a stuffed one when she was 14, she’s 31 and still has it. Edited to add: Love both The Thing and the 2011 prequel, especially the prequel ending. Have you played Among Us? Basically the video game version.

[@Gouletpens]

Yay! Thanks so much for stopping by to say hi! - Drew

[@oldladywcamera]

Oh, love pen stands that you made, Brian!

[@laurabush9812]

I’m way behind on my Pencasts, but I always love them! As for pen stands, I don’t use them, because I don’t use a desk!

[@DawnGilkison]

I have one of each of the Benu pen stands and would love it if they made more colors. My desks are always cluttered so I appreciate the pen stand keeping my pen handy and upright. And since my desk is cluttered, a single stand works best, not taking up too much room.

[@NathanKenyon]

I wish I had known about a harness for the Bari sax when I was playing it in Middle School! Sounds great Brian!

[@putocuchinta]

I used to be a chemist in formulation manufacturing and I LOVE mixing inks. You’re right, it’s a science for me and I do it eagerly 😊 it’s basically doing titrations or dilutions and then writing the work instructions, doing validations and testing, I love it.

[@StacySchulze-cg1he]

Greetings from a former analytical chemist who also LOVES mixing inks. Then again, I also dye fabric as a hobby. Mixing “color potions” is too much fun.

[@kristiw.1823]

Whelp, I guess we now have a new sticker idea: The Brian Sushi Roll. 😂😂😂

[@loves2readNplan]

I absolutely cracked up with the inflatable pool full of rice, and Brian turned into a sushi roll. The image will be forever burned into my memory. Thank you for the laughs!

[@skviviangeauxz]

I don't think Goulet pens has anything to worry about when it comes to shipping. Been tracking my order of ink samples, and they should be here early this week. Can't wait! Thank you for your quick shipping.

[@Gouletpens]

Yay! I hope you love them! - Drew

[@darrelmorris808]

We keep a Bug Assault in our store and I highly recommend it. It is way better than chasing flies around with a swatter.

[@raventhelight9357]

As far as pen stands. I use an old crystal flower frog. It holds them good and displays them great but cant find anything eles like it for pens. So i just buy them whenever i find them.

[@kjmav10135]

I am new to fountain pens. I LOVE writing with them. I mean, I would write anything just for the sake of writing-eg, “this TWSBI is so much fun to write with…” So, after blathering on paper like that for three weeks, I just started figuring out other things to write. Like letters. Who do I write to? Or creative writing? Or business plans? I don’t know what to WRITE!! What do other people write with their gorgeous fountain pens? If you journal? Tips on what to write about?

[@K_rye]

I've been journaling lately. Sometimes I just start writing a stream of whatever comes to mind. Also, I just rant about life. I get it all out on paper. It makes me think about what I'm upset about and putting it all on paper helps to drain out the anger. I have also started a pen journal that I start with what pen I'm using and the ink, and then go on about what I like or don't like about each. I find writing to be calming and using pretty inks and cool pens make it more fun. I've also started only filling pens part way so I can start using all the ink samples that somehow fell into my basket when trying to get that free shipping.

[@StacySchulze-cg1he]

I’m a decades-long journaler. Great for helping assemble thoughts and working out mental knots. For other things to write, I’d recommend looking up quotes that you can write or copying parts of a favorite book. And then, there’s always doodling-not just for boring moments! Edited to add: I have found that copying lyrics and poems really helps memorization, if you are looking to do so.

[@DoYouLikeLuxury]

I have encountered the same issue! 😫 I mean, people used to write letters, and notes and everything on paper and now we type to our friends on social media or send emails. I want to write!!! i’ve started randomly writing anything that comes to mind in a journal. i also keep a paper planner with my calendar and appointments and to do list. I also want to copy a book.. I just have to decide which one. maybe a book of poetry to start.

[@StacySchulze-cg1he]

@@DoYouLikeLuxury In my experience, you can always find a pen pal to write to. Friends’ parents or grandparents are often a good starting point. I also send postcards to anyone interested. For several summers, I sent a postcard to my “nieces” (my actual nieces as well as some cousins and friend’s nieces their age) every week or two. (Originally disguised as a way to keep them reading, but also a fun way to highlight events around me.)

[@jasonkyleward]

Loved the pen stand discussion. Love the pen crabs that hold pens horizontal on my desk while writing and can hold the cap for pens that I don’t post. Would love to see you guys carry them as I’ve bought them from Goldspot before and have seen them on eBay. Would be a great fun addition to desks for teachers and students. I’d consider buying a bunch of them to give to colleagues and students throughout the year.

[@carolw5290]

I use a pen stand on my desk. I had it made out of a local wood - mahogany - by a woodworker friend of mine. It holds about 10 pens and it has my initials carved into it as well. I love it - even considering getting another made out of another local wood!

[@Gouletpens]

Lovely!! -Brian Goulet

[@DesireeStamat]

Artist here and was pondering mixing De Artementis Document Ink colors for permanent colors....thanks for the convo.

[@Jeanine_HuffpuffJ9]

😂😂Chef special roll: the Goulet this would be a GREAT sticker. Also I'm sad I live 4 hours away because I've been unhappy in my job for awhile and know Goulet would be an amazing company to work for.

[@giselesmith7795]

It's been a long 2 weeks. So glad the Pencast is back. Brian, glad your sax is everything you wanted it to be. And thanks for the music! Cooler weather hopefully will bring us Sax on a Tractor. Drew, it is 98 degrees here and has been this hot for several days...I am with you, don't like super hot weather (we are neighbors, I am in North Carolina). Final thing...the pen holders Brian makes are beautiful; your gift recipients are lucky indeed.

[@ina_lina]

After you guys took a week off, I fell behind in my pencast viewing, so I'm just watching this one now. I have to say, this was such an enjoyable episode! So lovely to see you both again! Oh, and from the beginning of the episode, I was thinking that Brian looked healthier. Happy to hear he's cycling!

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks for coming back! - Drew

[@ina_lina]

@@Gouletpens 💚🤎🖤 (for the colors of pens & inks I love)

[@gypsyfroggie]

Drew! I HATE Summer!!!!! Bring on the Fall too! And I have been wanting a pen stand! Thanks for showing them!!! My artist desk is a mess and chaotic most of the time and I thought if I had a cool pen stand it would help me find my pen! (don't judge me! hahaha) I have a pen case but to USE my pens on my desk I really want a cool stand like Brian makes! But I think I will get the Benu one for now! Fun Sax playing in the closet!!! Loved it! I want a Brian Rolling in Rice sticker! bahahahaha QUESTION: how long does a bottle of ink usually last? I keep hearing people talk about their inks evaporating...and I am concerned with how many bottles I should have if they disappear?

[@steamdome9162]

Like Brian I like pen stands at my writing station or computer table. I use both vertical and horizontal stands. The wooden ones are really nice.

[@vee7586]

The practical effects in The Thing are astounding!I'm glad you like it Drew. It has such creativity in the gore of the creature! And that movie is perfectly named.... that certainly is A Thing.

[@ScottEllerman]

Wait til Archer finds out that there are forty years worth of Usagi Yojimbo comic books for him to devour, and a Netflix animated show (Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles)

[@vermis8344]

The most consistently _good_ comic over those forty years, too.

[@noop5_plans]

The agitator pen could combine Drew’s and Brian’s ideas. Have a vibrating option similar to a tooth brush, but you turn it off while you write. You just have it on before you write.

[@fiddletwist]

I have a friend who plays bari sax in a couple of professional groups, I can see why she loves it so much! Have fun!

[@penguin1780]

I use both pen stands, for currently inked, and cases for the clean and dry. I would love a stand like the darker wooden one in the middle of the three grouped together. I have been looking for something that is both not too big but holds at least 12 pens so I can ditch the cheap unfinished wood test tube rack that I pressed into service. Also, please check out Gailyn Benne from Fountain Pendulum’s wooden pen stands and vial holders at the DC show. She’s awesome! Drew, if you see Thomas Ang at any show, have him grind you a needlepoint- you won’t regret it- he did my 1928 Lady Duofold and my 1991 Pelikan M800 for me and I absolutely love them even more now that I can write without my letter counters filling in with ink.

[@ejourneys]

Welcome back! OMG, that sax is GORGEOUS! I'm grinning ear to ear at Brian's joy. Awesome job with the Mingus! Re pen stands: I have a lovely 25-year-old wood box pen stand, but my heart belongs to Rickshaw, with the exception of my SchonDSGN Pocket Six. That pen lives in a 3x4-inch drawstring velveteen pouch. The pouch doubles as a pen rest, since the Pocket Six doesn't have a roll stop.

[@faniro4792]

Great job as usual, guys! Thanks indeed. BTW, I've been using 3 of the Galenleather wooden pen stands you showed. Very happy about them.

[@karenholden4740]

Hey Drew I'm with you, I hate summer!!

[@tiantuatara]

Drew, thanks for that Arnold imitation, I almost spit out my soda.

[@sarahwillcutts9169]

Course kosher salt is like buckshot for the bug-a-salt guns we used it to kill wasps. Fine table salt is a little too mild. We love ours.

[@cc_likesknives]

My favorite ink mix I've gotten recently was a 1:2 ratio of Diamine Walnut and Diamine Fireside Snug from the 2023 invent calendar. I didn't like the look of the walnut brown color and didn't want to waste the ink.....so I decided to mix it with another color 😊 I also have several of what I call "Infinity Bottles" of various colors. Basically I dump any ink samples together when there's not enough for a full fill....that way I use my entire sample and get a fun progression of color 😊

[@s.n.11]

Great pencast! A film I wish everybody saw ... Hook (or how to value your children before they get kidnapped by a pirate) The sax video was fantastic, thanks for sharing!! I don't use penstands at all because of the space at my desk is mostly full with the pc and screen... and I prefer to have my currently inked pens in my rickshaw peacock which I love🤩, I can carry it to any room in the house along with my journal, and horizontal storage works better for shimmering inks which I use a lot. But I admit that galen leather's pen stand looks wonderful for a present. I just don't think I'd use it myself. 😅

[@thatashgirl83]

The only time I have ever mixed ink is when I bought some that ended up being lighter than I expected. It was a light green, I added some brown and made a nice swampy green that I ended up enjoying.

[@bartgrossman9361]

I use a lot of pen stands but I am really impressed by Brian's pen blocks. Too bad you are not selling them.

[@archivist17]

I would love to see Janéa trying to go undercover ninja-style! New definition of 'Impossible' 😂

[@pastelpinkfairy]

I love the Book Loft!!!!!

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi Guys! Looks like you had some exciting days off! Kudos to Brian, not only for the cool Baritone Sax solo, but he also pronounced the name of Milan, Ohio correctly! Been there a couple of times myself, as my best friend grew up in the area. Didn't know Edison Pens was there, though! (Until much later) There used to be a COOL hobby shop down in Columbus that had the most interesting vintage slot car track! Drove over there when up north on vacation in Indiana just to run on their track. LOTS of fun! I hope they are still open! Anyway, great pencast! I want to give a shout out to your WONDERFUL packing and shipping crew! Always have well packaged items from your business! And as an aside, I am going to let you know how The Goulet Pen Company helped save my cook-out on the 4th! Was trying to light up the charcoal in my chimney starter and had two dud attempts. Went searching around for something else to light up under the starter, and came on my latest box from the GPC! Those recycled paper inserts are GREAT! Put one there and lit it, and in no time my charcoal was LIT! The hamburgers and hot dogs were great, too! Thanks Goulet Pen Company!

[@nerdartastic]

Brian playing sax again! The bari sax is gorgeous! Love that you're sharing this with us. Also, regarding the pen holders, being such a visual person myself, i love the idea of having a pen stand, but is not practical for me. It requires a lot of desk space and the vertical space since the pen sticks up in the air. Pen cozy cases protects the pens and allows them to be placed in drawers, zippered cases can be put on a bookshelf which i find more realistic for the space i am working with.

[@theeightoclock]

Great show fellas! Really enjoying the series

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks for joining us! - Drew

[@debramaertens893]

I’ve always loved the Benu pen stands. Love the two wood ones Brian made! I use fountain pens mainly for artistic purposes, very rarely at a desk. My Esterbrook pen cup is very handy for carrying multiples around with me.

[@norahkmurphy]

I didn’t realize I needed a pen stand until I saw this. I usually have at least half-a-dozen inked pens scattered on my desk, and I misplace them under paper or (horror!) they roll off and fall. Need to find a stand I like. I get what you’re saving about Galen Leather’s pen stand keeping the pens too close together, but I like the honeycomb shape. Yours are beautiful Brian.

[@bellananicmorgan]

Lamp black was made from smoke. They would use an oil lamp (fish or animal oil were common) and a piece of metal or ceramic was placed over it to catch the soot. Once it had accumulated enough, it was carefully scraped off and ground.

[@quince7]

huge thumbs up on desktop pen stands. I might have 15 pens inked at any given point, and if I don't see them, they don't get used. And strewn across my desk is...just...chaos. And Brian in a pool of rice - having a giggling fit.

[@dawndemanda]

Love the saxophone! Baritone and Tenor have the best sound. I’m another summer hater! I love wearing sandals and the great fresh fruits and veggies but the heat is awful! I’m in the Ohio Valley and it’s so humid all summer. It’s a lot of stress on the body. You can only remove so many clothes…and I don’t sweat properly after a heat stress incident years ago. Thank goodness for air conditioning!

[@ichirofakename]

I got a 6-pen wooden tray that keeps me well organized on my desk. Very happy with it.

[@slane_design]

Thank you so much for answering my question about traveling! I would love to work with you guys!!!! Killer commute from Maryland though. Haha! I'm sure it will fill quickly! Hope to see you at the show!

[@LauraRPh]

I mix inks when I have a sample of low volume and it isn’t dark enough (saturated) for me, so I add a drop or 2 of a more saturated ink of similar hue. Works like a charm.

[@fossilimprint2954]

First I want to thank Brian for playing a bit for the video, nice job! Regarding pen holders, I would definitely go for those wooden blocks with multiple spots for many pens/pencils.

[@tinarichardson7046]

Thank you for the exciting news about the DC pen show (woohoo!) and great tips. I look forward to seeing you there!

[@ahopegraham]

I usually mix to enhance or improve an ink. I mixed my FWP Adventurine ink with TWSBI Midnight blue to deepen the color and make it more visible. I call it Enhanced Adventurine.

[@halfsourlizard9319]

Nice job, snatchblockhead! (With

[@Gouletpens]

Hahahhahaaaa!!!! - Drew

[@jayebird1070]

I LOVE my honeycomb pen holder from Galen Leather because I always have loads of pens inked for sketching, doodling, etc... I've looked at the Benu stands and I don't get them because... it only hold one pen! Pens must be contained in some way on my desk or they will not be on the desk thanks to cats. The Punilabo case is great for my less fancy pens, brushes, etc... I also got some of those inserts for drawers for pens, and cut one down to size to lay pens flat, such as those with shimmer in them And history is actually much more colorful than most people realize. Yes, some of the most vibrant AND colorfast colors were quite expensive (like the shells for purple) but there were lots and lots of dyes which could be produced from common plants. Indigo / woad as a bright blue has been around for thousands of years as a dye. For some plant dyes, you might just have to redye them periodically as they tended to fade. But we have textiles from burials going back thousands of years with fairly intense colors. And sumptuary laws (laws restricting who could wear certain colors) wouldn't have been necessary if "commoners" weren't able to get their hands on and afford pretty colors (and fabrics) the aristocracy wanted to keep for themselves. And since the majority of the population was rural, even when clothing was more subtle colors, they were living in a world full of the bright colors of nature.

[@kennethepps3425]

Self stirring pen. A small impeller in the body of the pen attached to a spring as an energy store so the impeller would keep going when you pause to think.

[@katycukibabi]

I’ve added de atramentis document black with Ferris wheel press oyster hour and I had no issues.

[@LauraRPh]

I like the pen stands!! My challenge is that I tend to have several pens inked (surprise!) and some need to be stored horizontal for the right flow while others need to be stood nib up …. Others nib down. So the stand would need to be flexible. Or multiple stands. Tough.

[@jowright9577]

Yay for you Brian..! I could see from your face that you'd lost weight from the moment you appeared. The bari sax playing was awesome so thank you for sharing with us. Such a wonderful Pencast in it's entirety - laugh out loud funny (the fart jokes part and Drew's amazing drying Brian in a kiddie pool full of rice concept!). You two gave me a perfect end to a horrible week so thank you both from the bottom of my heart ❤

[@Gouletpens]

aw, thank you! I'm "back in the saddle", riding my bike every morning and watching my diet. The pounds haven't been falling off the scale all too rapidly, but I feel better and do feel like I'm toning up a bit. Part of what's cool about regular videos like this is you'll get to see me transform over time...I've lost and gained quite a bit of weight over the years and you can tell in my videos! -Brian Goulet

[@quicksilver_jenna]

I love the Diplomat Executive box so much, I have one for my work desk and one for my home office. In both, I keep one pen with a converter that uses the blue ink from the included bottle, and one pen that uses cartridges with black ink (I store extra cartridges underneath the pen tray).

[@hoosierulangler6965]

I have two pocket drawers in the center of my desk. I found black metal u-shaped drawer pulls at the hardware store. I mounted them upside down, lined them with black leather and I have two horizontal pen holders within easy reach. Keeps my desktop uncluttered. I often use two pens, one (VP EF) for the text block another (Falcon SEF) for titles and headings. Works for me!

[@wendywander7]

Thank you so much for the Pencast! I'm so happy Brian has his bari sax! Thank you for playing for us--that's so delightful!!! My son, who also has a mind of Lego, enjoyed seeing Joseph's Bionical MOC shelf and was rattling off parts names. I enjoyed the fun fact! I have several framed medieval music manuscript pages. I'm a musician, historian, and calligrapher, so I've made a study of them. Most of the writing is done with dark iron gall ink, because in damaged edges where the ink has come off, it's as if the monk's pen engraved the letter shape into the parchment, from the acid of the ink. There are ornate knotted capital letters called Cadels that are done with that same ink. There are some marks in bright red, and usually at least one fancy capital letter called a Versal that is done with bright red and bright blue, or red and gold leaf. Probably the red and blue are paints rather than inks. It boggles my mind that every component was made by hand yet so beautifully executed! I'm really glad to be able to use fountain pens and modern inks and papers!!!

[@Gouletpens]

You're welcome! Oh that's awesome about your son, mine does the exact same thing whenever he sees anything Lego :) That sounds like a really cool collection! Yeah the artistry back in the day was insane, all hand done. If you are really into that, check out Jake Weidmann, he's a modern artist and master calligrapher and does a similarly bonkers level of work on his pieces: www.jakeweidmann.com/ - Brian Goulet

[@wendywander7]

@@Gouletpens Thank you, Brian Goulet! I have been following Mr. Jake Weidmann since he first popped up on social media as the youngest master penman ever. He does amazing work, and I really enjoyed your interview with him! I've spied his work (the zebras) hanging at the Oregon Zoo. I have started collecting print volumes of the Saint John's Bible which was hand made by an international team of calligraphers and artisans in the early 2000's using medieval techniques for a modern era, commissioned by Saint John's Abbey and University in Minnesota. It's profound, and I highly recommend checking it out.

[@stareenafraser]

I enjoyed this pencast A LOT. DREW: firstly breaks are super important lolz, also your wife's tattoo is amazing 👏 BRIAN: that Sax in the closet was awesome :) I enjoy seeing the joy :) 🎷 Thanks so much guys for making Fridays at the office extra enjoyable :)

[@heatherholman943]

Hey Drew - Give Colorverse Maltijae for a nice red orange. I just spent a week writing in that color and loved it. Also, has a green sheen !

[@Gouletpens]

Thank you! - Drew

[@daniellenonato2737]

Great pencast as always! I'd love to see that list of Drew's favorite red orange inks.

[@grreeeeee]

oh my gosh that walnut pen stand holder is absolutely gorgeous