In this special episode of our pen enthusiast podcast, Joost Appelboom and co-host Clare Coco dive into the highlights of the Dutch Pen Show 2025 in Utrecht, joined by special guest Darla van de Riet, President of the Netherlands Pen Club. Although Clare couldn’t attend in person, she was there in spirit as Joost and Darla shared their experiences from the show floor—exploring rare finds, exciting releases, and the joy of connecting with fellow pen lovers.

Joost also introduced the three exclusive Dutch Pen Show fountain pens created by Scribo, Leonardo Officina Italiana, and Kaweco—each a stunning limited edition designed especially for the show. We talk about what makes pen shows so exciting, why they’re more than just shopping events, and how communities like the Netherlands Pen Club keep the love for writing instruments alive.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering the world of fountain pens, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode of Appelboom Bites, host Joost Appelboom and co-host Clare Coco welcome special guest Michal Kulka, master artisan and owner of Tamenuri Studio. Renowned for his breathtaking Urushi and Tamenuri lacquer work on fountain pens, Michal shares insights into his creative process and previews what he’ll be bringing to the upcoming Dutch Pen Show 2025, taking place the weekend of May 31 – June 1.

We also discuss several exciting new product announcements:

• The newly released Lamy Safari 2025 Special Edition colors: Sunset and Dark Dusk
• The introduction of a new luxury brand to our store: David Oscarson
• The reveal of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar 2025 – Teal Edition, featuring 25 exclusive inks for the holiday season

Whether you're a fountain pen aficionado, a lover of fine craftsmanship, or just curious about what’s new in the pen world, this episode is packed with inspiration, exclusive news, and a sneak peek at what to expect at the Dutch Pen Show.

In this episode of Appelboom Bites, Joost Appelboom and co-host Clare Coco sit down with a true legend of the fountain pen world: Michael Gutberlet, CEO of Kaweco, now fondly known as the OBG – Old But Gold. We dive into Kaweco’s latest innovations, including the ingenious Mini Foldable Converter and the hugely successful Piston Sport—with exciting news from Michael about more colors joining the lineup soon!

Michael also gave us a sneak peek at a one-of-a-kind Liliput fountain pen made from a mystery “Rainbow” material currently in testing, and we discussed Kaweco’s strong presence at the Dutch Pen Show, especially the beloved DIY Kaweco Sport station.

As a special treat, Joost revealed the Kaweco Dutch Pen Show Waterworld 2025 Special Edition—a stunning collector’s piece featuring exclusive sleeve artwork by the talented Anne Nossack.

Plus, we had a blast with the amazing energy and questions from our YouTube Live Chat audience, who helped make this episode even more fun and interactive.

🔗 Listen now and bite into the best of the fountain pen world!

In this special episode, we’re joined by Kate Dmitrieva, CEO of BENU Pens, for a lively and insightful conversation about all things BENU. Co-hosted by Alexandra Richardson—making her final appearance on the show—we kick things off with a pen check that, to our surprise, featured an all-BENU lineup! Kate shares the inspiring story behind her journey and the creative influences that fuel her designs. We dive into BENU’s latest releases, including the wildly popular Pixie, the shimmering Euphoria Golden Beach (which Kate showed off live!), the elegant White Beach, and the newest Talisman editions in Moonstone and Ametrine—both featuring rare gold-colored nibs.

We also had a few exciting product announcements: Joost revealed the new TWSBI Eco Matcha Green, Graf von Faber-Castell Sage Green, and the adorable Wancher PuChiCo Lilac Mist. Wrapping up the show, Alexandra asked her heartfelt final question, capping off an episode filled with inspiration, sparkle, and fantastic engagement from our YouTube audience. Don't miss this memorable sendoff and deep dive into the dazzling world of BENU!

In this episode, co-host Alexandra Richardson shares her behind-the-scenes experience helping out at the Chicago Pen Show, from meeting fellow pen enthusiasts to navigating the buzzing event floor. We’re then joined by Tom Gyr, the creative force behind Tom’s Studio, who reveals his grail pen and joins us for our weekly pen check.

Tom dives into the origin story of Tom’s Studio, starting with his first dip pen design and evolving into multifunctional, design-forward tools like the Lumos, Wren, and Studio Fountain Pen. He also shares why interchangeable nib options matter so much to his customers and how thoughtful design is at the heart of every product.

Whether you’re a calligraphy lover, fountain pen fan, or curious about innovative pen design, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and inky conversation.

In this episode, we sit down with Anuj Poddar, the visionary founder and owner of AP Limited Editions — one of the most exclusive and luxurious fountain pen brands in the world. Known for their extraordinary craftsmanship and artistic excellence, AP Limited Editions pens are created using time-honored techniques such as Maki-E, Urushi, and Russian Lacquer Art.

From the origins of his passion for fine writing instruments to showcasing some of the most stunning, handcrafted pens we’ve ever seen, Anuj takes us deep into the world of collectible fountain pens. But the conversation takes an unexpected turn when we ask Anuj about his very first fountain pen — his answer might surprise you!

Joining us as co-host is Alexandra Richardson, who brings her sharp insights and thoughtful questions to the discussion. We’re also grateful for the amazing contributions and questions from our live YouTube audience throughout the show.

🖋️ Whether you're a fountain pen enthusiast, a luxury collector, or simply curious about the artistry behind these rare pieces, this episode is packed with fascinating stories and pen passion.

In this episode, we sit down with Mathias Ringeard, CEO of Diplomat, alongside our co-host Alexandra Richardson, to discuss the incredible success of the Diplomat Viper releases in 2024. We also dive into three exciting upcoming models from Diplomat: the classic-styled Aero Rhomb, the vibrant and colorful Aero Funky, and the sleek new Diplomat Xo – a limited edition cigar-shaped fountain pen with a striking long cap and unique design. Joost also shares exciting news about two new products at Appelboom: Diamine Forever Ink, a premium, waterproof, and lightfast ink for fountain pens and calligraphy, and the Montegrappa Cult Harry Houdini Limited Edition Fountain Pen, a true masterpiece that celebrates the legendary illusionist. Plus, we’re thrilled by the fantastic support from our YouTube audience, who contributed some excellent questions for our guests. Don’t miss this jam-packed episode filled with insights on luxury writing instruments, upcoming releases, and much more!

In this exciting episode, we welcome Mareike Mert (@my_and_my_happydesk) as our guest, with Alexandra (@alexandrasartinsanity) co-hosting! Mareike, known for her creative workshops, shares all the details about the two incredible journaling workshops she will be leading at the upcoming Dutch Pen Show on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. These workshops, Travel Journaling and Coffee Journaling, are perfect for pen enthusiasts and journaling lovers alike.

Mareike returns with her Travel Journaling workshop, which was a hit last year, and introduces a new Coffee Journaling workshop. We dive into the benefits of these workshops, how they inspire creativity, and why journaling is such a fulfilling hobby. Additionally, we discuss the broader world of workshops at Pen Shows and share our excitement and expectations for the Dutch Pen Show.

We also revisit a thought-provoking question from our previous guest: What use does a pen have, besides writing? Our conversation goes deeper into the versatility of pens, exploring how they can be artistic tools, collectibles, and more.

The episode also features Joost, who announces some exciting new product releases! Get the scoop on the Lamy Al-star in Aubergine and Denim, the S.T. Dupont Line D Eternity Game of Thrones pens, and the elegant Sailor Pro Gear Slim Kimono pens. These new releases are sure to pique the interest of pen lovers and collectors alike.

A huge thank you to our YouTube audience for all the great input and live chat during the episode. Your questions and comments made the conversation even more engaging!

Tune in for all the details on journaling, new pens, and everything happening at the Dutch Pen Show. Whether you're an avid journaler, pen enthusiast, or just curious about the latest in the pen world, this episode has something for you!

Listen now to get inspired, learn about new products, and hear about upcoming workshops at the Dutch Pen Show!

In this week's episode of the Appelboom Bites Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Nadia, the Head of Marketing from the British-based brand Wingback. Wingback is renowned for its meticulously crafted writing instruments made from solid metals like brass, stainless steel, and titanium, as well as their sleek and stylish pen sleeves.

Our wonderful co-host Vanessa Langton joins the show this week, and we’re so grateful she could step in! The conversation is filled with laughs as we dive into the world of premium writing tools, and somehow, we end up veering into an unexpected discussion about James Bond.

Nadia and Vanessa also share their thoughts on their dream pens, giving us a glimpse into their perfect writing instruments. Plus, Joost reveals some exciting new product launches, including the TWSBI Eco Slate Blue with Onyx fountain pen, the Armando Simoni Bespoke 2025 fountain pen, and a stunning new brand, AP Limited Editions. These fountain pens feature exquisite Maki-e and Urushi lacquer craftsmanship – you won’t want to miss hearing about these beautiful new additions!

Tune in for a fun and informative episode filled with everything from dream pens to new releases, and of course, a few good laughs along the way. Don’t forget to subscribe and join us for the next episode of the Appelboom Bites Podcast!

Welcome to the Appelboom Bites Podcast, where we bring you the latest in fountain pens, stationery, and exclusive collaborations! In this special episode, we’re thrilled to have Helen Wang, the owner of TheCoffeeMonsterzCo, a renowned stationery brand known for its creative artwork on stickers, washi tapes, and more. Helen talks about her exciting new collaboration with Esterbrook, creating the Esterbrook Estie x TheCoffeeMonsterzCo Fountain Pen, crafted with unique materials from Jonathon Brooks (Carolina Pen Company). This stunning pen comes with a one-of-a-kind gift box designed as a desk, complete with a drawer that holds the pen, as well as special ink and blotter paper developed in collaboration with Esterbrook.

Thanks to the enthusiastic audience tuning in live on YouTube, the show became even more interactive and engaging with their valuable input, making this episode extra special. We also say goodbye to our amazing co-host, Lori Tata, who has been with us for the past five episodes. Lastly, Joost shares exciting new arrivals in the Appelboom store, including the Pelikan M200 Marbled Red, TWSBI Eco Slate Blue with Onyx, and the Nahvalur Nautilus Ti Black fountain pens. Don’t miss this fun and informative episode of the Appelboom Bites Podcast!