In this engaging conversation, Azizah of Gourmet Pens shares her journey in the stationery world, discussing her extensive experience with fountain pens, inks, and papers. She highlights her passion for creating inky messes and her love for collaboration with various pen makers. Azizah also reflects on the impact of social media on the pen community, the importance of fostering connections, and her ongoing projects, including classes and upcoming collaborations. The discussion emphasizes the joy of using stationery and the supportive nature of the pen community.

Show Links

http://www.gourmetpens.com

https://gourmetpensshop.com

https://www.gourmetpensclub.com

https://www.instagram.com/gourmetpens/

https://www.youtube.com/gourmetpens

https://www.patreon.com/gourmetpens

https://penworld.com

https://gourmetpensshop.com/products/dc-pen-show-2025-casual-broad-edge-calligraphy

https://gourmetpensshop.com/products/dc-pen-show-2025-inky-messes

Takeaways

Azizah is known for her inky messes and passion for fountain pens.

She has between 80 to 120 pens inked at any given time.

Eyedroppering pens helps keep ink fresh and ready to use.

Her favorite pen setup is the Opus 88 with a Pilot Parallel nib.

She has a reasonable collection of about 150 inks.

Tomoe River paper is her top choice for writing.

Azizah encourages people to embrace inky messes and creativity.

She values the supportive nature of the pen community.

Azizah aims to create a welcoming environment for all stationery enthusiasts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Azizah and Gourmet Pens

01:06 Inked Pens and Creative Process

03:37 Favorite Pens and Opus 88

08:46 Ink Preferences and Selection

15:15 Paper Preferences and Recommendations

22:16 Stationery Adjacent Items and Organization

23:33 Organizing the Chaos of Fountain Pens

26:03 The Allure of Collectible Stationery

27:00 The Birth of Gourmet Pens

28:59 The Impact of Social Media on Stationery

36:56 Collaborations and Creative Journeys

46:12 The Supportive Community of Pen Makers

48:01 Writing for Pin World Magazine

51:49 The Evolution of Podcasting in the Pen Community

56:11 Upcoming Collaborations and Classes

59:58 Future Plans for Gourmet Pens