This episode is the Pen Pal primer. 

I followed this episode up with a more in-depth look at other letter writing societies:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1020967/episodes/7980349

http://www.penpalworld.com/

2,300,000 members

Easy to read Privacy policy

Free and paid options

Started in 1998

Mostly online

 https://www.snailmailpenpals.net/

Snail mail

Free

Pretty long privacy statement

 https://www.globalpenfriends.com/

Email and snail mail

Start in 1995

Good privacy policy

https://www.penpalsnow.com/

more of an online personal ad site for Pen Pals

Does abide by EU Privacy Regulations 

Don’t bother signing up if you are under 16

The only info on the site is what you post in your ad

https://www.sassociations.net/

Another a personal ad page looking for pen pals

No privacy policy, again what is on the site is what you post.

https://incowrimo.org (part of the reason I started this podcast)

A letter every day in February

There are address exchanges

Not all Pen Pal sites are for everyone:

https://geekgirlpenpals.com/

Very snail mail centric

Very clever writing on the website

Has a Patreon for support

Good safety page

Get sorted into houses based on age.

They allow any gender, but can we let them have this one please?

I also had a chance to interview a director of the IGGLES:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1020967/episodes/5845951

 http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/penpals/snail_mail_penpals.html

Students, kids, teachers only

Admins will make matches

More of a language exchange

https://www.interpals.net/

http://coloradocorrespondence.co/

https://www.marthastewart.com/1538505/how-to-find-pen-pal

You can find PenPals on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/penpalswanted/

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/snailmailwanted/

Or ideas for SnailMail

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/snailmailrevolution/

How to get a PO Box

https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm

This episode is the mail art primer.   (re-issue)

Cling vinyl stamps allow the stamps to be used with an acrylic handle for support. 

Three-color stamps

The TAM Rubber Stamp Archive has a collection of prints of rubber stamps mail-artists have used since 1983. 

 Harriet Tubman stamp for the $20 bill

https://occupygeorge.com/

https://indroneswetrust.tumblr.com/participate

https://www.stampstampede.org/

East Asian seals 

Mulready stationery

https://www.jetpens.com/blog/how-to-use-washi-tape/pt/698

https://every-tuesday.com/10-hand-lettering-enhancements/

This episode is the wax seals primer.  

Intaglio seals are cut into the surface of the matrix.  Intaglio seals are most commonly used for wax seals and create a design in raised relief in the wax. 

Relief seals have designs that are above the surface of the matrix.  Relief seals are commonly set behind a piece of paper for embossing that also creates a raised relief design.  If a relief seal is used in wax it creates an impressed design more like a mold.  

Catherine Craft Supply

Dexter Rings

Regnas Rings

Letterlocking

http://brienne.org/exhibit-4

http://letterlocking.org/about

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-did-people-do-before-envelopes-letterlocking

My personal favorite method is to use wax beads in a wax furnace to heat the spoon with the wax in it and the spoon gives you more control over how the wax is applied to the letter.  Melting wax beads in a spoon also gives you the ability to mix wax colors to add to the character of the seal.

Wax furnace

Non-machinable postage 

And a few links from the Wax Seals Revisited Episode

https://backtozero.co/

https://www.letterseals.com/

https://www.carolinapencompany.com/custom-wax-seal

https://vanness1938.com/collections/wax-seals

J.Herbin Wax seal ink pads

Global Solutions Metallic White Shimmer Stamp Pad

Stick wax

Glue gun wax - especially clear wax

Wax beads

This is the Paper Primer.

What is paper?

A thin cellulose mesh

Rags Make Paper

Paper Makes Money

Money Makes Banks

Banks Make Loans

Loans Make Beggars

Beggars Make Rags

-----Anon. English 19th C.

What does it take to make paper?

            Pulping

            Machining -mesh forming

            Drying

            Finishing (sizing)

Washi fiber length 13-17 mm, naturally acid free

Cotton 3-5 mm

Wood pulp cellulose 2-7mm

Begasse paper 1.2 mm   

Recycled fibers <1 mm

What are the characteristics that make one paper more suited for a particular application?

Absorption/ghosting / Bleed through

Feathering

Shade

Sheens

drying time

Western paper makers

Clairefontaine 

Rhodia

Leuchtturm

Strathmore

Baron Fig

Story Supply

Field Notes

G Lalo

Fabriano

Mnemosyne

Life

Apica

Midori

Tamoe River

Kokuyo

Graphilo

 Ink Jet paper

 Massive List of Fountain Pen Friendly Paper

Best Fountain Pen Paper

Basel Paper Museum 

Williams Paper Museum at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA.  

Fabriano Paper Museum

This episode is the Ink Primer.

The Pen Addict

Anderson Pens Ink Tool

Richard Binder’s website

3 Oysters

Bungubox 

Colorverse 

Kobe

KWZ

Kyoto TAG 

Namiki 

PenBBS

Penlux 

Pilot 

Platinum 

Sailor 

TWSBI 

Taccia 

Vinta Inks

Robert Oster 

Standard Bindery

Van Dieman's Ink 

Akkerman

Blackstone

Aurora 

Callifolio

Caran d'Ache 

DeAtramentis

Diamine

Ferris Wheel Press

Graf von Faber Castell 

J Herbin 

Kaweco 

Lamy 

Leonardo Officina Italiana 

Montblanc

Montegrappa 

Organics Studio

Re-issue note: I listened through this episode in preparation for this re-issue and I was very pleased with how well it stood up to two years in the stationery world.  There were a (fortunately) few deletions and while there could have been a few additions, I will let this stand for now.  This re-issue now has the transcript and fits in with the current intro and outro.  Please let me know if I missed something big through our email at john at stationeryorbit dot com

Start the Wayback Machine Mr. Peabody...

This is the first of the primer episodes and I’ll be talking about pens today

Update: this podcast will be produced on a two-week schedule.

The Pen Addict  

The Tokyo Inklings 

https://www.penaddict.com/top-5-pens/

Uni Jetstream 

Parker Jotter  

Fischer Space Pen 

Uni Power Tank  

Uni Deluxe 

Pilot G2   

The EPIC Refill Guide  

Sharpie 

Tombow markers

Multi-pens 

Glass nib pens  

Comic/Manga nibs 

Fountain pen makeup 

Nib makers 

What are nib grinds 

Safari  

AL Star  

Lamy 2000 

Sport  

Lilliput  

Student  

Supro  

Pelican M1000 

https://thepelikansperch.com/

Preppy/Prefounte    

3776

Metropolitan 

Custom 74   

Vanishing Point/Decimo  

Custom 823  

Pro Gear /Realo  

Pro Gear Slim    

1911 Large  

Go   

You can find me at 

@gneissguyco on Instagram

In today’s episode, we will be talking about good old fashioned letter writing, how it is good for your brain and my recent experience in going *gasp*... paperless.

Postal Bulletin

Webb Space telescope stamps
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22603/html/info_003.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrange_point

Post Office shut downs
https://bestlifeonline.com/usps-closing-post-offices-wildfire-news/

The power of the handwritten note
https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/why-handwritten-letters-and-cards-are-one-of-your-most-powerful-tools-20220720-p5b3aj

Step away from the keyboard, it works even if you don’t mail it
https://www.yourtango.com/love/intimacy-through-writing-letters

The sandwich notebook strikes again but this time with an airmail set
https://www.tbsnews.net/features/brands/khata-khori-dip-nostalgia-reimagining-stationery-460190

So many wax seals
https://bookriot.com/wax-seals/

Did you say Descartes?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1082326931/statues-sculptures-wax-seal-stamp?click_key=83982be80b43bdecc3d460e2919624c8f5bb245a%3A1082326931&click_sum=703d2685&ref=shop_home_active_151&pro=1&sts=1 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes

The use of the Mac ecosystem with an iPad for handwriting in the digital space

Notability

https://notability.com/

PDF Expert

https://pdfexpert.com/

David Sparks Paperless Field Guide

https://learn.macsparky.com/p/paperless

Procreate

https://procreate.art/

Learn Calligraphy guide sheets for Procreate

https://www.learncalligraphy.com/offers/3kQzw49E/checkout

 In today’s episode, we will be talking about how to fold paper will make the world better.

Postal bulletin

Pony Cars and as many California State Fair postmarks as your heart could desire

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22602/html/info_007.htm

USPS doubles EV order to 2 vehicles (jk) was 5K now 10K

https://electrek.co/2022/07/20/us-postal-service-ev/

Industrial origami

https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2022/04/23/startup-uses-industrial-origami-technique-to-build-electric-motorbikes/50504/

https://www.yankodesign.com/2022/04/04/foldable-origami-cup-can-transform-into-a-flat-disc-making-it-easier-to-carry-with-you/

https://www.labmanager.com/news/using-origami-and-kirigami-to-inspire-reconfigurable-yet-structural-materials-28152

Here are the two links: from friend of the show Richard

• Decoding the Defiance of Henry VIII’s First Wife (New York Times)
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/arts/ciphers-henry-viii-catherine.html
• A letter from Queen Anne to Buckingham locked with silk embroidery floss (The Collation at Folger Library)
  • https://collation.folger.edu/2013/01/a-letter-from-queen-anne-to-buckingham-locked-with-silk-embroidery-floss/

TPA silent auction

https://www.chrono24.com/omega/pocket-watch-pocket-watch-limited-edition-of-15-pieces--id23641189.htm 

https://www.richardmille.com/collections/mechanical-fountain-pen 

 In today’s episode, we will be talking about how to improve your thinking through handwriting and letter writing.

Postal Bulletin

Buzz Lightyear stamps!!

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2022/pb22601/html/info_008.htm

National Marine Sanctuaries Stamps

Elephants Stamps

Postmark for Hyattville Lions Club

Ten Sleep, WY -Hello to Ten Sleep’s own Jalan Crossland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaNWJysic0I

Handwriting and incubation of ideas.  

https://observatory.tec.mx/edu-news/study-reveals-the-advantages-of-taking-notes-by-hand

https://www.publicationcoach.com/become-a-better-writer-by-incubating/

Charles Darwin’s notebooks showing his process toward his theories.

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/charles-darwins-theory-evolution-forged-24428636

QR codes on stamps, Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society is not amused

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-tuesday-edition-1.6510937/barcodes-on-british-stamps-draw-the-ire-of-hand-written-letter-aficionados-1.6510940

https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps#:~:text=The%20barcodes%20will%20enable%20exciting,valid%20until%2031%20January%202023. 

The ultimate pencil for the person that insists on chewing on their pencil

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/POLYGIENE-GROUP-AB-39436377/news/Bio5-launches-stationery-with-superpowers-40688449/

Khata Khori stationery brand out of Bangladesh

https://www.instagram.com/khata_khori/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/KhataKhori/

The Sandwich notebook

https://www.daraz.com.bd/products/creative-sandwich-shape-hard-cover-sketchbook-by-khata-khori-i232298050-s1175174750.html?spm=a2a0e.searchlistbrand.list.50.182e45f4zjbmCS&search=1

A few neat new designs.  A rolling stamp pen, a curved nib pen.

https://www.yankodesign.com/2022/07/08/modern-stationery-designs-for-modern-stationery-lovers/

 In today’s episode, we will be talking about letters we write to loved ones and new stuff hitting Kickstarter.

New acquisitions?

John bought another Mythic Pen, this one is in Brook’s Golden Rule, cannot wait to see it in person

I can talk about the pens I got for my sister’s wedding, and what a ketubah is

Stellios

Postal Bulletin

Nancy Reagan (the stamp that should totally be laced with LSD)

And Pete Seeger (I know there is a way of getting to more diametrically opposed individuals into this kind of proximity, but you’d have to work at it)

Japan encouraging love letters (from the Straits Times)

And I am including this entirely for the last line in the article

I can relate to this one a bit more than most.

I think this is a great idea for any Dad out there.

Mark 3 Pencil

Thoroughly Considered podcast

More Kickstarter pen goodness

https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/the-cocoon-pen-co-launches-kickstarter-campaign-for-its-nano-fountain-pen

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/silhouettepen/cocoon-nano-fountain-pen

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ensso/japanese-ebonite-fountain-pens?ref=recommendation-projectpage-footer-discover-more

Happy birthday to the ballpoint!

Fun, quirky, long article about a South African playwright that uses fountain pens. (the good part is just past the picture for Master Harold)