Blog

Let's get to the point...There are a lot of pencil sharpeners out there, how do you know which one is the best for you?We have put together this guide to help answer this question! And as always, please reach out if you ever have any questions. Our team is ready to help you!Best for Graphite PencilsBlackwing One-Step Long Point SharpenerIn one step, this new sharpener creates a special long point with a curved taper that resists breakage. The compact design features a machined aluminum body with …

Happy National Card and Letter Writing Month!+ A fun giveaway!            Envelopes received at JNB from 2000 through 2022                                                                   Envelopes received for Seattletters 2018.It's April, which means it's time to celebrate National Card and …

WHAT ARE MY FAVORITE NIBS?This is such a loaded question, and it is the one I get asked the most!Which nib you choose depends on several variables: paper, ink, x-height, skill level, etc. I use different nibs for different reasons and they’re all the best nib for that particular scenario. It is also a very personal decision. What works great for one person may not work for another.Here is a rundown of a few that I use most often. Of course, there are LOTS more wonderful nibs besides the …

The Luthis Libélula (Dragonfly) pen. Overall length: 15.5 cm (6.1")By Carol DuBosch. I first learned of these pens from Argentina when Silvia Cordero Vega wrote about them in Letter Arts Review 28-1. She told of their use in one of her artworks, which was featured on the cover of the issue: “I wanted very expressive calligraphy, with a visceral feel . . . . I used an extra-large Luthis ruling pen, which would allow me to make very large strokes with good control and firmness. Of course, if I use …

Calligraphic ruling pens create thick or thin strokes by tilting the nib relative to the writing surface.By Matthew Coffin.Traditionally, drafting ruling pens have been used to rule lines of fixed thicknesses on mechanical drawings or illustrations. In the second half of the 20th century, lettering artists – exploring ways to create expressive lettering – learned these same pens could also be used for calligraphy. By tilting a ruling pen on its side, dramatic and rough-edged strokes could be cre …