Catticus

I am a long-time fountain pen enthusiast and participant in the hobby. In my day-to-day, I am a severe pragmatist who enjoys a minimalist lifestyle, but fountain pens are the one area where I hoard ink samples (oh the samples! so many samples!) and admire lovely barrels and finials from afar.

Questionnaire: How long have you been using fountain pens?

• Since 2006/7-ish, so it's been a minute! What do you use your fountain pens for?
• Everything that requires handwriting - grocery lists, writing, journaling, memos to myself, etc! What are you hoping to get out of this exchange?
• I really just want to have fun, maybe get an opportunity to discover something new, or help someone else discover something new. What are some of your other interests (if not already described in givin.gifts profile)?
• Creativity is something that I hold dear to my heart and try to express whenever and however I can in my day-to-day. My day job is requires a lot of creativity so in my downtime, I like to pursue the 'quieter' (re: solitary) arts: sewing, quilting, writing, illustration and the like. Are you interested in receiving pen(s)? If so, preferred nib, material, feedback, weight, etc.? OR What are your favorite pens and what do you like about them?
• I am interested but am aware that I'm incredibly particular when it comes to the look and feel of pens. Having said that, I do love Platinum 3776s and Sailor PGS and the Pilot Namiki Falcon (this pen particularly in SF) for the lightweight feel of the body as I've noticed heavy pens tire out my hand most of my hobbies require high manual dexterity. I've also been dabbling with the idea of a stub or a music nib but haven't met the right pen yet. Are you interested in receiving ink(s)? If so, preferred colors, desired characteristics like shading/sheen/shimmer, wet/dry, etc.? OR What are your favorite inks and why do you like them?
• I am ALWAYS up for receiving inks. I have a fondness for high chroma inks, soft pastel inks bordering on the cusp of light-but-legible (think Ferris Wheel Press's Little Robinia), rich deep green inks, amber inks that shade, dark blue sheening inks, cool-toned medium and dark brown inks, broody dark red inks, vibrant purple inks, and all the blue inks. In my state of the collection post, I've listed all of the bottled inks I own so please feel free to use it as a reference! Are you interested in receiving paper/notebooks? If so, preferred smoothness, paper size, ruling, weight, hardcover/softcover, binding, etc.?
• I am very peculiar when it comes to paper weight & notebooks, so this would probably not be a good gift for me. Are you interested in receiving nibs and/or pen repair supplies? If so, what in particular?
• I have a wonderful stock of pen repair supplies and have not yet cracked into it just yet (knock on wood!) so I will have to opt-out of nibs and pen repair items this go around. Are you interested in receiving stationery accessories, such as pen cases/rolls, notebook covers, pen-themed stickers/decals, ink swatching cards/stamps, etc.? If so, what in particular?
• I love pen cases/rolls & notebook covers! I have two from Galen Leather that I love but am always up to discovering more styles and accessories for my pens (Slip-N-Zip 4-slot pen case in Crazy Horse Forest Green & Leather Zippered 6-slot pen in Crazy Horse Brown.) Some people like to include some bonus candies or sweets in the packages. Do you have any food restrictions or allergies your Santa should be aware of?
• None at all! Anything you definitely don't want, or already have too many of? (ink colors, pen model, etc.)
• Eyedropper convertible pens, because I am a HORRENDOUS clutz and do not trust myself not to break a pen and have ink spill everywhere. Also, I change out my inks too regularly to properly use all the ink in an eyedropper!
• Bright red inks. I'm sorry, I just can't do it.