Ink Sync

Taiwan 2024: In-house inks and Crescent nib grind

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 15:08:09 +0000

My trip to Taiwan this year was not focused on stationery, but I’ve still ended up with some interesting finds.

London Autumn Pen Show 2024

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 21:03:37 +0000

I wasn’t looking for anything in particular at the show but I went in with an open mind and (to a certain extent) wallet. Here is my tiny window into the event…

The surprising connection between journalism and flex nibs

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 21:25:51 +0100

Standardised shorthands' simplified letterforms and phonetic transcriptions allow people to jot down people’s words at speeds of hundreds of words per minute. Does shorthand require special stationery?

Reflecting on one year of Ink Sync

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 19:52:01 +0100

This ‘Ink Sync’ blog of mine has been going for a whole year now. What insights have I gathered from writing approximately 17,000 words and taking approximately 120 photos?

Recently Inked: 24th July 2024

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 20:16:45 +0100

I’ve been quite happy with my stationery usage recently, so let’s share some photos.

Tidying up: Swatching with an improvised dip pen, curating my collection

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 19:58:47 +0100

The worst thing about keeping the stuff I don’t want is that I repeatedly come back and give it another chance. As a result, I’ve written pages and pages in colours of ink that I hate.

Cleaning pen threads with a brush

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 19:23:45 +0100

Just a quick post about cleaning threads, such as the ones on pens with twist caps. They can collect dust and are too fine to be cleaned out with most items.

Tidying up: Inks, refills and supplies

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 18:56:08 +0100

Boxes and bags were in so many places in my room, they were dealing psychic damage every time I opened a drawer or a cupboard! They needed a tidying up ASAP!

Tidying up: Unused notebooks

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 19:36:25 +0100

Recently I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. The book is famous for a reason—it is incredibly entertaining and gets you motivated to tidy up yourself.

Bits and pieces of life

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 10:53:36 +0100

My life got busier, so I’ve been racking up topics to write about, as well as totally failing to set aside time for writing. Here is a quick roundup of all the topics.

My Bullet Journal in 2023

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 13:50:33 +0000

I just filled out my first bullet journal in a few years! Let’s share some photos and talk about what went well and what I’ll change in the next one.

Pilot Mogulair mechanical pencil

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:32:48 +0100

Although I like mechanical pencils in theory, I have a history of vague dissatisfaction with them; in hindsight, I couldn’t stop associating them with those moments where I got over-excited, pressed too hard, and my train of thought got interrupted by a crunch of graphite and a black mark. But the Mogulair broke that trend.

Lennon Tool Bar Atmospheric Twilight

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 13:35:13 +0100

Lennon Tool Bar Atmospheric Twilight is a medium grey with a purple tint and a slightly opaque appearance. This ink is almost completely waterproof.

Old-fashioned in more ways than one (J. Herbin Lie de Thé)

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:25:25 +0100

Lie de Thé has the kind of romantic colour that seems best suited for an art project or an aesthetic scrapbook.

Stationery shopping in Taipei, part 2

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 20:13:56 +0100

I spent a month in Taipei and did a lot of stationery shopping (my excuse was that if I’m going to shop anyway, far better there than back in the UK). This time I’ll talk about the less niche places where you can find stationery.

Stationery shopping in Taipei, part 1

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 20:13:51 +0100

I spent a month in Taipei and did a lot of stationery shopping (my excuse was that it was an incentive to explore the city more). This time I’ll talk about my experience with specialised stationery shops.

Tiny icons in my planner (Pilot ILMILY Two-Colour Stamp + Deco Rush tape)

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 12:00:13 +0800

I’ve been eyeing tiny stamps for a while, wondering if there was a low effort and consistent way to include them in my journaling habits. Turns out that the best place for them is in my A6 planner/journal where I often want to communicate things quickly.

Things no one told me about the Sailor Pro Gear Slim, and how I picked mine

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 10:41:29 +0800

The pen is pretty much as everyone describes it. But there are some details which I only found out after writing with one myself.

Taipei Stationery Fair 2023

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 01:39:41 +0800

I’m visiting Taiwan right now, and I decided to check out the Taipei Stationery Fair. Of course I know that Taiwan is full of stationery lovers. But I still didn’t expect to be met with this…

My preferences in fountain pen inks

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 22:25:37 +0100

Why am I documenting this? So I can look back on it in a few years and laugh at how much things have changed.

Smooth ink with a floral aesthetic (J. Herbin Eclat de Saphir)

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 20:37:19 +0100

It feels like it’s already gone through an Instagram beauty filter or something.

Currently Inked: 7th June 2023

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 17:22:38 +0100

As I’ve mentioned before, I use multiple fountain pens and inks at a time, and choosing combinations that work well together is one of my favourite parts of this hobby. I’m happy with the current lineup so I thought I’d share it.

This pen has to... go

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 11:36:49 +0100

Nostalgia for my TWSBI Eco and bad luck with the TWSBI GO

My A6 Traveler's Notebook

Sat, 27 May 2023 17:15:09 +0100

A6 doesn’t fit much, so each notebook becomes a snapshot of a small period of my life. That, or I can use it for a very specific topic.

Delicate yet practical (Twsbi Blue-Black)

Sat, 20 May 2023 13:12:31 +0100

Distinctive if you’re obsessed with colours and inks, blue-black to everyone else.

DIY Traveler's Notebook Tutorial

Sat, 13 May 2023 01:22:13 +0100

If you read or watch stationery content online, you might have fallen for the allure of the Traveler’s Notebook by now. The design is ingenious, and simple enough that you can make your own.

Fountain pen friendly, student friendly (Silvine paper)

Wed, 10 May 2023 23:43:38 +0100

All this time there was another fountain pen friendly paper hiding away in the ‘cheap notebooks’ section.

Goodbye to Florida (Diamine Florida Blue)

Wed, 03 May 2023 15:48:02 +0100

I’m beginning this blog with an ending. Specifically, the end of a bottle of ink.

About

Tue, 02 May 2023 02:31:18 +0100

Hi there, I’m Au. I use fountain pens every day for taking notes and journaling. I like how stationery items acquire their own stories and personalities as you use them, and I decided to share some of my stories on this blog.