How did you fall down the rabbit hole of fountain pens and stationery? AKA, the moment that made you fall in love with writing tools and supplies?
I’ve loved art and stationery for as long as I can remember. I was that tween who bought a new planner every year... and then abandoned it a month later lol. Fast forward to almost 10 years ago when my then-boyfriend-now-husband introduced me to fountain pens, and that was it. I was hooked. The way the ink flowed, the smoothness, the intentionality of every stroke... I fell in love instantly.
I became obsessed with exploring ink colors, finding the pens and nibs that made them shine, creating little pieces of art, and sharing those discoveries with the community I love so much. There’s something magical about the tiny nuances (the shimmer, the sheen, the multi-chromatic properties of ink) that make writing feel luxurious. It’s calming, personal, and endlessly fascinating, and it’s a rabbit hole I’m so glad I fell into.
What do you do for work? Is there any way this hobby is intermingled with your work?
I work in digital marketing and social media, and the hobby ended up blending into my work more than I expected! I actually work with a fountain pen retailer. I handle some of the photography and content,
which still feels surreal sometimes. I’m genuinely grateful that I get to blend two things I love—pens and creativity—into my everyday work.
What else are you in to that you would like to share with people to better know you?
Outside of fountain pens, I’m a huge cat person at heart. We have three rescues (Hunter, Paya, and
Maxie) who always try to sit on the page I’m writing on.
I almost always have a camera on me (analogue, digital, or my Osmo Pocket) because I love capturing
the tiny moments I never want to forget. When I’m not behind a lens, you can find me playing cozy video games, enjoying game night with family, curled up with my husband watching whatever show we’re currently obsessed with, or trying to make a dent in my ever-growing TBR pile.
I love anything cozy, intentional, and a tiny bit nerdy—pens, inks, stories, and small rituals that make life feel warm. At this stage of my life, I’m really just doing my best to heal my inner child and surround
myself with things that spark nostalgia and joy.
What words/quote would you like to share to other aspiring creatives?
Create with what you have, and grow at your own pace. You don’t need the fanciest tools or the perfect idea—just the willingness to start. Stop doomscrolling, pick up that pen, and start creating. (Honestly, this is advice for myself, too, lol.)
What do you believe is the best starter fountain pen? Where should people start?
A great beginner pen should be affordable, easy to maintain, and comfortable.
My go-to recommendation is always the Pilot Kakuno paired with any ink that sparks joy. Most ballpoint or gel pen users gravitate toward finer tips, and Pilot’s EF and F nibs are wonderfully smooth. It’s such a reliable writer. Almost 100 pens into my collection and I still find myself reaching for a Kakuno sometimes. It’s affordable, durable, and even accepts a con-70 for extra ink capacity.
They write smoothly, are widely available, and give people a good feel for what fountain pens can really be like without overwhelming them. It’s a great gateway pen into the hobby.
What's your go-to pen and ink combo?
Great question! I rotate often, but lately I keep coming back to a fine nib. My trusty setup is a Pilot 823
filled with Platinum Carbon Black. It’s incredibly reliable—I can even take it on a plane without worry
thanks to the vacuum filling system. I ground the nib into a little architect myself, which makes it extra
special. The ink capacity lasts forever, and Carbon Black is super dark, crisp, and waterproof. It’s funny because I’m obsessed with colorful inks, yet my go-to combo is the least colorful pairing imaginable.
Ask me again next month and I might have a different answer. 😜
