Welcome to giveaway number two leading up to the September 1 launch of my new book, Move Slow & Make Things. For this giveaway, I’ve partnered with Luxury Brands of America, a US distributor for fountain pens, inks, notebooks, and other fine writing supplies. They carry some of my favorite fountain pen brands, such as Platinum, Waldmann, and Benu.
One of the themes I write about in Move Slow and Make Things is buying and using tools and materials that honor your creativity. This doesn’t mean you have to buy everything top-of-the-line, but it means you buy and use things that make your heart sing. You not only buy those things, but you actually use them. I know it sounds idealistic and romantic, but I will own that when it comes to creative supplies.
I will admit that even just a few years ago, I didn’t understand the appeal of buying a fountain pen. I didn’t know if I was interested in messing with the ink, the nibs, and the leaks that come with using one. While you can get fountain pens for as little as $7.00 (for the Platinum Preppy), I also didn’t understand splurging a few hundred dollars on a pen. I mean, it’s just a pen, right?
I don’t know how it started, but it was a slow progression from buying nicer mechanical pencils, playing around with dip pens and nibs, buying a $150 pen for my birthday, and then buying a 1920s fountain pen at a shop in Paris as a souvenir. And now, I’m hooked on fine writing instruments. They are like office jewelry, some made of Sterling silver, platinum, gold, and other fine metals. They are heirlooms that can be used for generations. I’ve already made a lot of great memories with my fountain pens, using them for writing and sketching.
This is the Waldmann Tango, one of my favorites.
It also feels good to clean and refill a pen instead of throwing it away. I’ve come to really dislike how our current culture makes and treats things (like huge, expensive refrigerators) that are basically disposable. I’m not above being wasteful, but I’m becoming more aware of it and want to buy and use things that will last a long time, if not a lifetime. I’ve also come to enjoy caring for my pens. I take real delight in cleaning out the nibs, refilling the ink, and troubleshooting if something isn’t working properly. It’s the sort of activity that forces me to slow down, get my fingers a little ink-stained, and care for my nice tools.
The pen above is the Platinum 3776 in Calico Celluloid, and another favorite.
Today, we’d like to give one lucky reader a chance to win the Benu Hot Lush Fountain Pen, a starter set of Colorverse fountain pen ink with washi tape, a Nebula notebook, which is filled with paper perfect for fountain pens, and a Giro Logio pen sleeve. It’s basically everything you need to get writing with a fountain pen or, if you’re already a member of the fountain pen fan club, it will be a flashy new addition.
You don’t have to preorder the book to enter, but it would be awesome if you did! Preorders contribute to the success of a book so much in this day and age. You can preorder Move Slow & Make Things HERE. And claim your preorder bonuses HERE.
Details to enter are below. Good luck!
13 Responses
I’ll be exposing my age when I tell you I used a fountain pen in grade school. We had an ink well for bottles in the wooden desk top. Thus began my love affair. The ease of feeling the pen glide along good quality writing paper is still a tactical experience.
OOH! What a wonderful giveaway – such beautiful and well-crafted items! Your books is going to speak to so many of your ardent fans. Thank you for sharing your talents and philosophies with us. I can wait to read it.
As an aside, calligraphy has been a big part of my life for decades, but I’ve never owned such a lovely pen. (I taught myself in high school and used to make money hand addressing wedding invitations)
I am entering for my husband who loves, uses, and collects fountain pens. He despises writing with any other instruments. He has done calligraphy projects for extra money.
Well, that is very thoughtful of you! 🙂
A fine fountain pen creates a memorable experience every time you remove the cap. This is an indulgent giveaway. One I hope I win. I so agree fine tools of any kind make the whole experience that much better. Thank you for sponsoring such a terrific giveaway.
I love a good pen but I have never tried a fountain pen. You have me intrigued to try!
Beautiful Marian. Quick question Marian. I saved all the bonus for the preorder. Did I miss the email with your painting? I am famous for reading and deleting! Thanks. I can’t wait to add your book to my Marian Parsons library! Have a great week friend. Xo
You should have received the link to download as the last email in the series of preorder bonuses, but let me know if you need the link again. You can send me an email and we’ll get you the info.
What a beautiful giveaway!! I’ve practiced brushed lettering for about 5 years now and have never tried anything else other than regular brush pens. I would love to expand my experience with this!!!
Shelly Vasquez!
If you love brush pens, I think you’ll enjoy the world of nibs.
Marian, my father introduced me the romanticism of writing with a fountain pen. I have a small collection now that I adore. Ironically I posted to a group earlier today that sometimes it’s not the finished product that brings so much joy but enjoying the beautiful tools we use in our creative processes. Thank you for always being a reminder of the importance of celebrating the entire journey of making beautiful things, a beautiful life.
Yes, I totally agree. The experience of creating is often more important than the finished result.
Hi ladies, I’m so happy I entered to try to win this gorgeous wonderful gift. I’ve been using fountain pens for letter writing for years but for some odd reason I loose them and started to realize I need to just buy one T Michaels craft store. Don’t do it! It took the joy out of a fp that is good to a fp that was horrible and no fun at all. My sister in law from Santa Fe is who introduced me to a fine craft. Fp writing. I bought one in New Orleans at a great book store and one in Germany. Both are now gone. So I hope to win this gift. Thank you for your inspiration and talent for me to enjoy me senior yers that have been stale lately. Have a great day and evening and good luck to the winner. LF