As much as I wanted Inkpire, Vinkpire, Vampinkre... to work for this post title, I'll take the L with that portmanteau attempt. (Don't drink the ink!) But how would I describe myself? An inkcyclopedia? That feels too structured and others are doing that better. Inkfluencer? No, that may be an incidental side effect but that doesn't fit either. What about Inkthusiast? I want to be unabashedly excited about exploring ink, and simply share that excitement and the interesting things I've learned along the way. It's me, I'm the Inkthusiast, it's me.
Interview with an Inkthusiast
Back in March my friend Derek asked if I would be open to being interviewed for his pen and stationery YouTube channel, dwrdnet, talking about what I do with swatching and painting with fountain pen inks. Despite the honor of being asked, always being happy to talk about these topics, and streaming on Twitch regularly, I still can't listen to or watch myself recorded so this was a request outside my comfort zone. I needed some time to get used to the idea, but I was more than happy to help him test a setup for recording video interviews with people in the pen community. The testing worked out well and he released several interviews, one a week, before the timing lined up for me to get on the schedule. Despite my nerves, I do think the interview went well and I really, really appreciate all the positive feedback. 💚
The DWRDNET Stationery Feed Video Podcast
You can watch my interview with Derek on YouTube (recommended over the audio-only version because I demonstrate swatching and show inky things on the video), but I'm listing all ten episodes so far with a little bit of commentary because I've been enjoying every one. It's my privilege to be included in such a wonderful lineup of guests (and even more I'm looking forward to coming out soon)!
DWRDNET Stationery Feed Episode List
Episode 1 With Chase Gustafson Artist and Photography
I think it's interesting to hear how and why people get into using fountain pens, how they use them, and what they are looking for as a next step. Chase has some different use cases and preferences than I do, and while the vast opportunity for customization with fountain pens and ink can meet a wide range of needs, it can be difficult to navigate all the options without some guidance—the pen community is such a valuable resource.
Episode 2 With Guest Jonathan Butler of Butler Stationery
Butler Stationery is a shop in Columbia, TN (about 45 minutes away from me). I don't visit as often as I'd like, but I've spent several hours at the new location a couple of times recently where I've found some cool things to take home, and really great conversations. It's exciting to hear more about Jonathan's plans for using the larger space for more meetups and classes, increasing the number of products from makers in the region, and being available to help people learn and explore this rabbit hole.
Episode 3 With Danielle Kindsfater owner of Happiness Handmade LLC
Like Derek, I also met Danielle at the Arkansas show this year and had a really lovely conversation about her stickers and growing business, so it was great to learn more about her background and the motivation and dreams for starting Happiness Handmade. I love the watercolor style of the stickers and how they really blend into the page. Journaling is an area I'm still figuring out, but I've been using the stickers I got at her table in Arkansas for a new journal I'm excited about.
Episode 4 With Darrell Davis of D Squared Arts
About an hour into the 2024 San Francisco pen show, I was immediately drawn to the unique colors of a particular pen at Shawn Newton's table which I purchased on the spot. Later on Instagram, Shawn Newton tagged @d_squared_arts as the maker of this resin I loved so much, so I've been following Darrell since then and was looking forward to visiting his table at the 2025 Arkansas Pen Show. Each pen on his table was a unique, hand-carved sculpture—this time it took me a lot longer to decide on a pen, but I really enjoyed talking with Darrell about his inspiration and process while I looked through them all to find the one. I'm glad we all have the chance to learn more about Darrell's inspiration and process in this interview.
Episode 5 With Scott Lewis of Tristar Studio
Scott is a pen maker in Middle TN, and while I've known him for a while now I hadn't had the chance to see much of his work in person until the Atlanta Pen Show this year, where I picked out the only fountain pen I purchased at that show. This conversation covered Scott's journey up to making bespoke pens with his unique style that might include delicate metal ring accents, or stabilized wood paired with colorful resin, and vending for the first time at a pen show.
Episode 6 With Nic Pasquale of Pens by Pasquale
It's always interesting to see what Nic is up to, a pen maker also here in Middle TN, known for his passion for materials (both making his own and finding unique and rare materials) and always trying new things. Even though I've been following Nic for several years and get a chance to catch up with him in person every now and again, I learned a lot more about pen making and the pen making community from this interview.
Episode 7 With Lisa of Olive Octopus Ink
My chat with Derek about getting into pens and inks, ink swatching on different papers, and getting artsy and more engaged with the community.
Episode 8 With Shawn Newton of Newton Pens
I have a couple Newton Pens, and had the opportunity to join a seminar hosted by Shawn at the Arkansas Pen Show earlier this year to learn more about the process of commissioning a custom pen which was so interesting and probably an area of the fountain pen hobby I will be exploring more soon. This was a great opportunity to learn more about the person behind the pens I enjoy so much, and more of the backstory of the Newton Pens Scholarships.
Episode 9 With Erick Gama of Amarillo Stationery
One of these days I'm determined to make it to a pen show where I can visit the Amarillo Stationery table and meet Erick in person! In the meantime I'm enjoying my Amarillo Stationery inks, and several cool items from Blue Star Crafts that I've ordered from his shop. Erick is such a great presence in our community, I have developed a great appreciation for highly-curated shops that are a direct reflection of the passion and interests of the proprietor, and Erick's Instagram is probably my best source of discovery for new accounts to follow in our community.
Episode 10 With Chad of Eel and Anchor
I've gotten to know Chad online through The Gentleman Stationer community, his resin work as Eel and Anchor (one of my very favorite pens is his resin in a pen made by Shawn Newton), etc. and finally got the chance to hang out with him in person at the Arkansas Pen Show this year. This episode releases this Thursday, May 29th, but is available now to channel members—I loved learning more about how he got into pouring resin, collecting and using pens, and what's coming next for the Arkansas Pen Show, which I plan on attending again next year!
Final Thoughts
Doing this interview has now expanded my comfort zone a little bit, and while I've still not yet been able to watch the video myself, I'm grateful to Derek for the opportunity and encouragement to make this happen.
In the intervening time since that interview was published, I've also had a recorded conversation with another person, one who has been incredibly encouraging and supportive to me over the last few years, and is always a delight to spend time with—so stay tuned! (Update: The least important reason, but a reason, to become a member.)
