Topics

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Dinky Dip Quick Filler

« on: February 27, 2019, 10:20:04 AM »

I store my mixed inks/pigments in these little bottles with the silicone attached tops. It makes it very quick and easy to fill Dinky Dip ink holders. The bottles have a very narrow metal spout, and make it a one-hand, one-step way to quickly fill the Dinky Dip holders. I can refill it with one hand while still holding the pen in my other hand. No mess! I found these handy bottles on Amazon, and keep them filled with my favorite inks and gouaches. Takes up less space on my desk, and the top never gets lost since it's attached to the bottle.

Also, the Silicone Dinky Dip holder has a slightly oversized container, and they adhere so nicely to the desk, keeping them from spilling if I bump them. I found mine at John Neal Booksellers very inexpensively.

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Preventing Flange/Nib Heel rust

« on: February 27, 2019, 09:38:44 AM »

Here are two tips that have saved me hours of agony. Ƒirst, after cleaning my nib, I always squirt it out from the top of the flange with compressed air. This quickly moves any ink and water within the flange, pushes it over the nib, and onto the paper toweling. Then, I rinse it once more, doing the same thing to be sure the water is clear.  This assures that the flange and nib-base are not hiding ink/water, and reduces the chance of rust.   

Next, I never leave pen holders and nibs which are drying in a regular pen rest or even horizontally. To do so means to chance leaving water or ink in the flange, and ‘cementing’ the nib inside the flange. To eliminate that probability, I found a cheap and nifty solution. I use a kneadable eraser rolled into a ball, and I press the pen holder into it, with the nib facing down, so it will dry without trapping any moisture. Once dry, I can put it in my nice pen rests which lay the holder and nib horizontally on my shelf. 

Hope these ideas help!

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Yoke Pen Restoration of Zanerian Fine Art Pen Holder

« on: September 29, 2018, 08:12:15 PM »

I'm stoked! My battered, broken and beat up Zanerian Fine Art pen holder is now fully restored, with ink marks and history saved. I wanted to share the beautiful results  and a bit of the history. This pen belonged to my grandfather, who was a penman in the early 1900's. When he died, my family cleared out his house, and knowing nothing about pens, threw out all his pens, nibs and ephemera. I saved this pen from the trash, because I thought it was so pretty, and put it in my hope chest. I was still in my pre-teens, and didn't know I'd one day grow up to be a broad pen calligrapher, and late in life, take up learning the pointed pen.

The pen holder kicked around in my pen box, full of $2.00 pen holders and junk, for 40 years, until I found it this year and decided to put it to use. I loved how it felt in my hand, but the flange was sloppy, the tail was broken off and the finial missing. I had no idea of its value, and still thought it was "pretty," and a nice link to my family history.

When I found out that it was a coveted pen, and held in high regard, I posted here in the forum to see if anyone knew of a pen smith who might be interested in restoring it. Forum member Anasazi recommended Yoke Pen Company, and I wrote Christopher Yoke the next day.

Christopher was so gracious and agreed to do the restoration. Once he received it, he decided how to approach it. Rather than make it "look new," he wanted to preserve the history by leaving the wear and ink stains on the pen holder, but cleaning it up, lightly coating the pen, replacing the finial and broken part of the shaft and repairing the flange.

He said he really enjoyed working on this family heirloom, and he made a video on Instagram of how he repaired and restored it, step by step. It's fascinating to see how he used the rosewood dust to fill in the cracks, and fitted the pieces together. You cannot even tell it was ever damaged now! It just looks loved and well used. It's a beautiful, phenomenal restoration, honoring the integrity of the original pen and it's first owner.

I couldn't be more thrilled!

Here's the link to Christopher's video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BoNd37pDmQP

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Pensmith to Restore Vintage Zanerian Fine Writer Pen Holder?

« on: September 04, 2018, 12:38:19 PM »

I inherited my grandfather's Zanerian Fine Writer Pen Holder, and I'm looking for a pen smith to restore it. The slat for the flange is worn from so many decades of service, and the silver nickel flange no longer stays snug. (Yes, I can wedge it with an orange wood Stim-U-Dent). The finial was broken or cut off, and I just have a half-drilled olive wood oval bead I slipped on the broken end. The finish is completely worn off, and just bare wood. If anyone can suggest someone who might have an interest in restoring this family treasure, I'd certainly appreciate it!

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Identify This Oblique Pen Holder?

« on: August 19, 2018, 06:30:29 PM »

Hi All!

I have a Zanerian Style Oblique  pen holder with a very slender waistline and steel flange. It belonged to my grandfather, born in 1888, who immigrated to the United States from Poland in approximately 1908, when he was in his twenties, and made Spencerian calling cards as a side business. The finial was broken off, so I can only guess the original length, but it seems like it may have been about 8” long. I’m

I love this penholder not only for the family history, but for it’s slimness, and how comfortable it feels in my hand. Has anyone seen this vintage pen holder, or have any idea where it may have come from?

I’d like to a few penholders as slim as this one, and I’d love to know more about the origins of this particular pen.

Thanks in advance for any information!

Debi Davis

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Introductions / Hello from Las Vegas, Nevada!

« on: August 13, 2018, 01:13:51 AM »

Hello!

I’m Debi Davis, from Las Vegas, Nevada. I’ve been studying and practicing broad pen calligraphy for 40 years, and just recently began my first journey into pointed pen work. Starting a new journey in calligraphy is thrilling, exhausting, frustrating, enchanting, eye-opening and mesmerizing. I remember the thrill decades ago when I first began to seriously study Cancellesca Corsiva, and I’m having that same experience now with the oblique pen. After so many years of using only a broad pen, I have to unlearn habits formed ages ago, and start like a child, a sponge waiting to be filled up. I know I’ve come to the right place. I’m enjoying the copperplate style tutorials of Salman Khattack, and practicing with every spare moment of time. 

I’ve been thrilled by the historical information given by Dr. Joe Vitolo, and his awesome interactive iPad Pro book. A question remains with me — if copperplate style is based on English Roundhand, why was it ever called “ROUND” hand? There is nothing round about it. It’s oval, and based on an oblique parallelogram, as far as I can see. Any enlightenment to offer here?

I’m a retired service dog user and trainer, and a double leg amputee using a power wheelchair to redesign the walls of my house. I live with my husband Tim, a teacher of mathematics, and my retired service dog, whose eyesight and hearing is far worse than my own.

I look forward to participating in forum topics, and learning all I can with the time I have left in this fascinating world. I love all the different countries, cultures and types of calligraphy to be found here, and the generous help of master calligraphers. What a lovely community!