Unfortunately I haven't ordered the walnut ink crystals. May be will do that in my next order. Currently i use Sumi ink and sometimes Pilot Blue or Black.
Your post and receipe on how to make you own ink is just amazing. And im very tempted to try it out myself. Hope the ingredients are easily available or let me knw if there is any online site from were you order.
I am out of Pune right now. Will be getting back around the month end, and I shall send you info on making your own iron gall ink.
Send me a private message with you address, will send you the Walnut crystals.
As you are already using fountain pen ink, see if you can lay your hands on Bril ink. They have lovely colours and it writes beautifully. If you find it a little too liquidy, you can add some Gum arabic to it and make it more viscous.
Prasad, why did you not send me that awesome link when i began?!
You posted here too late
all I could do is send you the holder
Another reason why you need to join this Forum as soon as you think of calligraphy. By the way, have enough crystals left or do you need some more?
I will talk to you later about the frequency of orders you place with PIA and time it takes to get delivered.
Right now my friend is getting for me so no worries about duties and customs,
Ashok
Custom duty is a hit and miss for us. Sometimes they catch a random packet and you end up paying duty. This is when it's sent by USPS from the States and taken over by Indian Post here.
If you get material by FedEx, DHL, EMS or any of those courier services, you not only have to give a KYC to the clearing agent (courier guys) but 99.9.% of the time, you pay duty. There is no hard and fast amount and rates can vary from 12.5% to 22.5%
Safest is by USPS or their local mail from Europe like Deutsche Post.
It takes longer (can take unto 15-20 days) but gets here for sure and is Duty free.
Happy writing
-Prasad