Flourish Forum
General Categories => Favorite Resources => Topic started by: Inked botanicals on January 24, 2015, 09:14:50 AM
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Hi everyone! I know most of you are from USA, but maybe there is some one that could help me. Do you know any place where I can order calligraphy supplies in Europe? I am from Spain, and shipping costs from USA are killing me! It is only worth it for quite big orders and it ends being almost the same amount for shipping than the actual goods :( I am very happy with John Neal and Paper&Inks, they both ship quite fast (in less than 2 weeks generally I got my order), and I had never a problem, but... Maybe there is a place nearer and more affordable for me. What do you think? Thanks a lot in advance!
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Hello Alba! :)
Here are a few EU suppliers I've used or had recommended - the list is UK heavy because that's where I am. The one thing which remains hard to get without importing from outside the Union is a decent oblique pen holder at a sensible price, but on the other hand we're quite fortunate when it comes to paper.
General calligraphy people:
Blots (http://www.blotspens.co.uk/index.html)
Scribblers (http://www.scribblers.co.uk/)
Penman Direct (http://www.penmandirect.com/index.php)
J&T (http://www.jandtsartandcalligraphy.co.uk/)
Kallipos (http://www.kallipos.de/gb-calligraphy-shop.html)
Kalligraphie.com (http://www.kalligraphie.ch/store/index.php)
Comptoir des Écritures (http://www.comptoirdesecritures.com/index.html)
Cornelissen (http://www.cornelissen.com/)
My usual sources for paper, stationery etc:
Cultpens (http://www.cultpens.com/)
Bureau Direct (http://www.bureaudirect.co.uk/)
For exotic paper:
Shepherds / Falkiner (http://store.bookbinding.co.uk/store/)
Hope that's a helpful start. I know that Estefa has some good recommendations for materials in Germany, likewise for Cecilia in Italy.
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Haha, Andy, I think you got the ones I use already ;)!! There is only
http://www.blotspens.co.uk
I'd like to add, they were superfast and they have Dr. Martins Bleedproof white, I think?? Which is not so easy to get in Europe.
And
http://www.kunstpark-shop.de/Kuenstlerbedarf/Gouache-Tempera/Schmincke-CALLIGRAPHY-Gouache.html?listtype=search&searchparam=Calligraphy%20gouache
They have Schminckes's famous calligraphy gouache (among tons of other stuff).
Andy btw, did you get my Christmas card??
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Hi Stefanie, I did indeed receive your splendid card ... I thought I'd emailed you to say thanks, but it appears not. :( Sorry, but a letter will be in the post soon.
Blots do indeed stock Dr. Martin's, and Schminke too. Did you not mention an outstanding paper supplier in Berlin a while ago?
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I am not sure what you mean, Andy? Maybe Manufactum, they have that beautiful 100% cotton crown mill paper?
Glad the card arrived!!
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Maybe - I thought it was a general art supplier though. Can't find any trace of it in the emails, so there's a chance I'm imagining things!
Agreed about that Crown Mill Paper - splendid stuff. :)
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Lots of than you, guys! You are the best. And google traslator! German almost seems easy with google ;D I am now lost in vintage nibs!
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Does any know of any alternatives to amazon when buying walnut ink? Or am I just missing it on the usual calligraphy supply sites?
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Does any know of any alternatives to amazon when buying walnut ink? Or am I just missing it on the usual calligraphy supply sites?
Amazon is a good bet for walnut ink as it happens, if you buy Vandyke crystals and make it up yourself. This isn't a substitute, and it's very good indeed. Also preposterously cheap, as in a fiver a gallon or thereabouts. There's a thread on making walnut ink if you care to search for it, but the short version is that 1 gram to 15ml of hot water makes a strong solution which flows well and gives decent hairlines. Just stir and leave to cool. :)
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Does any know of any alternatives to amazon when buying walnut ink? Or am I just missing it on the usual calligraphy supply sites?
Amazon is a good bet for walnut ink as it happens, if you buy Vandyke crystals and make it up yourself. This isn't a substitute, and it's very good indeed. Also preposterously cheap, as in a fiver a gallon or thereabouts. There's a thread on making walnut ink if you care to search for it, but the short version is that 1 gram to 15ml of hot water makes a strong solution which flows well and gives decent hairlines. Just stir and leave to cool. :)
Thanks for the tip - I'll look into that : ) it was just in case the calligraphy supply sites sold the ink - I would rather give the money to them rather than amazon!!
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J&T have been out of stock of ready made walnut ink for ages; I can't recall anybody else offering it (or having the brass neck to offer the crystals at a markup ... in the UK). You can get the Vandyke crystals from wood finishing suppliers, or ebay if you want a small quantity. A 50g packet (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Traditional-water-based-wood-stain-50g-Van-Dyke-Dyck-crystals-makes-up-to-1-ltr-/301178398819) will make a wine bottle's worth for £3.31if you don't want enough to make a bucketful.
It's worth mentioning that Kalligraphie.com (http://www.kalligraphie.ch/store/index.php/cat/c57_Walnut-Ink.html) in Switzerland do sell both ready made and crystal walnut ink. From what I hear it's a bit different and probably has a carbon content: it's definitely darker. Once again, Stefanie is the source of wisdom on that. :)
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Hello, of course you can find something better than a**zone (I can't write that name)
I buy everything I need there:
http://www.comptoirdesecritures.com (http://www.comptoirdesecritures.com)
very reliable, not too expansive, they sell quite everywhere !
What else?
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No wisdom really, Andy :) – but yes, the ink from A. Schenk is definitely darker than the Vandyke crystals – as you said, I think it's not a 'pure' walnut ink. I love it though, it's my daily practice ink!
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I've just added Cornelissen to the list above - bit of an oversight, that. :-[
When it comes to colourful stuff, Cornelissen appear to sell everything, including the Scriptorium walnut ink and Vandyke crystals at a sensible price. They're tucked away in the traditional inks section (http://www.cornelissen.com/drawing-and-calligraphy/traditional-inks.html).
I buy everything I need there:
http://www.comptoirdesecritures.com (http://www.comptoirdesecritures.com)
Also added, thanks.
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Wow, I didn't know this shop!! And that at a moment where I am in a stop-bying-new-toys period ;D!
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Does any know of any alternatives to amazon when buying walnut ink? Or am I just missing it on the usual calligraphy supply sites?
Yes! At kalligraphie.ch - wonderful walnut ink!
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I've just thought of another question - anywhere outside the U.S where I can get finetec the 6 gold palette? I have instagram envy. :o
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You can buy it from coliro.de – Finetec is actually a German company ;)!
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You can buy it from coliro.de – Finetec is actually a German company ;)!
Oh thank you! I'm happily £25 lighter - I bought the 6 gold palette and the limited edition dragon silver ::) I have to stop buying!!!!!
Edit: My finetec is here! So excited to use it - the colours are gorgeous!!
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One very quick question - where can I find a folded pen nib? I've been searching everywhere and I can't find any. :(
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You mean like some of these?
http://www.kalligraphie.ch/store/index.php/cat/c67_Professionelle-Schreibwerkzeuge.html
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I agree with Stefanie: the only other folded pen I've seen offered in Europe is at the bottom of this page:
http://www.comptoirdesecritures.com/acatalog/Les_tire-lignes_etc.html
It's easier to find instructions on how to make them than to find one for sale. If you fancy having a go, there are some informative links on this page (http://jan777.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/tool-report-folded-pen.html).
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https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/215606025/handmade-dip-pen-from-reclaimed-tins?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=calligraphy+pen&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_locationQuery=2635167&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/215606025/handmade-dip-pen-from-reclaimed-tins?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=calligraphy+pen&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_locationQuery=2635167&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)
I found these on Etsy the other day when searching for something else, I thought they were quite steep but looking at the other links the price is comparable.
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You mean like some of these?
http://www.kalligraphie.ch/store/index.php/cat/c67_Professionelle-Schreibwerkzeuge.html
Exactly like that! I couldn't for the life of me find these these this morning - the price is pretty steep I would maybe try and make one - there's a can of coke in the fridge!
Thanks everyone for the info and links!
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I think Erica made one herself … I agree the prices are quite high :/. I don't have one myself, just have been ogling them :).
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https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/215606025/handmade-dip-pen-from-reclaimed-tins?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=calligraphy+pen&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_locationQuery=2635167&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/215606025/handmade-dip-pen-from-reclaimed-tins?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=calligraphy+pen&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_locationQuery=2635167&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)
I found these on Etsy the other day when searching for something else, I thought they were quite steep but looking at the other links the price is comparable.
I think those are a good deal: Maria Whetman has taken the whole business of making folded pens a bit further by forming the whole thing from one piece of metal, handle and all. Furthermore she uses steel cans, so the pen ought to last well. I've been aware of her work for a while since seeing this article (http://fluxplay.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/written-word-is-beautiful-thing.html), but didn't know about the Etsy shop - so thanks for putting another temptation in my way, Nikki. ;)
Once I've worked the reed pen obsession out of my system, this might be the next thing to have a go at ...
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https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/215606025/handmade-dip-pen-from-reclaimed-tins?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=calligraphy+pen&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_locationQuery=2635167&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/215606025/handmade-dip-pen-from-reclaimed-tins?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=calligraphy+pen&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_locationQuery=2635167&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)
I found these on Etsy the other day when searching for something else, I thought they were quite steep but looking at the other links the price is comparable.
I think those are a good deal: Maria Whetman has taken the whole business of making folded pens a bit further by forming the whole thing from one piece of metal, handle and all. Furthermore she uses steel cans, so the pen ought to last well. I've been aware of her work for a while since seeing this article (http://fluxplay.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/written-word-is-beautiful-thing.html), but didn't know about the Etsy shop - so thanks for putting another temptation in my way, Nikki. ;)
Once I've worked the reed pen obsession out of my system, this might be the next thing to have a go at ...
You're very welcome Andy ;) ;D
I feel bad now opening up a discussion of 'worth' :-\ when I came across these the other day my gut reaction was 'I wouldn't pay that' but after seeing the links Stefanie and Andy posted I thought 'ok, so that's how much they cost then...'
That said, I still wouldn't purchase one because like Andy, I have another obsession to work out first, lol! I would put money on me thinking these are the best deal in the cosmiverse within the year ;)
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Here are a few EU suppliers I've used or had recommended - the list is UK heavy because that's where I am. The one thing which remains hard to get without importing from outside the Union is a decent oblique pen holder at a sensible price, but on the other hand we're quite fortunate when it comes to paper.
This is fantastic, thanks Andy! I've only used Blots, Scribblers and Cult Pens before but have found them all to be excellent. Truer words have never been spoken on the oblique holder situation!!
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This is probably useless but, is there a place where you buy lined black paper? I have looked for pacon notebooks but amazon sell them for a ridiculous £21 + £2.80 p&p - the cheek of it! I'll be honest I'm just too lazy to draw all the lines out!
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If you have a laser printer, you can line them yourself... The black toner shows quite well on black paper ;)
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If you have a laser printer, you can line them yourself... The black toner shows quite well on black paper ;)
Unfortunately, I don't have a laser printer. :'( I fear i'm doomed to pencil out all the lines!! Thank you anyway for replying. :)
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I like soo much this shop
http://www.kalligrafie.nl/winkel/en-uk/index.html
and I think also has fair price