This was such a pleasing video to watch, it’s also really nice to see other women of color in the hobby. My aunt was/is a fountain pen collector and I remember hours of my childhood spent with her at pen shops and shows or her iconic red leather pen pouches. You have a very cohesive collection and I agree, what’s a grail pen when they’re All grail pens in a way.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Aww, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It's awesome to have such fond memories with family. And yes, I love seeing more women of color in the hobby, too. Thank you for watching!
@amnewry
9 ай бұрын
I love the pop of blue in with your earthy colours -- it's like a flash of sky through a forest canopy!
@lifeinspiresdesign
9 ай бұрын
I love this description!
@twisteddyekitchenmyfiberjo4577
Жыл бұрын
Good morning and thank you for producing your very first video (hopefully not the last). I truly enjoyed your honesty and clarity as to "why". I am a novice fountain pen writer and have had the same thoughts as you did when first experimenting in the fountain pen world. My mind is really swimming with questions as to what I like and what I don't like. I hope we see you again with more of your fountain pen and ink journey!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Aw thank you so much! I'm so glad this was helpful to you. I have another video coming soon!
@mshaunplans
Жыл бұрын
I purchased Ina-ho from Ali Express as well. I can’t wait!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Yay! I hope you like it!
@MarcellHobbs
Жыл бұрын
Excellent job sharing your pen journey. I have subscribed in hopes to see more content from you. 🖋❤️
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for subbing! ❤️
@kan-zee
5 ай бұрын
Hi Kristen... Love your video set up...nice and clear . and welcome to the youtube Fountain pen community. I've been on this fountain pen , since Jan 2024 and love the people in this circle. They are helpful , and friendly and therapeutic ..LOL 3:23 ...we are simliar....we both come from BUJO Background I too love black inks...I went to the platinum carbon ink for its water proof option but then also , went to the Noodlers xfeather...and loved that ink I totally hate, the noodlers konrad flex nib..it's not even a pen., it blops, it scratches the paper, and after cleaning it, it won't write anymore...LOL I buried it in the backyard, cause it was sucking the JOY outta my fountain pen experience..LOL . I can't even donate this pen, cause I don't want to make anyone to have bad experience with a fountain pen... (Rant over)
@lifeinspiresdesign
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for the compliment! And I completely understand the emotions you felt with your Konrad. I've had pens that never saw the light of day again after I was done with them, they were just that bad. I hope that our journeys lead us to better pens in the future!
@ChrisSaenz13
Жыл бұрын
Hi Kristen!!! I'm so glad I found your video ... this was such a joy to hear you talking about your pens and inks!!! I think you're a natural and I hope you'll make more videos!!! You have some really interesting SIG nibs and such a beautiful pen collection!!! 🙂✒️ Making deliberate and wise pen choices can be so challenging I think because the thought looms over us " this pen is probably going to sell out". I love it when nice pen in a finish I like is part of a company's regular line up!!! ❤
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Hi Chris! Thank you so much for watching. Your videos have been so helpful throughout my entire journey, I'm glad that I found YOUR channel 😀. I will be making more videos in the future!
@carolanne3017
Жыл бұрын
Such a refreshing video. Thanks.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@tattooedcat
Жыл бұрын
What an awesome video! I really enjoyed hearing your response to the tag and getting a chance to see and hear about your collection. I’d love to see swatching videos. They’re so fun! Thank you so much for sharing! 🤘🏼😸🖋
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching and providing feedback! I’ll be sure to record and share my experiences with Ink Flight and some other ink swatching comparisons I’ve got in mind.
@jppenandink
Жыл бұрын
I so enjoyed hearing your responses to these questions. Great first video! I have now subscribed and will look forward to more content from you in the future 😊
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching and subscribing!
@nlamproplos
Жыл бұрын
Wow! Your first video is so polished and informative! Greenish browns are also my thing. I'd recommend Noodler's Burma Road Brown - it's a darker, swampy brown. It works in every pen I've tried it in, and I love the shade. I have one pen with Gena Salorino's cursive italic nib. Now I have a list of five to send off to her! Love her work. I also have a cursive italic on order from Dan Smith. The Monoc nib is gorgeous, but I'd want a finer nib, which I think he's working on. Thanks for such a great video!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Aw, thanks so much! I appreciate your recommendation; I'll check out Burma Road Brown soon. I also would want a different line width for the Monoc nib. I'm excited to see how that product evolves.
@wanderingpear
Жыл бұрын
Loved the freeing idea of UN-inking mediocre combinations and loved that you shared why they didn’t work for you. As a novice fountain pen user who loves light shading inks - it’s been a challenge to find pens wet enough to show shading in writing. Sailor HaHa and Nekoyanagi - so challenging to find pens wet enough to show off their amazing shading. Broad nibs in Pelican, Sailor, Twsbi Pilot, Tomoe River Paper - nothing was working to show the shading. In desperation, I bought a Sailor Pro Gear (regular, not slim (dryer flow)) with a zoom nib. Finally! Shading in writing! I would watch any tips you have with dry, light shading inks and pen combinations. Amazing first video!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for watching! I haven't looked into zoom nibs very much, so it's a surprise to me that they would give you great shading. I'm glad you found something that works. Thanks for the video recommendation, I'll play around with some dry inks (I've got several LOL) and record my findings in a video.
@queenbuzybee4074
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your thoughts on the hobby Kristen! I‘m of a similar mindset that I want to use my pens because they give me joy! It wouldn’t be the same if it were a pen I kept just to look at. To me, every pen has its own character and by using and getting to know them them, a special relationship to each evolves. The more I use a pen, the more beautiful it gets and the more joy it gives me. You have a very nice selection of pens. I‘d love to see „all the inks“ sometime 😅!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching! Yes, yes, use the pens! It feels so great when it all comes together, too - the pen, ink, paper, writing angle (because sometimes, it matters LOL). Oof, all the inks! I'll probably show all the bottles and SOME of the more memorable samples! 😅
@jannahlyon
Жыл бұрын
This was fun and informative :) I love the thought you have put into your collection and the connection you have with your favs :)
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for watching! And thanks for sharing links to the other videos in the tag! It's so great to hear so many perspectives from the fountain pen community.
@gailsbookishthings5191
Жыл бұрын
I’m with you on giving yourself permission to un-ink a pen if I’m not loving it. Sometimes I only write once with it and then decide I don’t like it. I figure, I do this fountain pen thing because I love it. If it’s torture and not fun, then the enjoyment is lost. There’s no rule saying you have to finish it if you don’t like the combination. 😊 I enjoyed your video and am subscribing. 🖋📖🧡
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
YES! I feel exactly this way! Thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts ❤️
@SpringNotes
4 ай бұрын
Kristen, you must love the natural world. The colors that you love - represent the land, the rivers/seas/oceans, and the sky ! 5:43
@lifeinspiresdesign
4 ай бұрын
Yessss I do! It's all so beautiful and calming to me.
@Topscura
Жыл бұрын
What an introduction! Really enjoyed this video Kristen, so much so that I watched it twice. I think you have a lovely collection of writing instruments from what I can see. Personally, I love a weighty pen. I appreciate the fact that you don’t and follow your own set of preferences. That’s something I truly love about the fountain pen community; there is so much diversity and individualism yet we share a respective passion for the tools we employ to write and draw with. On another note, I’ve noticed the same with Pelikan Souverän nibs paired with light(er) inks. They just don’t seem to get on well. I look forward to learning more about your collection, and thought process behind selections each month. Subscribed!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much, Michael! I've watched and enjoyed a number of your videos multiple times, as well. Your Pelikan collection is very nice!
@unhealthy_levels_of_matt
Жыл бұрын
Enjoyed hearing your pen and ink thoughts and stories Kristen! What a great tag and series of video responses this has been eh? Looking forward to more of your videos if you decide to make them. Thanks for sharing!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching! Yes, I’ve really enjoyed hearing from so many others with this tag. I hope to share more of my pen-related experiences in the future.
@peggylove1
Жыл бұрын
Loved this!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
🥰
@kaylogterman3554
Жыл бұрын
Enjoyed so much and look forward to future videos if you decide to create more. Thank you!!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Kay! There's more to come!
@sylviaanderson4294
Жыл бұрын
Just discovered you and really enjoyed this video. I am not aware of the subscription box you mentioned, I would be very interested in seeing what they look like. Thanks!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Sylvia! I have an Ink Flight subscription (7 ink samples, an inky sticker, and at least one stationery surprise inside). Feel free to check out the April 2023 Ink Flight unboxing on my channel, and my May unboxing video is coming very soon!
@ichirofakename
Жыл бұрын
Looks as if you like my two preferred brands, Franklin-Christoph and Sailor.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Yes, they make great pens and great nibs!
@adrienneyoung898
Жыл бұрын
This is a wonderful video! Many congratulations. 🎉 😊🎉😊
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much, Adrienne!!
@roxiesossa3210
Жыл бұрын
Great video Kristen! Totally resonated with me. Hoping to get to the SF Pen Show this year🤞🏻I'll have to time a trip back home to see family and go to the show during the same trip.😉 Really enjoyed your content & would love to see more!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Roxie! I'm so excited about going back to the SF Pen Show this year. More videos to come ☺️
@lianelikes
Жыл бұрын
We have very similar pen and ink tastes! I also gravitate to earth tones. Lovely collection and thanks for sharing!!!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Yes we do! You have a gorgeous pen collection. I was so excited when I first saw your video, swatching Iroshizuku Ina-ho and other earth tone inks. I want to do a similar study of some green/brown inks when I receive Ina-ho in the next week or so, to help me decide which additional ink(s) I really want to purchase 😅
@Heidejournal
Жыл бұрын
Great video, thanks for sharing and keep them coming. :)
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, will do! :)
@leebalmforth2269
9 ай бұрын
Hello Kristen. New subscriber. Cool collection. I have 11 pens. Mostly parker. My favourite is a parker slimfold. My grail pens would be a pelican m400 a sailor 1911
@lifeinspiresdesign
9 ай бұрын
Thanks for subbing and sharing about your collection! Pelikan and Sailor make great grail-worthy pens.
@NikitaBx2
Жыл бұрын
Loved this video and your answers to the questions. If you do more fountain pen vides a comparison of your writing with the different nibs would be nice.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Great idea! Thanks for watching!
@MissMarilynDarling
Жыл бұрын
Great video keep up the good work :)
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, will do! 👋🏽
@loracharis6814
Жыл бұрын
Congrats on your first video. You can get a replacement grip section for that Lamy Studio from Vanness. But I can understand you selling because you have the Black LX version. Where do you sell your pens? Would love to see the full pen collection, some ink swatching, or a good currently inked video. Hope to see another post soon.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Lora! A replacement grip section for the Studio?!? I never knew that! Thanks for the tip. I'm thinking of selling my pens on r/fountainpens, but I need to get my reputation up to par before I'm allowed to do so. I am excited about filming more videos about my pens, inks, etc. My next video will be up soon!
@seemownay
Жыл бұрын
I don't want to be too nosy but I'm curious if you moved far or just in the area? And I loved watching your video so much! Thanks for participating. I hope this is the beginning of more fountain pen videos from you?! Maybe, hopefully!
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
I moved about five minutes down the street LOL! You moved to a different state, right? Will you be near enough to attend the SF Pen Show this year? Thank you for starting such a great conversation; it was so fun to participate. Yes, it's just the beginning (I hope). My April currently inked video will go live soon!
@animula6908
Жыл бұрын
The one you waited on til you had to pay more for it on eBay caught my eye and remained my fav in this whole video, but when you uncapped it I didn’t love the colors either. Weird gestalt thing I guess.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
LOL yes!! Someone who understands! The parts are awkward, but the whole experience is beautiful.
@KenchanKrafts
Жыл бұрын
Love your Earth tones pens!! :D I'm an ocean (blues and greens) and earth (foresty greens and brown) tones person, I kinda think of it as a parallel to my Capricorn sign haha :D Love your Leonardo Mother of Pearl! I just got mine recently and will be sharing a video on it soon. We have the opposite trim colors, that's great! Just got to your currently inked pens section of the video, and I feel you on the Lamy 2000 as well, I already don't feel it on its first round of being inked xD
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching! I'm excited to check out your review of the Mother of Pearl. Yay, I'm not the only one who's unimpressed with the Lamy 2000 LOL! I need a short break from it so I'll try it again in May with a super wet ink; I hope that pen works out for you. The Leonardo pen, too!
@Kindlelover88
Жыл бұрын
In the middle of this video you’re using egg white pen with gold trim that’s got kind of pastel splotches on it. What pens that? It’s gorgeous.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! I believe you are looking at the Pelikan M400 White Tortoiseshell. I purchased it with an extra-fine nib. I hope this helps!
@ironmic9244
Жыл бұрын
I think everyone and the cousin has the M400 White Tortoiseshell. Me included. LOL Pelikan had released one in a LE M600, that is so rare to find now. Excellent video.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Yes, I saw the M400 in so many videos and photos! And the more I saw it, the more I wanted it LOL! Yes, that M600 size would be even better, but its rarity would probably put it out of my price range.
@ironmic9244
Жыл бұрын
@@lifeinspiresdesign When I received mine, and at first glance I named her Lola, because she is a party girl. Plus I think 'Copacabana' was playing in my head. If Pelikan ran it in a LE M800, I think the internet would crash.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
@@ironmic9244 yes it would! 😂
@xxflipchick22xx
Жыл бұрын
I, like you, want to buy a bottle of Ina Ho. You said you can still purchase from Ali Express. But I went on the site and couldn’t find it. Please share any tips on how to purchase it! I really want a bottle.
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Oh no! Maybe the sellers sold out recently. I just searched on AliExpress to see if I could find the ink again, but it's gone. I'd check out eBay or other websites to see if anyone is willing to sell from their personal stash. Best wishes in your search!
@35nee
Жыл бұрын
What's that bright green ink roughly in the middle of your pile of swatch cards here? Is it really Pilot Iroshizuku shin+ryoku??
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Yes, it is Shin-ryoku!
@35nee
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! It looked so much brighter and nicer than in other swatches I've seen.
@theartesana
Жыл бұрын
What pen is that @16:00?! 🖋️
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
That’s a Jinhao 100. I purchased that one on Amazon.
@theartesana
Жыл бұрын
@@lifeinspiresdesign TY!
@boygirlpartydotcom
Жыл бұрын
What a great video - loved hearing your perspective on your collecting and use! When you sell your pens, what venue do you use? I’m thinking perhaps I should thin out my collection as well, but I’m anxious about the reselling…
@lifeinspiresdesign
Жыл бұрын
Oh thank you! As of right now, I haven't sold any pens, because I'm just as anxious as you are LOL! I'm considering selling on Reddit (r/Pen_Swap) once I build up enough of a reputation over there.
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