I'm a craft supply hoarder, I fully and happily admit that. In fact, my favorite part of starting a new hobby is searching for and purchasing new supplies. I've always loved office supplies, stationery, notepads, journals, art supplies, etc. I could go on forever. So, needless to say, I picked up a few thangsssss. After a recent doctors appointment in the city, I took the opportunity to visit my favorite craft and stationery stores-- first Essex Corner in Chinatown then Artist & Craftsman and Blick Art Materials in Cambridge. I also got a couple of things from Target and A.C. Moore on another random shopping day.
My first stop was at Essex Corner, this was actually my first time in this adorable shop and it quickly became a favorite. Ever since one of my favorite Asian stationery stores closed I've been on the lookout for a new one. I don't think Boston will ever have another store as fully stocked as my old place but Essex Corner will do for now. I found a really cute chopstick rest (the blue and white floral ceramic thing) to use as a rest for my calligraphy pens. It's so dainty and completely my style and was only around $2! The first three pens on the left side of the photo were also purchased there. The first is a Miffy multi-pen. I've been researching and lusting after a specific multi pen called the Pilot Hi-Tec C Coleto pens, but I came across this cutie in the store and thought it will hold me over until I get a Coleto. It has 4 different ink colors in orange, black, blue, and green- all sized at 0.5mm. Next to the multi pen is actually a 0.5mm Miffy pencil. I think Miffy is so cute and I only write with 0.5mm pencils so I snatched it up. The last pen from Essex Corner is the little Seaman Clothes guy. He moves and wiggles while you're writing and every time I see "seaman clothes" on the length of the barrel I can't help but laugh. Dirty mind, I know.
Next, I went over to Artist & Craftsman, my absolute FAVORITE art supply store in the city. Their prices are the best around in my opinion and they have a wide variety of products. I picked up four Tombow markers that I intend on using for highlighting. I was lusting after the Zebra Mildliner Double-Sided Highlighter because they come in these amazing muted pastel-like colors, which I adore. So, I found some simliar colors in the Tombows, and BOOM- highlighter problem solved. Keeping with markers- I bought my first Copic marker in YR09 'Chinese Orange' there. I've wanted one for ages but there are so many colors I didn't know where to start. So, I swatched a bunch of colors and picked the one that stuck out to me, I thought I would get the most use out of a beautiful, vibrant orange. I really don't know though, I surprise myself with the things I end up using. I also picked up that super cute cat washi tape, they got me at the checkout, I couldn't pass up kitty cat washi tape!! I mean, C'MON!
That teeny tiny paint brush is from Michael's and it's a Princeton Round Petite 20/0. I plan on using it to practice brush script. I also got the rest of the washi tape in the photo, they came in a three pack for around $4 I believe. At Target I walked in and made a beeline to the dollar section, aka my home away from home. I'm obsessed with the dollar stationery and basically all of the other gadgets in that section. I found those gel pens in a pack for a buck! They work alright so far, I haven't used them extensively, but I'm pretty impressed.
