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Stationery Freaks

Rob Lambert & Helen Lisowski
Stationery Freaks
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  • Stationery Hauls, Fountain Pen Finds & Writing Success – Sailor, Tom’s Studio & More
    In this episode Rob and Helen dive deep into their latest stationery hauls — from Japanese Sailor pens and Tom’s Studio Wren to Martha Brooks advent calendars and Zebra limited editions. Plus: writing contest success, notebooks you’ll never dare write in (that are ridiculously expensive), and a new digital note-taking tool that’s winning Rob over. Helen refuses to talk about her sticker addiction and Etsy is properly off the table for conversation.Helen is already buying advent calendars....in September. Rob is trying not to buy anything else, he's changed.We chat about digital tools, more notebooks, pen hauls and share a story about a random stranger in Home Sense providing Helen with the perfect notebook. Take a look at the notebooks and pens and read Helen's story submission for the writing competition over in the newsletter - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/ We mention the advent calendar series we did a few years back, here's the first of those episodes if you fancy getting into the Christmas spirit. https://stationeryfreaks.com/17Resources, Products & Brands MentionedSailor Pens – Japanese fountain and calligraphy pensTom’s Studio – Wren fountain pen, Mulberry ink, Advent CalendarMartha Brooks – Stationery Advent CalendarDiamine Inks – Sparkling inks with shimmer effectsHomeSense / TK Maxx – Bargain stationery findsMoleskine – Classic planners and notebooksChoosingKeeping (London shop) – Unique notebooks, some handmadeZebra Pens – Limited edition retractable felt pens & ball pensSharpie – Fine liners and markers (classic red learning notes)Capacities.io – Digital knowledge management and journaling appZotero – Digital reference management toolUntil next time.Rob & Helen
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  • The Art of Commonplacing : Curating a Life – Richard Barnard on Collage & Commonplace books
    In this episode of the podcast, Rob & Helen chat to Richard Barnard; collage enthusiast and commonplacer. Have you ever wondered what a Commonplace book is, and what it's used for? Well, in this episode we explore the origins of the Commonplace book, how Richard uses his, the stationery he uses for it and how he searches through the wealth of insights, observations, quotes and thoughts.Richard Barnard, an avid commonplacer and passionate collage artist, explains that it's a way of "creating the best book you've ever owned." He shares his analog-first, but still digital-friendly, system for capturing moments that resonate with him (like the sound of trumpets!!), including an excellent book recommendation: The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen.We chat about:The different ways to use commonplace books, from Rob's use of digital tools to Richard's dedicated analog notebooks.The unexpected history of these books, which started as "waste books" for merchants in the 14th century.The lasting value of commonplacing, which becomes a personal archive of one's life.Richard’s passion for collage art, which is inspired by vintage stationery and street photography.Desert Island Stationery, where Richard shares five of his essential stationery items he would have on a desert island!Join us as we explore the joy of collecting, the challenge of filling a blank page, and the lasting legacy that a commonplace book can create.See Richard's artwork and more about the products and books mentioned in the accompanying Stationery Freaks newsletter at : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/Enjoy!Rob & Helen
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  • The Art, Craft & Purpose of Travellers Journals with Frank from Yokogaki
    Join Rob and Helen in this edition of Stationery Freaks as they welcome special guest Frank, from Yokogaki, for a deep dive into the fascinating world of travel journals / notebooks!Frank shares a mini masterclass on exactly what traveler's journals are, how they differ from the typical notebook, and various ways to use them for everything from bullet journaling to light scrapbooking on the go. Frank, who found himself crafting his own high-quality, leather journals, shares his unique philosophy behind creating companions that "love you back," exploring the Japanese concept of Mottainai (regret over waste) and a deep respect for resources. Learn why these versatile, customisable, and durable notebooks are truly more than just a notebook or journal, and why you might be missing out on a whole subculture of charms and inserts! Helen's already online buying charms. Frank also shares a whopping 20% off his Traveler's Journals for our listeners:Simply use code stationeryfreak20 at checkout: https://yokogaki.be/Key Takeaways:What Makes a Traveler's Journal Unique: Discover how these sturdy, customisable covers with rubber bands/ribbons allow you to mix and match any refills (dotted, sketching, calendar, etc.) and inserts (pouches, envelopes) to suit your needs, consolidating multiple notebooks into one portable system.The "Why" Behind the Craft: Learn about Frank's philosophy rooted in "Mottainai" – a deep respect for resources and a passion for creating high-quality, timeless designs that are built to last a lifetime, challenging the idea of disposable stationery. And pen loops designed for pens like Tom's Studio Lumos.Beyond the Page: Explore creative uses for traveler's journals, from combining them with Hobonichi inserts and Instax photos for daily mindfulness, to sketching scenes and collecting travel mementos.Choosing Wisely: Gain insights into what makes a good traveler's journal, with a look at materials like leather and even cork, and the importance of durability.A Growing Ecosystem: Hear about the vast community surrounding traveler's journals, from specific brands like Midori to subcultures dedicated to charms.We also kind of spring our usual Desert Island stationery on Frank (we forgot to mention we'd do it!) but Frank comes back with some solid items of stationery to accompany him on a desert island.Enjoy!Rob & HelenYou can find Frank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yokogaki_shopUse code stationeryfreak20 at checkout for 20% of Traveler's notebooks / journals : https://yokogaki.be/---Discover the Stationery Freaks newsletter at : https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/
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  • An interview with author Jenny Kane - prolific writer, collector of notebooks, desert island stationery specialist
    Stationery Freaks: A Deep Dive into the Prolific World of Author Jenny Kane (and Her Emotional Support Pencil Case!)In this very special episode Rob and Helen are joined by our very special guest, the incredibly prolific author Jenny Kane. We have briefly mentioned Jenny in the past as she is Helen's writing mentor. In this episode we chat about the astonishing breadth of Jenny's literary career, spanning over two decades and encompassing more than 200 short stories and over 70 books across various genres and pen names – from her novels as Jenny Kane, and historical fiction as Jennifer Ash, to her "X-rated" works under KJB (for which she's won awards!).Honestly, the part about Jenny's dedication, routine and writing habits is pure Gold. Jenny shares with us the reasons behind her "emotional support pencil case" and her meticulous colour-coding system for pens. Learn about her superstitious approach to choosing themed notebooks for each novel, and how these notebooks become the "little Bible" for every story, meticulously documenting plot, characters, and even overused words.We also chat about Jenny's remote teaching courses, connecting with students globally.Jenny chats about the reason behind the "Jenny Kane corner" in a coffee shop and the surprisingly early starts to her working day.Plus, don't miss Jenny's ingenious and hilariously practical "Desert Island Stationery" survival kit – complete with a ruler for swatting and drawing pins for mapping!Whether you're a fellow stationery enthusiast, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about the life of a highly successful author, this episode offers a fun and delightful glimpse into Jenny Kane's world of words, routine, and, of course, beloved stationery.And also why searching for Jenny Kane Mars Bar Scones is deffo worth doing.Find out more in the Stationery Freaks newsletter.---Jenny's writing courses - https://www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk/Jenny's website - https://jennykane.co.uk/
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  • From Paper Obsession to Published Pages - How we write books as Stationery Freaks
    How do two writers, bound by their devotion to beautiful stationery, actually write books? In this episode, Helen and Rob reveal their individual paths, uncovering the shared foundation of paper-based ideation – the noodling, expanding, and connecting that begins on the page with their beloved notebooks. Explore their transition to digital tools (Rob's a touch more intricate!), their editing journeys, and their distinct publishing routes – Helen to her website, Rob primarily through self-publishing. Expect delightful detours into UK National Stationery Week, Rob's exciting new project requiring more notebooks, and Helen's potential planner evolution. Want to see their cool process diagrams and more? The newsletter is your visual companion. But for the nuanced details and personal insights, tune in to this engaging conversation.Newsletter is here.
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About Stationery Freaks

A podcast for stationery freaks, hosted by stationery freaks. Dedicated to the love of stationery - and the potential it brings to our lives.
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