Happy Mail!!

On YouTube I see that this is what you call physical mail! Ha!

I received this amazing gift from Dave at The Authors Reserve. It is a Hongdian M2 fountain pen in Space Grey with a fude nib. In the package he also included stickers (love and have a collection of them) and three inks to try out. He also put a converter in the pen so that I can use ink in bottles instead of cartridges!

How did I get this gift? He called it a prize. He gives them out. I followed him on YT to learn about ink. I stayed for the fountain pens because art supplies are a hobby and he gives rather thorough reviews on fountain pens, inks, and paper. He started a Patreon to keep in touch with his audience and have a way to connect with them for things like give aways. I like to support creators with content I appreciate. One day I got a "you won a pen" email and here we are.

Like gouache, I have been fountain pen curious but not quite ready to push the button to purchase one. It is a commitment like any of our other art supplies. There is cleaning, the right inks, nibs, paper,... so much and I already have a few art projects I am not giving enough attention to. This gift is Exactly what I needed to give it a go.

Dave's YouTube channel is called The Authors Reserve and his Patreon is called Pendragon. Give his channels a go if you are interested in fountain pens, ink and related supplies. Who knows, you may win a pen too!!

Watch my super dorky review of this gift here:

A New Newsletter Tier

I have included a new paid newsletter tier I am calling "Supporter." Doing mutual aid has been a big part of my identity. Last year, I was able to donate an etching press to Holyoke Arts, art supplies to many charities, hats to Jones Library and farm/food related supplies to local non-profits in communities that I worked in since I moved back to MA.

With the world the way it is, I would like to do more and need your help. By donating $25/mo, you can help me divert more supplies, items and time to mutual aid in communities that could use it.