Archives: YouTube Videos

Today, we’re diving into a head-to-head comparison of two notebooks from the Maruman brand. I compare the premium Mnemosyne and the more budget minded Spiral Note. We’ll explore their design, paper quality, usability, and more! 📚✨ I do a test with a variety of pens and pencils, and also do an ink swatch to see how well it holds up to heavily saturated pages.

Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and join our community of pen lovers! Stay tuned for more unboxings, reviews, and comparisons. Let us know in the comments which notebook you prefer and why! Your feedback helps us create content that you love. Enjoy the video! 🎥📖

I purchased both of these notebooks from The Gentleman Stationer. Gentleman Stationer has been gracious enough to offer a discount code to channel viewers. Use the code DWRDNET at checkout to save 10% on your purchase. Some exclusions apply.

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In this episode, Chad from Eel and Anchor shares his journey into the world of fountain pens, his transition from enthusiast to maker, and the story behind his brand. He discusses his role in the Arkansas Pen Club and the upcoming 2026 Pen Show, emphasizing the importance of community and collaboration within the stationery world. Chad also touches on his experiences with resin pouring and the creative process behind making pen blanks.

Show Links
https://www.instagram.com/eel_and_anchor/
https://www.instagram.com/arkansaspenshow/
2026 Arkansas Pen Show Hotel https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham/north-little-rock-arkansas/wyndham-riverfront-little-rock/overview?CID=LC:46q62bu8edfbx3y:17526&iata=00093796
https://www.vanness1938.com
https://www.newtonpens.com
https://www.bokumondoh.com/

Takeaways

Chad is known for pouring resin blanks and making pens.
He enjoys experimenting with different ink brands and colors.
Chad prefers broader nibs to showcase ink characteristics.
He started his pen journey by writing a D&D campaign by hand.
Chad’s interest in resin pouring began with making dice for friends.
He values community and enjoys sharing his pen collection with others.
Chad’s brand name, Eel and Anchor, has a personal backstory.
He aims to improve the Arkansas Pen Show experience for attendees.
Chad is open to helping newcomers in the pen community.
He believes in the importance of creative outlets and hobbies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chad and Eel and Anchor
07:15 Chad’s Journey into Fountain Pens
17:53 Transitioning to Blank Pouring and Eel and Anchor
22:23 The Story Behind the Name Eel and Anchor
24:42 The Art of Collaboration in Resin Making
25:16 Navigating Allergies and Limitations in Crafting
27:38 The Maker Community: Support and Specialization
28:47 The Challenge of Replication in Resin Art
31:43 Learning from Mistakes: The Reality of Resin Crafting
32:31 Temperature and Conditions: Key Factors in Resin Pouring
35:43 Vintage Pens: A Personal Preference
37:23 Future of the Arkansas Pen Show: New Directions
41:31 Enhancing the Show Experience: Classes and Community
45:51 Roundtable Events: Engaging the Community
48:11 What’s Next for Chad and Elon Anchor?

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Listen on Apple Podcasts here.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dwrdnet-stationery-feed/id1805639149

Listen on Spotify here.
https://open.spotify.com/show/7KlOjBio6WHLS5Ll5d0HeS?si=Nhjki-b3RySCPa9wYkQ9Cw

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8f3UwW0iTebo52QOQIYUcA/join

Summary

In this episode, Derek Deweese interviews Erick Gama, the founder of Amarillo Stationery, discussing his journey in the stationery world, his love for pens and inks, and the unique offerings of his business. They explore topics such as ink preferences, paper choices, the importance of branding, and the experiences at pen shows. Erick shares insights into his mascot, collaborations with other brands, and his future plans for Amarillo Stationery, emphasizing the importance of community and creativity in the stationery hobby.

Takeaways

Erick Gama is a passionate pen enthusiast and founder of Amarillo Stationery.

He prefers inks that shade and interesting colors over standard blacks and blues.

Erick’s favorite stationery adjacent item is his personalized desk space.

The idea for Amarillo Stationery came from a desire to represent Latin American brands in the U.S.

His mascot, Mr. Amarillo, was developed to create a recognizable brand identity.

Collaboration with Rickshaw Bags has helped promote his brand at pen shows.

Erick’s experiences at pen shows have been crucial for business growth and community engagement.

He aims to expand his product line with more proprietary inks and merchandise.

Erick emphasizes the importance of sharing creativity and supporting fellow makers in the stationery community.

He is actively seeking to improve packaging and product offerings for better customer experience.

https://www.amarillostationery.com

https://www.instagram.com/amarillostationery

https://www.instagram.com/_erickgama_/

https://www.youtube.com/@_erickgama_

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Erick Gama and Amarillo Stationery

02:57 Ink Preferences and Grail Pens

05:55 Exploring Ink and Paper Choices

08:50 Favorite Stationery Adjacent Items

11:53 The Birth of Amarillo Stationery

14:59 Mascots and Branding

17:58 Rickshaw Collaboration and Visibility

20:56 Pen Shows and Business Growth

28:38 Traveling with Supplies

30:09 Future Growth and Store Collaborations

32:42 Creative Packaging and Design

34:31 Discovering Latin American Makers

36:40 Sharing and Community in Stationery

38:48 Personalizing the Stationery Experience

41:45 Upcoming Product Collaborations

46:04 Identifying Underrepresented Products

52:17 Future Plans for Amarillo Stationery