Field Notes

Yellow Owl Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:01:00 +0000

Cute Two Stamp set from Yellow Owl Workshop - love the little satchel!

Okay so it shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody that rubber stamps are pretty much the most super fun stationery item imaginable. They're cute, come in lovely little boxes, tins and satchels and are about as hands-on as somebody manually challenged like myself can get.

Cityscape Stamp Set from Yellow Owl Workshop

So i got really excited the other day when somebody showed me the Yellow Owl Workshop's site. Working out of San Fransisco, Yellow Owl creates limited edition paper goods, wedding correspondence and items for the home.

Correspondence set by Yellow Owl Workshop

I love the ceramics, the letter writing sets and postcard sets but it is their stamps where uniqueness truly meets quality and attention to detail.

California Postcard Set from Yellow Owl Workshop

My Sydney based spies have told me that Pentimento in Newtown will have these available soon but otherwise, hit their website and see what you can come up with. They also have a Blog to keep up with anything new.

Cool Online Shop - Upon A Fold

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:14:00 +0000

Upon A Fold

There are so many great websites and blogs dedicated to paper goods and unique stationery out there but the only downside to this plethora of paper is that very few of them are Australian.

Play More More More Notebook from Upon A Fold

So it's always quite a thrill to find an Australian Based paperphile. Better still is when you find the biggest Australian Based paperphile - Sydney Based Graphic Designer, Justine, and her website Upon A Fold.

From the Upon A Fold Blog, Paper Relief by German Artist Simon Schubert.

Click away and make sure you've got some spare time. Justine's site and blog together really open up the world of paper as not just a medium through which art can be created but indeed as an art itself.

New release stationery: Behance Action Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:53:00 +0000

Okay so i really like the Behance Action Method range. Words like 'method' and 'system' have that negative infomercial connotation but this stuff really is a little bit different. The spiral bound Action books are great value and made from really high quality materials.

So Behance, based in the US, have made an update to their range - the Action Journal. It's a 'Moleskine' style notebook - meaning that it has an elastic strap and expanding rear pocket.

Best of all, it's got great environmental credentials. In their own words:

The Action Journal features a unique suede-to-the-touch hard cover, created using 100% sustainable materials. The pages are made of 60lb New Leaf paper with a subtle texture (100% recycled), printed full bleed, and perforated for maximum flexibility. New Leaf Paper was founded to inspire a fundamental shift towards sustainability in the paper industry. By choosing this notebook, you are making a difference.

Hopefully the guys at NoteMaker (Australia's Behance stockists) get this one in soon - fingers crossed.

Now this ia a Letter Head!

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:31:00 +0000

Cute!

Anybody who is a fan of written correspondence, graphic design or just good old nostalgia must check out Letterheady.

From 1969 - Look at the font! God i love the 1960s!

Described as being overcome by emotion due to a letterhead design, Letterheady is the work of Shaun Usher who describes the blog as an online homage to offline correspondence; specifically letters. Even more specifically, their design, not content.

The Cola Wars alive and well pre-war!

If you're into the content side of things, Shaun has a sister site Letters of Note worth checking out.

Circus time!!

Personally, i love the Frank J. Walter Circus letterhead - distilling the essence of P.T Barnum and the charm of the most charming of story books.

A slanted notebook...?

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:08:00 +0000

Thanks to Matt Brown.

While reading through the Fountain Pen Network to catch up on the paper scene, I happened upon a thread: "An Interesting Paper Idea". And frankly, i'm not sure what i think about it...

Thanks to Matt Brown.

The link was to Ideas & Exploration by Matt Brown. Matt is an American designer living in Italy who has a website of projects and a blog too.

The interesting ideas of Matt Brown.

Anyway, his interesting idea is slant ruling on a notebook, his answer to the way that a lot of people sort of twist their notebooks when writing in them. So, here's his notebook with a 45 degree ruling.

I'm not crazy about it - not being much of a notebook slanter myself, but there may be something to it...if nothing else, the pages do kind of have an art deco vibe...

Blog of the week - Calico & Co.

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:45:00 +0000

Calico & Co. - check it out!

Had the pleasure this morning of opening my inbox to find a really fun link to follow - to Calico & Co. - the indie and handmade blog.

Some MT thanks to NoteMaker.

The post which caught my attention was this about Japanese Masking Tape. There's some great info about the company and some inspired uses, including a cool iPod cover.

Gorgeous MT collage from Calico & Co.

Personally, i have my 3 months plan MT'd to the wall behind my desk...those little strips somehow make the work seem less daunting, like 'hey, that's not work, it's fun!'

An illustration by Sarah Hankinson - the floral crown is just gorgeous.

Calico & Co. is the hobby of Sydney based Graphic Designer Amanda Fuller and her love of all things beautiful. With posts like the illustrative work of Sarah Hankinson, it's plain to see that about beauty, she knows a thing or two. Check out Calico & Co., being sure to leave a 15 minute slot in your diary to do so!

MSK Celebrates 1000

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:27:00 +0000

More new stuff from Moleskine as the world's most famous notebook continues to drive user generated content as a cornerstone of what it is to use a Moleskine.

It's about your notebook being yours - like a sophisticated version of scribbling on your desk in high school - and so Moleskine, through events like DeTour and online applications like their template downloads, makes sure there's a wealth of user generated content available to break the homogeneity of just another notebook. To help each Moleskiner make theirs their own.

So there's a quick celebration of the 1000th upload available online. A cool gallery of some of the better templates. Download, print and pop it on your Moleskine notebook or diary. A new notebook sleeve or just extra pages.

Love it.

Back To School!

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:45:00 +0000

Okay so whilst I personally am no longer too affected by the scholastic year, i have been told that it's almost time to go back to school which got me thinking about a favourite online store of mine, ReForm School.

Art Craft & Design out of California USA with a vintage feel and irrepressible charm.

From the impractically quirky, like this Tipi, to this super cool Shadow Puppet, cool prints like this Ditch the Car original and an esoteric stationery collection that I could (and already have) browse through for hours...

Who remembers going back to school being this fun?

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:57:00 +0000

Happy 2010 to all of our fellow stationery lovers! As you may have guessed, we've taken a nice break over the silly season but are now happy to be at the keyboard trying to bring the best in stationery and design for 2010.

My New Diary!

We're only into the start of the year and so diaries must be on everybody's mind! Me? I was lucky enough to get a Delfonics diary - hard cover, fabric covered with beautifully embossed french - Pour les Reveurs...my forever lapsing memory for the french i learned in high school tells me that means For the Dreamers, and dreamy it is.

Industrial alphabet by Kalle Hagman.

I've been absorbed in font types lately trying to help a friend settle on some engagement invitations, so i loved this post from the Design Files (via Share Some Candy) about creative alphabets.

The earbuds alphabet by liquid06

My favourite is the earbuds alphabet...seeing so many iPod listeners every day, these really have become a part of our urban landscape.

How cheery! The bird alphabet by Andrea Kalfas

So here's to 2010 and some happy stationery hunting!

Favourite New Site! Nora Whynot

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:25:00 +0000

Nora Whynot Perpetual Calendar

The guys at NoteMaker left me a very friendly email yesterday afternoon which i just have to share. They have new Delfonics diaries, they have these gorgeous MMMG cards, they have Japanese Masking tape on the way (sssh...that's a secret) and life at my favourite online shop seems as bubbly as ever.

New Delfonics Diaries @ NoteMaker

But the highlight was this link...passed on to the guys from a customer of theirs, Tracey. Started by a couple of friends who met at art school in the UK, The Nora Whynot Press focuses on contemporary silkscreen printing using traditional hand-pulled methods to create quirky and fun designs while keeping an eye on the environment.

Nora Whynot Homepage

Hand made, unique, recycled inputs where possible, local aussie made stuff which is just gorgeous.

Nora Whynot Garden Cards

Check it out and let me know your fav product...i think it's hard to top the Perpetual Calendar, but that's just me!

News from the Field: New Moleskine Colours!

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Moleskine MyDetour entry...travel and notebooks go hand in hand!

A quick update from the world of Stationery today with a new release range of the Moleskine Volant range. The volant is lightweight, compact and pretty funky and now has two more colour options available.

Moleskine Japanese Album - so many great uses for this guy!

Originally in Black, Green. Navy Blue & Pink, the Volant is now available in Red & Sky Blue as well! Personally, i love the lighter shade of the Red notebook and love Moleskine's current drive to keep expanding their range and introducing more variety. The classic is a classic, but we love colour and variety too, don't we?

I hate to double up, but I really love this MyDetour entry!

Also, there are now Volant address books - compact contacts!

Moleskine MyDetour entry - another great way to use your notebook

And in another piece of Moleskine news, the official site has put the Jury into deliberation for some of the MyDetour entries from San Fransisco. Check out the gallery and see some cool ways to use your Moleskine!

News from the Field: This is beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Delfonics Linen Diary

Being so into stationery you can become habituated to the beautiful...Last week we were lucky enough to play with some Lamy 2000 Titanium Ballpoint pens. There are only 5000 of these in existence with 4000 confined to the European market.

Lamy 2000 Titanium Ballpen

It feels incredible, it's a 50g pen made of solid titanium and is a truly special item. I was wowed. Thanks to Notemaker for the privilege!

Delfonics Scola diary

But then, Scott here at Field Notes came in earlier in the week with a new Delfonics diary. These have only just arrived and after our nagging the guys at NoteMaker for more Delfonics we learned that it is in really short supply at the moment but more should be available next week.

Moleskine Artist Collection diary

And more is what we need. This really is the most gorgeous diary I've seen. I like the Rhodia diary - it's clever and the paper is beautiful. I like the Quo Vadis diary - Minister in particular - once again because the paper is so nice. I like a Moleskine diary too, especially the leather on the Artist Collection diary.

Quo Vadis Minister Planner

But this Delfonics diary is on a whole other, higher, level. Pictures and words can't do it justice. Just go find one, hold it and get yourself a new best friend!

Delfonics diary with cool elastic strap

And while you're at it, get a matching elastic strap and pen...stationery and fashion are now as one!

80's is "RAD" again with MMMG

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:27:00 +0000

The 80s are back in far to many ways to name here. This may be a good thing if you are under 26 and weren't on the dance floor bopping away to Billy Idol circa 1984 with huge shoulder pads and hair big enough to rival Fran Drescher. Everything that is old is new again to you!

On the other hand you may be over 26 and have some cringe worthy clothing memories but on the whole the 80's brings back a whole feeling of nostalgia and fun! Just like this "RAD" stationery brand MMMG - just launched in Australia by NoteMaker. MMMG stands for Millimeter/Milligram - very creative indeed! Direct from Korea this is sure to be a new favored stationery brand by many - it is one our new favourites here at Field Notes Blog! Just like the 80's MMMG's stationery collection is loud, fun and often over the top - but in a good way!

We love their design aesthetic. Dedicated to creating unique designs the in-house design team comprises over 20 creative staff ready to look back to the 80's for inspiration while still creating a modern and current range of fashion stationery.

With a great range of quirky cards - who would we give the Vampire Spaceman Card to? Or the You Are Not Ugly Message Card to?

Or perhaps for ourselves a fun little Bear in the Forest Pen or a funny Face Pocket for our iPhones - each with their own unique personality. What ever your choice MMMG is sure to be a great gift and card idea for Christmas this year.Pick up your loud MMMG Kinder notebook, your orange fluro Matryoshka card, grab a Sunny Boy at the tuck shop and hop on your skateboard - the 80s are back kids!

News from the Field: Moleskine new editions!

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:40:00 +0000

Moleskine is unquestionably one of the world's biggest names in notebooks and stationery and has possibly the biggest following of any one brand. And why not? The Moleskine notebook format is so simple, clever and useful and everybody loves a little black book.

Rather than rest on their laurels, however, Moleskine continues to change and stay fresh. Here are a few recent updates we've found scanning the net.

1) Moleskine Limited Edition 2010 Diary: Marti Guixe

We posted this a couple of weeks ago and love the limited edition design. The fact that the design on the patent leather editions is now to change every year makes these all that more special - a good way to track time. The good news is, Australian release is coming up shortly! Nothing confirmed yet, but the guys at NoteMaker have told us that they will be getting them soon enough!

Moleskine Museum Notebook

2) The new Moleskine Passions

Via Moleskinerie, the whole purpose of a notebook, the reason we love to journal has been distilled by Moleskine, articulated in a new Passions range. The New Moleskine Passions is a collection of six different journals to record and recall memories, thoughts and notes about six different passions: Recipes, Wine, Book, Film, Music and Wellness. Can't wait - although as always, we Australians inevitably will have to!

3) Moleskine Detour 2009: Tokyo is underway!

Again via Moleskinerie, the Moleskine detour exhibition is underway in Tokyo - possibly the world capital at the moment for design stationery. Check out this video of the opening night as well as Moleskine's Youtube page for more!

One of Van Gogh's Letters

4) Moleskine Museum Collection & Van Gogh's letters

The Moleskine Museum notebooks are a mainstay, special edition notebook in honour of one of the Moleskine's most famous users, Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh's letters have now been published online in an amazing format. Check it out and partake of some artistry, beauty and history.

New Notebook! Zap by Clairefontaine

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:48:00 +0000

The leaders in sustainably produced paper, French manufacturer Clairefontaine, aren't just famous for their beautiful, world class paper but also their environmental credentials.

You can read their environmental commitment at NoteMaker, but basically the whole process, from managing the forestry from which the paper is sourced, to dealing with the waste of the process (eg: Clairefontaine's mill produces 80% of it's own power) is dealt with in house.

This ensures not only top quality and control over production, but most importantly, it makes Clairefontaine responsible for their actions and it is only by facing the indirect (often overlooked) costs of production that one can reduce them.

Their environmental flagship is 100% recycled paper, taking 106kgs of refuse and diverting it away from landfill and incineration and into 100kgs of beautiful paper.

Zap Books are chunky, page generous (320 pages per book) recycled books from Clairefontaine and perfect for sketches, notes and jotting. Available in 4 assorted cover colours, Zap Books feature 80gsm recycled plain pages and are in 3 sizes.

Trends in the Field: Upsetting the status quo...

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:11:00 +0000

Embossed logo on a Rhodia Webnotebook

Regular readers of Field Notes will know that we've been keeping a close eye on the progression of Rhodia. It's incipient rise to the top of the Australian market is interesting to watch, as one after another gets converted to the Orange & Black.

Image courtesy of An Inkophile's Blog - great reading for fountain pen fans!

The hardest heathens to convert? Moleskine fans. That's why we love anything which compares the two legendary Europeans (such as our 2010 Diary review), a little competitive rivalry can only be good!

Ink on Moleskine paper thanks to An Inkophile's Blog

So I was pleased to come across a great review at An Inkophile's Blog comparing the Moleskine Classic Notebook with the Rhodia Webnotebook. To sum it up - if you use a fountain pen, it's Rhodia hands down. If you like impeccable form, Moleskine takes the cake.

Ink on Rhodia paper thanks to An Inkophile's Blog

Have a read, grab your favourite pen and let us know - which do you choose?

For the record, i have to go with Rhodia on this one...and a Lamy Scribble Ballpoint...

Field Notes Classics: J Herbin Ink

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:48:00 +0000

Via Spritual Evolution of the Bean, J Herbin Rouge Caroubier

Thinking about how easy it is to personalise your Rhodia pad, or how many people love to make their Moleskine notebook fully their own over the last couple of days has had me thinking about how important notebooks are. I mean, where would we be without them?

Via Spritual Evolution of the Bean, J Herbin Rouge Caroubier

I know that I fall into a state of near amnesia without my Rhodia Pad...but what's a pad without some ink? I use a Lamy Safari Rollerball everyday - the tip is indestructible and my hands love confirming to those Bauhaus contours - but have a real appreciation for the fountain pen users among us.

Via Spritual Evolution of the Bean, J Herbin Rouge Caroubier

Writing from a bottle of ink just seems right...proper...kosher. I received a letter the other day from a seasoned fountain pen user and the difference was huge - it wasn't just correspondence, it was close to art.

Colour Swatch for Rouge Caroubier...of course it depends on your paper...

And you can get artistic with it which is where this blog is coming from. Reading recently Biffy Beans review of J Herbin Rouge Caroubier (please read her blog, for your own sake!) further emphasised the complexity of pen and ink, the nuance.

Lamy Joy Calligraphy Fountain Pen

And to reach the apotheosis of artistic inky endeavors, you can always try calligraphy. We noticed that Inscriber just got a Lamy Joy Calligraphy pen and can only imagine how good the J Herbin Ink would flow through it! Has anybody used the J Herbin Rouge Caroubier before? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

A Rhodia Scooter...?

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:04:00 +0000

Via Rhodia Drive and the QuoVadis Blog, even though it's obviously not official Rhodia, this has got to be the coolest Vespa around. I wonder if the tyres have a 5x5 tread...?

Trends in the Field: Bloc Art

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:33:00 +0000

Gentian's Rhodia pad.

Following on from yesterday's post about Moleskine's myDetour exhibition, all about your Moleskine, your notebook and personalising an icon, Field Notes received a couple of emails just reminding us that there are plenty of other legends one can make their own.

BiffyBeans Rhodia Pad 8 Cover

Specifically, the Rhodia pad. The top stapled format is great for animated flicker art, especially the smaller pad 11 and 12. But even better is the cover itself!

eeShaun's personalised Rhodia cover.

The Moleskine's cover is great - durable, classy, quality. But there's not a whole heap to work with unless you go so your local embosser. The Rhodia Bloc pads, on the other hand, are perfect for making them your own.

Mitch from Flickr's Pad cover.

If you need some inspiration, see below or any of the following great blogs and pages. There's Rhodia Drive, eeShaun's cool design, heaps on Flickr, like Gentian's cover, Granny Kaas, Mitch, and of course there's Biffy Beans too.

Paul Smith's Rhodia pad designs. via OhJoy

In fact, it's so easy, so perfect, Rhodia sanctions the act. As we know, they're letting designer Paul Smith have free reign (I love the photographer above) over their pads and we can't wait for the results! We'd love to see any personlised Rhodia pads out there from the Field so get sharing Rhodia fans!

News from the Field: Moleskine MyDetour Update

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:40:00 +0000

Moleskine's wildly successful and innovative creative relay is about to hit what we at Field Notes consider to be the current global trend setter in stationery - Tokyo - as the MyDetour exhibition makes a stop in Japan's capital from October 16-November 4.

MyDetour entries from the San Fransisco leg of the creative relay.

Via Moleskinerie and moleskine.com, 5 of Tokyo's hottest designer book and stationery stores will host drop boxes where creative notebook lovers will deposit their decorated Moleskines.

Moleskine notebooks personalised.

To reward their disciples, Moleskine will invite the winner (ie: the most amazing notebook) to myDetour in 2010 and the 10 best books will be in an online gallery.

Geografia Globe - Japanese stationery is in bloom!

So keep myDetour on your radar as the Tokyo entries are sure to amaze.

Rhodia Metallic on display in Tokyo's Orange & Black Boutique.

Tokyo's stationery scene is huge - Rhodia in every high end fashion shop, Moleskine on every corner and niche producers like Geografia producing some ground breaking stuff.

News from the Field: Cavallini & Co. Wall Calendars!

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:07:00 +0000

Even though it's still two months until 2010 officially begins, we just can't wait any longer to get our Cavallini & Co. Wall Calendar for the Field Notes rooms! The paper is beautiful, the images are unique, they're archival quality and you can decorate a room (or office) as the months go by.

But, it's not all so easy - there are some difficult parts to this Wall Calendar business. Mainly, exactly which wall gets the blessing and exactly which calendar you decide on spending your 2010 with.

Me, i love the Farmer's Market calendar, Pauline really wants (to go to) Paris for 2010 and Beth has always had a thing for Ornithology!

Tough choices aside, there is a consolation for those of us in two or three minds...Easel Calendars!

Check out NoteMaker or your local Cavallini stockist and let us know: Which way will you go for 2010?

News from the Field: Limited Edition Artist's Moleskine

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:24:00 +0000

More Moleskine news from the field this week as the iconic notebook continues to evolve and change and push new aesthetics, which we are all for. The stationery world is getting bigger and bigger, and Moleskine - one of the biggest players - is doing all it can to keep up with the younger up and comers!

Moleskine has had success with Patent Leather Diaries released as a limited edition series, and continues the limited edition vibe with a new collection in collaboration with artists and designers.

Each year, an artist/designer will be asked to design the cover of a limited edition leather planner and the 2010 edition is designed by Martí Guixé.

Born in Barcelona in 1964, Martí Guixé studied industrial design at Milan Polytechnic. His most well known work is for Spanish shoe retailer Camper.

The cool part about this diary (besides the leather) is the 81 labels designed by Guixe which are inside the inner pocket. The not so cool part (for us Aussies) is that it's not yet available down under.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on Guixe's work and Moleskine design, so drop a comment if this is your kind of diary!

News From the Field: Seoul Power!

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:13:00 +0000

MMMG Stitched Journal

After a bit of a lapse between updates here at Field Notes we are glad to be back with some news direct from Seoul, Korea - a design stationery haven as yet untapped by Australia and indeed most of the west.

MMMG Hardcover Drawing Book

The attitude towards stationery and design all over Korea is a bit different to here in Australia, with ubiquitous love of stylish, functional and unique designer stationery. Like fashion in Europe, appreciation for gorgeous stationery is mainstream.

O-Check Wooden Ruler thanks to NoteMaker

Still conceptualised and produced by small inventive firms, yet adored by the masses: that's our kind of market!

Pansy Daisy Notebook!

Any stationery lover could find suitcases worth of cool stuff to bring back home, where it would be totally unique.

Pansy Daisy Notebook!

The king of Korean stationery, O-Check Design Graphics, is available in Australia but there are seriously cool up and coming brands, like MMMG and Pansy Daisy which are still unavailable to us.

O-Check Colour Pencil Set thanks to NoteMaker

Some of the Field Notes team are off today to New York City so keep an eye out for posts straight from the Big Apple about stationery and design straight out of the epicentre of the West.

Trends in the Field: Amazing Time Lapse Art

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:30:00 +0000

Scanning The Design Files recently, we saw this amazing time-lapse video of a marathon 14 hour painting by the Good Wives & Warriors.

The lucky wall was at the front of Ms Wilkinson in East Brunswick which Becky Bolton and Louise Chappell went to work on from 7:30am to 10pm!

The finished product, as you can see, was truly worth the effort.

Check it out above! Wow!

Trends in the Field: Japanese Masking Tape

noreply@blogger.com (Field Notes) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:38:00 +0000

Wow! Just when you thought you had the coolest Sticky Tape on offer, in comes Japanese Masking Tape!

Rather than try and do this stuff justice with words, we'll just post some pics from the official website!

The site itself is really cool, has great pics and info and tells the story behind the most versatile and heartwarming item any fan of craft or style could ever want. The only downside is that we don't know how to find it locally!! If anyone has any ideas, please let us know!