As I mentioned in an earlier post, there is a lot of interest in handicraft now in Korea. Many people are taking up quiltwork or leathercraft, and as a result, many hand-crafted items come up for sale in pen shows. People do seem to enjoy making simple things to go with their writing instruments. Some even bind their own notebooks with the paper of their choice. Here is a sampling of leather accessories available.
This is a memo pad cover designed to fit a Rhodia No. 11.
This is another kind of memo pad, designed for a LIFE Noble B7. This provides an ideal cushion for fountain pen nibs, and together with the smooth Noble paper it makes for quite an experience. There is a sleeve at the back where you can keep additional sheets of paper.
These are pen rests, designed to prevent pens from rolling around on the desk and gathering scratches. All these items above were made by a friend who eventually quit her job to learn leatherworking in Japan. Her teacher (oops… I forgot that she actually apprenticed elsewhere, although she intended to apply to Mr. Takuya’s studio) and atelier owner, another self-taught man whose previous background was also in something very different, is well known among fountain pen users and he makes fantastic bespoke pencases for them. On his webpage you can see some items from his stationery collection.
These are commercially available pencil caps and simple pen cases (sleeves) in leather. Both are Korean brands (Tanzo and Redman). I use the long sleeves for storing pencils that are too long to fit in my pencil case. The smaller pencil caps also provide good protection for individual pencils in rucksacks and tote bags.
pencils and other things 