#ferriswheelpress

I personally love space and floral aesthetics as well 👀

Bearrington Black ink swatching. Coming to Ferris Wheel Press on Sept 6th. A cool black. I actually didn't own a black ink so this is a wonderful addition for when I need a traditional ink color.

Having a little fun designing and painting my journal page for my February TBR using fountain pen ink from Ferris Wheel Press.

I am an ambassador for FWP, so if you'd like to pick up one of these colors, use code NERDY at checkout to get 10% off your purchase!

John Collier Jr. - Mary Mutz writing to a boyfriend in the United States Army

On the Mutz ranch in Moreno Valley, Colfax County, New Mexico, 1943

This photograph is part of The American Image: The Photographs of John Collier Jr. online exhibit developed by the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico.

"A woman must have money and a room of her own, if she is to write fiction.” ― Virginia Woolf, ‘A Room of One’s Own’, 1929.

In 1929, Virginia Woolf, aptly acknowledged the struggle of many a writer, the need for a personal space; and as I typed up the final chapters of my novel’s final written draft last weekend I found myself daydreaming about my dream writing space: ‘A Room of One’s Own’, a place just for me, my laptop and my creativity.

But how does a writer with a slight streak of vintage madness flowing through her veins create such a space? Well with my birthday coming up this month and the editing stages of my book starting to take shape, I began looking into a few ways I might look to transform my desk to inspire future writings and creative projects.

INK  Although a lot of my work is digital both for time, and saving paper where possible, when I was younger I used to love the idea of writing in an unusual, carefree writing style. Perhaps taking inspiration from the mystical green handwriting that arrived to Harry Potter when he got his acceptance letter from Hogwarts. 

As such I was delighted when I stumbled upon a unique Canadian project named Ferris Wheel Press who specialise in creating beautifully packaged and designed fountain pen inks - including some beautiful green, and peacock shades as well as hints of orange marmalade, rose pink and delicate tanzanite blue. All of which I’m itching to try - and would love to sign my books with at least one of these timeless, elegant hues.

PENS Keeping up with the theme of beautiful stationery I would love to have a collection of decorative, but still functional pens.  In the past, at school I used to enjoy creating worlds and poetry with fountain pens, which always seemed to have more personality and warmth that the harsh, plastic biros we had to use for exams, perhaps because they have a richer tone and colour that drips onto the page.

That said I’d also like some pretty ballpoints, for the every day squiggles, with their smooth lines and functonality, like this inexpensive set from WHSmiths, who also have a range of fountain pens.

WRITING PAPERS Although it is sometimes daunting to write something new on a fresh, clean page, the payoff is also equally exciting as my written worlds start to come together. 

Prior to the 2020 Lockdown, I often found myself sitting down with a notebook that I could easily slip back into my handbag and jot down a few observances from people watching or scenes and images as they enter my head. As such, I would like my desk to be filled with pretty pices of stationery:- like notebooks and notecards, journals and even coloured envelopes. Little cards I could send to friends to observe snapshots of the world without just relying on social media, and I’m hoping some point to get back into letter writing and postcards. Some brands I love for these include: Papier, Papersmiths and Moleskine with special attention towards Clairefontaine. Traditionally speaking Vellum based papers are more attractive for those using inks and watercolours paints but I would also recomend a cruelty free alternative like Terraskin or  Yupo paper which are made out of synthetics and minerals. Notebooks made in this style tend to be plainer but for that some Decoupage wrap or crafting can easily help your journals and letters have more personal identity. 

ODDS AND ENDS As I love letter writing and scrapbooking as much as I do writing itself, my desk would be filled with postage stamps, and other curios that I find useful such as brightly coloured and decorative Washi tape which can be found in most craft stores. A letter opener and magnifing glass, maybe a writing box in which to store recieved and treasured corispondences from loved ones and friends. Fragments of poetry or positive mantra quotes to inspire me and a decorative coaster to place my cups of tea or hot chocolate to keep myself going in harder bouts of work. More than half a dozen erasers and sharpeners and half sharpened pencils. I’d love to have a few books on publishing and other writing resources near me, and ample space to charge and rest my laptop as I type. 

Ultimately my desk would continue to be an expression of myself and my work, hopefully well lit by a good lamp in the twilight hours or natural light during the day. I love the appeal of a warm wooden desk and comfy teal chair in which to spend many an inspired hour, allowing my dreams to guide my processes. 

But for now, I’ll settle for a quiet bedroom listening to the bird song in the morning, my electric fan’s whir during these hotter, summer months and a stable internet connection to share my musings with the world. 

And who knows, maybe when my novel is published I can start to collect a few more of these things and my desk or at least my fictions will be preserved and treasured in the literary halls, just as Ms Woolf herself, 92 years ago, in a ‘Room of Her Own’.

Have a beautiful day x.

I didn't show off my new baby did I?