If you've ordered from us in the last few weeks, you may have noticed a little surprise in your package of pen goods. The Goldspot elves have been toiling for many long hours picking, packing and shipping your orders. We all wanted to say "thanks" for your support with a special gift we sprinkled in a number of our shipments.
For those who are unfamiliar with this model of fountain pen, it is originally produced by Jinhao, a well-known Chinese pen manufacturer that has a reputation for inexpensive, quality pens. The model may look familiar to those who know the Lamy Safari / Vista pen line.
Our variation on this pen is that the Jinhao branding has been removed and replaced with our own. The Goldspot Logo is written on the barrel and the Goldspot "G" is engraved into the stainless steel nib.
In case you've never written with a fountain pen before, we've made this handy video to give you an overview of the Jinhao pen, complete with instructions on how to fill it, write with it and proper maintenance to ensure you'll be enjoying this pen for years to come.
We've all had this happen before. Some more often than others. You reach for your trusty pen in your pocket/desk drawer/briefcase/purse and, to your dismay, IT ISN'T THERE!
Before you know it, panic sets in, sweat starts to bead on your brow and wild accusations are being thrown out like daggers to coworkers and family members. You've lost, or as I like to put it "temporarily misplaced" your pen. To prevent also losing your mind, take a deep breath and follow these five tips to search for your MIA writing instrument in an efficient and cool-headed manner.
Firstly, calm down. Losing, or thinking you've lost a prized pen can be a cause for great stress, but taking a moment to relax and objectively assess the situation will help focus and have the clarity of mind to locate the lost item.
Think, "when was the last time I used the pen?" This may be easier to imagine than when was the last time you saw it, because there is usually a paper trail to give you a better clue. If you were signing forms, the date on the form will tell you when the last time you were using your pen, and may also give away the location.
Gently ask people around you if they have seen your pen. Pens can sometimes sprout legs and mysteriously appear on the desks of coworkers or in other places that you would never imagine to look for your pen. Be respectful and politely ask people who may have seen or used your pen before. Refrain from using an accusing, annoyed tone when asking the "suspects." Sure, they may have pen-napped your Waterman, but there are a majority of people that do not understand the value of a fine-writing instrument and will pick up and use anything they can find. Usually, they mean no harm and would have kindly returned it to you at some point.
Trace your footsteps. When you have an idea of when you last used or seen the pen, back-track your steps until you reach that time and place. Let's say, you reach into your pocket at your office desk and realize your pen is missing. You believe that you wrote a check yesterday at the bank with the pen. That is your end point. Think of all the things you did leading up to being at your desk. "I was in the break room talking to Kurt, then bathroom, then in a sales meeting when I took out my pen to lend it to the cute temp." Bingo.
If all else fails, do a complete Spring Cleaning of your office or home. You remember all the crazy stuff you find when you move furniture around? That works for finding lost items as well. Instead of waiting for the next big move, rearrange some furniture or reorganize the cabinets and drawers to make sure that no stone is left unturned.
Have a story about a lost pen that magically found its way back? Please feel free to post your Lost and Found pen story in our comments section.
With the economic situation being a real downer on our moods and our pocketbooks, there is a call to go back to simpler times. This Valentine's Day, you can expect less diamond jewelry and more sincere, handmade gifts. And what better gift to give than a love letter straight from the heart?
For those of you who have been hitting the wallet every V-day for romantic dinners, furs, Belgian chocolates, or sexy undergarments, a thoughtful and romantic love letter may seem impossible to comprehend, let alone write. Here are a few helpful suggestions if you are planning on setting pen to paper to set your lover's heart afire:
Be YOU - We often get caught up in all the sentimental jargon, "candy heart" phrases, or try to write like Shakespeare to express ourselves. The whole point of a love letter is to express YOUR love. Use your own words. Unless you are a poet or novelist, s/he is not going to expect you to write in iambic pentameter. In fact, the letter will seem more genuine if it has a few of your patented grammar gaffes.
Actually WRITE IT - Your grammar school teachers didn't preach penmanship so you can just give it up in favor of tapping away at a keyboard for every note, grocery list and letter you will ever write again in your lifetime! Handwriting expresses more than just the words and sentences that are written. There are subtleties in the lines and strokes that give another dimension to the words on the paper. But what about the occasional spelng mistke that spellcheck usually picks up? Type it out on the computer first, print it out and then write it on a nice crisp sheet of paper. If you are writing it with a fountain pen, add a nice flair to the letter by writing it with Noodler's Ottoman Rose.
Ask yourself a few questions - If you get writer's block and can't seem to get past the first sentence, ask yourself a few questions and answer them on a separate piece of paper to brainstorm. For example, what plans do you have in the future with that person? How do you feel whenever s/he is away for long periods of time? What is your favorite characteristic about her/him? If you're already married, think about your wedding day or the engagement proposal. If you have recently overcome a difficult struggle in your life, think of how that person had played a role in your well-being. Sometimes a love letter can be very hypothetical and far-fetched. Feel free to share your hopes and dreams with the other person.
The Closing - Ending the letter could possibly be the hardest part. You really have to go out on a bang and avoid any cliche expressions. Also, try not to be too impersonal by simply saying "Sincerely," or "Regards,." A simple "Love" can suffice if you have plenty of loving sentiment in the body of the letter. Try to avoid using "PS." It is WAY too overused! Post Script is a novelty from the old days when we couldn't go back into the handwritten letter and insert a sentence that you forgot earlier. Now we have white-out and Word to do our dirty work. A nice way to use PS is if you want to lead them to a cleverly hidden gift. For example, "PS. Look in the driveway."
For more tips on writing a love letter, check out the wikihow article. If you need any advice or are looking for a nice pen to write the letter, feel free to comment on this post.
PS. There is no car with a red bow in the driveway. It's a bicycle. That's all I can afford.
