Posts filed under Accessories Review

Stationery Stack Pen Tray Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

Do your pens need to recline in luxury? Does your desk need a little organizational help? Do you keep more than a handful of pens inked at all times? If you're reading this blog, I know you answered yes to all, so you may need one (or all) of these pen trays from Stationery Stack.

The set pictured here includes the Honcho, the Amigo, and the Alfie. The Honcho is the single pen rest, and it's available in two lengths and several different finishes. It's perfect for keeping your main pen handy, especially if you have a pen that wants to roll away on the desk. This will keep it safe while remaining easily accessible. Like a pen cot.

The Amigo is also a single pen rest, but with an added slot that can hold a few sheets of cardstock, like business cards or even a to-do list or calendar page.

The Alfie is the large pen tray. It can hold ten pens--seven longer ones, and three shorter ones. The shorter slots run the width of the tray, with the seven longer ones along the length. It's a clever design that maximizes the number of pens it can hold while keeping a reasonable footprint on the desk. It is 10.5" by 6.25" by 1". It takes up less space than a sheet of paper.

All three shown here are in the St@cked brand color--a lovely Celadon Green that is literally my favorite color. The green paint has a satin finish. Beneath the paint, the Alfie is made from solid Cherry wood. The Alfie is also available in Maple and Walnut. The Honcho and Amigo are Pine. The finish on everything is exceptional--the wood shaping and paint is smooth and flawless. The fabric that lines the pen grooves in the Alfie is a faux suede in the “Sandy" color (Grey is also available). It feels lightly velvety, and makes a nice soft bed for your pens.

Pen trays like this solve my number one obstacle to using my pens: convenience. If I'm sitting down for a planned writing session, it's nice to have my pen handy. But more often I need to grab a pen for a quick note. I'm not likely to dig into cases for a quick need--I end up grabbing whatever writing instrument is most handy, which is usually a freebie disposable pen, or one of my library's numerous golf pencils. Having my pens out in a tray has noticeably led to me using them more frequently. And using nice pens more frequently, as we all know, increases happiness!

All of the pieces at Stationery Stack are made by Addy, who makes very cool things and has big plans for even more. The soon-to-be-released Journal Caddy will be an immediate must-buy for me. There is a status page on the website where you can find information about upcoming shop updates and product releases, which is great. Because this is a one-woman shop, production moves at the pace of perfection.

Do be warned that the time and craftswomanship are reflected in the prices of these products. The prices are absolutely fair, but they are expensive. The Alfie, the largest pen tray, is priced at $145. The Honcho is $14 and the Amigo is $20 for the shorter length and $23 for the longer. It's a big leap up between the models, but that has a lot to do with the materials (pine vs cherry) and the time that goes into crafting a larger piece.

I have really enjoyed these, and I'll be watching for the Journal Caddy launch. And whatever else Addy dreams up next!

(These products were provided by Stationery Stack at no charge for purposes of this review.)

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Posted on August 1, 2025 by Sarah Read and filed under Stationery Stack, Accessories Review.

Esterbrook Cube Pen Case Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

Your trinkets, gadgets, and doodads have a new ride. This new pouch, The Cube, from Esterbrook is a library of pockets, offering some top-tier organization in a design that looks both fun and classic.

First of all, look at that box. Esterbrook is always good with their packaging, and here, again, they have provided us with another box that's too good to throw away. More than one drawer in my house is organized with repurposed Esterbrook packaging. This one is definitely a keeper.

The butter yellow nylon of the case makes a fantastic impression on first sight. It's such a good color, and the styling is very retro. Maybe it's the windbreaker, track-suit fabric that's taking me back to the early 90s--but I'm happy to go there. The case is also available in blue and dark green, though all have the bright orange interior.

On the front of the pouch, there is a zipper pocket with a soft interior perfect for keeping glasses scratch-free. Behind that is a slip pocket (though the two pockets share volume, so if you put something fragile in one, you wouldn't want to use the other). Below it is a stretchy band that could serve as a handle, or a way to affix the pouch to another bag.

On the back, there are two voluminous pockets with elastic tops. One is nylon and one is mesh. They hold a surprising amount, and are the perfect size for a charger or earbud case.

The main part of the case opens like a clamshell with a smooth zipper. The inside right has divided pen trays for up to six sizeable pens. They are held in place by an elastic band that stretches across the width, threading through the walls of the soft tray.

There is a flap that divides the main compartment in two, and on the side of the flap facing the pens, there is a clear folder pocket perfect for stickers or a small notepad. On the other side of the flap there is a zipper mesh pocket for keeping any loose bits secured.

On the other side of the clamshell opening, there is a mesh pocket and a length of elastic across the width that is sewn into small segments.

The roomy interior also allows for a slim pocket or A6 notebook to be placed on either side of the central flap, or in some of the larger elastic pockets.

Every inch of this case is full of storage. A lot of it is cleverly laid out so that it can all be used, though some pockets interfere with the use of others.

There's so much versatility that it takes a little while to figure out how to use it. Is it a tech pouch? And EDC case? Just for pens and stationery? You could even use it as a makeup or toiletry case, or for other craft supplies. This is one of those cases that might end up in my knitting bag.

I decided to see how much of my daily carry items I could fit inside it. The answer was, most of them! However... When fully packed out, it may not fit in your bag. It gets thick! If you're carrying a good backpack, you'll be fine, but it doesn't fit in an average purse, which makes its use as a daily carry pouch a bit un-useful, for me.

But that does not worry me, because it has a thousand uses other than as a daily carry pouch. It would be perfect as a pen show kit! Bring some pens to show off, leave some spaces empty to fill with new pens. Collect business cards and stickers. Gather paper swatches, and bring a testing notebook. Fill the elastics with ink sample vials. Everything you need in one cube!

Because of the endless possibilities, I've had a lot of fun unpacking and repacking it for different purposes.

One downside to the case is the price, which did shock me a bit when I saw it. The MSRP is $65, though you might find it for less. It's more than I'd expect to pay for a nylon case, but it does have a lot of construction and design to it. I don't think it's extremely overpriced, just a bit more than I was expecting. That being said, if I hadn't been sent one, I'd buy one. I might have to buy one, anyway, because my husband, who typically goes glassy-eyed whenever I start talking about anything pen-related, actually tried to claim this one.

The retro vibe and bright colors certainly won't be for everyone, but I think this is another great accessory from Esterbrook. I'd actually love to see these design elements and materials used in a full-sized bag. Like the Cube as a messenger briefcase, chock full of stationery organization? If you do that, Esterbrook, please call me.

(Disclaimer: Brad bought this case from Florida Fountain Pen at the 2025 Atlanta Pen Show.)

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Posted on July 10, 2025 by Sarah Read and filed under Esterbrook, Pen Case, Accessories Review.

SHEdesigns Velvet-Lined Pen Sleeve Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

Want to keep your pens AND your heart cozy and warm? Then you need to check out SHEdesigns Nepal—a women's empowerment business devoted to enriching the lives of women through the crafting of beautiful local textile goods.

The business began with an effort to sew sanitary products for girls who were missing school at an alarming rate due to menstruation. The pads allowed them to remain in school, resulting in higher test scores and better overall education outcomes. With the success of this effort, more women were employed to create even more products, from placemats to bags to pen cases. The company now employs ten women who are able to support their families and find independence.

But they aren't just a good cause! They're good at what they do!

All the products they offer are made from high quality traditional Nepali dhaka fabrics. These densely woven, colorful patterns are made using a traditional process mastered thousands of years ago by the indigenous Limbu people of eastern Nepal. It is a fine woven cotton fabric characterized by intricate geometric shapes in a broad range of natural colors.

SHEdesigns Velvet-Lined Pen Sleeve Fabric

The original cotton-producing plant that supplied dhaka artisans with the fiber they used to produce what was once the finest and most expensive fabric in the world (follow me down an amazing textile rabbit hole with this article from the BBC,) has since gone extinct. While the fiber is gone, the wisdom of its weavers has carried on, and while the emperors of the world are no longer wearing dhaka muslin, my pens are getting the royal treatment.

The SHEdesigns pen sleeves are available in 4-pen or 6-pen varieties and in six gorgeous fabric options. The pre-order for the sleeves is limited, due to the limited quantities of the woven fabric, and it is only open for a while longer. Sleeves will be made to order and ship at the end of August.

The pen roll shown here is the six-pen design. It has soft cotton outer fabric with a plush red velvet lining. The central flap folds down to cover the tops of the pens so there's no risk of scratches. The case rolls easily and is secured by a red cord with a decorative bead on the end. Each of the pen pockets is sewn 1.5" wide and accommodates even thicker fountain pens. The pockets are deep enough to cover a pen up to 6" long.

The stitching is well done, with no loose threads or crooked seams. It was clearly made with care and pride, and holding it, you can't help but feel a connection to its maker.

As a fiber artist myself, I have an inherent love of handmade textiles and fabric goods, and there's nothing better than a well-crafted item with an inspiring story behind it. Frankly, I'm a bit envious of my pens' new threads, so I'll be visiting the SHEdesigns site for some accoutrements of my own. And as a bonus, with every order you place, you can add on a donated sanitary pad kit for women and girls in Nepal. You can make a difference AND spoil yourself at the same time. And your pens will feel spoiled, too.

(SHEdesigns Nepal provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!