Art and Earth Science by Grass
Troublemaker Inks is one of those Filipino fountain pen brands that quietly sneaked into the global pen community and created a good international following. Founded in Cebu as a tiny hand-mixed ink studio, the brand became beloved for its experimental shading, sheen, and shimmer inks that look less like office supplies and more like bottled weather… Continue reading Inky Review: The Troublemaker’s Butterfly Dream
by Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist There are fountain pens you buy after hours of research, careful comparisons, and deep contemplation over nib sizes. And then there are fountain pens you buy because your brain immediately goes: “Oh no… it’s tiny and adorable. I need it.” That was exactly my experience with the Wancher PuChiCo Arctic… Continue reading Tiny Pen, Big Personality: My Review of the Wancher PuChiCo Arctic Blue
Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Inspired by the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, the Pelikan M200 Cherry Blossom is a special edition pen that leans heavily into soft elegance and quiet charm. Its pale pink resin body reflects the gentle hues of sakura in bloom, while subtle design details like cherry blossom-shaped ink windows,… Continue reading Pelikan M200 Cherry Blossom Review: The Glinda of My Chatoyant Fountain Pen Collection
Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist I got my TWSBI Kai when it was first released through a pre-order from Everything Calligraphy back in October 2023—right when I was still tumbling headfirst into the fountain pen rabbit hole. At the time, I had this itch to own something “rare” or “limited,” and the Kai just… Continue reading Is the TWSBI Kai Worth It? My Honest Long-Term Review
Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist I don’t buy fountain pens as often as I used to—my “acquire everything shiny” phase has officially mellowed out. In fact, I’ve been on a bit of a decluttering streak this year, letting go of some of the beginner pens I picked up when I was just starting out.… Continue reading Jinhao Shark Fountain Pen Review: Playful and Practical
Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of fountain pens, inks, and all things analog, then the Manila Pen Show 2026 is probably already on your radar, or at least it should be. For the uninitiated, the Manila Pen Show is a yearly gathering of pen enthusiasts, collectors, artists,… Continue reading First Impressions: My First Time at the Manila Pen Show 2026
Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist Some places quietly become part of a family’s story. For us, one of those places is Baguio City. We first visited Baguio as a family back in 2015, and returned again during Christmas time in 2024. Each trip left the same impression on us: cool air, beautiful parks, good food,… Continue reading A Quick Family Escape to Baguio City
Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist One of the most talked-about permanent black inks in the fountain pen world is Platinum Carbon Black Ink. It has been a favorite among artists, sketchers, and fountain pen enthusiasts for years, especially for people who need their writing to survive water, humidity, and time. What makes this ink different… Continue reading Ink Review: Platinum Carbon Black — The Waterproof Ink I Wish I Tried Sooner
Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist In early 2023, I visited a museum, only slightly aware of fountain pens, and left completely changed, now excited by a newfound love for stationery that I never knew I needed! At that time, I owned exactly one fountain pen: the Pilot Petit. It was cute. Pocket-sized. Innocent-looking. But I… Continue reading My Current Favorite: IFEX Notebooks & Planner
Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist The market for pocket fountain pens is often dominated by familiar names and higher price tags. It is therefore pleasantly surprising to encounter a model that costs less than five US dollars, yet performs well enough to merit serious consideration. The Jinhao 82 Mini is one such pen. Compact,… Continue reading Jinhao 82 Mini: Affordable Pocket Fountain Pen Review
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