Quickspot: quirktm

What: quirk_tm
Huh: A pencil that you can wrap around your finger.
Wait, what: You can mount a pencil to your hand to be an old school cyborg geek.
Seriously: Yup.

Everyone has had those experiences where you just really need a third hand to hold a pencil for jotting down notes while you're working on a project. This is a great solution for those times.

The quirk_tm is not meant for flat out writing or journaling, but instead is meant to be worn while working on something so that your pencil doesn't float around or you can skip the step of picking it up. From crafts to the laboratory, nearly everyone can think of a situation in their life where this would improve their efficiency.

I tried it out, and it really works. There is no sharpening either, just plug in a new point.

This is an offshoot of the ComfortStulus for the Nintendo DS, and I think it's a great idea. What do you guys think? Would you use it? I'm going to use it while sewing.

Quickspot: Faber-Castell Art Grip color pencil

What: Faber-Castell Art Grip colored pencil-yellow

This pencil is advertised to have one of the best grips around. I was a little unsure because it just looks like paint on the barrel, but once I started messing with it, I was impressed. The dots provide traction to your fingers, and the overall spread offers a grip for any position.

The color was smooth and easily blended when I did a gradient, and it seemed like the Habana paper wanted to 'suck' the color right up. I had to write the review in a darker color because, well, the pencil is yellow.

Overall, I'm no artist but I loved testing out this pencil.

Review: rEDCLOUDY Pencil Case

Case: rREDCLOUDY Envelope Pencil Case (5 stars! I adore it! Recommended without any hesitation!)
Where: JetPens
WTF: This is a pencil case styled to look like an envelope with a long strap to secure it closed. Comes in additional colors.
Compare to: I haven't seen anything else like it.

In the world of pencil cases there are the ones that hold everything you own, travel cases, and then the cases that put a smile on your face. This case is unique and wonderful, and has managed to blend all that with something completely functional and simple.

The premise is simple: Take an envelope, make it out of a wonderful material, and figure out a way to keep it closed that is a fluid system, slick, and doesn't ruin the aesthetic.

Their solution: high quality synthetic leather, lined with fun fabric, constructed to perfection, and a simple cloth strap to keep it closed. I was skeptical at first when I saw this closure, but I sprung for it when I had a giftcard to experiment with. The result: SO WORTH IT.

As you can see, it can hold quite a lot of pens. This is the comfortable amount, but you can easily double it (seen below) and still have it close. This feat can only be accomplished by the wonderful strap closure system.

About the strap: it is about two feet long and made of soft fabric. You simply wrap it around the case, and slip the end under the previous wraps. It holds, it works, and it is not cumbersome. This isn't a system that is meant to be used for changing pens every two seconds, or when you're in line at the store. Wrapping and unwrapping it is an experience to be savored, and I actually found it to be a calming part of my morning routine at work.

This is a case that I happily keep on my desk, and something that I use to keep my good pens in. Your Sliccis belong in this case! It is not only beautiful and functional, but it is built to take a beating. It has been thrashed around on the subway, stuffed in purses, dropped, and stepped on. Believe it or not, it doesn't show a thing. The size is also perfect. At the same time, this case can easily be used as a clutch for a night out. I would not change one thing on it.

The cost is a bit higher than other cases, but you will get nothing but quality in this case. This line is in a class of its own.

Buy if...

...you want an elegant pencil case that will beautifully frame your pens.
...you need a pencil case that is worthy of being seen in public.
...you want a simple solution for carrying pens in a bag or purse.
...you like flexibility in your pencil cases.
...you need a gift for someone who has it all.

Don't buy if...

...you plan to be opening/closing it a lot during a short period of time (e.g. for art), although you can just leave it open.
...you only want pure utility cases.
...you think rectangles are way too 80's.
...you can only process things with zippers.