The philosopher Locke argues that all ideas are acquired by experience. Example - I picture a Sanford yellow pencil whenever I hear or read the word pencil. A close second – the Staedtler Mars Lumograph. Growing up I had a healthy stash of pencils, divided into three equal parts – standard yellow woodcase, Staedtler Mars, and decorative pencils from Korea.
All the art supply shops of the world have large displays of Staedtler pencils, and the large office supply chains stock them on their shelves. Definitely was an obvious choice but wasn’t feelin’ the Staedtler pencils for our Germany Kit.
Stabilo is also a popular German brand, but when I spotted the rollerball pens…I wanted them. A sucker for any writing instrument in goldenrod, and I love that the pens are graphic, bold, and functional. And, hello? SMUDGE PROOF ink? Done.
The same shop had an amazing collection of paper goods. Couldn’t stop picking up notepad after notepad – I wanted one of every single style in the entire shop! Love feeling the texture of the paper as I fan a stack. And I always take a corner of a sheet and flick between my thumb and index finger to check the weight. Love discovering the style of sheet…is it blank, ruled, grid? The notepad with the bright red cover and bold white letters was the obvious choice. Very German - efficient and orderly.
Continued on to the mystery item and stopped instantly when I spotted the box of paperclips – simple design, bold colors, and super lo-fi. AND the paperclips are lo-fi, too! They seem so not German. The weight of the paperclips are delicate, the design not uniform. I’ve never seen anything like these paperclips – not the shape, weight or material. This box of magic totally captures what RAH is all about.
Puttering around Berlin, checking out shops, indulging in tasty beer (managed to somehow get cut off from ordering too much food – not alcohol – food). AND buying office supplies any chance I could? That be Berliner Ballin’.
oxxo hen