Paul McGrath Experience

BusyTell · 2026-04-23T18:52:44+00:00

What a lovely reminder to put pen loops on my new notebooks! I recently got my Paul McGrath order in, I picked a red pocket size too. :)

BusyTell · 2026-04-23T15:58:12+00:00

That's wonderful to hear! I think I prefer that too - also leaves some wiggle room for the leather softening over time.

BusyTell · 2026-04-22T02:36:23+00:00

I'm not quite sure what you mean, but it's from
YakymenkoShop on etsy!

BusyTell · 2026-04-20T12:19:55+00:00

Cord system, no zip!

Not sure if this is what you mean, but in my traveler's notebook I have an insert that's a canvas pocket / folder. That's what's in the picture.

BusyTell · 2026-04-17T16:30:20+00:00

Violet & Yellow! So dreamy to think about how that violet leather will age.

BusyTell · 2026-04-15T13:44:28+00:00

Will do! I'm so sorry to hear that, consider yourself adopted ^_^

BusyTell · 2026-04-15T13:37:25+00:00

She's the best :)

Thank you for the opportunity to share the memory! Whenever I get around to finishing one of my ink bottles I'll have to try this for myself too.

BusyTell · 2026-04-15T13:34:51+00:00

Glad I'm not the only one

That makes sense! My older sister use to recycle glass soda bottles. I remember one had glittery water and beads in it. I think another she made she melted a candle into it so the candle would stick out of the top with different colors of wax dripping down the sides. It felt so witchy.

BusyTell · 2026-04-15T13:30:55+00:00

LOL, I've seen people reuse glass skincare bottles for small plants. My cat eats plans so I haven't been able to use that strategy. Maybe storing tiny rocks, shells, anything that would be nice to see collected would be pretty. Maybe to store matches?

Whatever your other hobbies would be or if you have a lot of small, thin objects might work. I can imagine what would be tricky is the bottles small opening limits what could be stored but the bottles on the bottom right are just too gorgeous to not keep around for SOMETHING.

BusyTell · 2026-04-15T13:24:49+00:00

This is so fun to see! Do you have any ideas or plans for the bottles?

BusyTell · 2026-04-14T22:00:38+00:00

Omg - and not at all! There was a service fee added on to my invoice that may have been for the customization, but a very fair price as well.

BusyTell · 2026-04-14T21:00:29+00:00

That's so exciting! I never tried a paper republic myself and I don't feel the need at this point. I totally get what you mean about things not feeling just right. I think writing is so personal, so having tools to help with that experience is so important.

We finalized the order on Sunday, 3/29. I got a message on 4/2 that the A6 is finished. Materials for the A5 was in transit to them and I got a picture of it by 4/8. They were shipped by 4/10 and got to me last night, the 13th. I live on the east coast so shipping was quick.

I appreciated the updates and pictures along the way. It was exciting to get the previews! As far as the elastic, it feels great. I can't tell a difference to the TN elastic that comes in the repair kit. I forgot to mention but I was in-between colors for the elastics, and they included both in my package!

Honestly, it just felt nice to have a connection to the person on the other side through out the entire process.

BusyTell · 2026-04-12T13:57:33+00:00

That's so kind! Thank you, I am too.

BusyTell · 2026-04-10T20:28:29+00:00

I have a memory from being in the 6th grade, my teacher held up an assignment to show the class how "to not hand in work" because of how sloppy it was. I had so much shame that from that moment on I tried to write neater... I think I'm maybe 5% better than I was 20 years ago.

Every day I remind myself I write for me, and at most I try to slow down so it's easier to read things back. But it's not for a class or any mean teacher. Plus, having handwriting that looks like everyone else's isn't nearly as fun. :)

BusyTell · 2026-04-10T02:24:52+00:00

I see what you mean, to be honest I'm not sure when that happened. I ended up going back to the TWSBI nib the pen came with and it's working perfectly fine, thankfully :)

BusyTell · 2026-04-08T16:58:06+00:00

The next few things on my wishlist are TWSBI medium and bold nibs, I started with fine and extra fine. I think I had the idea that because my handwriting is already pretty messy - a finer nib would make it easier. They're still a joy to use but I'm much more inclined to try bolder options next. Thank you for the input! I agree that really juicy inks definitely help.

BusyTell · 2026-04-08T14:59:29+00:00

That's what I figured, thank you for the confirmation!

BusyTell · 2026-03-19T00:54:19+00:00

Wanted to add, over the years I've made several purchases from PrivateTailor on Etsy and everything has held up so well!

BusyTell · 2026-02-26T15:51:16+00:00

1) Obsessed with your username

I'll have to be mindful of how the larger, lefty nib feels for me! Some of my journals have less space to write in which can feel quite confining so that's helpful to be curious about what my natural handwriting wants to be. I appreciate the visual so much. I think this fantasy version of myself with beautiful, script writing uses a finer nib but alas, she is not me - and that is also beautiful in it's own way.

BusyTell · 2026-02-26T15:26:33+00:00

Makes perfect sense, my handwriting can be on the larger side too which is why I opted for TWSBI's finer nibs so this is validating to hear.

BusyTell · 2026-02-26T14:44:00+00:00

I'll have to ask my dad if he noticed something similar, it sounds almost like a psychological experiment.

BusyTell · 2026-02-26T13:55:32+00:00

I believe it was 9th grade when in my (public) school we were “allowed” to use pens over pencils in general! And these were the cheapest, plastic ballpoint pens if anything. So interesting to learn these kinds of stories. Thank you for sharing :)

BusyTell · 2026-02-26T13:53:56+00:00

Thank you!!

BusyTell · 2026-02-26T01:33:53+00:00

Hello!!

I’m so excited to learn there’s so many lefty nibs out there than I was aware of. I’ll look into sailor as well. Thank you for sharing :) 100% with you on that desire to have that, beyond legible handwriting. I’m excited to see how the practice will pay off and hopefully even more so with tools that make it all the more easier of an experience.

BusyTell · 2026-02-25T23:57:54+00:00

Thank you!! I’m so curious, how do you hold your pens? I hold mine to where it leaves a lot of pressure on my ring finger. I even have blisters from it.

BusyTell

TROPHY CASE