Korea’s Vintage Pencil Shop

Alexa, play It’s Been Awhile by Staind.

Hello internet friends. It certainly has been a while. Four years actually. Hello again to all 11,200 of you.

I come bearing a cozy little stationery store in Korea that I recently stumbled across on Instagram called Blackheart Pencil. They call themselves a vinatege pencil shop which I love.

I think going to cozy bookstores and stationery stores across a country when visiting is a lovely little itinerary. Are there stationery store tours? There should be. I have to use this opportunity, while I hear the clickety-clack sounds coming from my keyboard, to mention that it instantly reminded me of a bouquet of sharpened pencils. Freshly sharpened. Any You’ve Got Mail fans reading?

They stock the loveliest bits and bobs. The inside is oh so cozy.

These golden sharpeners? I’m weak. Hand me a little basket when I walk in and I could do some serious damage.

The most adorable erasers that I’d never use for fear of misshaping them.

I would adore these pencils. Imagine them all tiny once you’ve used them.

There’s something about beautiful stationery that just makes me feel alive again. I do love it so. I could spend hours (and do) on Instagram looking at beautifully curated little shops.

I’ve found so many cool artists, stores, designs, designers, all kinds of things really over the years that I’d love to share with you all. Here’s to more updates coming soon.

P.S.: I update these socials more often than once every four years: @chellyletters @chellyslibrary. Come say hi.

A Look Through Your Window

I’ve always loved looking through windows. Glass windows. Floor to ceiling windows. Rain covered windows. There’s a sense of romanticism to them I suppose.

Which is why I find WindowSwap such a simple yet beautiful idea. With one click of a button, you’re transported to a view from someone’s window halfway across the world. It’s things like these that the world needs right now. Here are a few of my favourites:

Handlettering love

I’ve been lettering loads to keep me sane and mindful. A therapy of sorts.

Drop by and say hi at chellyletters on Instagram.

 

The Magpie

New year, new drawings :)

I’ve added new goodies to the store: www.etsy.com/shop/chellythemagpie

For the love of Bo

I have some favourite videos and pieces of writing that I always go back to for inspiration. Whether it’s for a new idea or for when my brain just needs some inspiration; a reminder that good writing and emotion still exists in the world. Hoping that some of it will rub off on me and spark my creative neurons.

An all time favourite, is Bo.

It’s simple, but real. Almost like a secret revealed in the form of memory.

Of course, the fact that it’s in French only adds to its charm.

 

 

Hello Etsy

I’m officially on Etsy guys!

I hope you guys drop by and check out what I have in store. It’s mostly illustrations for now but I’ve got plans for lots more coming soon :)

Here’s a little sneak peak of what’s on sale.

Hello.

So it’s been awhile.

A very long while.

Hello again.

I’m not exactly sure how or why I stopped updating this space. I’d like to blame Tumblr, Instagram and Pinterest but, I’m not sure if they’re the root causes.

I’ve been working on some things and I’d like to share them with you all here. One of them is my poetry on my Instagram account: littlecommas. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find.

Come say hi. Don’t be shy.

Strangers Drawing Strangers

Would you draw a complete stranger? Would you let a complete stranger draw you?

Brought to you by the genius that is Ivan Cash (the same artist behind the Snail Mail My Email), and Airbnb, Strangers Drawing Strangers is just as it’s title suggests.

You get a Polaroid photo taken, you write down your name, your Instagram handle, and your hidden talent down on a card. In an drawer of envelopes are Polaroids of strangers and their cards like the one you’ve filled up. Pick one.

Then, make your way to a very cool table stocked with markers, coloured pencils, and crayons. Pick your weapon and draw your stranger. When you’re done, your polaroid and your work of art are displayed on a wall of portraits.

Look at that. Art by everyone, about everyone. I love art projects that involve communities and bringing people together. I wish we had more projects like these here. I think I might have to start them myself.

Check out the video here.

Inked

I have fallen in love with the art of hand lettering.

One of my favourite artists is Jasmine Dowling. Her work looks so effortless and classy at the same time. She also hand letters really nice quotes – not just random things. Sigh, it’s just so pretty. Enjoy.

Hand lettered love

Everyone could use a good quote or two to keep their head up no?

How about quotes that also look gorgeous? Enter, Noel Shiveley. I found his art on Instagram and have been hooked ever since. So dreamy yet so profound, these need to be framed up and displayed on your desk at work and bedside table and anywhere else you can think of.