Creative designs in stationery have reached a whole new level in recent times, including an eco-pencil which contains seeds for sprouting! The Sprout pencil is made of cedar, but instead of lead, it houses graphite and clay. The pencil top looks pretty standard at first glance, but it’s actually a small capsule containing three seeds. […]
Demand for coloured pencils has rocketed over the past few years – but enthusiastic kids with their colouring books are not the main reason. No, it’s stressed-out adults who have been buying themselves huge sets of pencil crayons, so that they can relax from their workaholic lifestyles! The adult colouring craze really took off in […]
Which do you prefer, a pen or a pencil? Your preference may depend on your personality and personal style: eco-warriors and artists often love pencils, while top CEOs and big celebrities generally lean towards pens. Let’s get to the point about the virtues of the pencil first: It’s made of natural substances- wood and graphite- […]
It seemed like a good idea when a youth welfare organisation in New York decided to hand out pencils printed with an anti-drugs slogan: TOO COOL TO DO DRUGS. But the organisers of the health education campaign had failed to think about the consequences of sharpening the pencil, which converted the slogan to COOL TO […]
Do you get frustrated when you try to sharpen your pencil and then end up breaking the graphite? Most people who like to draw have had this experience a few times. That’s why the work of Dalton Ghetti is so amazing: he carves tiny mini-sculptures using the tips of graphite pencils – and even though […]
When is a pencil not a pencil? When it’s a train on rails of course! Nebraska-based artist Cindy Chinn carved the wood and graphite of a yellow pencil to create an amazing miniscule sculpture of a train and railway track. Since then she has created a name for herself as a talented miniature sculptor by […]
Did you know that the rubber we use for pencil erasers was first used by the Olmecs, an ancient Mexican civilisation, 3500 years ago? The Olmecs made rubber from a the ‘milk’ of various trees and plants, including the Castilla elastic tree and the Ipomoea alba plant, and produced broad, flexible strips which they wound […]
The innocent pencil, a symbol of artistry and early childhood scribblings, has also been ascribed a darker side over the years. Back in the 1980s, Stephen King wrote a novel The Dark Half, in which a writer called Thad Beaumont is at war with his alter ego. Beaumont, who usually wrote his stories using a […]
You probably thought the purpose of a piece of bread was for eating – but years ago stale bread was used as an eraser for black lead pencil marks. Art students and architects were advised to make light outlines with a soft pencil, and rub out errors with an Indian rubber or crumb of […]
What does a dog wearing headphones and a monkey wearing shades have in common with a vintage rose or polka dot design? Answer: they are all pencil case designs currently on offer from a top UK retailer. So why do the British love to snap up snazzy pencil cases? Practically every other European country and […]
How to keep your cool… Summer has got off to a great start this year – hip, hip hooray! But many offices can get incredibly hot in midsummer. Stay calm and productive throughout the season with these useful tips for keeping cool: Be an early bird! If your employer allows it, move to flexible working. […]
An office move can be great for a business if it’s handled well and carefully considered. Here at Paperstone we’re part way through our own move into a larger space, so the following is based on our own very recent experience! If you’re planning to expand or relocate your office, read our top tips for […]
Do you have a charity you support in your workplace? One of the yummiest days of the year is looming on the horizon – Cupcake Day on June 14th! Why not get together with colleagues who enjoy baking to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society? You could give Mary Berry and Nigella some competition and […]
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