What’s (usually) in my stationery pouch(es)?
The not-so-final guide to what’s inside a stationery hoarder’s pouch
Let’s get this clear in the very beginning- there is no ‘guide’ as to what one should have in their stationery pouch! There should be functional things, which get your work done. And there should be ‘fun’ things which make you want to do the said work. Now that that is out of the way, come fall into the stationery hoarder’s abyss!
The essentials
Pen - It is good to keep a few different kinds of pens with oneself. Ball pens are better for filling up paperwork, whereas gel pens are great for personal correspondence and such. I usually prefer fineliners, as they have a smooth flow, and can be used on a variety of papers. I also prefer black pens over blue, although the reasons are purely aesthetic!
Pencil - This is an extremely useful tool to have in one’s stationery pouch. From jotting down quick notes to creating drafts of sketches on the go, they are a must have. Although normal pencils have their niche, I prefer to keep mechanical pencils with me, simply because they eliminate the need to carry a sharpener!
Ruler/scale - For people like me, who can never draw a straight line, this is a necessity! And even if your straight-line-drawing skills are the stuff of legend (how?!), it never hurts to keep one, just in case.
Eraser - Even if your fancy pencil comes with an eraser at its tip, it’s always better to keep a proper one handy. Thank me later, when the black pencil smudge marks don’t ruin your painting!
Scissors - It’s funny how whenever I don’t have scissors, I feel their need. So I decided to keep a pair in my pouch, just in case! Do keep in mind, though, that different scissors cut different materials. So ensure that your scissors fit the cut!
Glue/adhesive tape - Adhesive tapes are just amazing! They reduce messes, and make pasting things much neater.
Paper clips - Paper clips are small but mighty. They fit anywhere, and can keep small bundles of paper together. They reduce the bulk of staplers, and make life much easier!
The good-to-haves
Coloured pens - This category is so huge that an entire blog can be written just about these! Simply put, it’s good to have pens in a variety of colours. In notes, it helps to distinguish among topics. Outside classes, let’s just face it, it looks cool! :)
Micron tips - These pens come in varying nib sizes, thereby lets you choose which pen you need, depending on the purpose. From thin delicate lines to thick bold lines- there is something for everyone to choose from.
Highlighters - Even if you’re no longer studying, highlighters are a fun way to add a pop of colour to your dreary paperwork. I prefer highlighters in pastel shades, so that the text underneath is still visible.
Washi tapes - These are the stuff stationery enthusiasts’ dreams are made of! There are so many types of washi tapes, and they can be used for various purposes. They can be used as tabs around the length of pages, colourful paper clips, or just to add a bit of whimsy to your pages.
Sticky notes - It is important to have sticky notes handy to jot down quick notes, or even to use for additional pointers while reading a book. They can also be used as colour-coordinated page tabs for books and notebooks.
Stickers - Stickers are a good idea if you’re looking to liven up your art journal pages. Stamp and floral stickers are my favourite, because they go well with a variety of page themes.
Brush pens + Travel watercolour palette - One doesn’t have to be an artist to be able to enjoy watercolours. It is important to have fun and try new things, and this is a great place to start! Brush pens are great if you’re on the go, as all you need to get started is some water. You can also make your own travel kit by placing some colour pans in a small box.
The over-the-tops
Khadi watercolour paper - This paper is of great quality, and holds watercolours really well. If your pouch is small, then make sure to cut the paper to size, place it inside, and you’re good to go!
Mini envelopes - These are perfect for storing small stationery items- for instance, stickers, stamps, or even paper clips. They are also great for storing keepsakes you acquire in your travels- for instance, receipts, polaroids, ticket stubs, etc.
Paper doilies - These are the perfect addition to class up your journaling experience. They are usually available in different sizes, and can be used in journal pages, or even on book covers.
Stamps + inkpad - Stamps are great for filling up gaps in your journals. The reason that they’re in this section is that they can be quite bulky to carry around everywhere. Not to mention that you will always need an ink pad, and if you’re using acrylic stamps, then even a stamping block. Nevertheless, if space is not an issue, do keep them in your pouch!
Office tags - These paper tags are so useful in journaling, or even as gift tags. Usually they have a hole at the top, but you can add one if you need. And if you get kraft or black ones, you can even use white pens to write/draw on them to get an amazing look.
Twine - These are perfect to add a little texture to your journaling pages. Thread them through the office tags to create a great finished product.
I usually have a combination of products from all these categories, which is why I can never have a single stationery pouch. Internal debates regarding the ‘need’ to have each item are a regular occurrence, and then I pretty much take everything I can fit in my pouches! :)
Let me know what you guys have in your stationery pouch!
