We spoke to Associate Vice President Financial Communications (MSL India) Alethea Fernandes who moonlights as an artist, illustrator and journal maker about her favourite stationery memories.
Q. What was your favourite piece of stationery when you were growing up?
A. Amongst everything I cherished the most was a pack of the yellow Staedtler pencils with black lining and eraser tops. The heady aroma of the sharpened pencils in the pack is a treasured memory. I also loved the set of 24 Faber Castell colour pencils which were very expensive but served the dual purpose of converting a pencil colour painting into watercolours with the application of a little water. I distinctly remember being fascinated by the multi-function compass box cases with different sized compartments for organizing erasers, pencils, staples and the entire school stationery paraphernalia.
Q. What is a piece of stationery you’ve always wanted but never managed to get / buy?
A. With the advent of social media platforms like Instagram we are exposed to a variety of stationery objects. I have discovered several fascinating products which are on my ‘most coveted stationery objects’ list. First, the Cinch Maker by We R Memory Makers, which is the best machine for making and binding books yourself. Second would be the Cricut Sticker Maker because I use a lot of stickers in my journaling projects and would love to design and make my own stickers. And, lastly Karin Brush Markers. I love the bold neon range on offer and can’t wait to get my hands on them.
Q. What is the one stationery object that you can’t live without today, and why?
A. That’s a very unfair question because there is never just one stationery object that I can’t live without! But if I had to think about what I use on a daily basis it would be my planners, I have 3 planners. One for a macro-work deadline, the other one is an hourly work planner, and my favourite is the life moments planner which I embellish and decorate with stickers. The other stationery essential I can’t travel without is a small notebook, micron pens and mini-travel kit of watercolours. It doesn’t matter if I end up painting but knowing that I have my kit with me is most reassuring and comforting when I travel.
Stationery Resources
1. Staedtler Noris Black and Yellow Pencils
Staedtler Noris 122 Pencil With Eraser, Pack Of 12
2. Faber-Castell Watercolour Pencils
Faber-Castell Water Color Pencils with Paint Brush – Pack of 24 (Assorted)
3. Multi-Function Pencil Box
Toyvala Barbie Jumbo Pencil Box
4. Cinch Maker – We R Memory Keepers
The Cinch Book Binding Machine, Version 2 by We R Memory Keepers | Teal and Gray
5. Cricut Sticker Maker
6. Karin Brush Markers – Neon
7. Planners
The Positive Store-The Positive Planner (Classy Black) Undated 2021 Yearly Law of Attraction & gratitude planner; Daily Weekly and Monthly Organizer Notebook with Free gold foil Stickers and much more
8. Mini Watercolour Travel Kit
Sennelier l’Aquarelle French Artists’ Watercolor Aqua-Mini Set – Metal Box of 8 Half Pans
9. Sakura Pigma Micron Pens