Tuesday 24 November 2009

Make Giving a Pen Personal with Engraving

A pen makes the ideal gift for occasions such as Christmas, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduation or retirement. But by adding a simple engraving to the pen, the present becomes so much more meaningful, special and unique. Sending personalised gifts to your friends or family is a fantastic way to show them how much you care. Engraving is the process of incising a design or pattern into a surface, in this case the barrel or cap of the pen. As pens are made out of different materials, the finish of the engraving can vary from pen to pen. It is important to know which style of engraving fits the material of the pen and your personal taste. For example, stainless steel, chrome plated and solid silver pens produce a very subtle engraving style. Pens with a lacquer finish would give more contrast when engraved, as the top coat is cut away to reveal the metallic surface underneath. Depending on the type of metal underneath, the message appears in either brass or chrome.

Due to the size of the space that can be engraved, you will be limited to how much you can say with the engraving. With most pens you will be allowed up to about 24 characters, which for most is enough for a short heart felt message, such as ‘I love you’, ‘Congratulations’ or even just the person’s name. They will always have your special message to hand, every time they use their personalised pen, and with the wide range of pens available these days you are sure to find a pen that is suited to the person you are buying for.

So if you are stuck at what to buy for that special someone, be it at Christmas, birthdays or any other special occasion, why not consider heart felt messages on personalised pens.

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Luxury Italian Pen Brand Visconti



Visconti pens, from Florence Italy, are the epitome of elegance, luxury and quality. The fountain pens, rollers and ballpoint pens by Visconti make up a wide range of high quality instruments, each with a strong identification.


Every Visconti pen model is developed with the most advanced know-how, using the most precious materials available. Using both traditional methods and the more modern and unprecedented techniques to craft their pens.


Celebrities across the world including Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Charlize Theron, Marcia Cross and Oprah Winfrey are fans of the lavish ranges, which play on a treasure trove of historical moments.


What I love about Visconti’s pens are the way they are designed around themes of some of the most notable moments in art, archeology, philosophy, mathematics, literature and history. Subjects includes the Forbidden City, Art Renaissance, The Ancient Knights, Visconti Van Gough, Wall Street, Opera and others; a story lies behind every pen. This makes Visconti Pens very unique.


Just some of the most notable themes, include:


H.R.H. Her Royal Highness

Started in 1996, this diamond-encrusted range was dedicated to Princess Diana. Designed following a request from the Sultan of Bruneil, some of these pens are made from gold and are encrusted with diamonds and other precious stones.


Manhattan

Visconti Wall Street is the inspiration for this simple yet highly stylish range. With an elegant clip and an original shape – neither rounded nor square – these unique pens are admired by men and women alike.


Divina Proporzione

This fountain pen collection was formulated following a study of mathematics and history. Sleek, solid and tasteful, the range embodies class.


Metropolis

Clean, ergonomic and practical, these modern pens offer a clever retractable mechanism conceived to create an element of surprise. With 29 components, the range is intricate yet effortless.


The Forbidden City

Based around the ornate palaces of the Forbidden City and their incomprehensible symbolism and secrecy, these pens sit within a ‘cage’ through which the gods, the dragon, the lion and the phoenix can be seen.


There are many others Visconti Pen themes, all just as magical and inspiring as each other.


Tuesday 31 March 2009

Graduation Pen Gifts

Graduation is the day we all look forward to for at least three years and look back to for years to come. It's the watershed between youth and adulthood, the end of one's studies and the beginning of one's career, the day that celebrates achievement and merit.

For this day to stay in our memories for longer, we usually think of marking it with beautiful souvenirs - special gifts that would remind us of this remarkable occasion. We use pens everyday and always carry one around, which makes pens great gift ideas not only aesthetically but also practically. It is a present that will be frequently used by the receiver and will last long.

Traditionally, we give fountain pens as graduation pen gifts. However, with the fast and innovative development of pen industry some might prefer smart rollerballs or high-tech multifunction pens. There are more popular brands to choose from such as Parker, Waterman, Lamy, Sheaffer, Caran D'Ache and less known Aurora, USUS, Online. Another popular gift for graduates - solid silver pens by Laban and Waterman that look particularly stunning when engraved. You can engrave the graduate's name and degree title, the date of graduation or why not a cheerful note of recognition and encouragement? Engraved pens are a great way to make your graduation pen gift stand out and remind its owner of that special occasion for many years to come.

Wednesday 25 March 2009

Parker Pens

The history of Parker pens started back in the nineteenth century, when the Parker company was established. Founded in 1888 by George S. Parker, whose philosophy was creating “a better pen,” today Parker is an internationally renowned producer of fine writing instruments. The determination and foresight of its founder turned Parker into a global leader among pen producers as well as an icon in the world of writing instruments.

The first Parker fountain pen was patented in 1892, and that is when Parker Pen Company entered the market. Through the years Parker’s endless determination and constant drive for excellence supported the development of the brand. Parker is internationally renowned for its innovative technologies and cutting edge designs. The innovation that made Parker stand out came in 1894 with the invention of the Lucky Curve – a break-through ink feed system, designed to drain the ink back into the reservoir by capillary action when the pen was kept upright. This invention made Parker a major player among the producers of fountain pens.

Today Parker is one of the most recognizable pen brands around the world and the illustrious list of its loyal users is constantly updated with new names. Among the most prominent users was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote Sherlock Holmes mysteries with a Parker pen. Parker pens are also used daily by the world’s most influential leaders to sign treaties, trade agreements and other important documents.

Parker range includes a multitude of beautifully designed pens, of which the most popular ones are: Parker Sonnet, Parker Duofold and Parker Latitude. These come in different forms, including fountain pens, ballpoint pens, rollerballs and mechanical pencils and in different colours to suit the tastes of the most demanding lovers of fine writing.