Alessandra, also known as @makingmemorieswithale, tells us about her beginnings in the creative journey and her passion for writing instruments.

Iguana Talks with Alessandra

How did you discover the world of fountain pens?

The first time I used a fountain pen was to sign my college diploma. I loved it and wanted to try more and more. Since then, several decades have passed.

What are your favorite brands?

My favorite brands are Leonardo, OttoHutt, Waldmann, Gioia, Tibaldi, Scriveiner, Platinum, Esterbrook, Conklin, Monteverde, Maiora, Nettuno. To be perfectly honest, I love each and every one of my pens and all of their quirks.

The perfect everyday pen is... If not one in particular, what features should have?

The perfect everyday pen needs to be balanced, very comfortable in the hand, glides smoothly across the paper and has a steady flow of ink . As I like earthy tones, I limited myself to using them all the time. However, when I started testing other colors of inks, the range of creative possibilities opened up for me. I really like the inks from Ferris Wheel Press, Monteverde, Conklin, Colorverse and Private Reserve Ink.

What is your dream pen? If not one in particular, what features should have?

I actually don't have a specific dream pen. Of course I'd love to test other brands like Montblanc, Scribo, Montegrappa, Conway Stewart, for example. Maybe my dream pen is all the others I haven't tried yet, because all the ones I have have a special place in my heart!

But some characteristics are very important, such as an elegant design, high quality of the materials used, balance, fit perfectly in the hand, the nib must slide smothly on the paper and the ink flow must be constant. For me, these characteristics are fundamental for a perfect writing experience.

What do you like most about the fountain pen world? And the diary?

What I love most about the fountain pen and diary world, besides the wide variety of designs and brands, the community of pen and journal lovers is so welcoming and passionate. In this community I met so many talented people and made so many dear friendships with people around the world. This is fantastic! 

What do you like most?

I've always loved stationery and that passion has only grown over the years. The diary came into my life as a teenager to accommodate my thoughts, ideas, desires and it has helped me a lot since then. It's a dear friend who "listens" to me without judging me. The habit of keeping a diary and organizing my life through my planners, along with my passion for pens, have become an inexhaustible source of joy in my life. It's more than a hobby, it's a lifestyle. And, the Internet made it possible to reduce distances and unite people who share the same passions. It fascinates me!

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