Cambria Pens, Gardena, CA (2025)

02/14/2024

It's week!

Thank you
To those who notice when I've been absent
To those who have cared to reach out
To those who continue to believe in me and encourage me
I am so grateful for each of you

It has been a tremendously challenging season for me, both personally and professionally. I wanted to share, but didn't know how best to keep it positive while remaining authentic and relevant.

Yet I've received many kindnesses through these times, from unexpected sources both near and far.

I want to do something special for the in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for surprise pen auctions, more small maker features and recent updates on Noa and family!

--

Featured Pen & Maker of the Day: Piuma Minimalist Ultem, $95

Precision-engineered by Ensso in California

Also available:

🌈 "Noa's Rainbow" Ensso Piuma Minimalist Primary Manipulation 4 Limited Edition of 100

✒️ Ensso Piuma Minimalist Titanium

✒️ Ensso Piuma Minimalist Ebonite

✒️ Ensso Italia Titanium

✒️ Ensso Italia Ultem

✒️ Ensso Italia Copper

DM to inquire or reserve. All sales support Noa, 4 yr old fighting cancer relapse, and her family. Thank you for your positive thoughts and continued prayers!

09/07/2023

Another view of "Heart of Gold" 💛 **AVAILABLE**

This stunning, one-of-a-kind pen was handmade by and features vintage scarlet lizardskin paired with Jonathan Brooks
Black Cherry Koi. The depth and golden sparkle of the material are truly best appreciated in person.

This was one of the top voted designs picked by the pen community for this Cambria x Mythic Pens x Carolina Pen Company collaboration, and represents the magic that can happen when we all work together in kindness for a common cause.

Showcased on A5 .chapters Odyssey Cosmo Air Light notebook, alongside miscellaneous musings on associated meanings of the idiom.

Noa has been having a challenging week between painful mouth sores, nausea and daily infusions of two new chemo agents this week. The good news is that she is already almost halfway through the second cycle post-relapse, and if she is able to stay hydrated and fever-free through all this she should be able to complete the rest of the cycle outpatient instead of in the hospital.

Thanks to you, Noa & her whole family can feel seen and cared for as she conquers this next chapter in her treatment journey. As they say, "Kind words can heal the heart and mind, and strengthen the body."

Our SPECIAL PROMO is still available for this week's featured pair "Out of Deep Waters" and "Heart of Gold" until the end of the weekend - DM to inquire and support ! You can also support Noa directly through her GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/1fe0adf4

Thank you for your hearts of gold and words of encouragement! May you have an inspiring & fulfilling weekend ✨️

09/04/2023

Happy Labor Day! THIS WEEK ONLY, "Out of Deep Waters" & "Heart of Gold" are **AVAILABLE** for a special price when purchased as a pair. DM to reserve and support !

Both the meaning and aesthetic of these two complement each other very well, and were created as a collaboration between 4 small family-owned businesses - , , (Black Ice Abalone), and (Black Cherry Koi). Together they remind me of the YMCA Ragger's Creed:

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare;
I would be friend to all – the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving, and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
I would look up, and laugh, and love and lift.

"Out of Deep Waters" calls to mind Blue, Silver & Purple rags - letting go and becoming free of things that weigh you down, finding the things you truly value, rededicating yourself to your higher calling and deepening in noble character. And "Heart of Gold" contains elements of Gold, Red, & White rags, which symbolize understanding and concern for others, true love and sacrifice, and a life of service.

Together, they paint a beautiful picture of redemptive transformation, and the power of a friendly helping hand to lighten even the heaviest of burdens & reveal the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you for supporting Cambria Pens, and for cheering Noa & family on through these tough times. Your thoughts, prayers, encouraging comments and shares all mean a lot to us and we are so grateful for you!

08/27/2023

Here's a special pen symbolizing recovery and redemption for ! **AVAILABLE, DM to reserve**

This gorgeous pen was made by using vintage silver lizardskin paired with Black Ice Abalone, whose depth and iridescence are impossible to photograph. The deep blue, black and shimmery purple color scheme inspired this journal entry as it brought to mind, "Out of the deep I cry out" (Psalm 130) and the corollary, "He drew me out of deep waters" (Psalm 18). Written on A5 Odyssey with Cosmo Air Light (also **AVAILABLE**)

Noa's first month of reinduction chemo was quite an ordeal, and through the weeks of fever, liver injury, colitis and hyponatremia, there were moments it was hard not to question whether the treatment was too harsh. But thankfully, she pulled through the first cycle, and her latest bone marrow biopsy results showed a good response!

During her week at home, she's been recuperating well, re-learning how to walk, and even regained most of the 5 lbs she lost while she was in the hospital. All this will strengthen her for the trials ahead, in the second chemo cycle as well as the subsequent conditioning regimen she will need to undergo for bone marrow transplant.

She just started the second cycle, and will be back in the hospital this coming week for a few key infusions. Despite some challenges during the first cycle, she qualified to continue onto the second phase of the clinical trial she was enrolled in, which gives her access to the study drug for the best chance of improving her long term relapse-free survival.

Thank you for continuing to keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Your support, encouragement, kind comments and good vibes really do all make a difference! And stay tuned for the red lizardskin pair to this pen: "Heart of Gold"

Check out our profile for more pens to support Noa and family, and hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

08/22/2023

"And the greatest of these is Love"

This matching set of 3 pens by represents the enduring power of "Faith, Hope and Love" when times are tough. All three feature the precious vintage lizardskin material offset with Diamondcast blanks by which contain real diamond particles for the incredible shimmer which must be seen in person to fully appreciate.

This set has been reserved for a dear pen friend in Canada.

By popular demand, I'm planning to make 1 more piece of "Love" (scarlet lizardskin with black cherry diamondcast) available soon - DM now to reserve!

All our sales are a lifeline for Noa and family, as both parents are otherwise unable to work during this time due to her intense treatment schedule for relapsed leukemia. Thank you for your kind thoughts, prayers, comments and support! We truly appreciate you 🙏

08/18/2023

Good news comes in threes!

1) The Mythic Pens Special Collab Series in vintage lizardskin has finally landed, and they're gorgeous! Only one of each design is available, so let me know ASAP if there's one you want me to save for you. Those that were claimed prior to the official launch have already been shipped and should be arriving before the end of the week.

THANK YOU to Brad Owens, Jonathan Brooks, Tim Crowe and Tim McKenzie for the artisanship that made this project possible, and to the fountain pen community for your votes in choosing the best color combos featuring these lovely materials from , , and more! Sales of these will support Noa and family through these difficult times, so thank you all for your encouragement and generosity!

2) After 38 grueling days of treatment in the hospital, Noa is officially fever-free, done with the first cycle of reinduction chemo post-relapse, and back on her feet. She's still wobbly, but her spirit is irrepressible as always. Her bone marrow biopsy results will be released on Monday and give crucial info about how well she responded to the first cycle, and help set the course for the next cycle. Until then, she gets to go home for a few days to have a well-deserved recovery break before she starts the second cycle next Tuesday. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

3) We just welcomed the newest member to our family! We weren't expecting him to arrive for another couple weeks yet, but thankfully he is doing very well, eating and sleeping like a champ.

07/26/2023

📓📔 Stock Up & Save on Cosmo Air Light for ! 📔📓

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

Stream-of-consciousness and the tactile sensation of fountain pen on paper evoke for me a sense of ASMR & dissociative meditation, even when my thoughts are a jumbled mess and the words that fall on the page are utterly incoherent. I can fill hundreds of pages this way, simply immersed in the calming experience of myriad different nibs in just as many inky colors gliding across the smooth surface.

Shown here is one example of such a page. ➡️ Swipe to see the incredible shading & color shift showcased by the famed Cosmo Air Light paper, which is sadly no longer produced by Yamamoto Paper and now increasingly limited in stock worldwide.

We're offering our entire collection of Taroko Odyssey A5 Notebooks made with this paper to support Noa & family: 1 for $30, 2 for $47, or 5 for $110.

Ink sample sets are also available for sale, such as the Sailor Manyo shading set which includes the Sailor Manyo Haha ink featured above.

Every notebook sale covers the cost to visit Noa at the hospital and bring her a nutritious meal to strengthen her through this first reinduction chemo cycle. Thanks to the support she has received so far, she has been able to eat much better than she did during her first induction month, and even maintain her weight so far through the first two weeks of treatment!

Featured Pen:
Sailor King of Pen Ebonite black/gold with out-of-production old style anchor logo 21k bold nib

This and many other pens are also available upon inquiry to support our . Check out our profile to see the pen collection!

Thank you for keeping us company through Noa's journey, and for all your kind words of hope and encouragement!

07/20/2023

The tale of Noah's Ark begins with destruction and ends with a rainbow to symbolize the promise of life and redemption. As Noa begins her second week of reinduction chemo, we would like to offer this special pen in a rainbow of her favorite colors as a symbol of her daily victories and to help fundraise for her treatment costs.

The Ensso Piuma by is one of my favorite pen models - superbly minimal, lightweight and comfortable with lovely threads which enable capping/uncapping in less than one full turn. This is a very limited edition of just 100 pieces, precision-machined locally in California using the stunning Primary Manipulation 4 resin by Jonathan Brooks , and no two pens are exactly alike.

Featured with the Taroko Odyssey by .chapters distinguished by the famous, now discontinued Cosmo Air Light paper which excels at demonstrating sheen and shading inks. We have a handful of these available for the fundraiser as well, and bundle discounts are available if you'd like to stock up on Cosmo Air Light before all the notebooks in this wonderful paper are gone forever.

Comment below and DM me now to reserve yours and help Noa & family through this time!

Thank you always for your comments, messages, prayers and support 🙏

07/19/2023

I appreciate these simple pleasures all the more when everything is back to back to back. The normal things I might take for granted during calmer times gain an exquisite savor when such moments are scarce and precious.

Pens:
Pilot Metal Falcon, SEF nib
Pilot Custom 823 Clear, F blade architect by Mark Bacas

Inks:
Pilot Blue Black (diluted)
Pilot Iroshizuku Momiji

Paper:
Taroko Design Odyssey with (now discontinued) Cosmo Air Light

UPDATE: Noa just finished her first week of reinduction chemo post-relapse, and will be receiving her next infusion tomorrow. The first day after treatment was very rough, but we are grateful that she has been able to laugh, eat a little and rest most days since then despite the medication side effects. Your continued prayers, well wishes and encouraging words are much appreciated!

If you'd like to help Noa & family in other ways, we are fundraising and have several items are available for sale. Here are just a few:

🖋 Pilot Metal Falcon Brown/Rhodium, SF nib [A2]

📔 Taroko Design Odyssey with Cosmo Air Light

✒️Ink Sample Sets

- Pilot Iroshizuku: Kon-Peki, Syo-Ro, Murasaki-Shikibu, Ajisai, Fuyu-Syogun, Yama-Budo, Tsutsuji, Kosumosu, Momiji

- Diamine Sheen Exclusives: Maureen, Christine, Robert, Herbert, Philip, Communication Breakdown, Lion Rock, November Rain, Purple Rain, Bloody Absinthe, Bloody Brexit, Smoke on the Water, Skull & Roses

- Organics Studio Monster Sheen & J Herbin 1670 Shimmer: Nitrogen, Henry David Thoreau Walden Pond Blue, Ralph Waldo Emerson Twilight Blue, Ernest Hemingway Santiago's Sea Blue, Rouge Hematite, Caroube de Chypre, Bleu Ocean, Stormy Grey

- Sailor Manyo & Pigmented: Kikyou, Sakura, Haha, Nekoyanagi, Nadeshiko, Shirakashi, Seiboku, Souboku, Kiwa G**o

- Robert Oster Shading Inks: Sushi, Ng Special '16, Claret, Khaki, Light Green, Spearmint, Sydney Lavender, Violet Dreams

- SURPRISE "Advent Calendar" sets of 25 large or 81 small ink samples (comes with convenient storage case)

Discounts offered for bundles

Her GoFundMe is also linked here: https://gofund.me/7ec27e6f

Thank you for your support!

07/17/2023

Sincere apologies for being MIA for the past few months. I have sad news to share which really brought me down 😔

First and most recently, we just found out that Noa's leukemia relapsed. We'd believed she'd be reaching the home stretch of her treatment by the end of next summer 2024 and that she could do the rest as an outpatient, but now she's back in the hospital for heavy reinduction chemo. Her best chance at a long-term cure is a bone marrow transplant, which is a grueling journey her oncologist describes as "the #1 hardest thing she will ever have to go through in her life." She turns 4 years old today, and I hope to surprise her with a very happy birthday to cheer her up and strengthen her spirit for the long battle ahead.

This news came very close on the heels of my mother-in-law's sudden passing from metastatic cancer, and my puppy's sudden passing from gastric dilatation volvulus, all in the past several weeks. Both were very bright presences in our lives and seemingly in excellent health up until just a day or two before everything crashed, and they are sorely missed. It reminds me to treasure every moment with those whom I love, because you just never know how much time you may have.

I also have happier news to share, but I'll save it for next time. I am so grateful for everyone who has supported us despite everything, whether through kind words, prayers or otherwise. Thank you all for being part of the Cambria journey 🙏

Pens: Sailor King of Pen Ebonite, B nib & Wancher Dream Pen True Raden Diamond Dust, B architect nib by Pablo Carrasco of fpnibs

Inks: Sailor Manyo Haha, Diamine Blue Edition Winter Miracle

04/06/2023

Drumroll! 🥁 Here are the top 3 most popular color pairings you selected! Any surprises?

The Mythic Pens Vintage Series Collab in 1930s Lizardskin Cellulose Acetate is officially in production. We're looking forward to receiving pics of the real deal from Brad very soon! Only one of each will be available first come first served, so be sure to reserve your favorite before it's too late!

Preorders will support . Additionally, a few of these will be reserved for Cambria's Fountain Pen Library, which is a subscription-based pen borrowing service launching soon. Spots will be very limited and Special Access List members will get first priority for the initial launch. If you want in, sign up for Special Access at eepurl.com/ibS-7D ☺️

Your support means so much to us 🙏

Check out the list of featured pens below, and stay tuned to see a few more special features and surprise color options in the weeks to come!

🍒 Top 3 in Red Lizardskin:
3) Jonathan Brooks Black Cherry Koi
2) Turnt Pen Co Sakura (wait list)
1) McKenzie Penworks Black Cherry Diamondcast (wait list)

Honorable Mention: Turnt Pen Co Lover's Quarrel Abalone

🥈 Top 3 in Silver Lizardskin:
3) Turnt Pen Co Ansel Adams (SOLD)
2) Jonathan Brooks Fubuki Koi (wait list)
1) Italian Pearlescent Silver Premium Acrylic (wait list)

Honorable Mentions:
McKenzie Penworks Black Radiance Diamondcast (wait list)
Turnt Pen Co Black Ice Abalone (wait list)

🍏 Top 3 in Green Lizardskin:
3) Turnt Pen Co Nothing to See Here (special order only)
2) McKenzie Penworks Emerald City Diamondcast
1) McKenzie Penworks Hiddenite Diamondcast

🔵 Top 3 in Blue Lizardskin:
3) Turnt Pen Co Mystical Mermaid Violet
2) Jonathan Brooks Earth Magic 2.0 (wait list)
1) Italian Pearlescent Silver Premium Acrylic

Honorable Mention: Turnt Pen Co Cotton Candy Abalone

03/13/2023

Time to vote on your favorite blue lizardskin pen (or rank them all)!

Planning to finalize all the options for this Vintage Series collab with Mythic Pens by the end of the week. So if you haven't already, don't forget to check out the silver, red and green lizardskin options and be sure to let me know if there's a specific color pair that you definitely want to see made into real life!

List of blanks featured in the "And Even More Options!" section:
1. London Pen Co Blue/Green Dragon
2. Electric Blue Pearl Italian Acrylic
3. Turnt Pen Co Monet
4. Hiddenite Diamondcast
5. Conway Stewart Classic Green
6. Brooks Cenote
7. Red Pearl
8. Cinnabar Diamondcast
9. Enigma Razzmatazz
10. Olive/Black
11. Silver Pearl Italian Acrylic
12. Turnt Pen Co Unknown Lime/Blue
13. Black Radiance Diamondcast
14. Tanzanite Diamondcast
15. Jonathan Brooks One-Off Sky Blue/Pearl
16. Queen City Silver Diamondcast
17. Turnt Pen Co Ansel Adams

Brooks Night Dragon

Blue is my favorite color, so naturally it's even harder for me to narrow all the choices down to just a few 😆 Please help me choose!

Just a couple pieces in each lizardskin color are now available for reservation, so DM me now if there's one you want me to save for you! Preorders support and help Noa, a brave 3-year-old battling cancer, as well as ease her family's immediate financial stresses through her mom's career transition. Check out our bio for the GoFundMe if you'd like to help out. We are also raising support for and ._rachel, for their cat Athena's veterinary bills for FIP.

We're so grateful for you, and hope you have a wonderful week!

03/07/2023

Are you a fan of green lizardskin? We need your help choosing the 3 best designs to make! Don't forget to vote on the silver and red lizardskin options in our previous posts, and stay tuned for the blue lizardskin pens coming soon! Keep in mind the final Vintage Series 1 pens will have a more refined shape than any of my models 😎

In addition to the gorgeous 1930s vintage lizardskin cellulose, this selection heavily features blanks from Turnt Pen Co and McKenzie Penworks. But there are a gazillion other wonderful options as well, including from Jonathan Brooks, Bob Dupras, and Tailored Pen Company. If you have favorite materials you think would pair well which we didn't have a chance to feature here, feel free to suggest them and drop a pic in the comments below!

Reservations on these lizardskin pens are available while supplies last! Preorders support and help Noa, a brave 3-year-old battling cancer, as well as ease her family's immediate financial stresses through her mom's career transition. Check out our bio if you feel moved to donate. We are also fundraising for and ._rachel, whose cat Athena has been accruing heavy veterinary bills for FIP.

Thanks for your support and encouragement, we couldn't do this without you!

03/04/2023

VOTE NOW for your favorite red lizardskin pen, or rank them all! Only 3 finalists will be available to preorder, but you don't have to commit to buy in order to vote!

This 1930s red lizardskin cellulose is a gorgeous deep dusty rose color against a black lattice reminiscent of the legendary Parker Golden Web brickwork pattern.

Since some of you mentioned that it's easier to choose when you can see the finished pen, I made digital prototypes using the blank swatches to give you a better idea of the options! Note the actual Mythic Pens VS1 model will have a more elegantly tapered shape compared to my digital models 😆

If you haven't voted on the silver lizardskin yet, check the previous post out too! I can wrangle those into digital prototypes too if there's any particular pairing you're itching to see. Feel free to DM me any suggestions or requests 😁

Profits from sales support and encourage us to keep going.

Noa, 3-year-old girl, is continuing chemo treatment through June 2024 for very high risk leukemia. Noa's mom was recently laid off due to her leave of absence for Noa's prolonged treatment course, and the family's GoFundMe is linked in the bio. Athena the cat is also continuing to accrue veterinary bills, and her GoFundMe is linked and ._rachel

Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far through your kind messages, comments, likes and shares!

Stay tuned to vote on suggested pairings for green and blue lizardskin as well. Have a wonderful weekend, pen friend!

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03/03/2023

Finalizing the Mythic Pens Vintage Series preorder choices soon - VOTE NOW!

I've picked a handful of my favorite colors to pair with the gorgeous 1930s vintage silver lizardskin cellulose acetate, and I'd love to know what you think! Comment below to let me know which one(s) are your favorite color combos - or rank them all! (No obligation to buy in order to vote)

Most of the featured blanks are from with a few others. Swipe to the very end to see a bunch of possible options 😁

Profits from sales support and encourage us to keep going.

Noa, 3-year-old girl, is continuing chemo treatment for very high risk leukemia until 2024. Noa's mom was recently laid off due to her leave of absence for Noa's prolonged treatment course, and the family's GoFundMe is linked in the bio. Athena the cat is also continuing to accrue veterinary bills, and her GoFundMe is linked and ._rachel

Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far through your kind messages, comments, likes and shares!

Stay tuned to vote on suggested pairings for red lizardskin, green lizardskin, and blue lizardskin as well. Happy Friday and be well!

01/27/2023

How has the start to your year been so far?

We just welcomed a brand new, tiny member to our family, pictured here next to the Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Amaoto for scale. A newborn sure keeps things busy! She almost didn't make it at first, but thankfully, she seems to have settled in well and is now a great eater and sleeper. I am constantly amazed by the miracle of life. Hope she continues to grow strong and healthy!

Also, even if all is quiet on the post front, you are welcome to DM me anytime to preorder a Mythic Pens VS1 or VS2, virtually any new Cypress release .tw, and/or buy or rent a pen from my collection. I also have a limited number of A5 sewn bound journals made with either old Tomoe River or Cosmo Air Light paper, available for the paper enthusiasts among you 🙂 Finally, you can join the email list here to get access to the latest pen order catalog: eepurl.com/ib7S-D

As always, your support keeps our mission alive! Proceeds benefit Noa, 3 year old with very high risk leukemia, who just passed her first anniversary since diagnosis and is currently going through another intense chemo phase. She's a real trouper!

May you have a blessed weekend, my dear pen friends!

01/02/2023

Happy New Year! What are your hopes and intentions this year?

Among other things, I'd like to be courageous and use my pens, notebooks and art supplies much more.

I enjoy collecting, but what I would love even more is to develop my skills as a writer and artist, someone who creates beautiful and inspiring things, and not just someone who assembles all the tools and endlessly dreams about all the possibilities they offer. When I truly fell deep for fountain pens, it was largely thanks to folks like Neil Gaiman , Teoh Yi Chie , Tina Koyama , Junkyard Sam .

I want to share my collection, touch your heart, invite you into my world and build a new story of hope and creation together.

I took the first step today by committing to drawing on the first page of my brand new Taroko Odyssey, even though I felt extremely self-conscious and indulgent about it (swipe to see the sheen on Cosmo Air Light!)

Will you join me for the wild ride ahead? DM me if you'd like to be part of my journey this year!

Cambria Pens