tooth?

are we talking dentistry here?

no, not really – although what is common is that both relate to and/or refer to one’s mouth.
As in ‘mouthing off’.

the definition : : to express your opinion,  especially loudly and in a way that shows no consideration or respect:

nope

not me

of course, if/when I have an opinion, that matters to me, then I will usually bring it forth.

okay? we got that out of the way?

good

so – tooth……the tooth also applied to paper. as in : :

WHAT IS A PAPER’S TOOTH?

Nobody wants to feel like a novice at their local art store, and unfamiliar terms are certainly one of the things that can make even the most seasoned artist feel like a beginner. Have you ever heard people discuss paper in terms of “teeth”? Well, a paper’s tooth describes the surface feel of paper. Generally, the more tooth a paper has, the rougher it feels. You could easily exchange the term for the words, “texture,” or “smoothness.” In general, charcoal artists prefer paper with a rougher texture, as the charcoal adheres better to unsmooth surfaces.

the forenoted is copied from : : www.NitramCharcoal.com

…and so, recently, in that I had the good fortune to publish my first lil’ book, ‘poetix + prose’ on Amazon, as it happens I had to sign/inscribe copies for purchasers. It occurred to me, that a way more personal ‘feeling’ inscription might be written with pen and ink, I turned to my collection of lovely fountain pens, which I had not had a reason to use in at least a decade – maybe two – maybe more. Because they were, each and every one, so very lovely looking, I had mounted them on a grasscloth background in a framed display box. I carefully removed a few and of course whatever ink there may been in their reservoirs was long dried out.

ponder – wonder – – think, on that – as I did. Consequently I hied myself to the only remaining store in Québec, to my knowledge, that still sold things like fountain pen refills, bottled inks, etcetera, and with the aid of a most patient young lady, Allison, we worked our way through all nine of my ‘antiques’. All of which, amazingly, she was able to find the appropriate ink cartridges for. Wahoo!

returned to my writers’ haven and began ‘test writing’ with each one.

And, guess what?

I found the feel, the catch of nib against grain of paper, the fluid flow of ink, to be so embracing, so comforting, that I promised myself to write, daily, from then on.
To write something, anything.

And then, quite coincidentally I stumbled across a post in Clipboard that highlighted this great company in Japan that specializes in, specialty papers. I was delighted! I didn’t rush to order any, because, quite honestly, they are quite too expensive for me – as an indulgence.
But maybe there are some amongst you who might, just maybe – want to check them out.
And then, of course, my creative fount sprung another vision on me – what about white ink on black paper. ‘Yowza!, I declared…..thus, it is:

Did I write this? No – I didn’t. But I will make a return visit soon to Papeterie Westmount to buy a bottle of white ink. And if so, in a future post, I will show, that, which I have writ.

ITO Bindery is that Japanese company. Check them out.

All of which, of course, brings me back to tooth.

If ever, any of you, harbor the urge, the desire, to do as I have done – to return to some degree, to an earlier time, find that old favourite pen of yours, rinse it in a small bowl of warm water and dishwasher liquid, get on thy mount and head to Westmount Stationery – call first to confirm that Allison is on shift.

Bonus! They do have a wide selection of papers, pads, writing paraphernalia……oh joy!

Go ahead – indulge yourselves

End up looking at the world, today, with a toothy grin!

à bientôt!