There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
Q: What do you do at Massdrop? A: I just started on our Vendor Relations team. I'm working with lots of new vendors, orienting them with how we do things at Massdrop (we are a little different than a lot of other businesses).
Q: What do you like most about working at Massdrop?
A: The people. This will be a common answer, I know, but it's true. Everyone here is smart, skilled, and passionate. It doesn't hurt that we have a good time when we're all together. The products are pretty cool too. When I started working at Massdrop, I actually came on as the Sample Coordinator, so I got to handle all the products that came in and out as they had their photos taken for the site. Working with products you’re passionate about with people who are just as enthusiastic as you are is incredibly rewarding, and so much fun.
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: Journalling and writing to pen pals were significant catalysts for me. I love the way new thoughts fill the space that's left when my pen is physically catching up with my previous thought. One night I found myself on the The Fountain Pen Network forums and after many hours of sleuthing, I decided that a Lamy Safari would be my first fountain pen. Then I found the Pen Addict podcast and it was game over from there. Along the way, someone showed me the drop page for the Levenger Bomber Jacket Pen Wrap-- I signed up for an account on Massdrop and read the daily email every single day for ten months before I applied to work here.
Q: What are some of your favorite products in that community?
A: J. Herbin 1670 Inks (because obviously), the Karas Kustom EDK Pen, Octaevo Brass Bookmarks, the Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencil Set (I drool over this even though I have absolutely no reason to own this many colored pencils, but it is seriously gorgeous), the Flower Collection of the Diamine Ink Boxed Gift Set, and basically any of the Bungbox inks. I could really go on and on and on.
Q: What are some of your other hobbies/interests?
A: Recently I've been getting into painting with watercolors and it has been so much fun pushing water and pigment around. I also practice calligraphy (currently focused on Spencerian script), and am obsessed with plants and gardening. My first love was bookbinding--I love the precision and craftsmanship that goes into it. To me, making books feels like magic.
Check out J9’s picks: ▶ Pilot & Rhodia Silver Starter Set
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/pilot-rhodia-silver-starter-set
▶ Levenger Bomber Jacket Pen Wrap
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/levenger-bomber-jacket-pen-wrap
▶ Karas Kustoms EDK Pen
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/karas-kustoms-edk
▶ Diamine 150th Anniversary Ink (2-Pack)
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/diamine-150th-anniversary-ink