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Each year Lamy creates a new special edition, limited production run, of their bestselling AL-Star series.

This year the latest colour is (drum roll please) – Charged Green!

And although it seems as though the Lamy designers are caught in a “green” loop after releasing the Safari Neon Lime last year, the Charged Green is already becoming a favorite on pen blogs and the internet since it was announced in December. The green is subtle, stylish and since it is an anodized aluminum, the green has been described as olive, pear, green apple or lime leaf. Either way, it is beautiful, and will certainly become a collectable as are all of the special editions.

The AL-Star is an aluminum pen with a semi-transparent barrel grip, a patented exchangeable nib (hot-swappable) and a spring-action metal clip. The original design dates back to the sixties but was truly re-introduced to the public in 1980 and has remained one of the best pens on the planet. The pen is extremely light weight, but very stout and robust. The little brother to the AL-Star , the Safari, shares the same nib and ink cartridge system and is given to grade schoolers in Germany. So for everyday use, they just keep performing.

This year, Soul Paper will be Pre-ordering and stocking the AL-Star Charged Green in fountain pen and roller ball, and of course, we will also have the limited edition inks in cartridge and bottles.
The AL-Star ’s and Safari’s will accept the Lamy Z24 converter or Lamy ink cartridges, and each series are sold with converters. We love how easy they are to fill from bottles.

Last year’s special edition sold out before production and this year is bound to be no exception. With this in mind, we are accepting pre-orders until January 29, 2016. So if you are looking to add to your Lamy collection, are in need of a very special gift for someone this year, or are thinking of Christmas gifts (it is only 353 days away!), give us a call and reserve yours today.

As a curated stationery shop, we have an opportunity to hand pick all of our products. We also bring in what we can upon request. One of the requests was for the Blackwing series of pencils from Palomino and with pleasure, we have them in stock. Available individually and in full boxes.

We also stock the Blackwing Limited Editions, but only while they last.
- Limited Edition Chuck Jones (of Looney Tunes fame) available (only 5000 boxes were produced).
- Limited Edition 211 in honour of John Muir.
- Limited Edition 1138. The most unique to date.

For everyone at Soul Paper, having Blackwing in the store is a bit of nostalgia, as we all have been using them since our days in grade school, college or in our previous careers. The fact is, before the store opened, we had been ordering them online and using them sparingly. They are a staple in our personal studios and still dear to our hearts. And as soon as you pick one up, you remember something from your past, because they are so familiar.

When we say long hot summer around the shop, it is usually with the rolling of eyes and a tongue firmly planted in a cheek.  We don't really have air conditioning, but we do.  The building as old as it is (built in 1910) has quite a lot of charm, but not the most efficient of cooling systems. So the little air conditioning unit we installed to provide some relief is doing a sufficient job.  It's the little engine that might ... depending on the temperature outside.

When we say long hot summer around the shop, it sometimes means the extra-long hours we are putting in receiving our summer, fall and now Christmas stock.  Yes.  Christmas in July.  We set a standard, almost a year ago, to keep the shop ever changing with new products.  To this promise, we are delivering.  Sometimes Daily.  The ladies in the shop really have their work cut-out for them.

The term "Long hot summer", is also used when we talk about our progress on construction. The long days and late nights working on the storeroom, workshop and office have taken its toll on all of us.  Especially when the little air conditioner that might, decides to not.  So yes, through shear tenacity, stubbornness and determination, the construction will be completed soon (thank you Mr. Contractor - we are tired of dust) and programs will be posted shortly.

But really when we say long hot summer, we smile and feel light of heart.  Because of YOU.  Even in the warmth of the old building, surrounded by great new stationery, while fanning ourselves with that brilliant birthday card, you stop in to say hello and linger to talk about the lake or that party you are going to. You stop, for a minute, to ask what's new. You stop. To breathe and share your time with us.  And that is why; it's a long hot summer.  That is why we do it.  For Community. That's You.

Thank you all for an incredible summer!

This month we have been pining to get into the workshop/studio, crack open some acrylic paints, dirty up some brushes and get our hands dirty. Every year, around this time, when the cold of winter has settled in and the snow is still on the ground, we yearn, as many artists do, for that embrace of creativity. Although we have had snippets of creativity and a smattering of inky hands and sticky paper, it has not been the same this year.

We have been creative in other ways ... with our minds planning workshops, events and tradeshow travel with our team and supporters, like you.  With notepads with our vendors, suppliers and other creatives that supply us with great products.  But mostly, we have been creative with saws, and hammers, and paint, and wire, and wood. To be honest, we are physically putting the finishing touches on the workshop. We want it just so when we officially open to the public. 

We are so close to opening, that we have had to re-organized our art supply area, to make room for all the new products (yep ... gonna use em in the workshops!). Had to source and found a large format paper storage unit (thanks to Mid Mod Vintage & Hidden Stitch). We even scored a few other display units from some other businesses (thank you Periwinkle). There has been a ton of work in the back ground that will be revealed soon.

But in the meanwhile, come on in and check out the updated Art area! We are sure you will find something worth dirtying your hands with.