The ‘main course’ of stationery is definitely the notebooks and pens. But since jumping into the stationery hobby I’ve stumbled across a few unexpected items that proved to be game changers. 

So here are the stationery items I didn’t know I needed until I got them:

Penco Clampy

Before I fell into the traveler’s notebook rabbit hole, the idea of a clip to keep your notebook open seemed a bit extra. But now I know how much easier it is to write in a TN with it clipped open, I’m obsessed with these Penco Clampy clips. 

Yes, you can get the official brass Traveler’s Company clips, which look very nice. But the Penco Clampys are cute and affordable, and come in so many colours it’s very tempting to just keep buying more. So far I have three: the red, brown and mint ones. 

A date stamp

For a lot of my early journaling life, I just wrote the date at the top of the page, which is a perfectly effective way to journal. But when, on a whim, I bought this cheap green date stamp off Amazon, I decided I could never go back.

Stamping the date is just more fun, and I like the aesthetic of it!

Kokuyo Gloo glue stick

I never knew I could be this excited about a glue stick, but here we are! I bought the Kokuyo Gloo glue stick because I liked the look of it, but didn’t anticipate how much easier it is to use a square glue stick.

Most of what I glue into my notebooks are photos, so being able to get right into the corners, and not ending up with glue all over the surface of whatever I’m glueing on top of is amazing. I couldn’t recommend this enough! 

Penac Tri Eraser

The most accessible eraser is usually the one on the end of your pencil, but I find they tend to wear down fast (they do when you make as many mistakes as I do, anyway!). So instead of getting a regular old eraser, I picked up this Penac Tri Eraser at the Newcastle Pen Show, and it’s so handy!

It’s retractable, and shaped like a pen, so it fits perfectly in my pen cases alongside my pens and pencils. The triangular shape also means I can use the corners to erase, which makes it super precise. 

Craftelier 6 Hole Paper Punch

I got into ring planners last year, and I love the customisability of the system. And one of the best ways to customise your ring planner is by making your own inserts, which I’ve been able to do since getting this hole punch!

I had no idea this existed until I started looking around for ways to make inserts, and it’s pretty clever how you can adjust it to punch holes for a variety of planner sizes! 

Hobonichi Cover on Cover

The idea of a cover for a notebook cover sounds kind of dumb, but I’ve really come around to it since getting my Tamagotchi Cover on Cover. It’s just a nice way to change up the look of my plain Hobonichi covers – not to mention the Cover on Cover was much cheaper to buy than the actual Tamagotchi Cover!

Papersmiths Notebook Band

A notebook band does feel like an unnecessary accessory, but I’ve been finding it so useful! For one thing it’s a good way to keep a softcover notebook closed (great for in your bag!), and you can attach your pen to it securely. This will be great for travelling! 

So what stationery items have been hidden gems for you?