This year had been dubbed 'The Year of Use' in certain art circles, and I'm striving to do just that: Use up some forgotten supplies, or take a deep breath and let them go. 
As I scavenged through my pens and markers, I noticed a few that were no longer in their prime; streaky marks, uneven lines, and so I decided to try to give them a second life. A little more rummaging brought forth some old fountain pen inks that were just waiting to be put to use. ​And so, I got out my handy multipurpose tool and set to work.

Step 1: Take apart the marker, either from the front (near the tip) or by removing the back stopper, and pull out the sponge.

Step 2: Place the cartridge in the inkwell and let it soak up the ink. The sponge usually darkens as it pulls in the ink.

Step 3: Put the cartridge back in, and snap the casing back together. In just a few minutes, you can swatch the marker. I changed the colour of this marker, from grey to a mauve/blackcurrant colour. 

I played around with mixing colours on the Frixion highlighters. I swatched these just moments after inserting the sponge cartridge back in. Once the ink has the chance to permeate the nib, after a few hours, the colour comes out solid. It's a fun way to give your supplies a second life, and even create new, unique colours. 
I also tried refilling liquid ink pens with a mix of the different inks and the result has been a unique pen ink, and a few more pens saved from the landfill. I suppose the markers and pens can be refilled over and over, until the nibs start failing. 

I'm curious: Have you ever tried refilling a pen or a marker? 
Do you have any tips to share about giving your supplies a second life?


xo
​Katherine

We've all been there: A deadline is looming, or you've been diligently working away at a project until you just can't keep going. As frustrating as it may be in the moment, it is quite natural for our brains to need a break to recuperate and process before hunkering down and getting back to work. Instead of falling down the internet rabbit hole, keep a list handy of simple, easy things you want to do 'when you get the time.' 
Here's the catch: You can get just as distracted with the things on your list, as you can by social media. So put a timer on for 10-15 minutes, and make it a point to return to your original task when the buzzer goes off. 

• Transcribe book or podcast notes into faux-leather notebook 
• Go for a walk and pick up fallen branches and pinecones
• Make something out of aforementioned branches and pinecones 
• Clean out medicine cabinet and throw out expired meds
• Unsubscribe from newsletters 
• Recopy essential oil blends onto index cards 
• Print out recent photos for my art journal
• Practice sketching (currently working on faces) 
• Clean out purse and/or wallet
• Print out digital receipts and file them
• Sharpen pencils/colour pencils

I can go on, but you get the picture. Your list might look completely different, so I made a simple printable you can tuck into your planner or stick on the fridge. 
​

​I'm curious - what will you put on your 'Purposeful Procrastination' list?

xo
​Katherine