As a stationery brand, we are always curious how and what people use our stationery goods for. With this blog series, focusing on the hands at "work" and beyond, we ask five questions about the usage and meaning of the stationery tools to our friends in Los Angeles.
We took a peek on her work process from sketching to the final designs.
Q1. How do you use the Marble Desk Organizer series? You have quite a collection!
I use the marble tray series in various ways, such as for storing the supplies, temporarily placing customer orders, and a social media photoshoot. I like the marble pattern because of its warm and cozy vibe. I want to collect them all!
Nozomi's Marble Desk Tray collection – she uses the various sizes for different purposes. The textures and the colorful nails do look so fun on the Ivory colored Marble Trays.
How about the Penco Storage Container Set - we love that you selected the Actual Source collab version.
I am really glad I got the Penco Storage Container Set. The clutter on my desktop is now neatly organized. I feel like it has somehow improved my work efficiency! lol
I chose this color because I personally like the muted colors for my belongings, although there are many bright colors for my nail designs.
Q2. In our technology driven world, what does it mean to make things by your hand to you?
I myself benefit from using technology on a daily basis. Recently, I have been especially helped by AI such as ChatGPT.
Still, I find it very interesting and important to actually write down and sketch on paper what I have in my head (thoughts, designs, etc.), because I can discover new things and notice things I didn't pay attention before.
We love Nozomi's rough sketches on Penco Coil Notebook – she uses the Actual Source x Penco collab notebook.
Q3. Pencil or Mechanical Pencil?
I am a mechanical pencil person because it's convenient.
Her mechanical pencil of choice is the Passers Mate Pencil in the salmon pink, added as a new color recently, from Penco.
Q4. What’s in your pen case?
Mechanical pencil, ballpoint pens, Sharpies, glue, etc. There are also pens for sketching my nail art.
Nozomi sketches the motifs for her press-on nails , then color – she says this process is done quickly.
Q5. What is your most favorite stationery?
These Penco scissors. The design is cute.
The PVC coated handles give a good grip and won't hurt my hand while using them. Also the weight of the scissors reminds me the sewing scissors my mother and grandmother used when I was little – they are nostalgic for me.
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Nozomi Itagaki is an LA based nail artist. She designs and makes her original press-on nails. Each nail set is carefully crafted with professional techniques and high-quality materials. Currently she sells up to 60 sets on her online store.
Visit her Press-on Nail Shop - Non Non Studio on Etsy
Non Non Studio Instagram
When she is not at her home studio, she and her husband, Tsugu sell Japanese records on (most of) Sundays in front of Hightide Store DTLA!
We Share Records Instagram
