Statesman Stationery

LOGO
Menu
LOGO
Menu
Homestationery Page 2
22 Oct

The history of pencils

In 1795 a scientist named Nicholas-Jacques Conte invented the modern-day pencil however it is believed that the Aztecs used it as a form of marker for hundreds of years before. “The grey pencil” is made of pure carbon called graphite and was discovered in Europe around the beginning of the 15th Century. Originally pencils were manufactured using the process of heating a mixture of graphite, water and clay and then the liquid was bound together in a wooden case. Pencils were designed for specific uses, each with a different shape and hardness/softness to accommodate the user. Writing pencils are harder, whereas pencils for drawing and finer arts are at times softer.

There are as many as 20 different grades of pencils sold today. Each grading indicating the hardness or softness of the lead and the darkness of the pencil.

This was the beginning of a writing revolution that soon boomed into a collection of various kinds of grey pencils coloured pencils.

Coloured pencils were brought to the world around 1924 for use in the art world. Coloured pencils are encased in a wood casing just like the grey pencil however they are made of pigments, binding agents, wax and various pigments. Coloured pencils can be water-soluble or oil-based, and you have definitely added to our ability to create art no matter our age.

https://statesman.co.za/pencils

29 Sep

Unlock your inner child

There is nothing more joyous than play, we see children doing it every day and we as adults cannot fathom let alone remember the last time we truly played with such gusto. The older we get, the less we remember how to play, to laugh until our stomachs hurt, to jump and run with excitement. Honestly, it’s sad, because we believe we have no time to play. 

When last did you actually enjoy playing dolls with your daughter or build a fort with your son without feeling like it was this massive chore on top of being exhausted from work, duties, expectations and demands? This is not an attack, it is an honest question? We parents get so distracted by daily expectations that we forget we had children for more than one reason. We may be bound to them through love and duty, and this is good, but children are sent to us so we can learn how to play, laugh and explore life with them. 

Children bring us so much joy, they remind us how to play in the dirt, how to throw flour around the kitchen while we are baking, they will paint our faces and throw glitter in the air if given the chance. Children have this natural ability to turn even the most mundane of tasks into fun. If we allow them and ourselves to just be children, even if it’s just for a short while, you will soon find more time for play and life will suddenly become joyful and fun again.

24 Sep

Being Responsible

One of the first things parents want to teach their children is to take care of what is theirs, their toys, their home, their stationery. A child’s first experience with colour is of course what is in their environment. Small children have big bold blocks, toys, colouring books, colouring pens, wax crayons, play dough and various types of paper and board. Older children have access to felt tip pens, a vast collection of coloured pencils, paints and other implements of creativity. Even young adults tend to carry massive stationery bags because they always feel the need to highlight or bring attention to something important. 

As parents we want our children to see what their things are and of course, take care of what was given to them. This is where a sense of responsibility and pride comes into play, by leading as their examples we show them how to take care of their stuff. We show them how to mark their stationery, how to pack things away so that these things are easily found the next time they need them. They are taught how to collect as well as return what is to be used for the day. When they are done producing whatever it is they were driven to create, their artworks get put up all over the house, because as parents want our children to see how proud of them we are. 

These seemingly mundane daily practices of taking care of your stuff and being respectful of other people’s stuff become a lifelong habit. The more “grown-up” a small child feels because of their sense of responsibility and pride, the easier it becomes for them to use these newly gained skills in all parts of their lives, from their bedrooms to the classroom and everything in between.

24 Sep

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is becoming quite normal these days, not just in South Africa but across the globe. Families have a desire to connect with their children on a deeper level and proactively guide their children through their learning experience. 

In most cases, the first step to homeschooling children that have been in school is to de-school. Breaking the structures and routines of school. This process is well received by children that have access to art and craft supplies as well as writing materials like different pens and books. One of the primary reasons for this is to provide an environment for the child to express themselves using colouring, writing, painting and playing. 

Children, especially younger children learn through play and tactile exploration. It is a vital part of their understanding and development to see and touch the world while still seeking answers to their questions. Colour and freedom of expression are one of the easiest ways to engage with children of all ages. By involving your child in the process of building up and stocking the “stationery cupboard” and the “classroom” you are giving them responsibility as well as authority over their “working” environment, this begins the process of independence, a sense of responsibility and pride in who they are and the work they do.

20 Jun

Some Surprising Statistics About Stationery!

Does Stationery Make You Happy??

A survey conducted in the UK shows that people are comforted by simple stationery items like pens, pencils, notepads, and diaries. (https://bit.ly/2KWZXG8)

I know I always have a diary and a pen or pencil with me.

So could stationery actually provide a balm for our overloaded, over-digitalized lives? Psychology writer Oliver Burkeman thinks perhaps it can.

“I definitely feel like my life is more under control when things are on a list, but the interesting question, I suppose, is why that feels more the case with a paper notebook than a digital list,” he says.

“Perhaps it’s because the world of digital technology is ultimately mysterious – I don’t truly understand how my laptop or smartphone work, after all – whereas a paper notebook is physical, down-to-earth, easily understandable.”

But in an ironic twist, it’s actually on the internet that stationery is currently most celebrated. A recent survey showed the 68 % of people who purchased their stationery online, rated the experience as enjoyable, compared to the 32% who had to physically visit an outlet as they didn’t have the option of shopping online.

Luckily at Statesman Stationery, we have the best of both worlds on offer, our digital store is as easy to navigate and user-friendly as our retail outlet https://bit.ly/2USpd4Q

LoadingLoad more
[]