Posts filed under Livework

Livework Jam Jam Double Pouch Review

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

The Jam Jam Double Pouch from Livework is a small but useful pouch that features a double opening. All of the small stationery pouches that I'm familiar with only have a single zipper and a single pouch inside to store things. The concept with this pouch is similar, except there are two zippers and two separate compartments inside the slim pouch. This makes it easy to separate different types of items into the two pouches, or simply use one side to store everything since both compartments are part of the same outer pouch.

In my use, I've been putting fountain pens in one side and gel pens in the other. This keeps them separate so I know where to find a certain pen I'm looking for. Regardless of which pouches I'm using, the overall thickness and shape of the whole thing is always the same. And when it's empty, it's incredibly flat and easy to store.

The pouch can easily fit a phone, 3.5x5.5" notebook, note cards, wireless earbuds, keys, and any number of small items that you want to safely store.

Since there's no internal organization in either side, this isn't a great option for any delicate items. Everything in there is being jostled around with everything else, so scratches will occur. There's protection between the two sides because of the inner dividing fabric, but it's thin and only adds minimal protection. Plus, it just feels silly storing only two pens in this pouch.

For me, this pouch is better used with small items that you carry on a regular basis. Writing utensils definitely fit this category, but so does everything else. Cables, hair ties, small tools, medicine, hand wipes and hand sanitizer. The list goes on, and this pouch really excels at adapting to what you put in it.

Aside from the two zippers, there's just a small loop at one end that lets you attach a ring or carabiner so you can attach the case to something else. This is great if you want to attach it to a lanyard inside your bag so it's easy to pull out of the bottomless cavern where all the big objects are stored. You could attach it to a key ring if you really wanted.

Finally, my favorite feature of this pouch: the pattern on the fabric. This one is called "Tree" for obvious reasons, and it just makes me happy every time I look at it. There are four other patterns to choose from, and they're all happy and whimsical designs. I picked Tree because I like the greens that are used in the pattern, and the happy little trees make me think of watching Bob Ross on TV when I was a kid. The fabric also has a smooth coating that feels a bit like wax, but it doesn't attract hair and lint as easily. It's easy to wipe clean and should protect the case from wear and tear a bit over the years.

The Jam Jam Double Pouch from Livework is a fantastic little case that can be just about anything you need it to be. It's versatile, compact, well-made, and easy to pack up and carry along. At just under $12, it's also a great value. If you need a small pouch (and let's be honest, who doesn't?) to organize little bits and pens, give it a shot. The biggest problem is picking one of the colorways.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on March 30, 2022 by Jeff Abbott and filed under Livework, Pen Case.

Livework Ballpoint Pen Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

You know how sometimes you just need a pen? Not a writing experience, not anything transcendent or luxurious--you just need to write something down real quick. It happens all the time, right? At least, it does for me. And I don't usually want to unpack and unroll a swath of glorious pens in that moment. One needs a quick -access basic pen sometimes.

But we're pen addicts, so our quick-access basic pen must also be fun in some way. Enter the Livework Ballpoint Pen. It's cute and exciting enough to feel special, inexpensive enough at $2 to be a loaner pen, and can be tossed in a bag or backpack with nary a worry for its survival.

The pen is made from lightweight plastic with a simple plastic clip and click nock. In the hand, it feels like a typical disposable ballpoint, though it is refillable. The refill is $1.50, which is nearly the cost of the pen itself, but is definitely where the cost is balanced on this pen.

The refill is a 0.5 mm with a nice crisp line and smoothly flowing ink. It writes very well and I haven't had any issues with skipping or slow starting. Despite all the fun colors of the pens in this series, the ink is only available in black. The name of the color printed on the pen itself is just the name of the plastic color, which could be a bit confusing if you're expecting that to be the color it writes, as would be the case for most pens.

Ultimately, this is a cute series of pens that are good quality writers that can be that emergency writing utensil you need when you just NEED a pen, but can't bring yourself to settle for a boring one. I think it's great, and I want more colors. And at $2 apiece, I can actually have all the colors, if I want. Maybe not the one called “Mayonnaise" but maybe even that one. It's a simple, low-investment piece that still brings me joy when I'm crossing items off a grocery list or jotting down an appointment time in the back of an envelope.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!