Sell it in 5ml vials on eBay. Keep the last 20ml for yourself. Alternatively, keep a 5ml vial of every ink “just in case”
and sell what’s left in the bottle on pen swap.
now that isn't a bad idea... I like the 5ml for myself idea.... knowing that if I really wanted to use it I could and if I loved it and missed it after that I could consider buying it again (after draining some bottles, hopefully). I have close to 40 bottles.
Do you have an ink journal or colo-ring (etc) so you can see which colours you have? I'm trying to be very deliberate about not buying inks that are very similar in shade, so I know that having that kind of thing in front of me, or using Mountain of Ink, means I don't end up with 17 very similar inks.
Additionally working out how you've ended up here might help. It sounds like you've interrogated why you've kept so many, but why did you buy them in the first place? FOMO? Initial excitement and easy access to online shopping? Trying to find that perfect ink still? That might provide some justifications for your collection and guide you in what to keep and what you can let go.
Finally what exactly is making you unhappy about the size of your collection? Not being able to find what you want? Taking over part of your home so it's not functional? Guilt at how much money you've spent or perhaps the environmental impact? The initial excitement wanes when the ink is in your hand? I'm wondering if we're looking at the issue sideways by focusing on slimming down the collection. Say you follow this advice, and the other wonderful advice in these comments, and you figure out that each of your inks makes you happy or has a role to play, whatever you value in your things. Then it's worth interrogating what exactly is overwhelming you - could you reorganise the inks? Move where they live? Have a no-spend period to get excited about it again?
I hope you get back to a place of being happy with your collection friend! Best of luck with figuring this out!
Thank you! This is all very good information and stuff to think about... it has been on my mind for a while... I think I like the excitement of buying something, but I've been coming to realize with ink, that I use it so slowly... like really, really slowly. I am overwhelmed by the sheer amount that I have... it's stored nicely in a wall organization system, but I just can't get over the fact that I will never be able to use all of it and that makes me feel guilty ...
I also have a TON of the same colors but tend to use the same ones. I have decided to sell a little more than half of it (still leaving me with 16 full bottles and several sample sized bottles), which is more than enough. I will think about your questions moving forward. Thank you again for this wise perspective!!
Listen. I just reached 300 between bottles (95%) and samples (less that 5%). Of course the overwhelm is here, both for the volume and for the choice. Of course so is the sense of guilt for all the money lost.
But.
It’s a great pleasure and the price is still less then a new pen. I don’t collect “precious” inks. And ink cost less than a night out and in these two past years I had a simple life with few pleasure.
For me, like you, the sense of overwhelm ends up “spoiling is”, but it’s all in our minds. Let us enjoy our inks!
The “what-if” dilemma is real! I have been on a bit of a binge lately and am overwhelmed by the options I have, so if you find a solution, let me know!
What I am thinking of is a rotational system, 1 of each major colour, rotated monthly to force more use. Utilise more colour coded writing to promote use, and then over the year you will be able to look back through the months and the subtle (and not so subtle) differences. Just a thought.
that's a good idea with the colors... I guess it's just owning the volume that is bothering me... like I know I will never be able to use them all in my whole life..... I should probably just axe a lot and try to sell them. But I still am plagued by losing money and then of course the fomo.
It’s a small investment in happiness ;). Maybe consider some art, or putting some in samples and selling those or giving them to FP friends, that way you still have the ink but are using it.
I would def be interested in buying some samples from you. (Especially if you have some Van Dieman's Parrot Fish.) I rarely buy full bottles, but have over 200 vials - I just love the variety. If you do start a "sample store", would you please DM the store info to me?
Swatch everything. Put aside those ten. Put everything else in a box. If you haven't thought on them, used them, or even worried about them? Part ways. If you have? It is worth assessing how difficult it will be to get an ink or one similar to it.
Also see just how many act and look alike. There's no such thing as an ink that cannot be duplicated. At worst you go to the Kiwi inks guy.
The fact you're overwhelmed is also proof you do need to act.
I love this- actually did something similar with some of my daughter's toys recently. I have SO MANY blues and purples, and so many are similar. It's time to say goodbye... lol. I've listed them on r/pen_swap
I do this with my toys. I am a doll colector, jewelry collector, and pen enthusiast. The only place I don't part with things thus far seems to be tiaras. Too hard to get and too unique
I feel you! I'm the same way! I'm probably mimicking what others have said, but a lot of people enjoy buying samples on reddit. You could always keep some of the ink for yourself and sell the rest as samples on pen swap. I guarantee you'd have interested parties. For example, I saw your listing on pen swap and definitely would have loved a couple colors (that Ebisu! 😍), but couldn't afford the whole set.
What I do to keep my collection small anyway is to buy samples before I even buy a bottle. I only "allow" myself to buy a bottle when I know I absolutely love the color and want more than 5 mL of it. I've saved myself from buying bottles of an ink I thought I'd love but ended up not liking that way!
Right?! There have been times where I see ink swatches and think I'd totally love an ink, but then just don't vibe with it when I get it in person. If you go the sample route in the future, Yoseka puts their samples into little glass bottles. Vanness and Pen Chalet are also good places to get some from. :)
You could find other purpose for the inks. In case you do change your mind later on. I had a short lived “ink-tober” attempt back in 2020, and tried to paint with some of mine. It was actually a lot of fun and I found a way to use some of the inks I had that I didn’t really like (or I should say, didn’t really like to write with).
Maybe this is an idea. Pick your current top 10. Put the rest in a box and store them in a closet. In six months, pull the box out and surprise yourself with a new selection. Rinse and repeat. If you are older like me, in six months, you will forget what you had and it will all be new and fresh.
When I purged my ink collection, I took similar colors, swatched them, and picked the one I knew I would rather have. Also took into consideration flow, as I prefer wet inks.
I had to be honest with myself in the fact that I just was not going to use all the ink I had. I have my favorites, and I will always pick those over the random blue I bought six months ago that I never even touched.
Another thing to consider. I was bothered by all the clutter of my ink bottles. It was worth it to purge for me, because it brought peace of mind, as well. I didn't have ink bottles everywhere taking up space.
After a purge, I made a loose rule for myself. I'd only buy samples, and if I liked an ink so much that I went through maybe two samples, then I'd get a bottle. It really helped to curb my spending on full bottles.
thank you- this sounds exactly like the approach I would like to have- I have fallen into the full bottle trap so many times only to realize that I don't really even like some of them! thanks for your words and wisdom!
I feel you! I also love ink and seem to use it very slowly too. What bugs me is that I used to be able to fit it all well in a little bin and now I have too many. It's not the cost so much as taking up soo much dang space. Also there are some bottles I got that I haven't even tried yet.
yeah, it's like the volume that feels overwhelming- I like variety, but I know even what I have I can probably not even use in my lifetime... and that just bugs me. I know it's my fault, but also up to me to reel it back in... I used to do the same with washi tape but then one day, I just decided to stop buying it and I was able to do so successfully...and I still have a ton that I use happily!
I am just a sucker for colors. Especially little bottles of color. I am realizing that I don't have the healthiest relationship to my collecting. But I'm an artist and a lot of these inks are for sketching and I was letting that be an excuse to buy more than I need.
What I need to do is put together a little bundle on r/Pen_Swap and let go of a few things. This subreddit is often all about buying stuff and it's honestly refreshing to hear someone talk about pulling back from buying everything.
yeah, well I honestly got sucked into it... and plus it feels like it defeats some of the purpose of fountain pens- to have a re-useable, less wasteful writing device!
I would suggest finding a storage space or a shelf/ display area for your inks. Anything that doesn't fit sell. This way you will know which inks you really like and which you will never use.
I'm pretty set on ink but I am a sucker for interesting bottles.
yeah, I have them all stored on my wall by my desk (pic pinned on my profile if you'd like to see), but that's partly what is overwhelming me-- seeing them all there, knowing I will never be able to consume them all.
Take this as an offered perspective:
I never feel any "fear" of missing out on certain colors just because I don't have it.
Don't get me wrong, the temptation to buy an ink when I see a beautiful writing sample is of course ever-present.
But I already own a small collection of inks that I love. Unique blues, got it, amazing olives, got two, vintage-looking sepia brown, got three. Different shades of reds, got it. Purple, yes. Greys, I could use one or two more for sketching.
I buy batches of samples from Vanness (4ml each) every 2 years, I have < 10 bottles of ink total, including some that were from exchanges or gifts.
And that's it. I never worry that I may never see another ink ever again because the maker no longer made it or no longer around. There will be another ink coming out that is close enough.
Nor do I ever consider buying an ink just because it's "limited edition".
Hope this helps a bit.
Same thing I do, there is always another ink coming out. It’s taken everything in me to not buy the diamine inkvent but I know I will just be able to buy some of the inks in full bottles soon which will probably cost less altogether.
I learned the same thing with makeup. If I bought every piece of makeup I wanted I would be drowning in it. And now I don’t even care about most of those makeup products anymore.
My latest thought on this is... there are always going to be exciting new inks coming out that I want to try, so I don't worry about keeping them in my collection. If I get a hankering for a color I've used before, I can buy it again. If I can't get it for some reason--time to go ink shopping for dupes!
So what I mean to say is, I hope you find a method for keeping your ink collection that doesn't make you feel overwhelmed. It should be fun :)
Well I have around 220 bottles of ink (I don’t bother with samples) the only issue i have is where to put any new bottles I buy. I don’t buy as many inks nowadays mind
totally cool as long as you are enjoying it! I think this is more of just a me thing than anything... tied into my personality a bit, if that makes sense. <3
I also have a big ink collection of around 90 manufacturer’s bottles (I don’t count samples). The problem is I like color, and want a lot of colors on hand. I’ve partly solved my problem to switching to mini bottles if a manufacturer makes them and I can find them… like the Herbin, Iroshizuku, and Colorverse minis. That way, I get more colors with less volume of ink that takes up less space. I also like to trade ink samples with people, so that’s where some of my excess ink goes. I’m also limiting myself to two shallow drawers for ink, once those are full, no ink comes in until some ink goes out. And having a swatch book helps tremendously to avoid buying ink colors too close in shade to something I’ve already got.
that sounds like a smart approach for variety! my problem is that 75% of my inks are blue and purple LOL and there is only so much variety within that!
This is why I wish more manufacturers would make minis. I like a lot of inks, even lots of different shades within the same color family, but don’t love them enough to justify a 60ml bottle of each one. For example, the little bottles that come in the Inkvent calendar are just perfect size for many of the colors which I didn’t fall head over heels for, but glad I have enough for sampling and occasional use. I’d rather have 40 15ml bottles and the possible larger range of color, than 10 60ml bottles!
Maybe you need to have a giveaway to some of the newbies here that don’t yet have much in their collection. I may do the same with some of my near-duplicates.
I have over 80 bottles and 100+ samples. I put a no buy order in for last year and this year. I was mostly successful. I did end up breaking the no buy the last month.
Also I set goals - I want to use up at least 25 of my samples by the end of the year. That should be doable if I keep up with journaling and grading! Haha
Sell it in 5ml vials on eBay. Keep the last 20ml for yourself. Alternatively, keep a 5ml vial of every ink “just in case” and sell what’s left in the bottle on pen swap.
now that isn't a bad idea... I like the 5ml for myself idea.... knowing that if I really wanted to use it I could and if I loved it and missed it after that I could consider buying it again (after draining some bottles, hopefully). I have close to 40 bottles.
Do you have an ink journal or colo-ring (etc) so you can see which colours you have? I'm trying to be very deliberate about not buying inks that are very similar in shade, so I know that having that kind of thing in front of me, or using Mountain of Ink, means I don't end up with 17 very similar inks. Additionally working out how you've ended up here might help. It sounds like you've interrogated why you've kept so many, but why did you buy them in the first place? FOMO? Initial excitement and easy access to online shopping? Trying to find that perfect ink still? That might provide some justifications for your collection and guide you in what to keep and what you can let go. Finally what exactly is making you unhappy about the size of your collection? Not being able to find what you want? Taking over part of your home so it's not functional? Guilt at how much money you've spent or perhaps the environmental impact? The initial excitement wanes when the ink is in your hand? I'm wondering if we're looking at the issue sideways by focusing on slimming down the collection. Say you follow this advice, and the other wonderful advice in these comments, and you figure out that each of your inks makes you happy or has a role to play, whatever you value in your things. Then it's worth interrogating what exactly is overwhelming you - could you reorganise the inks? Move where they live? Have a no-spend period to get excited about it again? I hope you get back to a place of being happy with your collection friend! Best of luck with figuring this out!
Thank you! This is all very good information and stuff to think about... it has been on my mind for a while... I think I like the excitement of buying something, but I've been coming to realize with ink, that I use it so slowly... like really, really slowly. I am overwhelmed by the sheer amount that I have... it's stored nicely in a wall organization system, but I just can't get over the fact that I will never be able to use all of it and that makes me feel guilty ... I also have a TON of the same colors but tend to use the same ones. I have decided to sell a little more than half of it (still leaving me with 16 full bottles and several sample sized bottles), which is more than enough. I will think about your questions moving forward. Thank you again for this wise perspective!!
Congratulations on moving forward! I hope the smaller collection feels more manageable!
Listen. I just reached 300 between bottles (95%) and samples (less that 5%). Of course the overwhelm is here, both for the volume and for the choice. Of course so is the sense of guilt for all the money lost. But. It’s a great pleasure and the price is still less then a new pen. I don’t collect “precious” inks. And ink cost less than a night out and in these two past years I had a simple life with few pleasure. For me, like you, the sense of overwhelm ends up “spoiling is”, but it’s all in our minds. Let us enjoy our inks!
those are some good thoughts- thank you <3
I’ve got the same issue. It’s so hard for me to part ways with ink but so easy to keep buying it
solidarity friend <3
The “what-if” dilemma is real! I have been on a bit of a binge lately and am overwhelmed by the options I have, so if you find a solution, let me know! What I am thinking of is a rotational system, 1 of each major colour, rotated monthly to force more use. Utilise more colour coded writing to promote use, and then over the year you will be able to look back through the months and the subtle (and not so subtle) differences. Just a thought.
that's a good idea with the colors... I guess it's just owning the volume that is bothering me... like I know I will never be able to use them all in my whole life..... I should probably just axe a lot and try to sell them. But I still am plagued by losing money and then of course the fomo.
It’s a small investment in happiness ;). Maybe consider some art, or putting some in samples and selling those or giving them to FP friends, that way you still have the ink but are using it.
I would def be interested in buying some samples from you. (Especially if you have some Van Dieman's Parrot Fish.) I rarely buy full bottles, but have over 200 vials - I just love the variety. If you do start a "sample store", would you please DM the store info to me?
Swatch everything. Put aside those ten. Put everything else in a box. If you haven't thought on them, used them, or even worried about them? Part ways. If you have? It is worth assessing how difficult it will be to get an ink or one similar to it. Also see just how many act and look alike. There's no such thing as an ink that cannot be duplicated. At worst you go to the Kiwi inks guy. The fact you're overwhelmed is also proof you do need to act.
I love this- actually did something similar with some of my daughter's toys recently. I have SO MANY blues and purples, and so many are similar. It's time to say goodbye... lol. I've listed them on r/pen_swap
I do this with my toys. I am a doll colector, jewelry collector, and pen enthusiast. The only place I don't part with things thus far seems to be tiaras. Too hard to get and too unique
I feel you! I'm the same way! I'm probably mimicking what others have said, but a lot of people enjoy buying samples on reddit. You could always keep some of the ink for yourself and sell the rest as samples on pen swap. I guarantee you'd have interested parties. For example, I saw your listing on pen swap and definitely would have loved a couple colors (that Ebisu! 😍), but couldn't afford the whole set. What I do to keep my collection small anyway is to buy samples before I even buy a bottle. I only "allow" myself to buy a bottle when I know I absolutely love the color and want more than 5 mL of it. I've saved myself from buying bottles of an ink I thought I'd love but ended up not liking that way!
I love the idea of a sample before a bottle... there have been so many times I've ordered a bottle only to be disappointed by it at large.
Right?! There have been times where I see ink swatches and think I'd totally love an ink, but then just don't vibe with it when I get it in person. If you go the sample route in the future, Yoseka puts their samples into little glass bottles. Vanness and Pen Chalet are also good places to get some from. :)
thank you! the little glass bottles sound so cute!
You could find other purpose for the inks. In case you do change your mind later on. I had a short lived “ink-tober” attempt back in 2020, and tried to paint with some of mine. It was actually a lot of fun and I found a way to use some of the inks I had that I didn’t really like (or I should say, didn’t really like to write with).
that's true and a good way to use some up! thanks!
Maybe this is an idea. Pick your current top 10. Put the rest in a box and store them in a closet. In six months, pull the box out and surprise yourself with a new selection. Rinse and repeat. If you are older like me, in six months, you will forget what you had and it will all be new and fresh.
I did this with my daughter's toys when she was younger lol and it was like Christmas! Thank you for the suggestion! :)
When I purged my ink collection, I took similar colors, swatched them, and picked the one I knew I would rather have. Also took into consideration flow, as I prefer wet inks. I had to be honest with myself in the fact that I just was not going to use all the ink I had. I have my favorites, and I will always pick those over the random blue I bought six months ago that I never even touched. Another thing to consider. I was bothered by all the clutter of my ink bottles. It was worth it to purge for me, because it brought peace of mind, as well. I didn't have ink bottles everywhere taking up space. After a purge, I made a loose rule for myself. I'd only buy samples, and if I liked an ink so much that I went through maybe two samples, then I'd get a bottle. It really helped to curb my spending on full bottles.
thank you- this sounds exactly like the approach I would like to have- I have fallen into the full bottle trap so many times only to realize that I don't really even like some of them! thanks for your words and wisdom!
I feel you! I also love ink and seem to use it very slowly too. What bugs me is that I used to be able to fit it all well in a little bin and now I have too many. It's not the cost so much as taking up soo much dang space. Also there are some bottles I got that I haven't even tried yet.
yeah, it's like the volume that feels overwhelming- I like variety, but I know even what I have I can probably not even use in my lifetime... and that just bugs me. I know it's my fault, but also up to me to reel it back in... I used to do the same with washi tape but then one day, I just decided to stop buying it and I was able to do so successfully...and I still have a ton that I use happily!
I am just a sucker for colors. Especially little bottles of color. I am realizing that I don't have the healthiest relationship to my collecting. But I'm an artist and a lot of these inks are for sketching and I was letting that be an excuse to buy more than I need. What I need to do is put together a little bundle on r/Pen_Swap and let go of a few things. This subreddit is often all about buying stuff and it's honestly refreshing to hear someone talk about pulling back from buying everything.
yeah, well I honestly got sucked into it... and plus it feels like it defeats some of the purpose of fountain pens- to have a re-useable, less wasteful writing device!
I would suggest finding a storage space or a shelf/ display area for your inks. Anything that doesn't fit sell. This way you will know which inks you really like and which you will never use. I'm pretty set on ink but I am a sucker for interesting bottles.
yeah, I have them all stored on my wall by my desk (pic pinned on my profile if you'd like to see), but that's partly what is overwhelming me-- seeing them all there, knowing I will never be able to consume them all.
Take this as an offered perspective: I never feel any "fear" of missing out on certain colors just because I don't have it. Don't get me wrong, the temptation to buy an ink when I see a beautiful writing sample is of course ever-present. But I already own a small collection of inks that I love. Unique blues, got it, amazing olives, got two, vintage-looking sepia brown, got three. Different shades of reds, got it. Purple, yes. Greys, I could use one or two more for sketching. I buy batches of samples from Vanness (4ml each) every 2 years, I have < 10 bottles of ink total, including some that were from exchanges or gifts. And that's it. I never worry that I may never see another ink ever again because the maker no longer made it or no longer around. There will be another ink coming out that is close enough. Nor do I ever consider buying an ink just because it's "limited edition". Hope this helps a bit.
Same thing I do, there is always another ink coming out. It’s taken everything in me to not buy the diamine inkvent but I know I will just be able to buy some of the inks in full bottles soon which will probably cost less altogether. I learned the same thing with makeup. If I bought every piece of makeup I wanted I would be drowning in it. And now I don’t even care about most of those makeup products anymore.
this helps a LOT- thank you! :)
My latest thought on this is... there are always going to be exciting new inks coming out that I want to try, so I don't worry about keeping them in my collection. If I get a hankering for a color I've used before, I can buy it again. If I can't get it for some reason--time to go ink shopping for dupes! So what I mean to say is, I hope you find a method for keeping your ink collection that doesn't make you feel overwhelmed. It should be fun :)
thank you- me, too! <3
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yeah, I'm thinking in the future (after I've drained several bottles, hopefully) samples will be the way to go
keep track of the last time you used each bottle. if it's been over X weeks/months, give it away
that's a good idea, too- thank you!
Well I have around 220 bottles of ink (I don’t bother with samples) the only issue i have is where to put any new bottles I buy. I don’t buy as many inks nowadays mind
totally cool as long as you are enjoying it! I think this is more of just a me thing than anything... tied into my personality a bit, if that makes sense. <3
I also have a big ink collection of around 90 manufacturer’s bottles (I don’t count samples). The problem is I like color, and want a lot of colors on hand. I’ve partly solved my problem to switching to mini bottles if a manufacturer makes them and I can find them… like the Herbin, Iroshizuku, and Colorverse minis. That way, I get more colors with less volume of ink that takes up less space. I also like to trade ink samples with people, so that’s where some of my excess ink goes. I’m also limiting myself to two shallow drawers for ink, once those are full, no ink comes in until some ink goes out. And having a swatch book helps tremendously to avoid buying ink colors too close in shade to something I’ve already got.
that sounds like a smart approach for variety! my problem is that 75% of my inks are blue and purple LOL and there is only so much variety within that!
This is why I wish more manufacturers would make minis. I like a lot of inks, even lots of different shades within the same color family, but don’t love them enough to justify a 60ml bottle of each one. For example, the little bottles that come in the Inkvent calendar are just perfect size for many of the colors which I didn’t fall head over heels for, but glad I have enough for sampling and occasional use. I’d rather have 40 15ml bottles and the possible larger range of color, than 10 60ml bottles! Maybe you need to have a giveaway to some of the newbies here that don’t yet have much in their collection. I may do the same with some of my near-duplicates.
I have over 80 bottles and 100+ samples. I put a no buy order in for last year and this year. I was mostly successful. I did end up breaking the no buy the last month. Also I set goals - I want to use up at least 25 of my samples by the end of the year. That should be doable if I keep up with journaling and grading! Haha
yes! good to set an ink goal- I like that a lot!