I’ve come across Poppin a few times recently, but it didn’t really stick in my consciousness until Notebook Loves Pen did a post about it recently:

Poppin wants to change the way we think about office products. They want us to Work Happy. And all I’ve got to say is, finally! I’ve been waiting for something like this for what seems like a really long time.
[Link]

A welcome kit from Poppin. Image reposted from Notebook Loves Pen.

Yes! This is all part of the social movement I think is happening. I wrote about it in my review of Rad and Hungry, and Poppin seems to embrace it, too. Pens, pencils and paper (and other lesser office supplies) should be an aesthetic  experience. We shouldn’t have to tolerate cheap-o Office Depot generic pencils anymore. Sure, they’re dirt cheap, but we get what we pay for, and there are an increasing number of us who are willing to pay a bit more for a much better experience.

As they say on their “About” page:

For too long, these supplies have been a dull, common and boring part of our day. We haven’t ever given much thought to the tape dispensers, pads, clips and rulers that we use. So long as our staplers are full of staples and our copy machines are full of paper, we simply don’t think about them. Even when we run out, we think about supplies only long enough to place another order.
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We are starting a movement to make work a more inspired and happier place. Please join us in waging a war on drab, gray, dull and boring. If you want to let us know that we aren’t in this alone, just place an order at Poppin. Forgive us for that indiscretion, but while we had your attention, we couldn’t resist a little sales pitch, here.

I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes the simple act of using a really nice pencil when taking notes at a particularly dull meeting makes it a bit more tolerable. Sometimes when you’re collating papers, you want to staple them with a Red Swingline (á la Office Space)  to make you smile and think of Milton.

Poppin is still in the planning stages, and they’re accepting requests for invitations. Surf on over, fill out a request, and tell them Woodclinched sent ya, as well as “what makes you happy at work,” as they ask on their application.

And for gosh sakes, stop using those generic yellow pencils and Bic stick pens. Bring a fountain pen to work. Buy any of the great pencils I’ve posted on this blog. And check out some of the blogs on the right to see what they think. Because they understand what it is to experience the joy of scribomechanica.