Tag: stationery

Index Card Accessories for Note Taking on the Go

Index Card “Notebooks”?

Before I go the DIY route, has anyone seen gummed 4 x 6″ index cards available for sale? I’d love to have a bunch of index cards temporarily glued together almost in notebook form for easy use and portability.

I’m looking for something along the lines of traditional note pads or memo pads like this: https://finecardstock.com/product/memo-pads-paper-white-4×6/, but which used a thicker index card stock.

I know there are a handful of manufacturers who make spiral bound versions with perforations for tearing cards out, but I’m looking for something a tad less bulky for putting in a back pocket or jacket pocket. I’ve also considered using binder clips and even book rings, but again, I’m trying to slim the system down.

If there’s nothing great, I may just go with my favorite cards and DIY with some PVA Glue which is often used in book binding and is suggested frequently in crafting videos like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Wp0sLpnMY. In the end, this may be the best route to allow me to choose my favorite cards in addition to how thick I can make the “notebooks”.

Note card cases, folios, and holders

Similar/related/useful things I’ve come across in this related space:

Kaitiaki 3×5 Inches Index Card Organizer, though they don’t seem to have anything for 4 x 6 inch index cards.

Rite in the Rain (zettelkasting in the elements while hiking anyone?), though they all appear to be designed around 3 x 5″ cards.

Oxford At-Hand Note Card Case, this could work, but as ever, it only seems to be available for 3 x 5″ index cards

YOAVIP 4×6 Index Cards Clear Plastic Holder looked interesting, but was a larger, notebook sized version, though still had some useful portability features, yet might be a bit persnickety for regular in-and-out usage.

Other ideas?

Has anyone else done this or anything similar? How about wallets, folios, or thin covers? What’s your experience?

Update

This is ultimately what I ended up doing: 

A notepad for my Zettelkasten! 🗃️
30 index cards, some bookbinder’s (PVA) glue, a brush, some clips, and ten minutes of craft time. We’re ready for the road…

Wooden table featuring a deck index cards bound by glue at the top stand up near some PVA adhesive surrounded by some binder clips, a paint brush, a Lochby case of fountain pens and a stationery bag.

Liked a post by Aaron PareckiAaron Parecki (Aaron Parecki)
I haven't found a digital planner that can properly deal with how often I hop timezones. Sometimes you just have to stick to paper. Most planners are so big that I don't want to take them with me, so I'm very happy I found this stick planner in Japan! Finally I have a planner that I'll actually toss in my travel bag!

Checkin Maido

Checked into Maido
Found the brush pens and paper I was looking for at Daiso Japan here. Got the last of two different kana notebooks they had in stock.

They’ve got an awesome selection! Possibly even better than what I’d seen on Amazon recently. The clerk said their Alhambra location was even bigger, so I’ll have to go there soon.

The Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen was by far the best pen I tested today, but at over $20, it was on the expensive side and probably wouldn’t do as well for me at present with my mediocre skills at the moment. I’ll circle back around to it when I’ve practiced my kana a little longer.

I ended up buying a couple pens and two notebooks.

Acquired Brush pens and paper for Japanese practice
2 Kuretake TSF1-10 double sided brush pen with fine and medium points for $7.90
1 Kyokuto notebook with 10 column lines for kana and space for ふりがな (furigana) for $3.55.
1 Tales from Moomin Valley notebook with 7 column lines for kana (with dotted squares) $3.00
(great for little kids and practicing kana)

Apparently someone knows about my addiction to leather-bound journals

Apparently someone knows about my addiction to leather-bound journals

Apparently someone knows about my addiction to leather-bound journals

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