September always arrives sooner than expected. And with it, the same list of supplies every year: notebooks, pens, a rucksack that will survive the term, and somewhere to keep it all so it doesn't end up loose at the bottom.
This year we wanted to do something different with that list. Instead of any old notebook and a plastic pencil case, we have made a two-piece pack sharing the same illustration, drawn by hand in Spain. One to write in, one to carry it all.
Two pieces, one illustration
The notebook and the pencil case don't merely match: they are the same drawing. The illustration is printed on both sides of both pieces, so the set is recognisable from the other side of the classroom. It's a small detail, but it's exactly what stops school supplies feeling generic.
It has a practical advantage that isn't obvious at first. When the pencil case and the notebook go together, it's far harder for one of them to be left behind on a desk. They're identifiable at a glance, even from a distance.
The pencil case
It measures 22 x 17 cm, flat and roomy. It's made from waterproof polyester and closes with a zip, so it protects what's inside even when the rucksack is thrown about. There's plenty of space for everyday supplies: pens, markers, rulers and whatever else is needed.
The flat format isn't an accident. A deep pencil case means rummaging; a flat one shows everything the moment it's opened, and sits without a bulge against the back of the rucksack, alongside the notebooks.
The notebook
It measures 17 x 24 cm and has 200 squared pages in 80 gsm paper. It's spiral-bound, opens completely and folds back on itself so you can write comfortably at any desk. The cover is semi-rigid and illustrated on both sides.
Two hundred pages will cover a full year of one subject, or several if it's divided into sections from the start. And the spiral does something sewn notebooks can't: it lets you write at a small desk, on the bus, or with the notebook resting on your knees, without fighting the spine.
What to look for when buying school supplies
Most school supplies are bought in a single afternoon, in a hurry, with a list in hand. These are the four things that really decide whether something reaches June or breaks in November:
- The closure. Elastic stretches and eventually gapes open inside the bag. A zip closes as well on the last day of term as it did on the first.
- The fabric. Accidents with water bottles are a matter of time, not luck. A waterproof fabric turns a disaster into a fright.
- The binding. A spiral lets the notebook open flat and fold over. That's the difference between writing anywhere and needing half a desk free.
- The cover. A soft cover bends in the bag and the corners curl. A semi-rigid one protects the first few pages, which are exactly the ones that get used most.
And a fifth, less obvious one: it has to be liked. Supplies that are liked get looked after, carried and used. The rest end up in a drawer by October.
Five designs to choose from
The pack comes in five designs: María Blanco Fondo Rojo, María Rojo Liso, María Rojo Lunares, Pepa Liso and Pepa Lunares. All with hand-drawn flamencas, all with the same print quality. Choosing is purely a matter of taste. 🌹
Keeping a pencil case alive all year
A roomy pencil case invites you to put everything in it, and that's where the trouble starts. Three simple habits extend the life of any pencil case considerably:
- Carry what gets used. Two or three pens, a pencil, a rubber, a couple of markers. The rest can live at home and come out when needed.
- Empty it once a term. Five minutes is enough to find the dried-out pens, the three-centimetre pencils and the loose lids taking up room.
- Don't force the zip. Most pencil cases fail at the closure rather than the fabric. If it's hard to close, there's something in there too many.
A gift with artwork for the new school year
It works just as well as your own supplies as it does as a present. For someone starting the year, for someone going back to dance class, for someone who teaches, and for anyone who writes a lot and would rather do it with something lovely in front of them. It arrives as a single pack, ready to give.
It's also a good option when you need to get it right without knowing someone's taste especially well: school supplies get used either way, and a hand-drawn design makes them more personal than a supermarket notebook. And for teachers, who receive mugs and candles by the armful, a beautiful notebook tends to be rather more welcome.
Where to get it
The Pack Estuche + Libreta Flamenca costs €19.90 at illustrarte.es, with free shipping within Spain. It's also available on Amazon, where you can check the current price on the product listing itself:
More ideas for the new year
If there's a dance bag to pack as well as the school supplies, these two guides finish the list:
- What to take to a flamenco class: 7 practical accessories
- Your first flamenco class: what to take, what to wear and what to expect
The stationery shown in some of the images is not included.
The illustrArte products featured in this article are our own designs, sold in our shop and on Amazon.
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