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A break from the digital everyday

Analogue creativity: ideas for writing, crafting and DIY

8 Oct 2026

Whether writing, journaling or making things yourself, analogue creativity offers a conscious counterbalance to our digital everyday lives. High-quality writing instruments, design-led stationery and creative DIY products combine the desire for individuality with the pleasure of making and creating. For retailers, the theme offers a wide range of opportunities to make creativity a connecting element within their product range.

Reading time: 3 minutes

The renewed passion of writing by hand

In our digital everyday lives, handwriting has taken on a special quality. As a result, high-quality writing instruments such as fine fountain pens, rollerball pens and premium ballpoint pens are enjoying a noticeable revival. Classic or unconventional designs turn handwriting into a tactile pleasure. Personalised with initials or a dedication, a beautiful pen also makes an appealing gift for a wide range of occasions.

“Lunar Sport” by Kaweco

The writing instruments of Kaweco are a statement of quality and design. Inspired by the mysterious beauty of the moon and distant galaxies, the “Lunar Sport” Fountain Pen Blue shimmers in ever-changing shades of blue and purple. Available in various nib sizes.

‘Michelangelo’ writing instruments by Visconti

“Michelangelo” by Visconti

With its “Michelangelo” collection, Visconti pays tribute to the great master of the Italian Renaissance. The writing instruments are made from translucent resin in red, blue and black. Palladium-plated metal details emphasise the elegance of the silhouette.

Caran d‘Ache + Paul Smith Edition 5

Caran d’Ache and the British designer Sir Paul Smith share a passion for colour and good design. The defining feature of “Edition 5” is its iconic stripes. The colour set in a metal case – comprising twelve two-colour pencils – invites limitless creativity.

Journaling: planning meets creativity

Journaling is booming, planners are making a comeback and even to-do lists are once again being written by hand. Available in a wide range of colours, formats and designs, these notebooks are becoming lifestyle accessories that can be personalised with inserts, stickers and masking tape – also known as washi tape, a decorative adhesive tape made from rice paper.

Bullet Journal® by Leuchtturm1917

Designer Ryder Carroll developed the Bullet Journal® as a method of self-organisation. Leuchtturm1917 has taken this flexible, analogue organisational system a step further with the Bullet Journal Edition 2, which includes, among other things, a sticker set featuring the days of the week and months.

Turnowsky by Goldbuch

Goldbuch creates distinctive stationery in creative collaboration with the international design house Turnowsky. Unique illustrations and special gold and silver embossing adorn diaries, photo albums and gift bags, for example with the lovely “Secret Garden” design.

“Storge.it” by Mark’s

“Storage.it” by Mark’s is the notebook of choice for active people. The transparent zipped pocket provides space for essentials such as pens, sticky notes, business cards or a mobile phone. It is also environmentally friendly: the cover is made from recycled PVC.

Paper – wonderfully versatile

Paper as a material offers a wealth of creative possibilities and techniques, including cutting, folding, embossing and layering. Different weights, textures, colours and patterns make paper a versatile creative medium. Techniques such as origami (paper folding), quilling (paper rolling) and papier-mâché transform sheets of paper into three-dimensional objects and sculptures.

The “In The Meadow” series is inspired by the beauty of blooming wildflowers and grasses. As part of its Paper Poetry collection, Rico Design offers a matching origami paper set. It contains 50 sheets in ten different designs, some featuring a gold-coloured hot-foil finish. Measuring 15 x 15 cm and with a weight of 70 g/m², the paper is suitable for precise folding.

Find out more about Rico Design

DIY – crafting, shaping, experimenting

Platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok are fuelling the DIY trend with countless tips and tutorials. Leading the way are projects involving clay and modelling paste, as well as crochet and embroidery. New techniques such as punch needle (a type of three-dimensional embroidery) or “mini crafts” such as bag charms or beadwork are making handicrafts appealing to a younger audience too. Creativity is becoming increasingly social: through craft nights and workshops, retailers can highlight the shared creative experience.

Letter stickers by Mea Living

Whether water bottles, phone cases, bags or textiles, the letter stickers from Mea Living can be used to personalise a wide range of items. Simply peel off the protective film on the back and stick them on. They are available in various colours, as well as with a heart motif.

SIO-2® Hobby Ceramic Clay

The “Hobby Ceramic Clay” from the SIO-2® brand by Ceramica Collet offers excellent plasticity for modelling and shaping, making it ideal for beginners entering the world of ceramics. Available in white, black and light brown firing colours, the clay comes in fine or coarse textures.

Crochet kit by Gift Republic

The crochet kit from Gift Republic makes a great gift for craft enthusiasts and dinosaur lovers. It contains a crochet hook, yarn in four colours, a needle, stuffing and step-by-step instructions – in short, everything needed to make your very own dinosaur buddy.