National Handwriting Day is Saturday, January 23rd, coinciding with John Hancock's birthday. As the president of the Second Continental Congress, John Hancock was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence and is said to have signed in bold style so the King wouldn't need glasses to read it. In the time leading up to the Day's creation in 1977, educators were concerned handwriting skills were being lost, so the Writing Instrument Manufacturer's Association aided their cause by creating National Handwriting Day.​

Whether you write in Copperplate script or without any flourish, we want to encourage you to write, often. I shared a personal story of "Why I Write"  on our new Reviews, Q&A and More page and encourage you to read it and to write to people you know - or don't - but who would appreciate a card, note or letter. These times have resulted in isolation and stress; imagine the ray of sunshine your writing would be when received by someone.
At Flax, we'll help you celebrate National Handwriting Day with 20% off Custom Stationery (valid for orders now through the end of the month, appointments preferred), announcements and printing and some other specials (soon to be determined). Some custom print selections are available through the website if you'd like to choose the "easy-peasy" way.
We'll update this post ... stay tuned - but write to someone in the meantime and don't forget to include your "John Hancock" at the end.

C'mon in and find your bargains in the Holiday section of our Westwood Store -- most holiday things are marked down to become your treasures and make room here for whatever comes next. Please note the Holiday section on the web store was updated on the 26th but doesn't list even half of what we have and inventory changes by the moment (not updated on the web in real-time). If you're not sure if we have something, you're welcomed to come in or call. Use the coupon code Bye2020! for the Holiday section of the web store. "Older Jeremy's" dog "Dare" is tired of daddy working on the website but hopes you have fun shopping while he dreams of better days.

If there's such a thing as a prized possession within the store, it is the Sailor Cocktail Series - a limited edition collection of Sailor's cocktail-inspired anniversary pens. We must be drunk but we're going to put our only anniversary edition set on special - 20% off. You can read more about the set on the product page which you can access by clicking on the picture or product name. Cheers!

We wanted to add to our collection of unique gifts and brought in two chess sets from a manufacturer who supplies Flax with gorgeous frames. The chess sets were nothing less than artisan works, but they were gone within days. We have two more inbound with some unique domino and backgammon sets (two in acrylic, one traditional) and an Italian woods box with an antique style map that would look great on any desk. Click on the photo or text link to go to the product pages. We hope you enjoy these for yourself or as gifts. By the way, our 20HoHoHolidays specials are ongoing ... check out the submenu page for those postings.