04/01/2026

ON SUNDAY January 4, 2026 theSunday Special XII

The simple pleasure of stationery BY HANNEF ESQUNDER

local artists such as Eureka Art, Bunga dan Bintang and Monkiddo is available for purchase. From postcards and art prints to memo pads and stickers, eslite is also a perfect place to discover the work of local artists and support their products. Mossery Founded in Kuala Lumpur, Mossery is one of the most well-known Malaysian stationery brands with a growing inter national following. The brand is known for its personalised planners, notebooks and sketchbooks, which customers can customise with their own names on the covers. Each product is thoughtfully designed and beautifully made, from the paper’s smooth texture to the quality of its covers. Mossery also collaborates with artists from around the world for its collections, making every release fresh and inspiring. Its store in Petaling Jaya LV D EULJKW PLQLPDOLVW VSDFH ¿OOHG ZLWK notebooks, art kits and creative supplies that spark inspiration the moment you walk in. Whether you are a grave journal keeper, a casual doodler or someone who simply loves beautiful pens and papers, stationery shopping has become more than just a hobby. It is a form of self-care and

expression that brings people joy. There is something deeply comforting about opening a new notebook, writing with a smooth pen or decorating a page with washi tape. It is the simple act of slowing down and creating by hand that makes the experience so meaningful.

Carefully curated stationery items line the shelves at Tabiyo Shop.

T HERE is a current obsession with stationery items, which has a lot to do with the rise of journaling as a hobby and other creative pastimes such as doodling, painting and paper crafting. From daily journals and notebooks to watercolour paints and fountain pens, these stationery items have become so KRW VHOOLQJ WKDW WKH\ À\ R̆ WKH VKHOYHV as soon as their release is announced on social media. It is strange to think that just a few years ago, we were all about converting everything to digital and online. Now, years later, we are queuing up to buy journals and fountain pens, as if it were 1975 all over again. But just like every thing else, trends and hobbies go through cycles. Back when the internet was still in its infancy, youngsters were hanging out at cybercafés, playing online games DQG VXU¿QJ WKH ZHE 7RGD\ \RXQJVWHUV are crowding into local stationery and bookstores, looking for the latest supplies and inspiration. Here are some of the best places to get stationery right now: Tabiyo Shop Going to Tabiyo Shop for stationery re quires a bit of planning, as one has to make a whole road trip out of it because the store is located all the way in Seremban. The owner, Lam Yen Fong, quit her full-time job and moved back to open the stationery store in her beloved hometown. Tabiyo Shop has since become quite a tourist attraction, with customers travelling from all over the country to visit the store. What PDNHV 7DEL\R 6KRS GL̆ HUHQW LV WKDW /DP personally curates every item on sale. She will only sell stationery that she has tried, tested and loves. There are endless selections of stickers, washi tape and art supplies here. Still, many people come for

popular international brand items such as Traveller’s Notebook from Japan and the most recent addition, Baum-kuchen stationery from the US. Tabiyo also carries many obscure Korean stationery brands that are not available elsewhere in Malay sia, making the trip to this Seremban store totally worth it. S WLFNHUUL¿F Do not be deceived by the name of this store because Stickerrific carries more than just stickers. Of course, there are walls upon walls of stickers and washi tape at the store, but there are also endless selections of rubber stamps, art supplies, pens, papers, notebooks and even blind boxes to choose from. The store organises painting and journaling workshops from time to time that have really helped build the city’s community of journalers, crafters and art makers. Do not forget to say hi to the shop’s resident cats, Luke, Leia, Chewie and Han. They add a whole lot of cuteness to the stationery shopping experience. eslite Starhill The Taiwanese bookstore is pronounced “elite” even though the name is entirely GL̆ HUHQW LQ &KLQHVH 5HJDUGOHVV RI KRZ much people mispronounce the name, eslite Starhill is always busy with book lovers and stationery enthusiasts. The stationery section at eslite carries some of the most sought-after international brands, including Kokuyo, Uniball and Midori. There are also always pop-up sections showcasing special collaboration drops and limited-edition series. A short walk across to the eslite spectrum section, where lifestyle products like clothing, accessories and homeware are sold, one will notice a dedicated section for local artists. Here, locally made merch from

Local-made merch items at eslite Starhill.

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