Obujo
A couple weeks ago I showcased Stationery Pal, a mainland Chinese stationer with a wonderful selection and very good prices. Today I look at another of these - this one with a specialization in the bullet journal craze. Obujo, whose name apparently is short for “OMG Bullet Journal!” attracted me mainly because of their fantastic selection of washi stickers contained in cute little booklet form factors.
I don’t bullet journal or keep much of a decorative agenda, in general. As a teacher, I keep a rather plain-looking undated teacher’s planner, though I may try building my own next year when my current one runs out, or I may just buy the one our union offers which whilst not of the highest quality is custom-built for my school system’s schedules and for the Québec education apparatus in particular. Still, the hobby of bullet journaling has sparked a craze in several specific form factors of journal and stationery decoration: namely square stickers, stamp-shaped stickers, and small stickers that can be used as “bullets.” Additionally, we have the phenomenon of washi paper-like materials and matte PET plastic being used for these stickers, all of which can generally be written on with most ballpoint and gel pens (and sometimes with pencils, though rarely with fountain pens).
Of course what I really loved about Obujo’s selection, and what made up the bulk of my order, were these intriguing little booklet-format sticker packs. I love to have a “system” for using my stationery items, and these books neatly maintain all the stickers in a specific order (usually with no repeats or at least with predictable repeat rules) and allow me to ensure I’m using the stickers in an efficient and non-repetitive way.
Whilst Obujo does carry a limited selection of various other stationery (vintage illustration-inspired papers, notepads and sticky notes, and stamps), they really shine in these washy sticker booklets and small sticker packs intended for use in journaling work. Shipping from mainland China, like with Stationery Pal, they do require some patience; and unlike SP, their prices are not obviously as rock-bottom. Still, they’re a great little shop for what they do and I’ll undoubtedly shop there again.
