Posts filed under SHEdesigns

SHEdesigns Velvet-Lined Pen Sleeve Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

Want to keep your pens AND your heart cozy and warm? Then you need to check out SHEdesigns Nepal—a women's empowerment business devoted to enriching the lives of women through the crafting of beautiful local textile goods.

The business began with an effort to sew sanitary products for girls who were missing school at an alarming rate due to menstruation. The pads allowed them to remain in school, resulting in higher test scores and better overall education outcomes. With the success of this effort, more women were employed to create even more products, from placemats to bags to pen cases. The company now employs ten women who are able to support their families and find independence.

But they aren't just a good cause! They're good at what they do!

All the products they offer are made from high quality traditional Nepali dhaka fabrics. These densely woven, colorful patterns are made using a traditional process mastered thousands of years ago by the indigenous Limbu people of eastern Nepal. It is a fine woven cotton fabric characterized by intricate geometric shapes in a broad range of natural colors.

The original cotton-producing plant that supplied dhaka artisans with the fiber they used to produce what was once the finest and most expensive fabric in the world (follow me down an amazing textile rabbit hole with this article from the BBC,) has since gone extinct. While the fiber is gone, the wisdom of its weavers has carried on, and while the emperors of the world are no longer wearing dhaka muslin, my pens are getting the royal treatment.

The SHEdesigns pen sleeves are available in 4-pen or 6-pen varieties and in six gorgeous fabric options. The pre-order for the sleeves is limited, due to the limited quantities of the woven fabric, and it is only open for a while longer. Sleeves will be made to order and ship at the end of August.

The pen roll shown here is the six-pen design. It has soft cotton outer fabric with a plush red velvet lining. The central flap folds down to cover the tops of the pens so there's no risk of scratches. The case rolls easily and is secured by a red cord with a decorative bead on the end. Each of the pen pockets is sewn 1.5" wide and accommodates even thicker fountain pens. The pockets are deep enough to cover a pen up to 6" long.

The stitching is well done, with no loose threads or crooked seams. It was clearly made with care and pride, and holding it, you can't help but feel a connection to its maker.

As a fiber artist myself, I have an inherent love of handmade textiles and fabric goods, and there's nothing better than a well-crafted item with an inspiring story behind it. Frankly, I'm a bit envious of my pens' new threads, so I'll be visiting the SHEdesigns site for some accoutrements of my own. And as a bonus, with every order you place, you can add on a donated sanitary pad kit for women and girls in Nepal. You can make a difference AND spoil yourself at the same time. And your pens will feel spoiled, too.

(SHEdesigns Nepal provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on July 3, 2025 by Sarah Read and filed under SHEdesigns, Pen Case, Accessories Review.

SHEdesigns Pen Wrap Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

It's not every day that we get the pleasure of writing about a company that exists because of a non-profit program that teaches under-privileged people a skill from which they can earn a living, so that's why I'm really excited to tell you about SHEdesigns out of Nepal. The pen wrap that I've been using is actually from HelloTello — a custom pen maker out of Ohio who includes a pen wrap from SHEdesigns with every pen purchase. Here's a description of SHEdesigns' history and mission from their website:

The vision for SHEdesigns began in 2015 when a cross cultural worker from the US moved to a remote village of Nepal. It was a region that was known for staggering poverty and human trafficking. An initial survey revealed multiple risk factors that perpetuated the issues villagers were facing. Partnering with a local non-profit, they established a sewing program which grew into the business that SHEDesigns is today. This small initiative has had a huge impact – not only for the ten women who have been empowered through employment there but for the entire community surrounding them who have been affected in ways that will benefit generations to come!

This is the kind of inspiring and uplifting that I can get behind all day long. According to their website, they haven't quite launched to the public, but they're obviously hard at work making beautiful hand-sewn products. Purchasing a beautiful pen from HelloTello is a great way to get one of these pen wraps.

The pen wrap I have in front of me is a mostly medium red/gold color scheme that includes lots of shiny/reflective bits in the fabric and string. It's a thing of beauty that is both functional and a piece of art.

The pen wrap design is a pouch and flap that closes with a string. Simple but effective design! There's plenty of room for a single pen, and I'm sure you could stuff a couple more in if you wanted to. I prefer the idea that this wrap is meant for a single pen that has specific meaning or sentimental value over a more utilitarian case that's purpose is to hold as much stuff as possible. The exterior fabric is a lovely pattern with lots of right angles and rectangles of different shades of red and gold. Some of the thread is sparkly, which adds so much visual interest to the wrap.

Inside the wrap, the fabric is a velvet-like dark red or maroon that is really soft. The pouch that holds your pen actually has some stitching at either end of the opening to make it more secure. Instead of a large envelope opening, there's a a half inch pocket on each end of the pouch that the pen can slide into for some extra security. It's a thoughtful design that works great in practice.

Once your pen is in the sleeve, closing it and securing it a simple matter. Just wrap the string around the ca a couple times and tuck the string under itself with the help of the bead at the end. No need for any knots or double-tucks — the string stays secure with the friction created by one tuck, and that also means it's still easy to unwrap. After a little practice, the act of opening or closing the wrap takes just a second.

This is such a simple product that looks amazing and functions perfectly, but knowing where it came from makes it even more special. I'll enjoy telling the story to people that inevitably comment or compliment the wrap (happens often due to the eye-catching fabric), and I'll also look forward to supporting their shop directly when they open.

You can keep an eye on their website and their Instagram account for any news!

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!