Tom’s Studio
In conversation with Tom Gyr, owner of Tom's Studio in Bournemouth.
Hi Tom! What led you to start your own business?
Tom's Studio was born from a simple observation: my wife Gemma's plastic calligraphy pen was not up to par with the quality of her beautiful work. Drawing on my background in furniture and product design, I set out to craft a better pen that she would love using on a daily basis.
To my delight, Gemma was enamoured with the new pen, and when I shared a picture of it on Instagram, orders began pouring in. Fast forward six years, and Tom's Studio has grown into an incredible community of like-minded and highly creative individuals who share a passion for my products. While we may not yet be a household name, the support of our devoted customers has made our journey all the more rewarding.
What steps have you taken to become a sustainable business?
It's hard to believe, but did you know that every year, 10 billion disposable pens end up in landfills? It's a shocking waste that I'm passionate about fighting. That's why I design pens that are infinitely refillable and last a lifetime, helping to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Our most popular product is the Lumos, a refillable fineliner and brush pen that boasts 9 Japanese tips. Unlike other fineliners that are discarded once the ink runs out or the tip breaks, with the Lumos, all you need to do is replace a tiny tip or refill the reservoir with ink. It's a practical and eco-friendly solution that our customers love.
And we're not stopping there. Our next project is a refillable rollerball pen, which we can't wait to introduce to our customers soon.
What led to your decision to base your studio in Bournemouth?
After attending a friend's wedding in Bournemouth, my partner and I decided to take a chance and move here from London on a whim. We were immediately drawn to the area's stunning natural beauty, including the nearby sea and forest. And let's not forget the good quality ice cream, too!
But what truly won us over was the unpretentious yet thriving creative scene in Bournemouth. We were impressed by the many talented individuals and groups based here, even though they were too modest to brag about their accomplishments. However, we're thrilled to see that the town’s creative community is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Initiatives like Pier Journal, Southcoast Makers Market, and TOSH are just a few examples of the vibrant arts and culture scene that is bringing a newfound energy to the area.
What’s next for Tom’s Studio?
For the upcoming UK stationery show, I've decided to make a bold statement in support of sustainability. Taking a page from the punk ethos, I plan to construct a massive sign made entirely out of used disposable pens. With the message "10 billion pens are thrown away each year," my hope is to draw attention to the staggering waste created by the stationery industry.
This message will be displayed prominently at my booth, where I'll be rubbing elbows with some of the biggest brands and buyers in the business. While it may raise a few eyebrows and invite some controversy, I believe that it's important to challenge poor business practices and encourage industry leaders to make more sustainable choices.
Ultimately, I hope that by holding up a mirror to the wastefulness of disposable pens, I can inspire change and encourage big brands to step up and take responsibility for their impact on the environment. It's time for all of us in the stationery world to do our part to promote sustainability and protect the planet for future generations.
Website → tomsstudio.com
Instagram → @tomsstudio
