12 Pencil Cups with Personality

While I just use a favorite mug for my pencil cup, there are some lovely options out there for those who want a "real" pencil cup. There are options in many materials, from many countries; here are just a few examples.




You can get one made from Japanese paper - and it folds flat for storage.




Or you could get a beaded pencil cup from Kenya. Update on Sept. 8, 2013: I'm no longer finding this cup.




This silk-covered pencil holder comes from Cambodia. Update on Nov. 7, 2010: I can no longer find a site selling this one.




And this one is made from Japanese newspapers. Update on Sept. 12, 2011: I'm no longer finding this one.



Here's a very different look, from Boutique pilepoil in France. Update on August 26, 2009: I can no longer find this one online.




And here's an Italian design from Danese Milano. Update on August 26, 2009: I no longer see this on the Danese Milano web site.




You can get one made from maple (plus a number of other woods). Update on Jan. 22, 2013: The company that was making these, Wooden Images, doesn't seem to make them any more.




Or you could get one made from myrtlewood. And there are other wood options here. Update on Nov. 7, 2010: The myrtlewood pencil cup is no longer available.




This glass pen cup looks stunning - and expensive. Update on August 26, 2009: This site selling this pencil cup has closed.




This Nantucket basket pencil holder has a ceramic liner. [via Dose of Design]




This lovely option comes to us from Pierre Deux; it's also available in green and red. Update on Jan. 22, 2013: Pierre Deux has gone out of business.




Finally, over on Etsy, botanicraft has some stoneware pencil cups well worth a look.