Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably retaining an expendable medium for writing or drawing such as for a crayon core, a wax or oil based pencil (colored pencil) core, a chalk core or a pastel core includes a tubular barrel, at least one elongated arcuate body element, and a follower in abutting engagement with a portion of the body. The follower has a helical surface feature corresponding with spaced surface features of the body. The follower is configured to receive a non-writing end of an expendable core. The apparatus is configured such that the outer barrel of the apparatus can be made from a paper based material such as paperboard or other fibrous material that is more eco-friendly than other material such as plastics.