Enamel Pin Collecting and Becoming a Pinhead
Lapel pin collectors explore far and wide to find that one-of-a-kind trading pin - a great piece of memorabilia embodying the spirit of sports teams, special events, and clubs. With so many designs out there, creating an impressive collection is part 'treasure hunt' part adventure! Trading pins come in a variety of styles and shapes and are easy to collect.
Trading Pin Collecting
Gather your fellow pin fanatics – trading pins are the ideal way to express and share your passion for memorabilia! From Disney events, Cooperstown, or any other special occasion - explore a world of colorful mementos. Start building up an impressive collection today; guaranteed to bring enjoyment no matter when you look at it!
Trading pins are more than just a collectible item - they represent an entirely unique experience! Collectors can go on 'pin hunts' to find rare and exclusive designs, while making new friends with fellow enthusiasts along the way. It's as much about socializing and sharing experiences as it is collecting thrilling finds; trading pins encapsulates so many different hobbies all in one!
If you love lapel pins, chances are that you might be a pinhead.
Collectors of all kinds amass with unique and valued items such as art, stamps or coins, books and more. But a lapel pin collector? Take Dave Phillips from Edmonton, Canada. His collection of pins related to the popular Canadian sport of curling now numbers 9,301, he recently told the Edmonton Journal newspaper. And that's "just a small collection," he admits, adding that another pin collector "...from Hartney, Manitoba, has between 18 and 19 thousand pins. And there's a guy from Calgary...who must have 25,000 of them." Phillips says it's his love of curling that motivated him to join the "pinhead" community built around the sport.
Collecting Enamel Pins & Design
Enamel pins have surged in popularity, becoming a go-to hobby for many. These attractive and eye-catching pieces come in an array of styles from cute to edgy - ranging from pop culture references to social causes - allowing everyone the chance to make their own personal statement while expressing interests or supporting favorite beliefs. On top of being affordable, it's never been easier (or more fun!) collecting enamel pins; with new designs coming constantly, there is no shortage when it comes time to adding something special and unique to one’s collection!
Designing enamel pins is kind of like creating a tiny work of art - just with more metal and less paint. You'll need to channel your inner Picasso and make sure you get the details right, or you might end up with a pin that looks like it was made by a kindergartener. Just kidding, kindergarteners are actually pretty talented these days!
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See All Styles
We have a wide selection of styles. We offer the most popular styles in our gallery for you to choose from.
Here are some expert tips for the beginning pin collector:
Zero In On What You Love. Whether it's politics, sports, religion, your college alma mater, or frequent trips to far off places, take a minute to ask yourself, what are you passionate about? If you can name it, chances are there are pins you can collect that go along with it.
Pin collector Mike Brown grew up near Lake Placid, NY, home of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. He had a small collection of sports-themed lapel pins from his favorite sports teams, but when he stumbled across a 1980 Olympics pin at a pin swap meet he attended, he knew he had found his true passion. "For me, seeing that 1980s Olympics logo again made me remember how exciting it was to live through that time, and really, how much I love the Olympics. From that one pin, I collected others from the 1980 games and then began to branch out to other games. I enjoy this kind of pin collecting because each time there's a new Olympics, you get a chance to catch the fever all over again." says Brown, who traveled to London last summer just to attend pin collecting meets held at the Coca-Cola Official Olympic Pin Trading Centre.
Collecting of Olympics pins
Perhaps it was finding the collection of Olympics pins your father had collected for decades. Or maybe you and your family visited Disney World and got hooked on the theme park's popular pin trading tradition. Or you may be interested in collecting memorabilia from your favorite sports teams but are looking to go beyond the usual t-shirts and hats. Collecting can be a fun and sometimes profitable hobby, and it's also a great way to socialize and connect with like-minded "pinheads" from around the world The point of collecting random ? It will help you have something to bring to the table when you first attend a pin collectors' meeting or pin collecting swap meet. You may not be terribly interested in collected pins showcasing businesses in your area, but someone you meet might be, and this can form the basis of your first trade. Whatever grouping of pins you manage to come up with, display them neatly by pinning to a piece of black velvet, or investing in a special pin case to house your wares.
Inventory The Pins You Have:
If you're looking to build a stylish pin collection, start by sifting through drawers and jewelry boxes for any forgotten lapel pins. Strike up conversations at events where businesses may be giving out promotional goods - don't forget to ask if they have any spare pins! And it never hurts to hit up friends or family who might still hang on their extras after parting ways with them.
The point of collecting random pins for trading? It will help you have something to bring to the table when you first attend a pin collectors' meeting or pin collecting swap meet. You may not be terribly interested in collected pins showcasing businesses in your area, but someone you meet might be, and this can form the basis of your first trade. Whatever grouping of pins you manage to come up with, display them neatly by pinning to a piece of black velvet, or investing in a special pin case to house your wares.
Read Up on Lapel Pin Values
Before attending a specialty pin collecting meet or buying a collection of lapel pins online, take some time to read up on the worth of certain lapel pins and make a "wish list" of pin favorites. Depending on your arena of pin collecting, some of the best books on lapel pin values include:
- Tomart's 6th Edition Disney guide to pin collecting: Which includes everything you need to know about Disney pins and the Disney "pinhead" community.
- The Unauthorized Guide to Olympic Pins & Memorabilia (Schiffer Book for Collectors) Published in 2001, this book is still a great resource guide because it shows you what older Olympic pins look like, thus making it less likely for you to get hoodwinked by a dishonest pin trader.
- 200 Years of Political Campaign Collectibles: If you plan to start a political button and pin collection, this book can help familiarize you with what you are looking for, from America's first elections through to more recent times.
Attend Your First Pin Trading Meetup
Finally, it's time to find out what it is about the pinhead trading and collecting community that makes it so addictive! Pin meets are competitive, fun, and very social events that can help you meet pin collectors from near and far as you start taking part in this embracing hobby. Look at online pin collecting message boards for pin collecting events in your area.
Sports collectible swap meets tend to have areas just for pin trades and pin sellers. Disney pin trading nights are also held in locations across the country (sponsored by local Disney pin collecting clubs) as well as at Disney properties worldwide. If you liked this post, stay tuned for more in our "Guide to Becoming a Pinhead" series!