The Best Pins in the World: #15

NEW PIN  designed for us by @greyxdays  strikegently.co 20% off $20+ this week only with code SPRING #pinstagram #pins #lapelpins #enamelpin #enamelpins #lapelpin #pingame #reaper

A photo posted by @strikegentlyco on May 11, 2016 at 6:49am PDT

As the founder of Strike Gently Co, I deal in pins and patches on a daily basis. The Creators Project asked me to pull together a weekly roundup of the best newly-released pins. Most of these will probably sell out. If you like them, smash that “add to cart” button. Every Wednesday, you can head to the bottom of this article for an exclusive discount code so you can keep your pin game sharp.  

The pin trend continues upward to the point where I don’t even think it’s a trend anymore. The sheer breadth of new designs and companies coming out of the woodwork makes me believe it's more than a bunch of hipsters marketing on Instagram; instead, this is the future of business. And it’s great. Whoever thought that the hypercorporate final frontier of the 21st-century internet would pave the way for the most DIY marketplace that’s existed since, well, ever? Grateful Dead shakedown shops and 80’s hardcore zine fairs come to mind, but those were niche markets. There’s a pin for everyone.

Scroll to the end of this article for a special 20% off discount code from Strike Gently Co.

A photo posted by Natelle Draws Stuff (@natelledrawsstuff) on May 6, 2016 at 3:25pm PDT

You know a good draughtsman when you see one—they can tactfully draw hands, facial subtleties and, you know, cat buttholes. Not only that, they can make 'em cute. This is one of the most remarkably cute pins I’ve ever seen. On top of that, it’s a set—one for you and one for your BFF Jill. Love ya, girl.

$18.20 here.

A photo posted by Je L'apel Emily (@jelapelemily) on May 2, 2016 at 9:20am PDT

While we’re on the cute motif, let’s take a second to talk about Furbies. As a child, I found them absolutely terrifying, the type of toy to become sentient in the wee hours of the morning, creep out of the closet, and hypnotize you into committing a series of horrible things. Like a cat butthole, a Furby is difficult to make cute, but Je L'apel Emily managed to do a wonderful job of it. I’d throw one of these on my backpack if for no other reason than to say, “I’m a 90s kid and I’ve overcome my morbid fear of Furbies.”

$9 each, here.

Put some respek on my pin. $10 - Link In bio. #stepupyourpingame #pingame #lapelpin #enamelpin #yourpinsucks #patchgame #incaseyoumisseditearlier

A photo posted by Francisco Reyes Jr. (@nevermade) on May 2, 2016 at 7:30pm PDT

This idea is simple, sure, but in the way that most contemporary art is basic, you’re just mad you didn’t do it first. It’s the pin equivalent of drawing a pipe and writing “this isn’t a pipe,” except in American. I’ve probably looked at 15,000 pins since starting this column, and most of them are pretty bad. That’s just by virtue of statistics—most everything is either average or below. The stuff that’s good is really good, and the stuff that makes fun of the bad stuff is mostly good, too. Thanks, Never Made.

$8 here.

A photo posted by Inner Decay (@innerdecay) on May 8, 2016 at 12:31pm PDT

Remember the end of Blade Runner when the Perfect Aryan Android admits he can’t feel feelings but is scared to die? Well, spoiler alert. Now you can make your friends think you’re cool by pretending to know the ending to Blade Runner with this new pin by Inner Decay, a variation on one of their classics. It’s perfectly designed, simple, and classy. I wear the red version on my jacket; it’s like a Ralph Lauren pony. Inner Decay will likely reach those heights (but cooler), so, props! Buy this pin to remind everyone that you could be a replicant.

$10 here.

A photo posted by Thunder N' Lightning Supply (@thundernlightning) on Apr 26, 2016 at 8:26am PDT

Let’s come back to real science, though. I’ve never had my palm read, but I wonder what sort of metaphysical juju is conjured by turning an age-old astrological practice into a commodity for teens on Etsy. I’ll reserve judgment, however, since I myself think this would look great on a jacket.

$10 here.

Thanks for reading. Check out my store, Strike Gently Co. We have six new pins up as well as a bunch of patches. 20% $20+ off this week with code SPRING.

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