The Jeff Koons Balloon Dog Enamel Pin That Burst Our Bubble

A photo posted by Strike Gently Co. (@strikegentlyco) on

Sep 6, 2016 at 6:29pm PDT

As the founder of Strike Gently Co, I deal in pins and patches daily. 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.  

These days, I can barely keep up with pin releases. They’re out of control! On top of that, I walked by a few designer stores and found jackets covered in pins and patches that probably cost more than most pin artists’ salaries. We can’t pretend it’s not a trend anymore, so what does it mean? Everyone loves to make something their own, even those who spend $10k a day shopping in SoHo. It’s no longer enough to simply individuate through boutique shopping or even high fashion; but you can with a bunch of thoughtfully-chosen patches and pins. Embrace your need to be a special snowflake and check out my five favorite pin releases of the week, below:

A photo posted by @33threes on

Aug 29, 2016 at 7:59pm PDT

I don’t understand why I like this, but I do. It’s called the “Rude Dude” pin, and just look at this rude dude. So irreverent. When people talk about “branding,” this should be the gold standard. At least for me—this is my new brand.

$10.00 here.

A photo posted by GLITTERACY ART & DESIGN  (@glitteracy) on

Sep 1, 2016 at 5:19am PDT

I’m mostly just including this to piss off artsters who hate Jeff. It’s $12, whereas the MoMa gift shop “limited edition” version would cost at least $25. Glitteracy is brilliant for this one, since it’s a bootleg that can’t technically be written off as one, considering that Koons basically bootlegs items originally produced and envisioned by carnival clowns. It works on every level.

$12.00 here.

A photo posted by Streetwear Enamel Pins (@pinjongill) on

Sep 4, 2016 at 6:12pm PDT

Pin Jong Ill is one of the cleverest and most tasteful pin makers. They just released a Miami Vice set that includes a drug plane, 80s "brick" phone, and a Pyrex container, amongst other items. Their drawings are all cohesive and clean and everything they release looks great. Good on you, Pin Jong Ill. Good on you.

$12.95 here.

A photo posted by TOUGH TIMES (@toughtimespress) on

Sep 1, 2016 at 10:58am PDT

On a similar plane of excellence is Tough Times Press, who always seem to be pushing some sort of creative or productive boundary. They make pins that look like nothing I’ve seen before, with 3D molding, screenprinted imagery, glow in the dark pieces, etc. Instead of these coming across as gimmicks, they work conceptually as well. Tough Times keeps the pin game smart.

$12.00 here.

A photo posted by Jean-Paul (@thirdculture) on

Aug 19, 2016 at 4:30pm PDT

I post a lot of cartoon, art, and music bootlegs, but this is something unique. I don’t even know if it counts as a bootleg as much as a clever idea. Third Culture is a photographer by trade and a pin maker by hobby, from what I can discern. Serious photographers really like their film, whatever type it is, often spending more in a day on it than on food or personal hygeine. (Or maybe this is just my stupid New York art fantasy talking.) Anyway, these are great pins. When you buy them, you’re also supporting an artist! Get on it!

$12.00 here.

Ok, that’s it. Get 20% off my shop, Strike Gently Co, this week with code BOOTY.

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