Photos by Nathan Poppe
You might be wondering why I started chucking enamel pins on the interwebs.
Welp, I’m not 100 percent sure either, but I’ve at least got some answers that might satisfy curious onlookers. I’ve actually been collecting buttons and pins for years. I just kept the collection sorta tucked away.
I became more enthusiastic when I started exchanging pins with friends and co-workers. These pin pals inspired me to try making my own. A steadily growing subculture of pin lovers on Instagram proved to me that this is an actual thing. As did this New York Times article. I’m definitely not alone in this interest. Just search #pingame and you’ll be overwhelmed with the available options.
I quickly learned the pin world is like the wild West. Did you search that hashtag? There’s like a million lawsuits just waiting to happen.
So, I’m just having a good time sharing wearable art. Oklahoma City has grown in so many ways. These pins almost act as a reminder to pay attention to the little things and are a teensy extension of a wearer’s personality. More than anything, this project has got me drawing and learning how to manage a small business. It’s also a lot of fun. My dining room table is full of doodles and mailing supplies. Some day, I’ll actually eat there.
The pins I’ve sold so far have a connection to Oklahoma. I don’t know if that’ll always be the case, but I like sharing my appreciation for the Milk Bottle Building and Bill Paxton’s theatrical escapades. For some, it’s an affordable, warm reminder of home. I love hearing feedback like that. I’ll be creating small runs of these pins and then moving on to a new design after about a month. I’d also like to do special pins for one-day only events like I did with the Power House Sessions.
You can always see what’s available for sale here.
OKC retailers Blue Seven and DNA Galleries also sell my pins.
A special thanks to Christopher Crockett, Kalyn Barnoski, Brad Ulrich and Graham Lee Brewer for entertaining this idea and helping me along the way. I wouldn’t have even tried this without their help.
