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:

33 Threes
 

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.

Glitteracy
 

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.

Pin Jong Ill
 

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.

Tough Times Press
 

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.

Third Culture
 

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.

Related:

Grateful Dead Skull + “Solo Jazz” Design = Best Pin of The Week

‘Tom From Myspace’ and Other Perfect Back-to-School Enamel Pins

The ‘Stinky Cheese Man’ and Other Enamel Pins That Stick