The Pin Board

Feb.12.2012
with Anthony Medina

Good morning fellow pin enthusiasts, welcome to the beginning of an exciting new era in pin collecting and trading! As the 'buck stops here' editor of PinPics it is my pleasure to introduce you to the first, of what will be many, new journal entries for the pin community. Brace yourself for a series of pin-related musings, rumors, and exciting announcements. Nestle in that comfy chair and let's go for a spin.

Where to begin? The first journal entry is always the toughest given the backlog of news and information that I'm dying to let you know about, but I'll try and keep it reasonable enough for you to read whilst sipping on that java. Let me begin with a few announcements near and dear, about what is going on behind the scenes here at PinPics.

Change can be a scary thing and rumors have certainly been flying about this flagship of trading and information so let's get right to it. First and foremost, everyone here at PinPics is a pin lover at heart, and we share the same frustrations and concerns as all of you. It is our resolve to help bring pin collecting and trading well beyond what many would call the glory days of yesteryear when counterfeits and scrappers were not on the tips of people's tongues. It frustrates me every time I interact in this magnificent community and see the breakdown of a hardened veteran, ready to throw in the towel after so many years of battle and expectation. This is why it is all the more exciting to witness the arrival of a new wave of professionalism and enthusiasm that is coming to this great art form, one that will assure its rightful place amongst the world's most respected collectibles. It sure is an exciting time in pinland and it's going to be my pleasure to tell you all about these developments over the next few journals, culminating in the relaunch of this website in the early spring that I'm sure will blow your mind!

Firstly, PinPics will be merging with PinTalk to create a more entertaining atmosphere for you whilst browsing and maintaining pins. You'll have easier access to new journals, information, and be able to see what other collectors are getting excited about. While the core of PinPics will always remain free for all to use, we will also be offering a few premium options for the more serious collectors out there who just can't get enough. PinPics is also adding a place for you to shop cool accessories, books and all things pins. It is our hope that through these additional services PinPics can be financially self-sustaining and grow.

Looking for more trade possibilities? PinPics is expanding into the worldwide market of Disney and international pins. We are rolling out native sites in Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, French and Mandarin. You will have the option of moderated trades. A true global community of pin lovers.

The staff here at PinPics have over twenty years experience working with fine art and collectibles, and close to forty years with enamel engineering. When I first got hooked on pins it was immediately evident, as I am sure it was with most of you, that there was something special about these unassuming little pieces of metal and enamel. They were unique works of art with little or no public recognition. There may be some who want to keep it their own little secret, but all great art eventually gets discovered and hopefully for the talented artists who created these incredible pins it will not be in memoriam!

It is our background and continued love affair with pins that has led us to our new home. Pinpics founders Susan (Figgy) and Britt laid an amazing and generous foundation for pin education and information distribution with their efforts. Now we are seeing their vision through to a new level of technology and ease of use. Newbie or veteran, you'll find an entertaining and professional approach to our hobby. There's gonna be a "wow" heard in pinland and it's coming soon!

A new Adventure for Pin Pics

(8 Feb 2012) When we first started PinPics over 12 years ago we never envisioned it would become the website it is. PinPics has been my baby, my headache, my heartache, and my joy. It has been so many things to me over the years that I feel like I raised an infant to adulthood and it is now time to let it go and fly on its own.

Read about these exciting new developments on the thread at PinTalk.

Join us in welcoming Anthony and Samantha Medina to the Pin Pics team!

(28 Dec 2011) Lansam is proud to be sponsoring this site, not only to keep it free and available to all pin collectors, new and old, but also to help make it a better place for all who come seeking information on Disney pins. We are excited to begin this journey along with Figgy, to enrich the data already on Pinpics and to combat the rampant counterfeit and scrapper issues we face as collectors today. We have seen this issue plague the pin community for too long and with no structured means of fighting back. We are ready to forge a path for the benefit of all honest collectors, and to establish a secure place to guide all who have found themselves caught in the trading whirlwind with no compass to follow.

We will be working tediously to gather information and to connect with all who are prepared to assist in this ambitious campaign. We feel that this hobby is truly an appreciation for a unique art form that has taken root in us all. We intend to help it flourish into a recognized and respected collectible field. Lansam would like to thank Figgy for this extraordinary opportunity and all of the collectors who have made Disney pins what they are today.

More information can be found in This Pin Talk Thread

Samantha