As long as the sun continues to shine and the moon orbits the Earth, there will be wind, there will be tides.
Celebrate SUSTAINABLE ENERGY with these hard enamel pins
Encourage the exploration of better ways
to harness the power of sustainable sources
for the most impact on the energy grid
for the least impact on the planet.
sustainable
adjective
sus·tain·able | \ sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl
1: capable of being sustained
2a: of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged
“sustainable,” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainable. Accessed 6/12/2020.
Hard enamel pins celebrating mathematics
FAQs
Shipping within the United States
Free shipping
Allow 1 – 2 days for processing and 2 – 7 days for delivery. Tracking number will be provided whenever available. Carrier: United States Postal Service®
Please see Terms of Service for more information.
International Sales
Sales and shipping to other countries is not currently available.
Returns
Should you be dissatisfied with your order, please contact us within 3 days after the delivery confirmation date. Please see Terms of Service for more information.
Account vs Guest
You can checkout as a guest, without creating an account.
If you create an account you won’t have to re-enter your address and will be able to see past orders.
Pin Posts
Shipping packaging is designed to prevent damage in transit. Should the post on the back of the lapel pin be slightly bent on arrival, or should it bend during subsequent use, it can be gently straightened with pliers.
The post and the brad next to it are sharp. Not intended for use by young children or anyone to whom you would not hand a push-pin.
Custom Pins
Yes, we can design custom pins. Contact us to discuss how a unique pin can further your mission.
Wholesale and Licensing
Yes, we do wholesale, custom for wholesale, and design licensing. Contact us for a line sheet and to discuss your store’s needs.
Did I Place an Order?
If you think you have placed an order but do not receive an order confirmation email from us within 24 hours, and a confirmation of item shipped within 3 business days of order confirmation, please contact us in case the checkout process was not completed.
What is Hard Enamel?
Enameling is an ancient process by which powdered minerals and glass are laid on a metal base between raised metal lines, then fired in a kiln until melted and fused.
Modern-day enameling takes many forms. The two most common for today’s lapel pins are what are known as “soft” and “hard” enamel.
Both start with a die-struck or cast metal form with raised metal lines or ridges that delineate the borders between colors. The designer has to keep in mind all colors must be surrounded by metal; no two colors can touch. Commonly used metals are iron, zinc, copper, and brass. The rough pins are polished to remove burrs before inking. The base metal is plated to achieve the gold, silver, or other colors of metal desired.
Soft Enamel is most well known and commonly used for commemorative, participation, trading, or souvenir pins. Usually, the metal is plated before inking. Then, all the colors of enamel paint are applied in one layer inside the spaces between the ridges and fired at a low temperature to cure. Once cured, the colors remain recessed between the raised ridges, giving the pin an intriguing texture. Some pins are coated with a clear epoxy layer, which smooths out the texture but protects the enamel from wear.
Hard Enamel pins are more labor-intensive and take longer to make, usually one month from design approval to delivery. Glass and resin enamel is applied by hand in several layers and fired to fuse at high temperatures one color at a time. Different colors may need to be fired at different temperatures, starting with the highest first. At the end of the firings, the enamel is at the level or domed higher than the metal lines of the design, so the pin is hand polished to a flat surface. The pin is then plated and polished a final time. The result is a smooth, fine, durable finish.
Traditional cloisonné colors are limited to the natural materials of glass and minerals used. Modern hard enamels can use special resins to achieve a broader color palette.
As these are hand made, slight imperfections are in the nature of the artisan process. Polishing may cause differences in metal line thicknesses or slight differences in the finish across a broad area of enamel. There may be a bit of flashing on an edge or tiny inclusions in the enamel. We inspect every pin under magnification before allowing it into inventory. We do not sell pins with overt irregularities.
We hope that when you hold your pin, you will feel the connection to the earth through the materials it is made from, share the vision of the artist when you wear it and know you are supporting a tradition of small business and independent craftspersons.