Plug for Lucky Cat's Meow

Christy just started her first blog, so I thought I'd mention it on mine :)

Skinny Cat

This pin is one of several I own by the same artist. There's a look of pessimistic suspicion to the cat's face, reinforced by his rather pathetic stance: but that's often appropriate for any activity. I'm not a 'cat person' (or a 'dog person', for that matter - I'm a 'bird person'), so the animal matters less than its demeanour.

He's about 2" tall, and made of silver. I picked him today because he wouldn't damage the shirt I'm wearing: but it turns out my flight home is delayed, and I won't get in before midnight, so he turned out to be more apt than I expected.

The Fold

Bought this one directly from Roland Dubuc, at his studio/store in Montreal. This is one of the simpler pieces he's made, although there's a lot of subtlety in the texture of the silver which I can't bring out with a lo-rez iSight. I don't need a reason to wear this pin - I loved it as soon as I saw it.

All of his pieces are created from a single sheet of metal (gold, silver, whatever). As Roland's profile explains: "Each work begins as a drawing and a model then is transformed into a sheet of gold or silver, folded, twisted, knotted and refolded again."

Christy bought a more complex piece, which I think is achingly lovely - but she'll have to blog about that herself. Check out Roland's work - you won't be disappointed.

Running House

I got up at 6am to catch my flight to work, so I needed something a little cheerier than usual. The Running House did the job very nicely.

This is another Thomas Mann design, and a bit simpler than a lot of his other stuff. The arms and legs are screwed on to the house, and can be moved to different positions, so you can choose how frantic the house is. I also like that you can see my T-shirt through the door and windows.

Zebrawood

Most of my pins are made of metal, but this one's made of zebrawood, an exotic wood from Africa. It gets its name from the fact that the wood's grain really does look like a zebra's stripes. The pin plays on that by alternating slivers of dark and light wood to make the striped chevron pattern you see here.

The workmanship is extraordinary: the pin is actually a flat, slightly rounded surface, and it's silky smooth to the touch. The impression of there being hills and valleys arises from the chevron pattern. The pin was a gift from Caroline and Martin, who have an eye for this sort of thing.

The pin's pretty versatile. I wore it horizontally today (indicating my expectation of a neutral day), but I can rotate it 90 degrees clockwise for a stronger, shield-like effect (meaning "don't bug me"), or 90 degrees anti-clockwise for a tombstone effect (meaning "crap day in prospect").

Reedbox

Another of my favourite pins (and no, they're not ALL favourites). The Reedbox is a modern representation of, well, a box of reeds, which is apparently an Asian gift given to bring good luck.

The silver 'cage' represents a wooden or lacquer box, and holds loose rods of gold representing reeds, which would normally be bamboo, or a similar material. I pick this pin when I'm unsure about the day, or when I want to wear something more decorative and elegant than the Flying Pig.

The pin is a limited edition made and signed by Peggy R Cochran, who worked in Thomas Mann's studio before going it alone. I like a lot of her work, although most of her pins tend to be too big for a T-shirt to support. Happily, the Reedbox is a perfect size, at just under 2" tall by 1" wide. You'll be seeing this one again...

Owl in the Tree

One of my favourites, the photos don't do this pin justice. The picture of an owl peeping from green curtains is itself framed in a silver holder behind glass, attached to a silver tree. Six peridots stud the trunk and branches. But there's more.

Turn the pin over, and you see through a window in the tree to a picture of a sleeper beneath the moon. The back of the tree is as detailed as the front.

I often choose this pin when I'm pretty sure the day's going to go well. Christy and I took it easy all day, and we're going out to dinner with friends tonight, so a good pin for good times. It was designed by Dawn Estrin & George Wilson, who create lots of other lovely things too. Christmas is only five months away...

Man behind the pin?

The lovely Steph mentioned that she didn't realize how much thought went into the pin selection, reminding me that I'm misleading you a little... Bear in mind that I post my reasons hours AFTER the event, so what I write isn't actually what rushed through my head first thing in the morning. If I remember rightly, it was more like:

[Ant's half-open eyes are gazing at trays of pins in the semi-dark bedroom]
Shit, got that review today. Oh yeah, jester.
[Tries to put pin on shirt without stabbing himself through the heart]

What's your morning routine like? Posting is free, and can be anonymous if necessary ;)

Jester's Hat

Although this is a fun pin, with a chain and dangly bits, it also has some pretty sharp points and edges. I usually wear it when there's a chance that I'll be playing the role of Fool.

I'm submitting some work for review today, and I'm not wholly sure that it's going to go well, so the Hat was an obvious choice.

The pin was made and signed by Phillip Valdez, but I don't know anything about him (nor, apparently, does Google). The Hat's about 1" tall, and the chain hangs down 1". The front and chain are made of brass, I think, while the back layer is steel, and the whole thing's riveted together.

I don't want to talk with you...

... But I do want to leave you a message.

In these “always connected” times, there’s a handy service that enables you to call that special someone on their mobile phone, and leave a voice-mail without the inconvenience of actually talking with them.

When I shared this at work, several folks let me know of similar services, suggesting that it's not only me who feels a bit "bah, humbug" about total connectedness. I try not to be a grumpy geezer, but it's difficult at times...

Enamelled metal fish

I picked this pin because I knew I was about to have a "grin and bear it" kinda day - a project I'm wrestling with, plus a treadmill test with the cardiologist. While I'm grinning and bearing it, my pin grits its teeth on my behalf.

This fish is less angry than my "angry fish" pin (you'll see him soon, I'm sure), and the enamel body gives him a certain depth and colourful warmth which moderates his anger.

I sometimes wish I had an enamel body too...

And pigs might fly. Whenever I'm working on something that inspires that sentiment, I reach for the flying pig pin. It's not a lucky charm like a rabbit's foot, but it doesn't hurt to reassure oneself that imagination sometimes gives you - or a pig - wings.

Besides, the little guy's just so damn cute: 1.5" of silver goodness.

Christy asks: what about re-runs?

My collection of pins is limited. There'll be re-runs.
My reasons for wearing a pin are unlimited: but will they hold your attention?

Paula Scher's diagram of a blog suggests that, ultimately, I should expect the glass to be half empty...

The mask. Or helmet. Or something.

Felt the need for something substantial today, so went for the 2" hunk of metal. This one's a Thomas Mann design.