Category Archives: Collections

We just came across an outstanding group of Puyallup Fair pins, and several of them are genuinely hard to find. The fair has been a Northwest tradition since 1900 in Puyallup, Washington, and was officially renamed the Washington State Fair in 2013. In total, 18 new pins have been added to the shop, including multiple designs featuring Big Washington, or Big WA for short, the fair’s friendly sasquatch and Bigfoot-inspired mascot.

Among the most interesting pieces are the vintage staff pins. These were never offered for public sale and were issued exclusively to employees, making them especially desirable. The 1986 Running Wild staff pin is a standout from the group and well worth a closer look.

My personal favorite, however, is the 2016 Collector pin. It features a playful farm scene with a cow sticking out its tongue, a smiling pig, and a chicken, perfectly capturing the fun and agricultural spirit of the fair. Below are just a couple of the new pins added yesterday.

Be sure to check out all of our Puyallup Fair and Washington State Fair Pins, as well as our entire Festival, Parades and Fairs pins collection for even more items from across the county.

If you are looking to purchase any US Figure Skating pins, look no further – we have a massive selection. A total of 19 different pins have just been added, including 3 Olympic destination pins, several USFSA logo pins, and multiple year-specific designs. Best of all, there are all sorts of different styles available.

While there are pins from plenty of different years, the ones geared toward the Olympics are definitely worth checking out. My favorite of the Olympic pins is the 2018 Together pin. It features a sleek silver finish with a multicolored design that really stands out. Another favorite from this group is the Destination Beijing pin, with its white background and multicolored figure skater design.

I think my personal favorites of the bunch are the few pins that do not have a specific year on them, as they are perfect for everyday wear. For example, the Snowflake lapel pin. It features a deep blue background with a large white snowflake along with the USFSA logo at the center. I only have 3 of these available, so do not miss out if you are interested.

Next up is the Lights and Crowd pin. This black lapel pin features a figure skater in the air in front of a large crowd, with show lights shining down from above. This one is really cool, but unfortunately I only have 2 of this specific pin available.

Last but certainly not least are the year-specific US Figure Skating Team USA pins. If you are working on finishing your collection, or just getting started, these are great options to lock down. Each one represents a specific year or season, which makes them especially collectible if you are trying to track down certain years or build a complete run.

The designs vary from year to year, with different color schemes and layouts. Some are bold and patriotic, while others keep things clean and simple. Either way, they are a great way to mark a specific era in US Figure Skating and add some depth to your collection.

You can find all 19 US Figure Skating Team USA pins by clicking here. While you are at it, be sure to check out our full Olympics pin collection, which now includes over 100 different pins currently available for sale.

One of my favorite types of pins to come across are school of nursing pins from hospitals and universities. They are fairly uncommon, as most graduates hold on to these mementos, especially when they are made of solid gold. A few that I recently had have already sold, but I included them here in case anyone wanted to see them.

My favorite of the group by far is the Mounds Midway School of Nursing pin brooch shown below. It features a detailed, multi-layered design complete with an oil lamp, textbook, and branch. The lamp likely represents guidance through difficult times, while the textbook reflects education, proven techniques, and continued learning. The branch most likely symbolizes honor and integrity. Mounds Midway, now known as Bethel College, is located in St. Paul, Minnesota.

My second favorite is the Hackley Hospital School of Nursing pin brooch. The wreath detail and green enamel on the top really set it apart visually. This one is not solid gold, but rather 1/10 10K gold-filled.

Be sure to check out our complete collection of vintage nursing pins, along with our larger collection of over 100 medical-related pins.

Trader Joe’s was founded in Pasadena in 1967, making its long-standing connection to the Rose Parade, held annually on New Year’s Day, a natural fit. Over the years, the company has become a familiar presence at the parade, known for producing some of the most colorful and imaginative floats, and of course – amazing Trader Joe’s Rose Parade pins!

Trader Joe’s has participated in the Rose Parade for more than 20 years and I believe have released a commemorative pin for most of those appearances. These pins have grown into some of the most recognizable and sought-after Rose Parade collectibles, appreciated for their creative and over-the-top themes, bold colors, and high quality enamel craftsmanship.

Below is our current selection of Trader Joe’s Rose Parade pins, including notable examples such as the 2007 sea life pin and the 2009 Godzilla with popcorn pin. Each design reflects the playful branding and inventive spirit Trader Joe’s brings to the parade year after year, securing these pins a lasting place in Rose Parade pin history. You can always find our most up-to-date pin offering by browsing our Trader Joe’s pins.

If you have a favorite Trader Joe’s Rose Parade pin or a float that stands out in your memory, we invite you to share it in the comments below. Whether it is a specific year, design, or theme that caught your attention, let us know!

Since we are based in Seattle, we come across a ton of local pins. Our collection includes everything from cool enamel pins featuring the Space Needle to the Mariners, Seahawks, local restaurants, Starbucks, and of course, Pike Place Market. Right now, we have over 150 Seattle-themed pins for sale, with many more arriving soon.

If you’re a sports fan, you have to check out our collection of Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners pins. For the Seahawks, we carry 5, 10, and 15-year season ticket holder pins, which are quite rare, along with jersey and helmet pins. In the Mariners section, you’ll find a Kingdome employee pin, several spring training pins from Arizona, a cute Mariners Teddy Bear pin, and a couple of Safeco Field employee service pins.

Other great enamel pins include King County Metro pins, specifically a Breda Coach pin and an extremely rare Operator of the Month pin, two pins from Pike Place Market, and a wide selection of Sea Fair pins. We even have a ton of vintage Boeing pins!

Be sure to browse our full Seattle pin collection, featuring pieces across many different categories.

A few of my favorite Seattle pins, both vintage and modern!