Are you ready for the famous Lute’s Casino pin swap? I am.
Last year I did a post with pictures of my favorite pins. This year I just
wanted to tell a brief story about my pin process for any newbies who are
interested in getting started and getting involved.
First, take any idea that seems doable and get cracking. You
will need more time than you think to fabricate even the simplest of pins. I am
a notoriously untalented craftsperson and have made some of the faultiest pins
ever in the history of the Yuma Pin swap. Since any pin that someone is kind
enough to share with me is a total gift I am inclined to the egalitarian
principle of first come first served, and give my pins to the first fifty people
who ask.
In fact, I set that number and goal years ago when faced
with the daunting reality of coveting pins from some of the most talented
makers in the country. That is why they invented the auction. It is an amazing
way to help the Symposium stay financially solvent AND a terrific way to
acquire the most beautiful pins from the event. It kind of put the pin slobs
like me on an even footing with the pin elite and has allowed me the pleasure
of dabbling in the fierce hot competition of bidding for my favorite pieces.
Last year I was actually pleased enough with my pin, a
screen printed silk flower with political undertones, to keep two of the best
and offer them to the pin auction. I was thrilled that someone bid on them and
took them home.
This year I’ve made four pins as a set. I set out with the
theme of ‘35 Pins’ in honor of our 35th anniversary. I was going to
make all of the pieces out of 35 safety pins. My idea took on several
permutations and in the end I fell short by one and finished 34 pins with some
kind of reference to the number 35 or pins. Anyway, it was fun.
That leaves me with 30 to trade. I’m trying an economic
principle of supply and demand. I hope it works and that due to the short
supply, someone will be wild to acquire my auction pins and they will demand a
higher price. But let’s get real, and please, take pity on my pin pride! On
Friday night when you see my bid sheet is blank, throw me a bone and bid my
pins up. I’ve got some serious competition, and every bid is for a good cause.
So, if you are new to the Symposium, or if you have been
dragging your feet, it’s not too late to make a few pins and get in on the fun.
And for the thirty of you who get to registration early, well, I’ve still got a
pin for you.
--Teresa
Burgher
Executive
Committee,
Yuma
Symposium Board of Directors
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