Step into the cabinet of curiosities with Pinned & Preserved: a new campaign featuring a beautiful line of scientific enamel pins that celebrate the beauty of insect pinning.

Insect pinning is a technique used to preserve and display insects for scientific study or collection. This is a practice that can be traced back to the early 18th century. Here's an example of what insect pinning looks like displayed~

The pins in this campaign are inspired by vintage field illustrations and features 3 XL pins and 2 mini pins to start off the campaign:

• A shimmering gold Pharaoh Cicada
• A regal gunmetal Three-horned Rhinoceros Beetle
• A poised gold & green Chinese Praying Mantis
• A petite dyed metal Fire Ant
• A tiny rainbow metal Bottle Fly

🪰 Pharaoh Cicada- Magicicada septendecim
Native to Canada and the United States

The 17-year Cicada spends nearly two decades underground slowly growing to maturity before emerging in huge swarms to mate. Cicadas sing during the hottest hours of a summer day because their ability to produce sound is linked to their body temperature and metabolism which is higher in warm conditions. 

• Gold metal 
• 2.5" wide (XL pin)
• Hard enamel
• 3 layers of screen printed details on eyes and exoskeleton

🐜 Imported Fire Ant- Solenopsis invicta
Native to South America

The Fire Ant is feared for its painful venomous sting and its aggressive territorial nature. They are incredibly strong for their size and are able to lift objects up to 20 times their own body weight. This enamel pin magnifies the fire ant’s anatomy as it would appear if it was big enough to be pinned in a collector’s display. 

• Red dyed metal 
• 1.5" mini pin

‼️ This dyed red metal mini pin is available as a FREE bonus for collectors of two or more specimens during Early Bird hours! ✨ 

Native to Southeast Asia

This species of Rhinoceros Beetle is celebrated for its remarkable size and strength, capable of lifting objects many times its own weight. These beetles are instantly recognizable by their massive horns which are used in battle for territory and mates.


Pin specs:

• Black Nickel metal 
• 3" wide (XL pin)
• Hard enamel
• 6 layers of screen printed details on wings and armored shell 

🙏🏼 Chinese Praying Mantis- Tenodera sinensis
Native to Asia and the nearby islands

The Chinese Mantis is common/invasive in the Eastern United States, and is a master predator known for its stealth and patience. Its slender, elegant body allows it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings.


Pin specs:

• Gold metal 
• 3" wide (XL pin)
• Hard enamel
• 5 layers of screen printed details on eyes, body, and wings 

Pin specs:

• Rainbow anodized metal 
• Varying colors of bottle fly species
• 1.5" mini pin

Each Rainbow metal pin is unique, here's some color variations the metal can become 💚🩵💙💜✨

Quick mockup of what the pin variants may look like (colors not accurate, but generally there's 3 main rainbow metal colors: green, blue, and purple

Add-on Shop Specimen #1:

✨ Lightning Bug/ Firefly *glow* mini pins! ✨ $20 for the 4pc set ($5 each pin~)

Add-on Shop Specimen #2:

💚 Luna Moth's Rebirth! ✨ $15- 2" pin with multiple layers of screen print!

This pin celebrates the end of the Luna Moth's life cycle. They do not have a mouth or digestive system, so their only purpose is to reproduce. I often find them in the fall time tattered from tumbling around <3

After the first few pins are unlocked, backers can decide on the next stretch goal pins to unlock in the new Community Poll here! 

Here's the top 4 winners from the 1st round of voting!:

Stretch Goal #1:
Death Hawk Moth

Stretch Goal #2:
Dragonfly

Stretch Goal #3:
Black Widow Spider (Arachnid)

Stretch Goal #3:
Egyptian Scarab Beetle

Edit: I think we have 2 clear winners from the last poll! 🎉

Here's the next batch of insect pins to unlock/decide the stretch goal order!!

• Honey Bee
• Walking Stick
• Centipede
• Monarch Butterfly
• Blue Morpho Butterfly
• Tailless Whip Scorpion
• Comment to add your suggestion!! 
• Orchid Mantis
• Madagascan sunset moth

Pledge during the first 48 hours to get the best Early Bird pricing and freebies! 🐜❤️

NEW Early Bird Collector Special Tier: 

• Includes (6) XL Insect Pins + (1) free Fire Ant mini pin!
• Choose any unlocked pin, including unlocked stretch goals!
• 7 pins for only $110! (This makes each XL pin only $18 each instead of $25 each~)

(Early Bird Tiers close on August 13th @3pm EST)

Early Bird Freebies! ❤️ 🐜

• Pledge during the first 48 hours to receive a free Fire Ant vinyl sticker!
• Backers who pledge for 2+ pins during Early Bird Hours will receive this tiny 1" mini pin for free! ❤️ 

Returning Backer Bonus! 🔥🪰 

• Returning Backers will receive a free Bottle Fly vinyl sticker as a thank you for your continued support :) <3

General timeline for the campaign:

• August 11th @3pm EST- Pinned & Preserved campaign launches!
• August 13th @3pm EST- After first 48 hours, Early Bird Tiers end
• September 9th @3pm EST- Campaign ends
• End of September- Backer surveys are sent out 
• Early October- Artwork proofs are approved and production begins after funds are received
• Late November Estimate- Pins shipped to me, quality checked, packaged, and shipped to you <3

Shipping information:

• US 1-4 pins: $6-8
• International: $20