Scatter pin back

Jewelry Discussion
1

I am working out the details of the design for a complex and
ambitious piece that I hope to work on while I am at my residency at
Ragdale Foundation starting next week. I feel it will be easiest to
fasten three pins that will be part of the piece if I use something
like a tie tack or scatter pin-- a straight “nail” that passes
through clothes and is capped on the inside.

The problem is, tie tack backs protrude too far. Typical scatter pin
backs lie flat enough, but are unacceptably ugly and tacky.

Can anyone help me find either a better-made product or an
attractive, flat-lying design I can make myself? I’d actually prefer
to make it but cannot see how to do it myself effectively and
attractively.

I appreciate any help!
Noel

2 
I feel it will be easiest to fasten three pins that will be part
of the piece if I use something like a tie tack or scatter
pin--[snip] Can anyone help me find either a better-made product or
an attractive, flat-lying design I can make myself?

I’m quoting myself above… There was no response to my query.
Really, no one has an idea? OK, well, I found what may work, at Otto
Frei. They carry something called a Posilock tie tack, which is only
3.5 x 6mm. Only in plat or yellow gold, not white, unfortunately, but
at least it is small. Has anyone used these? If so, do they stay on
well and come off easily when you want them to?

Thanks
Noel

3 
Really, no one has an idea

Noel, I have no idea what you’re trying to do. Maybe the ‘three
pins’ is confusing me. Elaborate? Is this three brooches that combine
into one? One brooch with three pinstems? If so why three?

4

Posilock tie tack, which is only 3.5 x 6mm. Only in plat or yellow
gold, not white.

Noel, I had an idea for your project but I have no idea what a
"scatter pin" is. Not sure what a Posilock is but I think Reactive
Metals sold something about that size which you could lock on a tie
tack or pin with a tiny allan wrench (I have a package of 6 of these
lock tubes). My first idea would be to drill a hole through one of
the tie tack backs which have wings to squeeze open/shut on the pin.
Then you could make the pin as short as needed, put a groove around
the pin where the wings grip for added security.

Second idea: I was also wondering if you could make a "stick pin"
kind of back, use a silicone earring nut secured into a precious
metal tube set with a cab or a “dangle” as part of the design
element. The point of the “stick pin” would be short, just barely
passing through the earring nut.

If that’s not clear, maybe I could find another way to describe it.
You could contact me off-list.

Donna in VA

5 
I'm quoting myself above... There was no response to my query.
Really, no one has an idea? OK, well, I found what may work, at
Otto Frei. They carry something called a Posilock tie tack

No, sorry. The three pin scatter pin idea sounded pretty good.

The Posilock looks good!

Elaine
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com

6 
I have no idea what you're trying to do. Maybe the 'three pins' is
confusing me. Elaborate?

Sure, OK, though it doesn’t seem relevant to the question, which was
either a source or a design for scatter-pin backs that are classy and
attractive, unlike commercial ones (and tie tack backs stick out too
far to be worn on a brooch directly in, say, a blouse).

The design is complex and ambitious, so I can’t adequately describe
it, plus it may never be fully realized (gonna try, though). It
involves a set of three pins that can be worn singly or linked
together, and which when not worn, will be the center of a sculptural
vessel. I’m sure that’s no less confusing. I’ve decided on a way to
link the three pins that allows the linkage not to show if they are
worn individually. Originally, I was just going to hinge them, but
then they couldn’t be separated. They need to fold into a triangle
for display…

Hmmm, I don’t think I’m making any headway here.

You’ll have to take my word for it that I need a simple attachment
like a scatter-pin (a straight “nail” that passes through the
garment, then is capped inside), and wait and see if I get this made.
I’ve been chewing on this design literally for years.

I once said to my husband, describing a piece, “This looks simple,
but it is actually quite difficult to make.” His response was “No,
no, no, you’re supposed to make things that LOOK difficult, but are
SIMPLE to make!” Well, this one will neither look, nor be, simple!!

Noel

7

I asked because its possible a tie tac type back may not be the best
choice. tac posts are thick (I dunno offhand…040-.050"??). Put
that thru a blouse and see what happens. Regular pinstems can be
made pretty thin if the clasp is good and the pin hardened. But you
need to accommodate for the design.

The Alpa system ear findings could be shortened easily and if you
like, put a safety cap over the hole in the nut where the point
would normally poke out. They are not the easiest to use but it’d be
easier than on an ear in a mirror. And they HOLD. If you decide you
like that idea I’d laser something up for you. (No torch on these,
would kill the spring).

8 
The Alpa system ear findings could be shortened easily and if you
like, put a safety cap over the hole in the nut where the point
would normally poke out. They are not the easiest to use but it'd
be easier than on an ear in a mirror. And they HOLD.

Expensive little buggers, aren’t they! This does look as though it
could work, if there is room on the post to sharpen it without
messing up the part the nut syncs into. Not adjustable, apparently,
for thickness of fabric (or ear), right?

I ordered the “Posilock” ones from Otto Frei-- they appear to work
similarly. I’ll see how they look when I get them. I very much
appreciate the laser offer, and I will keep it in mind. Thanks,

Noel

9

Noel: There are some some scatter pin backs that have flat surfaces,
made for blouses, and smooth against the skin. Have you seen those.
Sometimes I find that the pin is a little too long to fit snugly on
a blouse or thin sweater. So I use a removable “spacer”. I found some
very small soft things that are used to pad clip- on earrings They
are shaped like a little hat with a flat brim. I cut off the 'brim’
and have a perfect tiny circle with a hole in it. It fits nicely
over the pin and can be used on the outside of the clothing, between
the piece of jewelry and the pin or on the inside between the pin and
the catch. (I hope this is clear). I generally insert a brief note
the the package explaining how they are used. Might be a little
cumbersome however, when you are using three pins, but maybe you can
adapt them. For a permanent spacer, perhaps a tiny metal washer,
soldered on the back of the pin, would work.

The real problem that I have is that the pins are too thick. I think
they are really made for mens Lapel Pins or Tie Tacks and have never
been updated for use with womens jewelry. I too wish someone would
make scatter pin backs with thinner pins and matching clutches.
Anybody out there?

Sandra
Elegant Insects

10 
There are some some scatter pin backs that have flat surfaces, made
for blouses, and smooth against the skin.

Yes, I have seen some of these, but the ones I have seen have all
been low-quality, cheap and ugly. Do you have a source for ones that
would be at home on an expensive piece of jerwelry? That’s exactly
what I’m looking for! Or, as I said, a design for ones I can make.
The cheap ones are all steel and depend on stamper-steel’s
springiness, which I can’t see a way to work with and improve on.

Noel