This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
You might think that there is no such a thing as a perfect push pin, but you would be wrong. First, the pin has to be functional – decent quality with a nice sharp point and a securely attached head that won't pop off the moment you apply a little pressure. But, more than those prosaic details, the perfect push pin should make you smile. It should brighten your noticeboard and add jaunty detail to whatever you have pinned there. That way, even when you are pinning up scribbled notes for your banjaxed story or rejection slips for your latest novel, you will have something cheery to do it with.
1. I'm starting with my favourite. These push pins in the shape of medieval weaponry are perfect for securing unwanted pieces of paper such as tax returns or credit card bills. I mean, who hasn't wanted to chuck an axe at those? A pack of ten pins costs around £6 from Mental Floss.
2. I have a real weakness for all things crafty and haberdashery is no exception. These cute button push pins from Cox & Cox are available in either blues or pinks and cost £11.50 for the set.
3. Oh my, I can see my days disappearing as I endlessly rearrange these adorable ladybird push pins on my noticeboard. I bet they'd like the duck and turtle varieties to join them, too… you know, just to keep them company. Luckily, the pins are just £2 for a pack of twenty from Paperchase.
4. For the more sophisticated amongst you, these handcrafted fabric-covered pins will lend an air of refinement to your paperwork. A set of six pins (in a gift box) costs £9.99 and there is a choice of patterns and colours. Available from Not On The High Street.
5. These wooden push pins measure an inch across and have encouraging words such as 'create' and 'smile' to spur you on while you work. Seven pins cost around £5 and, for those who use their fridge as a noticeboard, they are also available as magnets. From Design Shoppe on Etsy.