ℹ️ About
Hey! I volunteered with the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic and started this not-for-profit micro-business during that time to create awareness for vaccination safety and raise some funds for NHS Charities Together at the same time.
Since the pandemic, I’ve expanded to raise money for other relevant and worthy charities.
Why pins? I’m not the type of person who runs marathons - I’m more likely found at the pub! 🍻 and it also allows me to experience selling physical goods online.
💰 Financials
I don’t make any profit from selling the pin badges - any surplus is either given to charity or reinvested into the next project. This is a hobby in addition to my full-time employment.
Since this is a micro-business, it isn’t currently registered for UK’s Value Added Tax (VAT) and I donate personally from my name so that the charities are eligible for GiftAid in addition to your donation.
🌱 Environmental impact
As far as I’m aware, all enamel pin badges are manufactured in China, and there’s currently no practical alternative. Many companies claim to be local but act only as intermediaries. Fortunately, enamel pins are lightweight and easy to transport.
Hard enamel badges are made from metal (usually copper) and coloured glass powder. There are eco-friendly pin badges made from “eco-metal” and available locally, but these have a different look and are of lower quality.
There is no plastic in the badges themselves. Each badge is packaged in a thin cellophane sleeve to protect it during storage and shipping. This prevents the sharp pin from scratching other badges or piercing the envelope, and helps the badge stay facing the right way. I use padded envelopes made from paper and plastic, which do take some effort to recycle. Once biodegradable padded envelopes become economically viable, I will make the switch.
Overall, hard enamel pin badges have a very low environmental footprint and, if cared for properly, can last a lifetime.
✉️ Contact me
If you’re looking for help with your order, please contact me through the website from which you purchased the product (Etsy or eBay). This will allow me to look up your order and keep any communication together on the same platform.
Are you interested in having me design an enamel pin badge for your charity? Get in touch via Etsy or eBay!