As I wander this strange world of ours, I find myself noticing the many ways people show their love of pop cultury things. Something I’ve been seeing a lot out in the real world are enamel pins. They seem to come in any variation you can think of, from movie references to tiny cassette tapes to fake tattoos. They can capture a memorable moment from a TV show or meme, or they can be the sort of reference that only a handful of people would really get. The more niche, the better. And these days, what’s more niche than the Muppets? (I mean, they sure as heck aren’t mainstream. Not in the past few decades.).
The problem is, as far as I know there aren’t any official licensees who are making these enamel pins featuring the Muppet characters. Thankfully, there are plenty of people who’ve made bootleg pins (somehow… I don’t quite understand the science behind how they’re made) and are selling them on Etsy.
The end results are pretty awesome, and exactly the sort of stuff you’d expect from artists who took matters into their own hands and just made the pins you can’t find through official sources. Take a look below, and then maybe buy a few from the artists at Etsy.
It’s too bad I didn’t discover this one until after the holidays. It would’ve made a great stocking stuffer (or something to keep the stocking pinned to the wall).
So THAT’S how Beaker gets his hair like that.
I appreciate the detail of this one, especially the flourish on the border. It feels like we’re looking at Jareth and Sarah through a crystal ball.
I’m impressed by the design of this Jareth head. Sometimes you just need to get away from the photorealism and throw a hidden rainbow in David Bowie’s hair.
Careful, this pin is sharp on the front AND the back.
This pin is cute enough that I’ll allow the appearances of closed eyelids on both characters.
People sure do love that Worm! I wish I got as much attention for 3 minutes worth of work.
Can’t choose a favorite Muppet Baby for your pin? Don’t worry, this Etsy seller has you covered. Unless your favorite is Summer the Penguin. Then you’re on your own.
Is Animal playing the drums or poised to attack on this pin? Correct, it is both.
It’s nice to see an artist’s rendition of Kermit here, rather than another bit of stock photography or a tracing from a photo. (That said, I hope this isn’t stolen art, and that the original artist is being compensated for the pin sales.)
Me: Buy this pin. Also me: What he said.
Brilliant – this Firey pin is actually TWO pins! So you can place the head as close to or far away from the body as you’d like.
Doc Hopper’s French Fried Frog Legs
Isn’t it nice that you can buy merchandise for a forgotten fast food chain like this?
Hey, it’s Sir Didymus! This is a pin that sure doesn’t stink.
And another Didymus! I love the stained glass aspect to this one. It’s appropriately regal.
Surprisingly, this is the only Fraggle Rock pin I could find. Why not more Fraggle pin love?? Give me Fraggle pins!
It’s interesting to me that someone took a photo of Gonzo and Photoshopped him into the poster for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which was then trimmed to create a pin. The internet is weird and amazing.
How could you say no to that face??? That’s why I’m bringing this pin to my next loan application meeting at the bank.
One (slightly) unfortunate thing about many pins is that if they only have one pin backing, it can rotate unexpectedly. That wouldn’t be a problem for this one, which can shift depending on your mood.
What babe? What power? What is even happening???
Oh hey, the guards from Labyrinth! Or are they? I can never tell if they’re telling the truth or not.
Someone out there in the world loves the Wise Man from Labyrinth SO much that they need a pin to show off to the world. Perhaps that someone is YOU??
This may be the greatest use of enamel pinnery in the history of pins. Amazing.
Got enough Jareth pins? Well, how about Jareth disguised as the beggar goblin? Only REAL David Bowie fans would go this deep.
Remember how I said that people love the Labyrinth Worm? They love him so much, they don’t even need him to be on the pin.
Does this also work as a communicator, ala Star Trek? Even if it doesn’t, that’s how I plan to use it. Beam me up, Strangepork.
All of these pins are amazing, including this beautiful thing. And that is very much my business.
Finally, a pin that only people who read this site would understand, let alone choose to wear on their person. Miss Piggy and Joan Rivers, in one of the greatest Muppet movie scenes of all time. This pin will help you get one of those rotten, stinking men.
Happy shopping, gang! Let us know if you buy any of these amazing enamel pins!
Click here to wear it with pride on the ToughPigs forum!
by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com
