Like many minor sports organizations, my daughter’s baseball league was facing a funding crunch last year. Many parents were facing some economic difficulties and as a result, the number of players was down and the league’s revenues were correspondingly lower. The board was on pins and needles as opening day approached, hoping they’d have enough cash on hand to cover all of the operating expenses. It was a close thing, but they managed. However, the one thing that had to be cut was trophies for the kids. And that was too bad, because much as kids enjoy playing the game just to have fun, there’s something about the custom of handing out trophies or even an award plaque at the end of the playoffs. Unfortunately, both of those can be expensive. Frankly, the ones that were handed out last year weren’t all that great anyway. They were largely plastic, with a gold paint that rubbed off. I remembered seeing an invoice through my company for promotional lapel pins and decided that this might be worth looking into.

I looked around locally, but couldn’t find any companies that offered custom lapel pins. There was one place about 50 miles away, but they sourced everything from China and didn’t use air shipping, so by the time I placed an order, it could be a month before I saw the pins. Not good enough. On top of it, they wanted to charge me a fortune to help set up the artwork and I don’t know how to design a lapel pin, so costs would have kept creeping up. When searching online, I came across pinpros.com and quickly realized that I’d hit the lapel pin jackpot.

There are roughly two hundred girls signed up for our baseball league this year and the ideal situation is to be able to offer each of them a small recognition of their sportsmanship and accomplishment that season. Pin Pros offered lapel pins that are made of durable metal with enamel paint baked on, at prices that are way cheaper than those plastic trophies. The thing is, a lapel pin looks a lot nicer, the kids will actually wear them (on their hats, shirts, shoes or even lapels) and they’re inexpensive enough that we can purchase them for every kid in the league. That way they all have a sense of achievement, not just the dozen or so on the team that took first place for the year.

Another nice thing about custom lapel pins is that parents and grandparents will also wear them in support of their kids. The more we talked about this, the better an idea it sounded. We were able to get 300 diecast soft enamel pins in a 2 inch size with the leagues’s logo for only $1.65 each through Pin Pros. These diecast pins were made in America and shipped within a week. We had one for each girl and sold the extra hundred to parents for $5 each, earning enough extra money to pay for year end party.

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Those with faith usually like to share it. Whether it be talking about the church they belong to or volunteering on its behalf, the faithful enjoy telling others about the sense of peace and belonging their church provides. Churches can build upon this enthusiasm and make spreading their message a little easier for members by outfitting them with lapel pins. Wearing a lapel pin that symbolizes one’s faith and home church can be a conversation starter and help attract new members.

A church – no matter the denomination or size – can create custom lapel pins for their members through PinPros.com. Church leaders simply go to PinPros.com. They first decide which type of lapel pin will work best for their church. They are available in hard enamel, soft enamel and photodome.

A hard enamel lapel pin is stamped out of brass metal and is die struck. It uses a paint fill, which is cured at a high temperature. The lapel pin is smoothed out to eliminate any borders or ridges. Soft enamel lapel pins use iron or copper as their base, providing churches with a less expensive option. The paint is air dried, creating a dimensional look.

After an attachment has been added to the pins, and they have been painted and polished the lapel pins are plated in either a silver or gold finish. Non-standard platings are also available.

Hard or soft enamel lapel pins range in size from ½ inch to two inches and can be delivered in two to three weeks.

Another option for church leaders to consider is the photodome lapel pin. The church’s design is printed on vinyl, which is then affixed to a flat piece of metal, either silver or gold in color. The pins get their name from the clear, acrylic dome – which is guaranteed not to yellow with age – that is placed atop the design to protect it.

Photodome pins come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are popular with churches wanting a quick turnaround time. PinPros.com can deliver these in two to four business days.

After looking at PinPros.com and deciding on a material and size, church leaders can request a free quote for their pins. A representative will return with a quote in one hour or less. It will include all costs associated with the church’s order. Orders start at a 50 pin quantity, and as the quantity of pins goes up, the price per lapel pin goes down. PinPros.com also has a live chat, which when used comes with a 5 percent discount on an order.

Since not every church may have a design perfect for a custom lapel pin, PinPros.com can create one. Browsing the website’s art and photo galleries also can help church leaders provide direction.

In addition to custom lapel pins, PinPros.com can put a church’s symbol on buttons, magnets, cuff links and other items. A religious symbol on any of the options PinPros.com provides will help a church spread its message and attract new members.

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As a woman we all know how important first impressions are. The first impression isn’t always about the first time people meet, it goes beyond that. First impressions are about the first time someone lays eyes on our ever so carefully chosen party dress. Even if we’ve known the attendee’s at the parties we attend for years, when we walk into a room we know right away if the outfit of choice is as stunning as we think it is, or if it is a horrifying wreck. Of course if it’s a wreck we always have an excuse for not looking up to par, but parties aren’t made for making excuses for our bad clothing decisions, they are for having fun, and being the center of attention for the right reasons.

Fashion is always a staple in a woman’s life. From the time spent shopping for the perfect party dress to finding the accessories that best compliment the ensemble, women make sure that they look good from head to toe at any given moment in the day. Being prepared for any and all situations is just part of being a woman, and that goes for her clothing as well. If you want to find out what your favorite stars are wearing on their nights out, and the designer dress they are wearing, Elle.com can be your guide in the designer dress department. You will read about what’s hot and what not, what’s new, and what’s coming back into style. You may even find the designer party dress that you just can’t live without. Want access to Elle’s designer sales? Become a member and take advantage of designer label sales for members only. Visit Elle.com today and see what you have been missing.

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