There has been such an incredible amount of support for Fire Quackers via social media and everyone following along as I shared photos as I was creating it. After finishing up the sculpture I felt like there was still more I could do to try and help drive more traffic into George’s Restaurant (the sponsored business) when the event goes live. But along with that I felt like I could do something that would also support a charity as well.

So I decided to create a commemorative enamel pin of Fire Quackers that could be sold at George’s. With a portion of the proceeds from each pin being donated to Freedom Service Dogs of America. This charity supports two things I love and believe in. The first is dogs – there is nothing better than owning a dog. They bring joy, happiness and support to all of us. And second is my strong belief in access and inclusion for all. I spent so much time advocating for access and inclusion while talking about the book Chicago Treasure and I wanted to take this opportunity with Fire Quackers to continue to making a difference.

Freedom Service Dogs of American train and provide service dogs at no cost to the recipient. Recipients included: Children, Adults, Veterans and Active Duty Military who are living with autism, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, muscular distrophy, multiple sclerosis, or post tramatic stress.

I love that not only does someone so deserving receive a dog that will help improve/change their life, but that a dog also finds a forever home. Plus I know friends who are living with some of these conditions who may someday need a service animal, and one lucky little boy who already has one! Here are just a few photos shared on the Freedom Service Dogs of America facebook page – profiling dog/recipient success stories – with your help in purchasing a pin I like to imagine we can help add another duo to that list!

With these goals in mind my first step was to work on a simplified sketch of the duck to transform into the pin design. Once I had the sketch to a point I knew I could build upon, I placed the sketch into Adobe Illustrator and began building the overall shapes and outlines that would eventually become the metal of the pin. I share a screen shot from within Adobe Illustrator below, showing the outlines for where the metal edges forming the different areas of the pin will be. And those will be filled in with the various colors of enamel per my design.

I mocked up the finished art to include what will be glitter enamel in the areas of the duck sculpture that are covered in rhinestones (beak and wing). And the pin will have an actual rhinestone placed into the center of the large firework burst at the neck as well.

I looked up several different pin companies and found that www.enamelpins.com offered an easy to understand website and all of the features I wanted my pin to include (glitter, gemstone, etc).

I emailed them my design idea late one night and by the next morning they replied back with a proof that was spot on to what I had in mind. (shown below). The pin will have a nickel metal finish, created with 6 colors hard enamel, and 3 colors of glitter. And will include the rhinestone diamond. To keep it from flipping around when pinned – I opted for two posts and clasps which will keep in nice and secure. The pin will be 1.5”x1.5” in size.

I immediately paid and got the order into production. Before I created this pin, I honestly had no idea the steps/work involved in actually creating pins. This video from the company I ordered these pins from, shows you each and every step involved. Including the hand painting of various enamel colors etc. It is fascinating to see what is involved. I highly recommend giving the video a watch so you can see for yourself!

Next I started looking into how other artists sell pins, what they charge, how they package them up, display them etc.

I watched a few YouTube videos and learned that an easy and inexpensive solution for the pin backer is to use standard business cards with custom art designs. So I pulled up the template from VistaPrint for the business card and started putting a design layout together.

I wanted the front of the card to point out that

$5 from every pin sold will be donated to the Freedom Service Dogs of America.

The pin will be attached to the backer card and then placed into a clear protective sleeve which I ordered from Clear Bags. I went with the 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ + Flap, Crystal Clear Protective Closure Bags (100 Pieces) [B2PC].

After everything was ordered the hard part came…waiting for it all to arrive!

As luck would have it the first thing to be delivered was the pins themselves! They arrived about a week or so earlier than had been promised so that was a real pleasant surprise indeed. I was almost nervous opening up the box they were shipped in, hoping that what I had dreamed up would be what I saw before me. And they did not disappoint!

Then a few days later the acrylic displays, signs for the displays arrived and backer cards all arrived. The pins were shipped in individual little zip lock bags. So I first had to remove them from the bags. Remove the clasps for them, and then begin attaching them onto the backer cards and putting the clasps back on.

It took me a few attempts of pushing the pins onto the backer card by hand to quickly realize I needed a better strategy. (ouch) So I grabbed the shipping box set a backer card on it and then pushed the pin down into that. It kept the card nice and smooth and also saved me from constantly jabbing myself in the finger with one of the sharp posts as they broke through.

For the pin counter top display, I really liked the acrylic small tiered rack by Clear Solutions (item 8323) so I ordered it. It will fit perfectly on the counter at George’s Restaurant.

For the top of the display I designed small 6”x6” plastic sign that provides the price, the charity info, and the sponsors who are making this all happen. The sign was also ordered from VistaPrint. Below you can see the sign details and the completed display rack.

Pins are $15.00 each and available for in person purchase only, while supplies last, at:

George’s Restaurant located at 990 N State St, Lockport, IL 60441

So stop out and see the Fire Quackers duck out in front of Georges (make sure take photos and tag me in them and use #firequackerslockport if you post to social media – I love seeing them all!. Then head inside Georges grab something to eat and buy a pin. Together we can support each other, local businesses, our communities, and someone in need of a lifelong companion and service dog.

That is what the spirit of Fire Quackers is all about – all of us united in support for each other!