The Joshua Connection

The Wide Variety of Uses for Lapel Pins

Admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:37:08 +0000

Lapel pins are commonly used as a symbol of belonging in different organizations. Well-made and unique lapel pins on the employees or customers of both small and large companies catch people’s attention, bring recognition to a business, and distinguish one group from another. Lapel pins are even worn by members of Congress as badges of honor but also small security passes to what goes on inside of Capital Hill. They identify the Congressmen to the security guards which allow them to get inside the private meetings and members-only elevators and dining rooms. Lapel pins are a common way to show support for a cause or group. Handcrafted lapel pins can also make great gifts, be given as awards, or even sold as fundraisers. Recently, collecting and trading them has become a popular hobby. Lapel pins are a popular collectible that can be found in a large variety of themes, including special events, politics, places, and sports. When people visit an attraction such as Disney or the Hard Rock Café, they often buy lapel pins as souvenirs.

Fundraising Ideas for Your Organization

admin — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:31:39 +0000

Non-Profits, Sports, Schools, Churches, Cheerleader, Choirs, etc.

Their need for unique fundraising ideas is as important as the funds themselves. With constant competition between teams and clubs, finding fundraising ideas that will stand out among the car washes and candy drives, and be profitable, can be a challenge even to the most seasoned pro.

The Joshua Connection breaks the mold for fundraising ideas, by offering a large variety of lapel pins. These customizable, high quality lapel pins are a fundraising idea that has mass appeal and value that is enjoyed long after the sale.

By making custom lapel pins the cornerstone of your fundraising ideas, you are taking advantage of a low cost, high profit item that is sure to sell in large numbers!

Fundraising ideas that use lapel pins are great for:

Disaster Relief
Political Campains
Cheerleading squads
Marching Bands
School Sports – Volleyball, hockey, football, swim team, soccer, basketball, tennis
Booster Clubs
School Organizations – FBLA, DECA, Debate Club, National Honor Society
Police Departments
Fire Departments
Red Cross
Rotary
4-H Club
Elks
Humane Socieity

This list is endless for organizations that would benefit from extra funds.

Lapel pins by The Joshua Connection are versatile art that can be created to match any logo or sport icon and can be easily created in the schoold or organizations colors. The variety in lapel pins means that your group does not have to be stuck with cookie cutter items for their fundraising ideas.

Fundraising ideas that include lapel pins by The Joshua Connection are great impulse items to sell at concession stands, at the entrance to an event, or to patrons leaving local supermarkets and department stores who will appreciate the opportunity to support the school with their donations and receive a useful item in exchange.

Fundraising strategies that utilize lapel pins are sure to be a hit with kids as well as adults. Students love to load up their jackets, ball caps, and back packs with lapel pins that they have collected as a reflection of their personality and loyalties.

Pins are great for so many occasions.
Consider a pin from The Joshua Connection your custom lapel pin manufacturer when you are planning your next event or fundraiser, as an incentive or recognition for outstanding service, or for promoting your business or club.

Click here to see some of The Joshua Connection fundraising strategies

Fundraising Strategies for your Organization

admin — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:18:45 +0000

Creating a winning fundraising strategy can be a challenge at times. Fundraising strategies that include the sale of low cost, high profit lapel pins from The Joshua Connection are great way to generate funds for your organization.In an effort to help our valued customers generate the most sales from their custom lapel pins, The Joshua Connection wants to share some of our favorite fundraising strategies.

Fundraising Strategy #1: Lapel Pin Dress-Down Day
A twist on the traditional dress down day, the purchase of a lapel pin allows the buyer to enjoy a designated dress down day, provided the lapel pin is part of their attire.

Fundraising Strategy #2: Support Our Troops Day
Selling lapel pins that show support for our troops are not only a good fundraiser, but allow the buyer a chance to display their patriotism. An extension on this idea is to have the buyers sign a pre-written letter that will be sent to a military unit after your fundraising event.

Fundraising Strategy # 3: Balloon Pop
A twist on the carnival balloon game, have a wall of balloons set up with coupons or gift certificates hidden inside a small number of balloons. With the purchase of a lapel pin, the buyer gets to pop one balloon using the lapel pin to see if they won a prize. No matter what the outcome, the supporter still has their lapel pin as a keepsake to commemorate the fundraising event.

Fundraising Strategy #4: Charity Dance
Hold a dance as a fundraiser for your organization, but instead of using a rubberstamp as proof of paid entry, issue a lapel pin that signifies the fundraising event and serves as a fun keepsake.

Fundraising Strategy # 5: Pin Count
Fill a large jar with custom made lapel pins and charge people to guess how many pins are in the jar. The person that comes closest to the actual count without going over wins a grand prize and all participants get one of the lapel pins as a keepsake when the fundraising event is over.

Fundraising Strategy Outline
Three things you should remember when preparing for a fundraiser, plan, plan, and plan. A wise man once said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Following is a simple out line you can use to develop your fundraising program.

Develop a budget.
Don’t forget to add marketing expenses, postage, printing, office, telephone, etc.

Set Goals
How much money are you trying to raise? How much time will you devote to the project?

Evaluate your options for fundraising
What fundraising option will make the most sense in your market, community, or group? What will be the best way to realize your goals? Assess different companies/products. Make sure to ask for samples.

Operations
Who will be responsible for selling, administrating, supporting, and managing the project?
Marketing Plan
How are you going to market your fundraising strategy? Who is your target market? Will you market by Tradeshow, Publicity, Advertising, direct mail, or via the internet?

Feel free to contact us if you would like somefundraising ideas on how we can help you with your fundraising project.

A Brief History of Pins and Pin Making

admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 02:23:43 +0000

So you want to learn more about the fascinating process of pins and pin making? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Pull up a mousepad, grab a mug of green tea, and enter the world of pins…

History of Cloisonné
The history of cloisonné is confusing, as many cultures wish to lay claim to the invention or advancement of this beautiful art form. The French city of Limoges was renowned during the 16th century for intricate cloisonné painting, and the French word cloison, or cell, gives us the name cloisonné, from the metal cells which are filled with enamel. Russia made cloisonné famous in the 17th century, when Peter the Great commissioned miniatures of his portrait in enamel. Japan also has a unique and beautiful cloisonné tradition, and the earliest enamel on metal dates back to the 13th century B.C. on the Greek island of Cypress. But it was the Chinese who really became identified with this technique, and with its most advanced forms.

Read more about the history of cloisonné and enamel at these sites:

Traditional Chinese Culture in Taiwan
Glass on Metal Magazine
The Institute of Vitreous Enamellers – History of Enamel
The Cloisonné Collector – Japanese cloisonné

Pin Collecting
Pin collecting has swept the world like wildfire! Here are some sites about this consuming hobby:

Custom Baseball and Softball Trading Pins

admin — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:15:45 +0000

Custom Baseball
Pins and Trading Pins

Custom Made Baseball Pins, Softball, Soccer,
Basketball, Volleyball, Hockey and more!

The Boston Red Sox
issued baseball pins to commemorate the end of an 86 year World Series
drought. The Los Angeles Dodgers made baseball pins available to fans to
celebrate 50 years as an organization. The Baseball Hall of Fame had
baseball pins created to recognize this year’s hall of fame inductees.

Why would these organizations choose to use custom baseball trading pins as part of
their celebration?

Custom Baseball Pins are a Hot Commodity for Baseball Organizations

While not a new item to
baseball fans, baseball trading pins have grown in popularity as an item of
choice for collectors, challenging the more traditional baseball card for
popularity.

Part of the appeal of custom baseball trading pins is the flexibility they offer for display.

Durable baseball pins
used to adorn jackets, hats, and bat bags are just a small sampling for the
many uses of these colorful collectors’ items which have also found their
ways to stuffed animals, pennants and backpacks.

Trading baseball pins
has become one of the highlights of any Little League Tournament. Some would
say that the trading is just as much fun as playing the game!

The Joshua Connection: Premier Custom Lapel Pin Manufacturer

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:58:20 +0000

Why Lapel Pins?
Lapel pins are a natural fit as a gift or incentive when you are planning a special event, or looking for a distinctive item to promote your business. The Joshua Connection, with years of experience in this industry will help you. Here are some ideas to ponder when deciding if a pin is right for you:

What’s the appeal?
Pins are wearable art, that’s why so many people collect them. They have something special, something solid and permanent that you can feel when you hold one in your hand. You can wear a lapel pin to show your spirit without shouting it. They provide just the right mix of fun and dignity. Pins get your message across in a classy way.

Is a pin right for my club or event?
Pins take a little time to create, because they are so special and individual. Your custom pin will be something you can wear with pride for many years to come. They provide a lasting remembrance of your event, or a great gift to promote your business. Pins make it special, because they’re both tasteful and playful.

Examples of Opportunities to Use Pins

* Company Picnic
* Baseball Trading Pins
* Family Reunion
* 50th Birthday of our Club New
* Product Launch
* Salesman of the Month
* Perfect Safety Record
* Training Completed
* New Member
* Member Since 1980
* 20 Years of Service
* Shining Star
* Atta Boy
* Fundraising Strategies
* Political Campaigns
* Sports Medals

Pins are great for so many occasions. Consider a lapel pin from The Joshua Connection, your custom lapel pin manufacturer, when you are planning your next event or fundraiser, as an incentive or recognition for outstanding service, or for promoting your business or club.