Two Cabinet of Curiosities Pins, Two Different Stories
If you collect enamel pins that tell a story, the Fairy Bottle Enamel Pin and the Mysterious Egg Specimen Enamel Pin both come from artists who love oddities and magic. But they wear differently on a jacket or lapel. Here's what the catalog confirms about each, so you can choose the one that matches your personal collection.
What the Catalog Confirms About Each Pin
- Fairy Bottle Enamel Pin: Fairy Bottle Enamel Pin: hard enamel, approx 1.25" tall, gold-toned metal, single post with rubber backing. From Camilla Watson Art, a Portland-based illustrator. The smaller size and single post make it a lighter, simpler pin for a lapel or bag. Hard enamel gives a smooth, glossy finish that resists scratches.
Fairy Bottle Enamel Pin - Mysterious Egg Specimen Enamel Pin: Mysterious Egg Specimen Enamel Pin: approx 1.7" tall, gold-toned metal, hard and soft enamel colors, two silicone pin backings to keep it upright. From Royarach, an AAPI artist in California. The taller, detailed design with two backings keeps the egg upright on fabric. The mix of hard and soft enamel adds texture to the cracked egg and creature inside.
Mysterious Egg Specimen Enamel Pin
Key Differences at a Glance
Both pins are gold-toned and whimsical, but they suit different display styles.
- Size and presence: The Mysterious Egg Specimen Pin is about 1.7" tall — noticeably larger than the Fairy Bottle at 1.25". If you want a pin that stands out, the egg has more visual weight.
- Stability on fabric: The egg pin uses two silicone backings to keep it upright, which is helpful for a design that should not tilt. The fairy bottle has a single post with rubber backing — adequate for most lapels but may spin on loose-weave fabrics.
- Enamel finish: The fairy bottle is hard enamel (smooth, glossy). The egg uses both hard and soft enamel, creating subtle texture differences between the shell and the creature. This is a personal preference: smooth vs. tactile.
- Artistic background: Camilla Watson (fairy bottle) focuses on whimsical, magical illustrations. Royarach (egg) draws from natural history and oddities collections. Both are independent artists, so you also support small creators.
Which Pin Fits Your Style?
Choose the Fairy Bottle Enamel Pin if you prefer a smaller, simpler design with a smooth hard enamel finish — perfect for a subtle magical accent on a lapel or hat. Choose the Mysterious Egg Specimen Pin if you want a larger, more detailed piece with texture and a stable upright display on a jacket or bag. Both are conversation starters, but the egg's two-backing system makes it better for keeping a specific orientation.
What the Records Don't Tell You
The catalog does not specify the metal type beyond gold-toned, so treat both as costume jewelry. No care instructions are provided, but standard enamel pin care (avoid bending, keep dry) applies. The fairy bottle's single post may not hold as securely on very thick fabric, while the egg's two posts offer more stability. Neither pin is confirmed as waterproof, so remove before washing.
