Thursday, March 5, 2015

Pin Money

It's hard to imagine that there was a time when woman didn't have money of their own. Some resorted to selling eggs or taking in sewing or laundry, but often that money went for shoes for the children or other necessities of life that couldn't be afforded otherwise. More fortunate women might be given small amounts of money on a regular basis, sort of like an allowance, that they could use for non-essentials, like hair ribbons, barrettes, gloves, and trinkets. Many called this money, "Pin Money." 

I first heard of this term from my mother-in-law, Katie, who kept pin money, and I have heard a few older women speak of it as well. The term is believed to have originated in the time of Henry the VIII:

      Catherine Howard, wife of Henry VIII., introduced pins into England from France. As they         were expensive at first, a separate sum for this luxury was granted to the ladies by their           husbands. Hence the expression "pin-money."

In the 1940s and 50s, special banks were made for pin money. The one below is pretty typical for that period:
I love the idea of keeping a little money tucked away just for little treats, so I decided to make my own bank for pin money from a Trader Joe's cookie tin. I have been obsessed with the "Cocoa Baton" packaging for a while (yeah, it's true). When they came out with this tin, it was a LOVE fest! (Did you ever buy cookies for the packaging???)
 I coated over most of the print with a coat of gesso and then pulled out 
my Character Constructions Cirque stamps and went to work.
 I just love making doll skirts from cupcake papers:

 

This will hold a lot of change from hubby's pockets!
What will I buy with my pin money?
Maybe some new perfume, or new pair of earrings...
I really enjoy just having it around.
What about you, do you save pin money?

6 comments:

Tea in the Library said...

I do like to squirrel away money. The less I have the better I save. When I'm doing well I tend to be generous to my kids and Mom.

Dreaming of Vintage said...

You made this????? It's gorgeous! I literally thought it was an antique!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Very cute, Laura! I love what you did with it. I once bought a tootsie roll container (probably about the size of yours) that was also a bank, once all the tootsie rolls were gone. We still use for loose change.

Ivy and Elephants said...

As a collector of pin money banks, I think yours is just adorable and would
be a perfect addition to star among any collection. You did an awesome job as always!
Hugs,
Patti

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi Susan,
I have never heard of pin money banks, those are great! Your creation is beautiful, so vintage looking!
Thanks so much for visiting my St. Pat's post.
Have a great weekend!
Gina

Maureen said...

Very cute!! I call mine "mad" money :)