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?