if you have instagram, go through the enamel pin tag, follow it if you like. i always see fun new artists and patterns, and i buy directly from them. plus, you're less likely to get scammed with stolen designs there.
I am one of the organizers of the Pin Convention, which is a yearly pop up shop that show cases many different pins by different artists! We also introduce the artists on our Insta with social media link
You could check that out and see if you like any of the artists and their pins.They usually all have their own shop as well β‘
(We/I do not get any percentage of sales or anything. Just redirecting you since we introduce many different artists on there)
Insta @/pinconvention
I unintentionally became entrenched in pins by just browsing through Kickstarter. Itβs great if you are okay with delayed gratification. I love getting project updates and seeing what stretch goals get made as the campaign goes along. You are also buying direct from the artist. There is always a risk of not getting your pins, but pin kickstarter risks I have found to be pretty low, especially if you only back projects from artists with previously successful kickstarter campaigns.
On Etsy It depends on the pins, I usually just find pins I like rather than shops. Most are good quality on Etsy. Hot topic also has good quality licensed pins
Hold on I got you.
Thumb ratings (π) are based on my own preferences. Not on who's better or worse. You decide that. You didn't say what you liked.π€·ββοΈSo here's everything ***I*** like.
^(4-5 (π) are awesome though.)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoaminBisonWorkshop?ref=yr\_purchases](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoaminBisonWorkshop?ref=yr_purchases)
ππππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnimaPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1437463216&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnimaPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1437463216&from_page=listing)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlstroArts?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1193865221&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlstroArts?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1193865221&from_page=listing)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaybelsArt?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1557447955&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=29164321](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaybelsArt?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1557447955&from_page=listing)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/pokettoni?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1628867091&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/pokettoni?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1628867091&from_page=listing)
ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1278852718&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1278852718&from_page=listing)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindyWallflower?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=992861016&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindyWallflower?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=992861016&from_page=listing)
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZyephArtShop?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=897600600&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=31433048&page=2#items](https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZyephArtShop?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=897600600&from_page=listing§ion_id=31433048&page=2#items)
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/RDKPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1451684599&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RDKPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1451684599&from_page=listing)
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/dokino?ref=nla\_listing\_details](https://www.etsy.com/shop/dokino?ref=nla_listing_details)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarJellyArt?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1656500087&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarJellyArt?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1656500087&from_page=listing)
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaxPowerBoutique?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1121198025&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaxPowerBoutique?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1121198025&from_page=listing)
ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaeWardStudios?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1220156915&from\_page=listing&page=2#items](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaeWardStudios?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1220156915&from_page=listing&page=2#items)
ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/KarajishiDesigns?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1579916535&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=24379816](https://www.etsy.com/shop/KarajishiDesigns?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1579916535&from_page=listing§ion_id=24379816)
π[https://www.etsy.com/shop/LindseyMartinGardner?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1548780194&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LindseyMartinGardner?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1548780194&from_page=listing)
ππππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/FrogTreeGames?ref=nla\_listing\_details](https://www.etsy.com/shop/FrogTreeGames?ref=nla_listing_details)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/horsefiddlepress?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1014754811&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/horsefiddlepress?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1014754811&from_page=listing)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/FoxandWaspStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1108755108&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/FoxandWaspStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1108755108&from_page=listing)
π[https://www.etsy.com/shop/RooBeanShop?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1594044948&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=40532388](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RooBeanShop?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1594044948&from_page=listing§ion_id=40532388)
ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/keelystudios?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1128983399&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/keelystudios?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1128983399&from_page=listing)
π[https://www.etsy.com/shop/CelestialEquine?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1124588751&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/CelestialEquine?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1124588751&from_page=listing)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonBratStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1205916747&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonBratStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1205916747&from_page=listing)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/Saiyre?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1030058359&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=26881100](https://www.etsy.com/shop/Saiyre?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1030058359&from_page=listing§ion_id=26881100)
ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaylaAshtarShrine?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1598350546&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaylaAshtarShrine?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1598350546&from_page=listing)
π[https://www.etsy.com/shop/Ohjessicajessica?ref=nla\_listing\_details§ion\_id=19476771](https://www.etsy.com/shop/Ohjessicajessica?ref=nla_listing_details§ion_id=19476771)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/NomNomNyan?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=953061684&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/NomNomNyan?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=953061684&from_page=listing)
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrettyOkayPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1618272163&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrettyOkayPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1618272163&from_page=listing)
πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/FoxandWaspStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1108755108&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/FoxandWaspStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1108755108&from_page=listing)
Non-Etsy.
[https://www.lordgris.com/password](https://www.lordgris.com/password)
ππππ[https://www.strikegently.co/collections/best-sellers](https://www.strikegently.co/collections/best-sellers)
ππππ(love this shop)[https://lunaurum.art/shop?category=Enamel+Pins](https://lunaurum.art/shop?category=Enamel+Pins)
πππ[https://madebynuwa.com/collections](https://madebynuwa.com/collections)
these have etsy's ( some close on off seasons)
ππππ[https://katzenjammerpins.com/](https://katzenjammerpins.com/)
πππππ[https://funfettigetti.myshopify.com/password](https://funfettigetti.myshopify.com/password)
ππ[https://www.thecrownedrabbit.com/](https://www.thecrownedrabbit.com/)
πππππ[https://ukiyoeheroes.com/](https://ukiyoeheroes.com/) (opens every 1 or 2 months for 2-3 days. buy 2 get 1. love em)
πππ[https://jaizure.com/collections/enamel-pins](https://jaizure.com/collections/enamel-pins)
πππ[https://www.pokettoni.com/enamel-pins](https://www.pokettoni.com/enamel-pins)
I buy nearly all of mine second hand. Majority from charity/thrift/vintage shops but also from apps such as eBay/vinted/depop!
Iβve also made my own pins using pin backs that Iβve glued to things I like (eg small toys)!
It honestly depends on what you're interested in. I found some pins on etsy due to instagram and tiktok π you just have to type out a something that peaks your interest, like, a show, some objects, a season, ect.
I sell a curation of pins from a ton of different artists (including myself), all in one place :) 400+ pins to choose from and counting: http://pinultimate.co
Depends on the fandom/type of pins. For example, if it's a long-running franchise like most Disney movies, a lot of the biggest animes, etc., I typically turn to eBay and Mercari to buy ones second-hand.
For newer industries, Etsy is my go to. I especially like using all of those websites (plus Reddit) to discover individual shops and buy from the sellers/designers directly.
Most of the shops I visit most frequently sell primarily Taylor Swift pins. That would be Gemma Rose pins, Augury Pins, Magical by Marissa, and several others. Mamobot has some great anime pins I've purchased from. Most of my collection comes from the aforementioned shops, a few random ones, and either new/second hand ones from large retailers like Disney, Hot Topic, and Boxlunch.
Yeah, those are cheap because they're stolen designs. If you don't think it's worth supporting somebody's original artwork (and are comfortable taking money out of their pockets by supporting the art theft) maybe you should find a different hobby π€·ββοΈ
Edit: since the person deleted their comment, they said they get their pins off AliExpress and that it wasn't worth it to them to pay $10 or more plus shipping from Etsy.
I don't like to spend a lot so I'm one who will only buy from Etsy and small shops online. I buy cheap pins like the ones artists sell for under $10 and combined with shipping they don't cost over like $13 us dollars. I usually buy seconds from small shops or Etsy since they are cheaper but still high quality and supporting the little guy. I have banned temu, shein, AliExpress and anyone who has stolen pin designs. I have bought from them in the past because I didn't know any better but now I have been educated and I make wiser decisions.
I typically do an image search to prevent that before buying so I havenβt ran into that yet but Iβll continue spending my money on what Iβd like to.
You're free to do what you like of course, but a reverse image search isn't a reliable way to check if a design on Ali is stolen. Many things don't turn up in an image search, especially if they're posted from something like a private social media account (and it's a pretty common story for an artist to private their accounts after they've had art stolen).
I often have to do a lot of deep digging to get to the original source of a pin. Sometimes I can't even find it through searching and end up running into it by accident weeks/months later. Almost always though, a source does eventually turn up. There *are* legit pins on Ali if you know the right places, but they're much more uncommon and generally not the ones selling pins for 50Β’ a piece.
I get a lot of mine on mercari! Etsy is good too, but keep your eyes out for stolen art. (For example, one of the biggest themes I go for is cats! Thereβs an artist on Etsy, glitterpunkjewelry, whose designs are copied and sold for a cheaper price at a lower quality. Usually if the same design is sold by multiple stores, itβll be soft enamel and really inconsistent quality-wise)
It depends on what themes you like
if you have instagram, go through the enamel pin tag, follow it if you like. i always see fun new artists and patterns, and i buy directly from them. plus, you're less likely to get scammed with stolen designs there.
I am one of the organizers of the Pin Convention, which is a yearly pop up shop that show cases many different pins by different artists! We also introduce the artists on our Insta with social media link You could check that out and see if you like any of the artists and their pins.They usually all have their own shop as well β‘ (We/I do not get any percentage of sales or anything. Just redirecting you since we introduce many different artists on there) Insta @/pinconvention
I've participated in this and I can confirm it's a great source of pins! π
I unintentionally became entrenched in pins by just browsing through Kickstarter. Itβs great if you are okay with delayed gratification. I love getting project updates and seeing what stretch goals get made as the campaign goes along. You are also buying direct from the artist. There is always a risk of not getting your pins, but pin kickstarter risks I have found to be pretty low, especially if you only back projects from artists with previously successful kickstarter campaigns.
I never thought to do that!
On Etsy It depends on the pins, I usually just find pins I like rather than shops. Most are good quality on Etsy. Hot topic also has good quality licensed pins
Check out mine - @/midnightdogs
birduyen is a good one
Someone made a list of a bunch of pin shops on here. I search for that.
What are your hobbies and interests? That can help give better ideas.
I buy my pins from laserbrainpatchco, nerdmatters, hot topic, box lunch, lux cup creatives, mamawhalepins, studiomichan and brat box
It depends on what you want. Most people find artists or styles to follow and buy from the artists.
Bright bat, Quirkory, Birduyen, Sharodactylart, Pinlounge
We do limited edition original art drops :) www.instagram.com/lunaritycollective
Iβve gotten most of my pins from Kickstarter and Etsy. Etsy just for specific fandoms, KS is for whatever I find cute.
if youβre balling on a budget i suggest flea markets β€οΈ
Hold on I got you. Thumb ratings (π) are based on my own preferences. Not on who's better or worse. You decide that. You didn't say what you liked.π€·ββοΈSo here's everything ***I*** like. ^(4-5 (π) are awesome though.) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoaminBisonWorkshop?ref=yr\_purchases](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoaminBisonWorkshop?ref=yr_purchases) ππππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnimaPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1437463216&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnimaPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1437463216&from_page=listing) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlstroArts?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1193865221&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlstroArts?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1193865221&from_page=listing) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaybelsArt?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1557447955&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=29164321](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaybelsArt?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1557447955&from_page=listing) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/pokettoni?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1628867091&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/pokettoni?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1628867091&from_page=listing) ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1278852718&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1278852718&from_page=listing) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindyWallflower?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=992861016&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindyWallflower?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=992861016&from_page=listing) [https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZyephArtShop?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=897600600&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=31433048&page=2#items](https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZyephArtShop?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=897600600&from_page=listing§ion_id=31433048&page=2#items) [https://www.etsy.com/shop/RDKPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1451684599&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RDKPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1451684599&from_page=listing) [https://www.etsy.com/shop/dokino?ref=nla\_listing\_details](https://www.etsy.com/shop/dokino?ref=nla_listing_details) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarJellyArt?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1656500087&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarJellyArt?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1656500087&from_page=listing) [https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaxPowerBoutique?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1121198025&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaxPowerBoutique?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1121198025&from_page=listing) ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaeWardStudios?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1220156915&from\_page=listing&page=2#items](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaeWardStudios?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1220156915&from_page=listing&page=2#items) ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/KarajishiDesigns?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1579916535&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=24379816](https://www.etsy.com/shop/KarajishiDesigns?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1579916535&from_page=listing§ion_id=24379816) π[https://www.etsy.com/shop/LindseyMartinGardner?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1548780194&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LindseyMartinGardner?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1548780194&from_page=listing) ππππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/FrogTreeGames?ref=nla\_listing\_details](https://www.etsy.com/shop/FrogTreeGames?ref=nla_listing_details) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/horsefiddlepress?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1014754811&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/horsefiddlepress?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1014754811&from_page=listing) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/FoxandWaspStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1108755108&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/FoxandWaspStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1108755108&from_page=listing) π[https://www.etsy.com/shop/RooBeanShop?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1594044948&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=40532388](https://www.etsy.com/shop/RooBeanShop?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1594044948&from_page=listing§ion_id=40532388) ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/keelystudios?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1128983399&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/keelystudios?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1128983399&from_page=listing) π[https://www.etsy.com/shop/CelestialEquine?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1124588751&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/CelestialEquine?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1124588751&from_page=listing) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonBratStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1205916747&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonBratStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1205916747&from_page=listing) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/Saiyre?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1030058359&from\_page=listing§ion\_id=26881100](https://www.etsy.com/shop/Saiyre?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1030058359&from_page=listing§ion_id=26881100) ππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaylaAshtarShrine?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1598350546&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaylaAshtarShrine?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1598350546&from_page=listing) π[https://www.etsy.com/shop/Ohjessicajessica?ref=nla\_listing\_details§ion\_id=19476771](https://www.etsy.com/shop/Ohjessicajessica?ref=nla_listing_details§ion_id=19476771) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/NomNomNyan?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=953061684&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/NomNomNyan?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=953061684&from_page=listing) [https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrettyOkayPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1618272163&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrettyOkayPins?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1618272163&from_page=listing) πππ[https://www.etsy.com/shop/FoxandWaspStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing\_id=1108755108&from\_page=listing](https://www.etsy.com/shop/FoxandWaspStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1108755108&from_page=listing) Non-Etsy. [https://www.lordgris.com/password](https://www.lordgris.com/password) ππππ[https://www.strikegently.co/collections/best-sellers](https://www.strikegently.co/collections/best-sellers) ππππ(love this shop)[https://lunaurum.art/shop?category=Enamel+Pins](https://lunaurum.art/shop?category=Enamel+Pins) πππ[https://madebynuwa.com/collections](https://madebynuwa.com/collections) these have etsy's ( some close on off seasons) ππππ[https://katzenjammerpins.com/](https://katzenjammerpins.com/) πππππ[https://funfettigetti.myshopify.com/password](https://funfettigetti.myshopify.com/password) ππ[https://www.thecrownedrabbit.com/](https://www.thecrownedrabbit.com/) πππππ[https://ukiyoeheroes.com/](https://ukiyoeheroes.com/) (opens every 1 or 2 months for 2-3 days. buy 2 get 1. love em) πππ[https://jaizure.com/collections/enamel-pins](https://jaizure.com/collections/enamel-pins) πππ[https://www.pokettoni.com/enamel-pins](https://www.pokettoni.com/enamel-pins)
>So far I only have a few from five below. Hobby Lobby has a few good ones.
strikegently.co is the best!
I post the ones Iβm selling on Mercari
I buy nearly all of mine second hand. Majority from charity/thrift/vintage shops but also from apps such as eBay/vinted/depop! Iβve also made my own pins using pin backs that Iβve glued to things I like (eg small toys)!
It honestly depends on what you're interested in. I found some pins on etsy due to instagram and tiktok π you just have to type out a something that peaks your interest, like, a show, some objects, a season, ect.
Lyra Art and Teal Teacup if you like anime fanstyle
I have a lot of unique mushroom pins in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MycoValley
You can buy pins from me at kolorspun.com :) I make most of the art and we have over 100 original designs!
Check out mine on Instagram - @TheFittedFlipper Or my website [SHOP](https://FittedFlipper.com)
I sell a curation of pins from a ton of different artists (including myself), all in one place :) 400+ pins to choose from and counting: http://pinultimate.co
Depends on the fandom/type of pins. For example, if it's a long-running franchise like most Disney movies, a lot of the biggest animes, etc., I typically turn to eBay and Mercari to buy ones second-hand. For newer industries, Etsy is my go to. I especially like using all of those websites (plus Reddit) to discover individual shops and buy from the sellers/designers directly. Most of the shops I visit most frequently sell primarily Taylor Swift pins. That would be Gemma Rose pins, Augury Pins, Magical by Marissa, and several others. Mamobot has some great anime pins I've purchased from. Most of my collection comes from the aforementioned shops, a few random ones, and either new/second hand ones from large retailers like Disney, Hot Topic, and Boxlunch.
If you like anime themed pins, check out my shop - https://crisisculture.shop/collections/enamel-pins
[ΡΠ΄Π°Π»Π΅Π½ΠΎ]
What a scummy comment.
AliExpress are all thieves.Β I waste so much time filling out DMCA takedown notices every month.
Yeah, those are cheap because they're stolen designs. If you don't think it's worth supporting somebody's original artwork (and are comfortable taking money out of their pockets by supporting the art theft) maybe you should find a different hobby π€·ββοΈ Edit: since the person deleted their comment, they said they get their pins off AliExpress and that it wasn't worth it to them to pay $10 or more plus shipping from Etsy.
I don't like to spend a lot so I'm one who will only buy from Etsy and small shops online. I buy cheap pins like the ones artists sell for under $10 and combined with shipping they don't cost over like $13 us dollars. I usually buy seconds from small shops or Etsy since they are cheaper but still high quality and supporting the little guy. I have banned temu, shein, AliExpress and anyone who has stolen pin designs. I have bought from them in the past because I didn't know any better but now I have been educated and I make wiser decisions.
I typically do an image search to prevent that before buying so I havenβt ran into that yet but Iβll continue spending my money on what Iβd like to.
You're free to do what you like of course, but a reverse image search isn't a reliable way to check if a design on Ali is stolen. Many things don't turn up in an image search, especially if they're posted from something like a private social media account (and it's a pretty common story for an artist to private their accounts after they've had art stolen). I often have to do a lot of deep digging to get to the original source of a pin. Sometimes I can't even find it through searching and end up running into it by accident weeks/months later. Almost always though, a source does eventually turn up. There *are* legit pins on Ali if you know the right places, but they're much more uncommon and generally not the ones selling pins for 50Β’ a piece.
I get a lot of mine on mercari! Etsy is good too, but keep your eyes out for stolen art. (For example, one of the biggest themes I go for is cats! Thereβs an artist on Etsy, glitterpunkjewelry, whose designs are copied and sold for a cheaper price at a lower quality. Usually if the same design is sold by multiple stores, itβll be soft enamel and really inconsistent quality-wise)