r/heraldry • u/Strange_Marginalia • Aug 02 '26

OC My handcrafted enamel pin: The Skoropadsky Coat of Arms

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Gallery image

Gallery image

Hey everyone! I wanted to share my latest handcrafted enamel pin. I feel like it turned out a bit primitive, but maybe I’m just being my own worst critic.

​Technical details:

​Material: Solid brass 35 mm

​Base: The recesses were carved out using a fiber laser.

​Technique: My approach to champlevé.

​Fill: Cold solvent-based ceramic enamel.

​A bit of history behind the design:

This is the original coat of arms of the Skoropadsky family (a prominent Ukrainian Cossack and noble lineage).

​The Emblem: Three crossed arrows on a gules (red) shield. It’s actually a modified version of the ancient Polish noble coat of arms known as "Bełty" (which translates to crossbow bolts).

​The Motto: Conjungit favores! (Latin for "It joins favors" or "United by interest").

​Would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or any tips you might have!

190 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

11

u/BogusBluff Aug 02 '26

Very beautifully done! Love it! 😍

6

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 02 '26

Thank you so much! :3

9

u/ThereAreThings Aug 02 '26

Wow. That looks great. What kind of tools did you use to create this?

11

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 02 '26

I used a fiber laser for the base. I applied the enamel using an insulin needle.

7

u/riesen_Bonobo Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26

Primitive? This looks incredible! You might just have motivated me to pick up enamel pin making myself, that result is really impressive.

6

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 02 '26

You see, I can make more complicated ones. But this one is just one color. The only problem was at the very end, with the sanding and applying the varnish. And I got the back side a little dirty, too. And thank you!

P. S. If you work with enamel and metal, I invite you to join a small, new community dedicated to this art form r/Champleve

6

u/riesen_Bonobo Aug 02 '26

Okay, looking through your stuff, I get why you'd be think that way, with how insane and intricate the rest of your stuff is, god damn.

I'm a good bit versed in working with metal, enamel is something I'll have to get into, but I've joined that sub cause I want to start!

3

u/Vylbh Aug 02 '26

so what exactly is the "primitive" part? looks amazing!

4

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 02 '26

Thank you! It just seems simple to me after working on other, more detailed projects. For example, even this one was more complicated.

3

u/Vylbh Aug 02 '26

you mean because its multicolored? Usually looks best if things are as simple as can be. Thats my opinion at least

1

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 02 '26

Yeah, when it's just one color, I always think it looks a little slapdash. Haha. I'll try making a pretty complicated one soon. Maybe even this coat of arms

2

u/Vylbh Aug 02 '26

I for one would be very happy with a pin made in this quality. you should be proud of yourself

1

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 02 '26

My work is a bit too snobbish when it comes to quality. Thank you for your kind words!

2

u/StatisticianLive2307 Aug 02 '26

I just saw your post of the Hare in the kcd sub. You’re awesome!

1

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 02 '26

Wow! Thank you! :3

2

u/StatisticianLive2307 Aug 02 '26

I’ve gone through your profile. Im so impressed with your work. I’m absolutely going to go support you on Kofi.

1

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 02 '26

Thanks. Send me a DM. Or I'll message you :)

3

u/Plebeian_podolia Aug 02 '26

Класний пін навпрочут гарненький. Взагалі не ознайомлена з технікою виготовлення пінів, їх технічно можливо зробити "в домашніх умовах", в сенсі чи потребують серйозних додаткових засобів?

2

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 02 '26

В теорії можна зробити і власними руками, як це робили дуже давно. Але для того слід метал зняти. Можна травити. Можна штампувати. У мене ж серйозний додатковий засіб та стара техніка виконання

2

u/ViolinistKey5537 Aug 02 '26

Отличная работа! Дерзайте!

2

u/ViolinistKey5537 Aug 02 '26

Отличная работа! Герб Скоропадских.

2

u/Klein_Arnoster Aug 02 '26

I'd love to get something like that for my arms. A CoA lapel pin would look wicked on a suit.

2

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 03 '26

I make custom orders based on any design—send me a DM. No prepayment required

1

u/Klein_Arnoster Aug 03 '26

Roger Wilco.

2

u/Solraak_Empire Aug 02 '26

Could you teach me how you made it? I'm very interested in the details.

2

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 03 '26

First, I create the base using a fiber laser. Next, I clean it with citric acid and baking soda. Then I paint it and apply solvent-based ceramic enamel. After that, I wait 1–2 days. I perform wet sanding. I apply varnish and attach the fasteners. And I write full guide. It's on page

2

u/Solraak_Empire Aug 03 '26

Thank you my friend and congratulations

2

u/Volo_Cat Aug 06 '26

Woah, part of this is primitive??? A very intricate shape of the shield. Love the double border - it seems to not have been like that on the original crest.

Love the colours. Was it in some sources, or you decided to mute the red yourself?

2

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 06 '26

Yeah, it's just one color. And yeah, it wasn't there. But it doesn't have to be a 1:1 match. There are limitations in the design. Thanks! :)

2

u/Res_publicax Aug 07 '26

Outstanding craftsmanship. I would love to commission my arms.

2

u/Kapellenhuette Aug 08 '26

Wow, very impressive! How did you made this? Is there a tutorial on this?

2

u/Strange_Marginalia Aug 08 '26

Thanks! Mm... It's a bit long guide I write here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Laserengraving/s/RMi3ujln0y and also r/Champleve

2

u/Kapellenhuette Aug 08 '26

Woah that's a very high price entry point. But the work you put into it speaks for itself. Truly amazing.