I imagine established designers like Pat Lawlor and Steve Ritchie have to be thinking about their legacy and so will want their last few designs to be statement pieces. It's not the same as being in assembly-line mode. Not that I wish anything but an extended career for both of them, but none of us is getting any younger. Really, it is amazing that they are both back designing pins. Who would have seen that coming a few years ago? Having said that, I hope they see it as part of their job to pass their skills on to a new generation.

I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the announcement but not quite excited. Since then, I have picked up both Funhouse and Twilight Zone. Now I am trying to figure out how I might be able to afford yet another pin (which, practically speaking, means asking what I would have to sell, which hopefully would not include either FH or TZ). I hope Pat hits it out of the park.