The object I chose to elaborate on and describe was from our first meeting in class: the keys to my house. They are 16 inches long and end at the clasp of the stretch-out twine, and another four inches are added via the attached mechanisms.

A heavy handful, when moved, makes a jangling noise. Beginning at the top of the twine, the lanyard is adorned with various materials, including enamel, metal, and plastic; all these textures and materials are formed into a specific shape. Fused to the back of the metal shapes are small needles completed by a rudder backing to keep them in place once poked through the material.

The twine itself is formed by a soft and sleek blend of fabrics. Imprinted into the twine are a series of patterns with the words “Van Gogh” perfectly spaced along the rope. In the background lie bits and pieces of the recognizable painting Starry Night. Blues, yellows, blacks, and greens all form in spirals as the painting takes shape at a glance. At the end of the lanyard is a linked half-circle metal shape, a circular clasp is attached, and a lever to the side allows the clasp to move within itself—open and close.

Shackled to the rope, are four circular rings, each able to be pulled to hook onto one another. A golden ring with six consecutive loops fixed together holds a humanoid figure with horns, brown hair, and black hands. The figure looks below, a stick-like design is presented over in the circular frame. Subsequently, another hoop is next. Three loops are locked together, one holds a key in the design of a lost artifact, bronze in color, and another is a bright silver key made from metal in the shape made for a lock, sharp and spiky by nature, with a windowish design on top. Alongside these forms, a circular metal says “BRING IT”, stamped by human hands likewise; a second medallion reads “Track & Field”. Alongside these two metal forms is a third bone-shaped metal tag, that reads “JAKE 518-272-6987”. Beside these metal medallions lie two oval-shaped plastic cards. They read “AdvantEdge” with “Advant” in white and “Edge” in green, with blueberries enveloping the background. On the flip side, there is a barcode and numbers on a white background. Paired with the second smaller card, adorned in red and yellow, reads “ShopRite Price Plus Club” with a shopping card logo. Similar to its partner, it has a barcode and numbers on the backside.

This section of the keys holds a minor part of its story, as it contains little moments from my life so far within the key rings. The small sports medallions all represent and are gifts from my senior nights of my played sports: “BRING IT” for my time as a goalie in lacrosse, and “Track & Field” for my time as an indoor and outdoor thrower. The shopping cards are all new, as they hold the rewards for my times shopping at nearby grocery stores — now as a college student. The dog tag belongs to my first pet, Jake. It was his first tag, and he has outgrown it. The number is an old landline my family doesn’t own anymore. Having this piece of him with me reminds me of him at home and how I miss him at college. The decorated keychain was a small gift from my brother on Christmas by my favorite artist Annadrawsstuff. Lastly, the keys, while one of them is my real key I use to enter my house, the other “older” looking is actually a bottle opener from a wedding I worked at. It was a party favor left behind, so in case of use, I took an extra.

Last but not least, the main element is attached in small quantities on the lanyard: pins. Nineteen in total, all ranging in sizes, shapes, and textures. Some are recognized shapes, while others are not so much. Starting from the bottom, near the metallic clasp: in a bird-like shape, a bird is posed with outward wings wearing an outfit of red and blue. It has a yellow crown and horns on its head; this is a character from a game I’ve played. Above is a small circle, dark blue with the SUNY New Paltz logo in the center, and the text reads “SUNY NEW PALTZ LEGACY” — my uncle/godfather attended the school, thus I am a legacy. Moving up, a butterfly sparkly, blues, whites, blacks, and moon phases adorne the bug – this was from a craft fair. Next, a large dark human figure wearing red and black holding scissors, they have a snarky face – this is a character from a show I watch. Above a white cat with a sword through its head, hovering over a dice with a 1 labeled on it; surrounding the cat, it reads “It’s fine. I’m fine. Everything’s Fine” – a pin that shows my love for D&D. Higher, another graphic depiction of a black and white cat with its paw outstretched, with letters that spell beans, under a spilled coffee cup in liquid spells “CAT CAFE” – a pin for my first time at a local cafe Beans! On top of this pin is a leaf-shaped dark and green plant with the letter NYBG – my first time at the NY Botanical Gardens. Next, a very tiny silver depiction of the Colosseum, engraved with small outlooks – this was from my trip to Italy. Next, another white cat is chewing on an orange fish – a gift from a friend. Lastly, on the right side is a color tube of paint, its cap black and body in an explosion of color with gold dots – this was a gift from an old art teacher.

Lastly, on the left side going down: there is an image of a yellow dog wearing a top hat, holding a mug in a dumpster on fire, with the quote “This is Fine” — a pin of my favorite internet meme. Below is a colorful pin with the logo for MoMA, my first time at MoMA. Under a black and white moth with flowers and leaves — another gift from a friend and my love of moths. Beneath a running red rabbit with wheat stocks inside — a purchase from a local thrift in New Paltz. Down a small shield-like shape, a golden touch lays inside with text reading “National Honors Society” “CSLS” — a member of the NHS for my academics in school. Below that pin is another human figure with pink and blue flowers around them, green hair and green clothes, holding a monkey spitting fire — another character from a show. Third to last is a similar circular shape with the New Paltz logo reading “New Paltz Honors Program” — I’m a member of the honors in my college. Second to last is a small, pink, shiny ribbon in the shape of the breast cancer awareness logo; this represents a fight for my friend’s mother, in which she sadly lost when we were young; we always partake in a walk for her every year. Lastly, another human figure, wearing a light blue dress, a white corset, and a yellow bandana; they have pink hair and pink lighting shooting from them. This creates a full circle around the Lanyard.

While I wish to explain and dive in more into my pins, there is only so much I can write for now as a first work in writing about objects. (I’ve definitely gone on for too long.) However, this collection has been with me for a long time, and each day a new pin may be added, which then means a new memory has been made.

Isabella Barcher