shellyp...Eleanor Burns used those I believe and there is a little tool to use w/them so you don't lose all your thumbprints and feeling:))I think they are cool. Here you can actually buy the plastic tops and add them to the pins. I bought the gizmo that is a wood handle, rounded end w/out a hook and there are 2 grooves on the end to use to guide the pins closed. I haven't picked up the plastic tops to go on the pins yet. She (Eleanor)used them real quick. Maybe someone on here can remember where that video is of her using that gizmo:))Interesting yours were breaking...I wonder if you aren't the only one??Skeat