Personally, I find it kinda hard to properly feel the pins when i use paper clips cause they have too much give and bend too easy, try getting a bobby pin, spread it open half way so it's in the shape of a "L" and twist the straight half (not the ribbed half) 90 degrees, this will be nice and strong and give you a better feel on those pins. (the twist is so it is easyer to hold it)
Good luck and yeah, go and buy some picks or at least make some if you can't buy any!
