Bird&Whatnot
Pins for curious people
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About Bird & Whatnot

It started in Malaysia.

With a few enamel pins, a suitcase and a rather unexpected obsession.

Hi, I'm Nimisha, the person behind the bird. Mumbai-based, easily distracted by tiny things, and the proud owner of more pins than jackets.

An unnecessarily long story about something rather small.

To do
  • Go on holiday
  • Buy one pin
  • Buy several more pins
  • Start a pin company
Nimisha, founder of Bird & Whatnot, in a pin-covered bucket hat in front of the Petronas Towers
The person responsible for all this.Seen here, not yet knowing she'd start a pin company.
Bird & Whatnot
A story in four short chapters

Bird & Whatnot

An unnecessarily long story
about something rather small

01Chapter one of fourA rather small discovery.

It started on a trip to Malaysia.

Somewhere between exploring the city and buying things I probably didn't need, I discovered enamel pins. Funny ones. Strange ones. Ones that somehow managed to capture an entire mood in something barely an inch wide.

Naturally, I bought a few.

When I returned to Mumbai, I found myself looking for more. I wanted pins that were a little unexpected. The kind that made me laugh, reminded me of someone or made me stop and wonder who on earth had thought of them. The kind you'd spot on a stranger's bag and immediately want to ask about.

I couldn't always find what I was looking for. And somewhere along the way, an idea began to take shape.

What if I created a little corner of the internet dedicated to finding them?

That's how Bird & Whatnot began. Not with a grand business plan or an extraordinary revelation. Just a genuine fondness for tiny, slightly unusual things. And the feeling that I probably wasn't the only one.

Next: the person behind it →

02Chapter two of fourA little about the person behind it.

I've always been drawn to things that are a little unconventional. People with unusual interests. Conversations that take unexpected turns. Ordinary objects with interesting stories. And the occasional joke that probably doesn't need explaining.

I like things that have personality. The sort of things that make you pause, smile to yourself or immediately think of someone you know.

Bird & Whatnot is an extension of that curiosity. It's where I bring together enamel pins that catch my attention. Some are clever, some are wonderfully strange, and some are so oddly specific that I can't help wondering who else might appreciate them.

I don't design every pin. I enjoy discovering them, choosing the ones I love and bringing them together in one little collection.

And I hope that somewhere in here, you'll find something that feels particularly you.

Because sometimes, the smallest things have the most personality.

Next: the whatnot →
03Chapter three of four

The whatnot.

A few things I believe in.

Next: meet the bird →
01

A little personality goes a long way.

I like the idea that the things you carry can tell little stories about you. A pin on a jacket. Something unexpected on a backpack. A tiny object that starts a conversation with a complete stranger. Sometimes, that's all it takes.

02

Funny is a perfectly good reason.

Not everything needs a deeper meaning. Sometimes, something is funny. Sometimes, it's ridiculous. Sometimes, you see it and immediately know it belongs to a particular person. I think those are all perfectly good reasons to own something.

03

There's something lovely about the unexpected.

I enjoy discovering things I wasn't necessarily looking for. That's largely how Bird & Whatnot came about, and it's how I approach the collection. A little humour, a little curiosity and the occasional questionable choice.

04

Small things deserve some attention, too.

There are plenty of things in life that demand our attention. I rather like the ones that don't. The small, unnecessary discoveries that brighten an otherwise ordinary day. That's what I hope Bird & Whatnot can be.

The bird
An introduction

Meet the bird.

An important member of the organisation.

I'm not entirely sure what it's thinking. Somewhere along the way, this bird became the face of Bird & Whatnot. It wasn't a particularly elaborate decision. It just seemed right.

It doesn't do very much. It stands around, occasionally looks interested and has an expression that's entirely open to interpretation. I like it that way.

Name
Still undecided.
Occupation
Brand ambassador.
Interests
Unclear.
Personality
Yet to reveal itself.
Duties
Representing the brand. Looking at things.
Next: chapter four →

It's been here since the beginning. I suspect it knows something I don't. Compensation discussions are ongoing.

04Chapter four of fourA collection of little things.

Carefully chosen. Occasionally ridiculous.

There's no complicated philosophy behind the collection. If something makes me laugh, catches my attention or reminds me of someone, I'm interested.

That might mean an opinionated cat, an alien contemplating an early departure from Earth or something so wonderfully absurd that I couldn't possibly explain why I like it.

I don't expect every pin to appeal to everyone. In fact, I rather like the idea that something here might make absolutely no sense to one person and be the most perfect little discovery for another. That's the fun of it.

A collection of tiny things for all sorts of personalities.

Close the book →
The end

Almost.

The rest of the story is in the pins.
Go and find yours.
Meet the pins →
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One last thing

Perhaps you're
in the right place.

Perhaps you have a very specific sense of humour. Perhaps you've purchased something completely unnecessary simply because it made you happy. Perhaps you're the sort of person who spots an interesting little object and immediately starts thinking about which friend would appreciate it.

Or perhaps you just like enamel pins. That's a perfectly good reason to be here, too.

Whatever brought you to this little corner of the internet, I'm glad you found it.

Explore the collection →