I have a little tupperware container with a tight lid that I keep my pins in. I can't leave pins out or my bird will get them & I have to be careful about dropping them on the carpet, so I keep the lid on this plastic dish most of the time. When I'm done with them, the pins are put back into the dish & it's put back where it can hold my coffee cup. Dual purpose...living in tight quarters you need that!! :-)