My sister-in-law makes something like you have described. She uses them for hat pins. They are sure pretty, but I have never known what to do with them. I don't wear hats and they don't look too good on ball caps.
(She wears large brimmed, protection from the sun, straw hats...or I think they are straw. Guess I don't know what they are made of.)
I can see one looking good in my pin cushion though. Wonder where I put the one she gave me...
Dina