Yes the whole pin cushion is filled with the shells or steel wool. I like the steel wool because I THINK it keeps the pins sharp. I also have taken a ad magnet for the fridg... maybe a pro or college sport schedual or pizza joint so you keep their phone number close, & gentle peeled the ad off. There's plenty of sticky left on the magnet & stuck it to the flat neck space on the sewing machine. So as I'm sewing i can just slide the pins out of the seam & drag them on to the magnet. Found it lots easier then trying to stick the pin cushion. Have to keep my eyes on the sewing needle!!!! The tuna can also works with a magnet glued to the inside bottom. Don't stuff it just use it as a "cup" to toss them in. You can still pretty up the outside of the can. Remember magnets don't work on brass. Pins & needles must be steel.
Oma