Having cats, you do tend to find whiskers (and sometimes shed claws) on the floor now and then. I have always looked fondly at them, and then tossed them in the bin.
For some reason, a few months ago I popped one in a tiny bottle. And since then both of us have done it. I am not sure why, but now we want to see how many we can collect. I found out I am not alone.
You can even buy cat whisker holder jewellery on Etsy!