Poppy + Monarch was born out of a desire to make chronically ill people feel seen, heard, validated, represented, respected, understood, and accepted — all the things.

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in March 2018, and have since used my voice to advocate for fellow people living with chronic and invisible illnesses. What I’ve learned along my wellness journey is that I am not my illness. It informs who I am and how I operate in the world, but it’s not all of me. Yes, I’m sick, but I’m also hopeful, driven, quirky, and stylish — if I can say so myself :) 

I’ve long been a lover of enamel pins. My personal collection is well over 100 pins and counting. I got my feet wet with making my own pins back in 2020 when I created a limited-edition pin to market my bestselling self-help memoir, “Jesus Year.” The process was thrilling and rewarding, and it sparked the idea to build my own pin business one day. Well, that day is here! Right now you’re on the official website for my enamel pin company, Poppy + Monarch.

You might be thinking, “What does Poppy + Monarch even mean?” Poppies and monarch butterflies are two things native to California that bring me, a California girl, joy. They also happen to be two objects that are orange — the official color of MS awareness. Plus, poppy flowers are in bloom for a short season and the lifespan of a Monarch butterfly is just two to six weeks. That in itself is a reminder of the ephemerality of life, to be present and enjoy the moment to the fullest.

All of our products are envisioned with the chronically ill thriver in mind. I hope that our pins resonate with you and you’re inspired to add them to your collection.Thank you for supporting my small business!

- Ashley Lundy,

Owner and Chief Pin Curator, Poppy + Monarch