I’m not much of a collector of things. By “things” I mean objects that you acquire multiples of in all variations just for the satisfaction of owning them.
I don’t consider the thousands of books I own (or the yarn and fiber) as collections since I bought them for a specific purpose. They educate, entertain, inform and occupy my brain. For a while, I briefly considered becoming a collector of first editions, or all the editions of a certain book, but then decided that wasn’t me either.
When I see people who collect shot glasses, designer shoes, salt and pepper shakers, cars, seashells, lunch boxes, fast food giveaways, beer glasses, match boxes or beer tab pulls, I wonder what drives them.
The only exception I’ve made is my modest collection of Santa Clauses. I never buy more than one a year and some years I don’t buy any. I find them when I travel and I’ve been given a couple through the years. None of them are expensive and most are under a foot tall.
The collection isn’t really about acquiring a room full. It’s more about having a touchstone for memories. The one above was the first and came from the fall festival craft show in town soon after we moved here 25 years ago. I was still new to the Midwest and having a hard time coming to grips with the whole southern/country culture and decorating sense (there’s a name for it that I can’t come up with right now) that’s so different from New England. As I walked up and down the aisles of the craft tent, I rejected most of what I saw as just not my style. This little guy said “I’m what you’re looking for” and he was right.
He’s made of resin and sometime early on his bell fell off (shut up). We’ve repaired it more than once and now he gets stored in his own box with lots of padding. Of them all, he would be the one I’d miss the most if the collection were destroyed. (They say your first one is always your favorite. Heh.)
So what do you collect? And what attracts you to it?
I really enjoyed the story of your Santas. (My mind didn’t go there until you said shut up. Then it went way there.)
I agree about collections. We call them dustables. I have books, fiber stash, wine. All useful and purposed. I used to collect boxes, small little things, but haven’t found any good ones that are inexpensive enough for several years. We collect birds. It started as a way to populate a naked mantel in the family room and became memories. Now we only have room for taller ones.
I collect clutter. But not intentionally.
Hello, my name is Kathy and I lack the collector gene. But my husband has it in spades, so it all works out.
I collect dust and lots of it! I have acquired exotic specimens from around the world, the exact arrangement of which comes and goes. Samples are everywhere and nearly effortless to collect–some literally falls into my lap! As I have become a connoisseur over time, adding to my collection hs become easier and easier. Upgrading to premier levels of dust-collecting, I now have a refined mix of dog hair blended with dust which sets my collection on a par with the best. Perhaps one day, I’ll donate it all to a museum. I think I’ll be right in there amongst the motes! Thanks for asking.
Isn’t he lovely? Wish my tummy would fall off. (Shut up!)
I collect people, blogs and men. No, not all men are people. :p
xo
I don’t collect anything. One has to be very careful in my family – if they even *think* you collect something, you’ll be buried in those items for every birthday and Christmas. (Ask my daughter when it was rumored she collected cats, or my brother when someone thought he liked ducks…)
If I did collect, it would be Santas. I like them a lot. (But don’t tell my family.)
I have collected (to an extreme!) a few things but no longer, outside of crafty projects and stash. It was fun for a while but then the “stuff” factor did me in.
I do love your Santa and I’ve always felt the “pull” of Santas during this season.