For My Collection
Sep 8th 2007
Sabrina JeffriesMy Life As A Plebe
I know several people who collect things—teapots, artwork, quilts, dirty laundry (oh, wait, that’s me). The teachers of one of my son’s autism classes collected pigs (not real ones, although they did seem awfully fond of BBQ pork). A couple of my friends even have collections so grand they’re featured on TV or in magazines (wave to the nice bloggers, Suzanne!).
It seems to me you’re either a collector … or not. I’m not. My collections are all accidental. Mom gives me a couple of ornamental boxes, people see them and say, “Aha, she likes ornamental boxes,” and next thing you know I’ve got twenty. My “collections” consist of eleven dolls, five fans, twelve perfume bottles, lots and LOTS of blue-and-white Thai ceramic ware, and, yes, about ten ornamental boxes. Most of which I did not buy myself.
I genuinely like all the pretty items in my pseudo-collections. Occasionally I consider expanding them into REAL collections by spending every waking hour on Ebay. But then I think … Why? Will I play with my collections? Will I even look at them once I’ve made them magnificent?
I end up talking myself out of it, especially when I think of the disadvantages:
a) they take up space
b) they require dusting (which is against my religion … hey, there must be a religion SOMEWHERE that bans dusting)
c) you have to buy things to display them with, in, or on
d) if you start one, you’re sure to be inundated with items for it, which increases the possibility of a), b) and c)
So I remain collection-less.
What about you? Do you collect things? Monkey parts? Legos? Hot guys? (That particular collection, though tempting, would require a lot of expense and a more accommodating husband than mine.) Are you the collecting type or does amassing a collection take more effort than you can muster?
45 Comments »
45 Responses to “For My Collection”
lillipilli1978 on 08 Sep 2007 at 3:05 am #
I used to collect those crazy little clip-on toys when I was a kid. Thankfully that collection has gone to God. Now, unless you count handbags or shoes, I don’t collect anything. To quote Jenny Crusie (from “Bet Me”) “Never collect anything. People never let you quit”. I bought a really groovy Wiener Dog lamp a few years ago (no, it’s cool, I promise. Stop looking at me like that) and that coupled with a Wiener Dog keychain suggested to people that I might be open to collecting Dachshund paraphernalia. Still trying to nip that in the bud.
dbrown3400 on 08 Sep 2007 at 6:12 am #
I collect stuffed animals, although due to space limitations I only have a few small ones in my apartment now. The rest are in my storage unit. My favorite is a brown seal Beanie Baby who acts as guard over the others. Although that one is only about eight inches tall, I have several that I collected from MacDonald’s that are much smaller. My favorite among those is a small purple bear.
Oh, and I collect books.
Lisa H on 08 Sep 2007 at 6:14 am #
I am not the collecting type, I hate clutter; however since Pirates of the Carribean came out and everyone learned of my obsession for Captain Jack I have received numerous items with his gorgeous picture on it. I have 2 beach towels, several notebooks and folders, a black silk pillow, a t-shirt from Disney World and a little Captain Jack action figure (from my son for Mother’s Day!) I also have a bookmark and cereal boxes and also a McDonalds card with his lovely visage.
I do tend to collect things for my home such as items with French motif like Eiffle Tower, Arch d’Trompf, Fleur di Lis and for my kitchen I like the Italian countryside objects.
Lisa H on 08 Sep 2007 at 6:15 am #
dbrown - I too collect books, but thats more of an addiction than a hobby!
Dot C on 08 Sep 2007 at 7:17 am #
When I was a kid, I was a collect-a-holic. I fancied myself a jedi, and collected star wars figures, toys, trading cards, magazines, and anything that had Mark Hamil’s picture on it. A few years later, I was a Michael Jackson fan, and collected his albums, and books on him, and clippings, and magazines. I also collected Strawberry shortcake and Care Bear items, which, incidentally has saved me money on having to buy toys now a days.
These days the only things I collect are paperwork, my daughter’s papers from school, dust bunnies, and paperback romance novels. Nobody in my circle gives me anything EVER, they all want me to do the three pile thing to pare down my clutter.
Ohh, I do collect gay men in my area. The beauty of doing that ensures that i have several very fashionable confidantes, and always have a shopping partner while never worrying the Mr that my need for male companionship will result in an infidelity. I LOVE them!!
Keri Ford on 08 Sep 2007 at 7:39 am #
When my hubby and I got married, we agreed to start collecting snow globes from places we went to. Being young and dumb, and I didn’t realize the clutter that took up so I stopped it. By accident, luckily we’d also picked up christmas ornaments from the places we’d already been. So now, we collect christmas ornaments. and since they’re from places WE’VE been, I don’t have friends or family loading me up with ornaments. They’re great, no dusting, their showcase shelf is the tree. They’re out long enough for me to tire of them before they’re packed back up for the year.
Ellie, as my dh calls me on 08 Sep 2007 at 7:43 am #
OMG Dot! I collect gay men, too. My friend John told me I was the perfect (and I quote) “fag-hag.” I think it’s because we both have a very irreverent and immediate sense of the absurd. OR, it can be that we both love wearing silk and watching movies with Colin Firth.
I am an accidental collector of elephants. My brother gave me a Daum elephant, then a Baccarat elephant, then a LaLique, etc, etc. Everyone who came into my home admired them and proceeded to give me more elephants. It was always the same, “I was in Europe and just had to get this for you because I know how much love elephants!”
I guess I also enjoy the concept that something in the animal kingdom has a bigger ass than I do.
Every time I dust those beasties, I think about the people who gave them to me. It’s kinda sweet that the elephants help me remember how great my friends and family are.
Later Gees
Ellie (phant)
Ellie, as my dh calls me on 08 Sep 2007 at 7:52 am #
My hubby just pointed out that my true collection is containers. He’s right. I have such a hard time throwing out coffee cans, glass jars, plastic Chinese food containers, cool whip tubs, etc. Now mind you, I do have a full set of glass AND plastic Tupperware, but still I try to keep the others, “just in case.”
My hubby is an enabler, too. Every six weeks or so, he throws all my collected containers into the garbage. Of course this means I have to start all over!
FreshEChelle on 08 Sep 2007 at 7:57 am #
I am a reformed snow globe collector. You too can stop the cycle of kitsch. I finally had to say “make this the last one you get me” when folks were handing them over. (Hurt feelings? Too bad, you come dust this crap).
My mom went through her collection phase that included 2″ tall cows doing cutesy human stuff (like Precious Moments but worse). My sister and I torture our sister-in-law by telling her that’s going to be her inheritance one day. We want the jewelry.
Now shoes, that’s a worthy collection in which I’ve amassed Imelda-like quantities and it keeps growing. I’ve got at least 60 pairs but of course I usually wear the same 7-8 pairs. Winter’s coming - time to bring out all those fab boots! And to buy more. The beauty of shoes: they always fit no matter the time of the month or how many visits those boys Ben & Jerry have made. I don’t see this collection as a problem so …. anyone want to start an enabler’s support group?
Sabrina Jeffries on 08 Sep 2007 at 8:05 am #
Ooh, gay men–great thing to collect! Alas, I never seem to meet any. I knew a ton in college and grad school, but I don’t get out much these days. All that writing, you know. I do have a lovely collection of funny girlfriends, however, all fellow writers. Does that count?
I love the Jenny Crusie line from Bet Me (which is still in my massive TBR–I’m a big Crusie fan, but seem to have no time to read these days). It’s so true.
I don’t count books, CDs, and DVDs as collections, since I use/read/watch/listen to those. And I get rid of them if I no longer find them useful. Same thing with jewelry (I do have a LOT of jewelry).
And if I were to collect anything seriously, it just might be Christmas ornaments and other Christmas paraphernalia. I love decorating for Christmas.
Judy F on 08 Sep 2007 at 8:50 am #
I collect nutcrackers. I have about 20 of them. I really don’t know how that one started. I also love snowmen. I keep them out all winter. I really need to collect some hot men. LOL
Kim on 08 Sep 2007 at 9:14 am #
Oohhhkay! Since no one else is an obsessive collector I’ll chime in here. *waves to the Goddesses!*
Gay men–LOVE them! They make the best girlfriends. Sadly, I don’t run into too many.
Collections–first there was the decorative tin collection which lead to the M&M character collection which lead to the NASCAR diecast collection. Then there was the massive cookbook collection.
I’ve managed to thin or obliviate all of the above other than my very favorite pieces *g* But I still have boxes of ink pens. I lurve pens and markers. And Sabrina’s right. Books, DVDs and CDs don’t count. If there were I might be labeled a bit nutty
cookeemama on 08 Sep 2007 at 9:28 am #
I used to collect teapots. I had a couple of dozen. One day, a shelf some were sitting on collapsed and about 8 were shattered on floor. I was sick. Lost interest in getting anymore. Plus I had moved from a large house to a very small one and collections just don’t fit my space. I’d rather use the space to collect books and fabric. Maybe the odd sewing machine or 2. Or 3.
I do have a collection of Teeny Beanie Babies. 2 of them. Both gifts. One is Ireland and the other is Canada.
I also collect dust. It’s a great place to write things down when you are on the phone & can’t find pencil/paper. Dust? Finger? Serendipity.
Margaret in Lancaster PA
Darla on 08 Sep 2007 at 9:32 am #
My family considers my 2000 books a collection, but its my obsession! LOL
My real collection is keychains & mini clocks.
Now a very worthy collection would be pictures with my favorite authors!
Claudia Dain on 08 Sep 2007 at 9:34 am #
Nope, not a collector. I have a slight addiction to purses, shoes, and jewelry, but I think I’m even out-growing that. What will I do with my disposable income now??
Travel!!
Kay on 08 Sep 2007 at 9:39 am #
I collect strange, touristy, Christmas tree ornaments. I have a wooden lobster holding holly in its claws (Boston) Mickey and Minnie ice skating (Disney) s pelican with a santa hat (Key West) and a trolley with Christmas lights (SF)…..you get the idea. It all started when my DH were married 18 years ago. We love to travel, and learned how to do it cheaply, which included cheap souvenirs. We now have a fantastic collection, which gets its own tree every December. We call them our atrocities, love the memories each one brings back when we see them. I rediscover them every year, and then pack then away a month later–nothing to dust!
My DH used to say I collected cats. We had three when we lived in a SMALL apartment. He said I needed a cat-ranching license. LOL Only one of that original bunch is left, and (at 18) was just diagnosed with cancer. She is on kitty morphine, and we are spending our last weekend together.
MizMacgyver on 08 Sep 2007 at 10:05 am #
Oh Kay, I am sorry about your kitty. I know someday my cats (3) will have to go.
I once was a collector of unicorns and angels but I moved from a very large house to a very small house. I no longer collect anything but books, and they don’t count.
FreshEChelle on 08 Sep 2007 at 10:27 am #
Kay so very sad about your lovely kitty. She’s so very lucky to have people who love her during this trying time. I hope she is as comfortable as possible. I send you warm embraces and sympathy. I hope 18 wonderful years of memories gives you comfort.
Karen Hawkins on 08 Sep 2007 at 10:51 am #
cookeemama, don’t let that little shelf incident keep you from doing something you love! Get thee a tea pot!
I didn’t collect anything for the longest time … except shoes. but then I found something that appealed both to my love of history, and he joy I get from writing — ink wells. I have a bunch but, like you, Sabrina, I don’t want to dust them so they’re in a box in the closet. One day, though, I’d like to get a display case.
Kay on 08 Sep 2007 at 11:04 am #
Miz and Fresh, thanks so much. She has been the best kitty. Her name is Angel–we got her just before our first Christmas together. We had her before we had our kids, so they are very upset.
I forgot that I collect plants. My DH gets me a new daylilly every Mother’s day. My B-I-L collects unusual hostas, and is great about sharing. A collection I don’t have to dust—just water.
cookeemama on 08 Sep 2007 at 11:06 am #
It’s OK about the teapots, Karen. The breakage occurred about 10 years ago. Soon after I moved where I am now. I see gorgeous teapots on Cash in the Attic all the time. I lust in my heart as a former President once said. The money those teapots bring make me look at my bunch in a very mercenary light.
I do enjoy the ones I have left. I reverted to my other addiciton. Fabric and quilt books. They are quietly taking over my space. LOL
BTW, my dog is also a fabric collector. She likes to carry scraps of fabric around in her mouth. When tired of that, she puts them with her treasure hoard of socks, toilet paper rolls (nicely chewed to bits) and cardboard bits.
Unfortunately for her, treasure trove is right in front of the front door. She keeps wondering why her stash doesn’t grown and tends to disappear at regular intervals.
Kay, so sorry about your kitty. Give her hugs from me. And may she slip away in peace knowing that she’s been loved.
Nicole Jordan on 08 Sep 2007 at 11:39 am #
>>> I see gorgeous teapots on Cash in the Attic all the time. I lust in my heart as a former President once said.
>>>BTW, my dog is also a fabric collector. She likes to carry scraps of fabric around in her mouth.
LOL! CookeeM, you made my morning.
Although I’m realy choked up about Kay’s beloved cat. I know how excruciatingly hard that is, Kay. My heart goes out to you.
As for collecting, I don’t really do it. Had some stuffed animals a few years ago, but stored them away to make room for more books on my shelves — and I have a huge number of bookshelves.
My dh and I do have one small thing. Every Christmas we get an ornament to commemorate the past year. Which makes no sense cause we never put up a tree ourselves and go to MO to his family’s house for the holidays. But he started it when he gave me an ornament the first year we were married that said, “our first Christmas together.” Can’t give up something that sweet.
NicoleJ
Kelly Ann on 08 Sep 2007 at 12:11 pm #
I also buy a new ornament each year, one for the family and one each for my children (a head start for their own trees). My mom gave me all of the ornaments she had collected for me over the years while I was growing up and I loved the tradition.
I used to collect Disney figurines, Snow White and 7 Dwarfs, Peter Pan & Tink, I had a ton of them - my Ex-husband has those now so I stopped collecting.
Now I collect pretty old plates to hang on my dinning room wall and tea cups. I collect recipies and I keep those in my computer so no mess! I also like different drink glasses, cordials, brandy glasses, wine glasses etc. Not that I’m a lush or anything, but I have to have the glass for the drink, except saki (I do have a few of those glasses but I don’t use them anymore). Throwing up in my front yard because both of my bathrooms were in use made a lasting impression! And trust me, I tried it hot, cold and @ room temp! Which could have been the problem!
Karen Hawkins on 08 Sep 2007 at 12:49 pm #
Kay, I’m so sorry about your kitty! I have an elderly kitty, too, and know how difficult that must be. I’m glad she has you.
Kelly Ann, I used to collect ornaments, but fell out of the habit. I need to start again, though. I looooove xmas ornaments! it’s the perfect collection, too, because you get them out and enjoy them … and then tuck them away until next year. NO DUSTING!
MizMacgyver on 08 Sep 2007 at 1:04 pm #
Kay, one of my kitty’s name is Angel, she does not live up to her name, she makes the two boy’s lives miserable but she is my cuddle kitty. If I sit down and make a lap she is in it. I tried to do plants one time. Let us just say it was short lived.
Ladytink_534 on 08 Sep 2007 at 1:18 pm #
I collect books and Disney stuff (movies, snowglobes, ornaments, etc.). I hate dusting too but I do it because I just love having them.
dbrown3400 on 08 Sep 2007 at 2:35 pm #
Kay, I am so sorry about your kitty. I lost mine to cancer and no matter how old the cat, they are still your kitten and hard to give up.
Monkey parts???
twolilhahas on 08 Sep 2007 at 4:02 pm #
I guess I collect flip-flops now. lol The really cheap Wal-Mart bamboo flip-flops are my favorite…and I’m so afraid they’re going to stop selling them…that every summer I load up on flip-flops. I have tons.
When I was younger I collected “The Monkees” stuff. CDs, tapes, posters, books…whatever…if it was about “The Monkees” it was for me. I even managed to get an autographed by Mickey Dolenz mouse pad! I still have all that stuff, but I’m not actively collecting new stuff to add to it.
I used to collect Breyer Horses, too. I had tons when I was little. I still have some of them, but only a basket full made it.
Julia London on 08 Sep 2007 at 4:20 pm #
Ohmigod, I can’t believe another woman out there has a pig collection.
I never meant to be a collector. It started very innocently. I picked up an antique piggy bank in Taos. My mom saw one that looked like it in San Antonio, and picked it up. My sisters thought that was a great gift idea….and then, well, a collection was born. Now I have an international pig collection. I get one in every place I visit. Right now, the collection is still within the tasteful range, but it is on the verge of exploding into the very tacky range.
Suzanne Enoch on 08 Sep 2007 at 6:11 pm #
Yes, yes, I have a rather…substantial Star Wars collection. It did get me on TV as an expert in the romance of Star Wars. I also collect Lord of the Rings stuff, Pirates of the Caribbean stuff, X-Men stuff, Muppets stuff, research books, movies on DVD, and hair do-dads. The hair do-dads take up the least amount of room.
darkshire007 on 08 Sep 2007 at 7:16 pm #
I collect books (of course) and ravens. My kitchen is currently being redesigned to reflect my love of these black birds. I have actually found quite a few items with ravens on them and my family send me ravens whenever they find something they think I don’t have. Like Suzanne I also collect Muppet stuff (dvd’s, coloring books, stuffed critters (what else would you classify Gonzo as?).
Sabrina Jeffries on 08 Sep 2007 at 8:15 pm #
“Monkey parts???”
I know, Donna. Don’t know why that leaped into my brain. It was late, I was tired, and well, there you go. This is what I get for always waiting until the last minute.
Like Kay, I do like to buy Christmas ornaments in places we travel that are unique to the place, although it does depend on how much I liked the area. *G* Every year I try to weed out the older, uglier ornaments, but they all have such sentimental meaning, and I do love them all, and …
This year I bought a gorgeous set of Jim Shore ornaments for the 12 Days of Christmas while we were on vacation in the mountains earlier this year. I fell in love with them and had to have them. Ah, yes, I could indeed get sucked into the Christmas collection thing.
Sabrina Jeffries on 08 Sep 2007 at 8:18 pm #
Julia, this pig collection of the teachers was immense. They had flying pigs suspended from the classroom ceiling, pig masks, big pigs, little pigs, cute pigs, ugly pigs … it was very impressive. They even had pig t-shirts. We all loved it.
TinaLouiseF on 08 Sep 2007 at 8:37 pm #
I try to get a magnet or post card when I travel.
Approx half of the books I read, I keep to reread.
One shelf in my curio cabinet has horses and another has women figurines.
The women started as presents: Cinderella, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, Scarlett O’Hara (I used to have Rhett, but many things got destroyed years ago when my cabinet tipped over.), I also have many from when my sister-in-law used to sell Home Interiors.
I have a small collection of rabbits, dogs (used to be a few more) and Thomas Kinkaide items small enough to fit on a book shelf.
Brandy on 08 Sep 2007 at 9:30 pm #
I collect Irish things. *g* Especially if they have a claddaugh on them. Do diamonds count? I always tell my hubs he can never go wrong buying me diamonds! *G*
Since books don’t count (not sure my family would agree with that), then I guess I don’t collect much.
ladydawgfan on 08 Sep 2007 at 10:12 pm #
I collect decorative eggs - I have them in porcelain, crystal, and a series of Faberge knock-offs that was offered years ago. I also have a cool egg-shaped desk clock that I found in a St Louis modern art museum gift shop.
Other than that, I collect anything having to do with bulldogs or Mississippi State (my alma mater). Gotta be true to your school!!
And who says that books don’t count as a collection??!!! I have more than 2100 arguments to the contrary!!!
Kelly Ann on 09 Sep 2007 at 12:05 am #
ladydawgfan I agree that books are a collection. I actually collect old books, I even have a Lord Byron, Dickens, Jane Austin - old journals & Shakespeare, oh yes, all the money & time I spend searching them out is definitely collecting!!!!!
I also like eggs though I only have one - delicately decorated w/ roses and it opens!
My sister, who died years ago, collected pigs. I have one of hers that is a small piggy bank, very beautiful. I used to collect cow things for my kitchen, but I have a new love of flowers!
Oh and I used to collect men, however they kinda like to be the only one, most are demanding and frankly down right possesive. Plus, its not easy - practically tripping over each other. How is it alright for them & not women? Not very fair, but there you have it. I do however feel that during my time “collecting” them I had fun, each was very unique & if I could have taken one item from each of them I could have made one hell of a man - he would have been perfect!
Kathy on 09 Sep 2007 at 10:22 am #
I am definately a collector; wooden boxes, antique multi colored classes, costume jewelry, some spoons, pink depression ware and vintage clothing, some from my very own youth. And every other piece of stuff I have owned for 30 years and three marriages. Whew!!!
I have spent three weekends now trying to tame the unruly hoarde. Three trips to good will, three trips to the dump and alas, it is multiplying in the garage. Like those sponges that are compressed and you add water, that is the stuff in the garage once I take the box off the stack.
Dust? I think of dust as a protective layer, like shrink wrap. Certainly don’t want to disturb it.
Sabrina Jeffries on 09 Sep 2007 at 11:26 am #
Here’s what I think about books as collectibles. If you’re collecting them as objects in themselves–i.e., first editions or all leather-bound or all editions of Zane Grey–then they count as a collection. If you’re collecting them to read or reread, I don’t count that. Just as I don’t count my dishes that I use (I have LOTS of Corning ware in Old Town Blue, but I don’t count them as a collection–they’re what I eat off of). If I HAD a bunch of dishes in a display case that I never used, then that would be a collection.
I’d say if you’re acquiring books for the simple joy of having lots of books, whether or not you ever intend to read any of them, then you have a book collection. I intend to read or use all of mine, and I do periodic sweeps to get rid of anything I’m not reading or using. So I don’t consider myself a book collector.
Kay on 09 Sep 2007 at 12:24 pm #
TinaLouiseF,
I get postcards when I travel and use them as bookmarkers. I leave them in favorite books, and “rediscover” them when I reread an old favorite. I never thought of it as a collection before, because they are all spread out.
catslady on 09 Sep 2007 at 2:10 pm #
Lots of hair to go with 7 cats. Sorry Kay about Angel. I have a 16 yr. old that isn’t doing well and it is hard (i’ve had 2 dogs that have passed) but I wouldn’g give them up for anything. I also collect coffee cups and playing cards and xmas ornaments and I qualify for collecting books because I’d have to live forever to read them all. Basically I’m a pack rat and could add more things to that list but those are my favorites.
Julz on 09 Sep 2007 at 10:16 pm #
I was like 8-12ish when the whole beanie baby craze happened so i have many a beanie baby. i didnt just display them though, i actually played with them, and had my favorites!!! my mom just called cause she is cleaning out hte garage and wanted to know what i wanted to do with all of them, and i just cant bear to part with them! aww beanie babies
Sabrina Jeffries on 09 Sep 2007 at 11:34 pm #
I like the idea of using postcards as bookmarks and then finding them randomly in books. I would never have thought of that.
cail on 10 Sep 2007 at 11:47 am #
chiming in here a bit late (i was on vacation in the hamptons for the weekend), but i’m realizing that i don’t really collect much anymore. i have an extensive catalogued book collection, mostly romances and pirate history books (my pirate obsession predates Pirates of the Carribean by about 20 years) and baseball history books.
Actually, come to think of it, i do have a collection- i collect old prints of favorite locations and events. i have a framed print of the Dakota in the late 1800s and about a zillion framed pictures of baseball players and locations from the early part of the last century. They’re all B&W or Sepia. I have one color print of a more recent player, but he signed it with a note to me when i did a volunteer thing so its a bit more special.
TheNightPoet on 10 Sep 2007 at 5:05 pm #
I have many different collections. I collect dolphin, fairy, angel and ballerina figurines. I also have a small but lovely little Precious Moments colletion. My parents and I joke that when I have a house of my own, I will have to have a room dedicated just to my collectibles. lol I don’t think it’s that bad, my collection that is, so we’ll have to wait and see if that’s the truth in the future. lol
Andrea