Thoughts about Treasures + Collecting

Collecting treasures....

Yummmmm!

Just those two words, collecting treasures, make my entire brain come to life.  I can literally feel little sparks of excitement begin in my brain, travel down to my shoulders, and then cover my entire face and arms.

When did it begin?  This collecting fascination?

Can you remember when yours first began?

I can almost perfectly pin point mine.

I can go back to about 16 years old.

It was on travels outside of the little town I grew up in, which had little to no antique or thrift stores.  I would spot mind blowing thrift stores, and beg my parents to go in.

I remember being in San Francisco, and seeing the most incredible 3 story antique/curio shop.  Every part of my being drew me to the place.

Of course, my parents would have none of that.

Someone else's "junk" in our house, umm, no way, said they.

To me, it was the polar opposite of junk.

It was treasure, pirate's treasure, old dilapidated mansion treasure, secret treasure!

Since I wasn't allowed to schlep any of it home at the time, I became even more enchanted by those over stuffed antique stores, and all the tales each item held.

In a word - the items held inside of antique shops were pure mystery to me, and I was more than intrigued.

I was about 16-17 when my parents started letting me go (in my car) to places outside of my town, for day trips.  My first day trip took me to a thrift shop in downtown Tucson. 

On 4th avenue.

And, to a little antique store in Tubac, Arizona.

It was there, that the collecting began.

Outrageous fabulous shoes and jewelry.

Some for 25 cents in 1993-94.

All pieces I still have.

Some of my best treasures in fact.

Often I feel so glad and amazed really, that at that young age I started my treasure collecting.  Coming from a home where little was old (and virtually everything was brand new), it's interesting to me that somewhere deep inside of me I had a vast love for old treasures.

I have even had countless dreams (beginning from 13 to now) of a person I was in times past.  I can see her house - her attic.

It is vivid, like a parallel universe, back in time.

I can see her in a great big round paned window, 3 stories up, looking down at me, and me being her. 

But, that is a tale for another day.

What I am trying to say is that at the age of 16ish I knew about things, and liked things, that there was no way I could have known about.  Plus for years, people I knew (as well as strangers), would tell me, you have such an old soul, I feel like I know you. (insert twilight zone theme)

As a tid-bit side track to this tale - one other thing I knew how to do beginning in my very early teens was make handmade bread.  I don't know how I knew.  I just knew.  It felt like some strange deep memory.  One Christmas when I was 13 or 14, I announced that I was making several panettone, and I did.  To this day, I have no clue how I knew how to make it.  No one had taught me, and my mom can't bake bread.  So, who knows?  (insert twilight zone theme again)

Okay so - back to what I was initially saying....

Where was I?

Oh yes, the beginnings of collecting.

Soooooooo...

My whole life I have had friends that are much older than me.  So, it was in my early 20's that one of my older friends took me to her mother's house.  It was there that my love for collecting, and my understanding of why people collect, as well as the fascination of that in itself, came together and ultimately came to light. 

I stepped into the home of my friend's mother and I thought, YES!  This is the feeling - this is what collecting is all about!

The house was filled with treasures that the woman loved.  Treasures from voyages around the world.  Treasures she made + collected - art, antiques, heirlooms and more.

I could see a life, the woman's life, gathered in oodles of eye candy collections.

I was speechless.

But mostly - I was touched at how, through her collections, the old woman in the wheel chair came to life right before my eyes.

Places she had been - what sort of things were meaningful to her.

And then of course, there were the stories behind the treasures.

It was at that moment that a light bulb went off in my head.

I understood just then that, you have to collect things that you totally and completely adore.  Surround yourself with things that make you happy.  And, who cares if anything goes or matches, who cares at all about that?  Eclectic rules, when collecting comes into play.

It was about, surrounding yourself with items that tell your story, in a way.

At least, that was and is my interpretation of collecting.

It is a visual tale of what you love - items that stitch together bits and bobs of YOUness.

Items that make you feel good.

A sanctuary around you - of that which delights you.

Of course, I myself have gone though that sort of zen purging spree.  Sometimes it feels good to sit in an empty room with a tiny amount of meaningful things.

Other times, it feels good to fill your walls.

It just depends on the feeling - or shall I say, vibe of your soul.

But, after a few serious purges over the years (which I would not do again), I have learned to box things up that I really don't feel connected to anymore, and put them away neatly.  Then I revisit them in a year, and see what I am really ready to part with, and what I still want.

Over the years, the true junk has left my life - and I only keep things that make me genuinely happy.

Now I only keep what I love.

And, what I have grown to love over the years of collecting, is well...

Vast.

I don't have one set style that I love.

I love it all.

Gustavian, Swedish, Edwardian, Victorian, ethnic, frilly, world flair, simple, outrageous, Indian, colorful, grey, fantasy, worn, French, fairy tale, pre-historic, Southwestern, Asian, South American, Middle Eastern, vintage, gypsy, religious, farmhouse, cottagey, Scandinavian, Italian, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th century and on and on....

I like it all.

I truly can not think of one style that I turn my nose up at.

The one most important thing I hold dear is the thought that, everyone's style is special and wonderful.  Even if it is not totally my taste, I still value it greatly.  It is interesting to me, to see what folks collect.

I rarely say, oh, I hate that.

Or oh, that is awful or ugly.

I keep an open mind, because, it is all important to someone else.

And, I often can see the beauty in almost any type of collection.

I love entering people's homes and seeing their collections.

From books to figurines...

I am touched by what people keep on their shelves.

It is meaningful to them.

It is part of them.

It is special to them.

I have so many different types of friends.  Some love to collect as well.  Others have taken up collecting because of my "bad' influence ;)   (including my mom)

And yet others are not interested in anything collected whatsoever.

But to me - collections can tell a story of who you are, and what you enjoy and hold dear.

I for one, adore that.

The thing about me liking so many different types of things is that, I go through bouts of obsessions.  Especially with rocks and minerals and shells, and things from the earth.

I once obsessively collected shells.

I still adore them and enjoy them, but I don't collect them as much.

(mostly because I don't live by the ocean, and I am not in a traveling mood these days)

Because I make jewelry, gemstones are always high on my list.

I love rocks and fossils -

And have currently...

Taken to being more obsessed than every with polishing all my rocks with toothpaste and a toothbrush.

I am on rock high alert.

Going through mine and mister's collections...

Admiring them again.

He displaying treasures on one shelf, me on another, then both of us together.  I love that he loves this sort of thing as well.

All I can do these days is dream about pretty rocks.

(too bad their true beauty and sparkle does not show up in photos at all)

Then I realize...

All these walks I take in the river bed and in the desert -

Looking at the ground, in search of what, I don't know?

(But I will know it when I see it)

I realize, it all comes back to the main point of the collecting story, which is...

The hunt.

The hunt is the funnest part.

And yes....

I agree with some of you.

"Stuff" is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

But to me, while I am here, I am going to enjoy it.

Big time!

I am not going to think about the burden of dusting (which is no burden to me as I love dusting).

I am just going to be me.

And go on collecting what I like.

What makes me happy.

Cuz really, that's all I know how to be anyway.

I can't even reform myself if I try.

Not that I want to anyway.

:)

And really, that is all there is to it when it comes to collecting.

It is yours, it is what you like.

It is what you enjoy.

And that...

That is all that matters.

Collecting Treasures.

Delicious!!!

Don't let anyone's bad attitude take away your love for collecting.

Promise?

I have had my fair share of people criticizing why I have this or that.

Or how "they" think it is pointless.

(I stay clear away from those sort of folks)

Phooey.

Do what you love, do what you want.

Don't let anyone take that away from you.

K?

Haters can lick a warty slimey oozing toad.

:)

I would love to hear about your treasure loves.

What you are obsessed with now, and what you love to collect?

You will see me chatting back and forth in the comment section.

Well, I better go make lunch.

Then, rock hunting ensues.

Love, V

 

 

ps:  The mail just came with the March 2012 issue of Martha Stewart Living, and can I just say, it is scrumptious!  It will make you want to stick your head into a gloriously earthy sack of potting soil!

 

pss:  You know what they say right?  3 of something makes a collection :)

Comments

[lisa skiles]

It is funny the way that certain things call out your name. My yard is FULL of acorns in the fall, but one in particular pulled at me every time I walked by. It had a heart shape and now it resides on a shelf with treasures like the wine cork from the night of my engagement and a silly wooden outhouse that my brother carved for me shortly before he died. When I was in Montana this past fall, we were in the mountains and I just KNEW there was a special rock for me there. I looked endlessly (and let me tell you - there were zillions of them...)but couldn't find it. There were pretty ones, but not the one I needed to find. Kind of odd, I know. When it is yours, you just simply KNOW. Oh, and it is really cool about your bread baking. Amazing.
Hugs,
Lisa

[Cameron]

I love rocks, too....we collect new ones every Summer we go to Oregon..and sea glass! I can't have enough sea glass....I make hair clips....and I love how no two have ever been the same because of the uniqueness of the glass...unwanted bottles tumbling for decades in the mysterious sea....only to rest right at my feet ready to be found and made into something special :)
Makes me giddy...heehee!

[Jenn]

Oh yay! You make me smile :) I have people who come to my space, and they always feel the need to make a comment. I've heard "Oh this is like a fairytale! Can I move in?!". I've also heard "why is there so much clutter... it looks cluttery in here, you need to get rid of some of this junk". The latter of these statements is actually from my very best friend, who is a neat freak and minimalist. I'm for sure a maximalist. How dare someone call your thinks that you collect and cherish junk? I hate that!

Treasures are phenomenal and they fill a home with character :) Bareness is cold and sad... I much prefer warmth and vibrance. I agree sooooo much with your views on this. I've done one or two big clearouts that depress me so much when I think about them... I got rid of a lot of treasures. What a waste... NEVER AGAIN!

Thanks for making me feel ok to be me, and embracing my wacky decorating!

[M]

I love to collect toys.
It all began with some of my first memories.
My foster mother, whom I affectionately called "Little Honey," had a toy shelf in her china hutch where she would save little toys from cereal and cracker jack boxes. I was fascinated by it, but was only allowed to look and not to touch.
When I moved out and was on my own, I purchased 3 antique wooden 7-up boxes. There were partitions where the sodas were held, and they made the perfect toy shelves. One of my first toys to go on the shelf was actually mine when I was a toddler. I was helping Little Honey do some cleaning and I found it hidden under the piano: Magilla Gorilla!
I love collecting all sorts of toys, but some of my very favorites are the ones that come in Kinder Eggs. (They can be found in Canada, Europe and online) Each toy must be assembled, which is great fun! And most of them move and do stuff too. Now that the Cracker Jack prizes suck, the kinder eggs are so refreshing to come across because I really feel like i am getting my money's worth and having fun in the process!
This collection pays testament to my life motto to always keep a childlike wonder about the world!

[Lavender Dreams]

I collect so many different things...but really love children's books and dolls....and seashells! But you are right...it's the hunt now that interests me! I went to a thrift store today and bought a few things. You never know what you will find...that's what's fun! I come home with an odd assortment of stuff...but it makes me happy! Love this post, my friend! ♥♥♥

[Kelly]

My dear sweet grandfather was a rock hound and so I was introduced to seeing and collecting in ways most people never experience. I was blessed to know him! Some of the adventures he shared with me were just Awesome. One time we went out whale bone collecting in San Diego, where I also remember finding the biggest seashell I had ever seen at my younger age. Another family trip was to Bakersfield, Ca. where we sifted for sharks teeth! On one other family road trip he took us to where you could find garnets inside rocks and I was in such awe! So, it’s in the blood and I am always looking or sifting through the ground hoping to find that next special specimen out there, anywhere to be discovered. My siblings and I, back in the day, would love to pick up what we thought might be some real collectable when we were out with grandpa and show it to him and I remember being told on some occasions it was not and he referred to it as a leave er right or leave er set. I smile thinking about his retort! When grandpa’s health began to fail he had each family member pick out and keep some of his special collection, so that we would be able to treasure and respect his left behind treasures. Such Sweet Memories! <3<3<3<3<3

[DogsMom]

I am at a stage in life, or maybe it is the time of year, that when I wander thrift stores I wait for something to call to me from a shelf. I am not looking for anything. Or maybe I am looking for the unusual, the uncommon.

My home is "decorated" such that unusual objects are tucked here and there in unexpected places. I enjoy that. Seeing an object calls up a memory and often makes me smile.

I have an attachment to books, and vintage toys. Of course the house is full of things depicting animals.
I have been telling myself not to pick up things that I have too many of. That my collecting has become predictable.
That "cure" only lasts a short time.

Loved this post but it made me want to clean and organize, then work on decent displays, and by the end I wanted to get out treasure hunting again. Guess I should be grateful it is a snowy day and the roads are bad.
I can appreciate what I have to hunt for already in the house. (Always something tucked away to rediscover.)

[A Fanciful Twist]

Lovely Lisa Skiles - oh the beloved acorn!!! Heart acorn love, how
awesome! Oh and, I so get it - the perfect rock - you know it when you
know it. And, that is just the way it is ;)))

[A Fanciful Twist]

Oh Cameron, yes yes yesssss!! I adore sea glass as well! One
thing I miss about the ocean - sea glass and sea shells. I have some
lovely sea glass that I keep in glass decanters. I especially love finding
a real oldie with a worn but legible embossed word on it. Or the
purples!! But then the teals too, oh and and and. Okay, I love them
all. I agree, sea glass is ultra special!! ;)

[A Fanciful Twist]

Beautiful Jenn - How dare she? Well, I dont know if it is nice for a
best friend to say such things. But, people who dont value stuff or
special items just dont get it. They think we are insane ;))) I for
one think your room is a fairytale princess dream! And that is shows
incredible character!! Keep on collecting ;)

[A Fanciful Twist]

M - Kinder eggs sound fascinating! Must look into this ;) Oh,
Magilla Gorilla!!!!! Ahhh, what a sweet memory. I love toys
too. I agree, they are fab. I also love bright plastic toys.
But I especially love toys that do tricks, or antique toys. Actually, all
toys are pretty awesome. Just the word toy rocks
;)))

[A Fanciful Twist]

Miss Lavender Dreams, my friend! I have seen some of your exquisite
and adorable dolls!! You inspire me to find my big box of porcelains at
the family house. I agree about childrens books. So special and
precious! Oooo, too bad I wasnt out thrifting with you :) WHAT
FUN!!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Oh Kelly, be still my heart. Your Grandpa, sweet Grandpa. Such
heart touching memories. So so so special, to have such memories.
Now those are real treasures, arent they though? Bliss Sigh....

[LuLu Kellogg]

I collect anything Halloweenie or Carnivaly (I think I just made up a word!)

I also have a collection of stripey tights!

I am so full of silliness :)

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

[A Fanciful Twist]

DogsMom, I agree, sometimes the rediscovery is just as good as the original
find. I have lost a beloved item for two years. I hope it didnt
fall off of my coat - but if and when I rediscover it I will be so thrilled, I
might faint ;) I think I also love the displaying part of treasures a
whole lot. It is really taking a moment to value your item, and put it on
a little pedestal ;) I love your hunt for the unusual and unknown until
found perspective. Good one! I am on that outlook myself - do share
if you find something totally unexpected and fab
;)))

[A Fanciful Twist]

Oh Lulu, you collect that which delights my soul!!!!! You should set
a time where you wear a different set of stripey tights every day ;)
Halloweenie and Carnivaly rocks ;) Love, V

[deb]

V
I just love the stories you tell. Why do i see so much of you in me and me in you......your words could be my words......you are so very wise.....so i should be wise too huh?? Well no because i've wasted too much of this life of mine worrying what people think and you obviously do none of that and i admire you for that......i keep working towards having the courage to just be me.....

I like to collect coffee cups.......i'm the only one in the house who drinks coffee but i can still swoon over a lovely coffee cup thats just the right size..about 12 oz...not too big or too small. I've collected swarski crystal for years and eggs in marble and alabaster, onyx,amber........beaded snowflakes, each one unique and different that i hang in my windows with those little suction cups at xmas......endless craft supplies......there are even things on my list i want to start collecting like......sea glass if i ever find any. lol I also collect quotes in a little book and one day i want to do a project to have a wall in my house covered in my favorite quotes.......

[Rita]

Oooh weeel, my first collection was butterflies, i was obsessed. I had everything could be or contains them, a shape, a pic of butterflies: tshirts, jewells, lamps, shoes, pens ans so on, Now I realized butterflies are so close to me, I feel like them and it's incredible but they fly often near to me, they settle upon me without fear not only during spring or summer. I like to believe they are little angels, 'cause they next to me especially when I 'm worried or sick.
I also lllllove to collect bags and vintage bags, jewels and vintage jewels. It began thanks to my grandmama. She gave me her little treasure. My mum doesn't want them, she says:"oooh they're old and smells old". For me they are a link to my grandmama now, I smell them and It seems she lives again. i don't search my pieces of collections, they find me, and call me ahah. And I am particularly able to understand what kind of bag, or jewel, will begin a vintage model, an evergreen piece.
Moreover you inspire me in the way to show jewels at home...not only in the bedroom(I have a beautiful jewel tree there), but in the rest of my home!
It ' s snowing again in Rome, it didn't happen since 1956

Week end kisses,
rita

[Two Crazy Crafters]

Oh Vanessa, I SO identify with those little sparks of excitement! I, too, love collecting treasures that to me, are old castoffs from another time. I am also very eclectic. My son constantly teases me about it because I love art deco, country, french, primitive, early american, etc. My collections are many but to name a few, I collect pottery, motto prints, postcards, oil cans, shoe forms, books, antique prints, wooden spools, old frames, old mirrors. I really enjoyed reading your post. It was music to my ears, especially the part about other people licking warty toads! I get tired of being told I have 'enough' or 'too much'. Thanks for a such a beautiful post! Twyla

[stephanie]

Collections....my home and studio look like a giant cabinet of curiosity. Our souls reside in each object...I have no idea what my poor daughter will do when I`m gone and she has to deal with it all!

x....x

[Alia]

I am definitely a collecting fiend! Mister B is always saying "why did you bring home that old bit of dirty junk?" He just does not understand, but he tolerates it which is nice. Anyway lately I have been into collecting tea things and old china, tin trays, books of course, and pretty much anything else I can get my hands on. For me having two of something is pretty much a good enough reason to keep going! We are starting to move on Sunday and I am going to try to get rid of few things, but I doubt I will be able to let go of much. :)

[Nathalie Gagnon]

LOVE your post!!!! I love all your collections :) I love to collect so many things...I collect collections hahahah.

I love mercury glass Christmas ornaments, 50's beaded purses, jewelry, tea cups and teapots, peacocks, 60's art glass ashtrays and things that scream Hollywood regency!!! I laughed very hard at your previous post about watching the "hoarders".... I need to be careful that I don't end up on this show! I am lucky however to have a glamour room and salon to showcase all my fashion things!

[Theresa]

Hi there Miss Vanessa! I really understood this post, as I do love to collect as well. :) What do I like to collect? Over the years, it has been various things...I have a neat little collection of sand castles. One of them is made of black sand!!!! :) And I have a lot of gargoyles, too. :) Of course, I do love to collect art from my favorite indie artists. And my MAJOR obsession is The Nightmare Before Christmas! I have TONS of goodies - from games to figurines to clothing to nightlights to even party supplies!!!! A television network even called me last year to discuss sharing my collection for a special - but I decided that I wanted to keep my goodies private. I LOVED seeing the treasures that make you happy. Collecting is good for the soul. And it shows the essence of a person, too. :) Hooray for treasures!!!!

[Teresa in California]

Hi, Vanessa
I posted a comment earlier but it looks like it 'vanished' into thin air.
Maybe I wrote too much and it didn't accept my comment...I have had that happen before...oh well.
Your collections are magnificent! And I need to post about my own collections on my blog too!
hugs,
Miss Teresa

[G.G. Pinkster]

As I was walking through the town,
I looked straight up and sideways down.
And there in the window an image of,
A mermaid sideways next to a dove.
Oh me oh my, my heart did sigh.
I stood straight up and walked right by.
The door was old with wooden chips,
Clinked and clanked the spring went zip.
Was this really what I thought it was,
On a morning clear with sun above?
The mermaid she winked and the dove flew around,
Some music was playing and rocked the sound.
Oh me, oh my, the pockets did fly,
Saying this and that, now, please the buy.
Fluttering hear the bells did ring,
A morning song through the town did sing.
Wait a minute above the door,
I see an owl landing on the floor.
Is it really chasing the little piglet,
With wings making a slow decent.
And then a stone next to a twig,
Perfect audience for a jig.
Oh me, oh my fish floating with turtles totting,
A horse near by.
Rabbits and dragons teapots, saucers all right.
Seashells calling in the dream,
Waving rolling, pie plates extreme.
Pencils and papers to color in the light,
Yarns and yes to make it right.
Oh me oh my a collectors dream
Paintings, glass, rugs, tea cups and seams.

[Jacqueline]

One day while sitting at my work desk trying to act professional I started to remember my toys from my childhood. About half of them were stuck in a box. Barbies with a couple of wires poking from those rubber legs and one tin doll dish was left from a set of 4...my raggedy ann never deserved to be stuffed in a box and my Liddle Kiddle dolls were screaming to get out.
Thus began my quest to gather my toys from childhood which turned into my quest to be a toy dealer and wheel and deal toy finds while playing the whole darn way.
Love the fact you are open to collecting lots of fun items and you make them all merry by introducing them to each other, shell after shell.
Caring and in kindess,
Jacqueline
Once Upon a Fairyland

[Kim (sparklegem)]

Great post! I have been collecting since I was a child. I love old things and always have. I have an amethyst crystal cluster I got from one of those roadside rock shops when I was 15. Once you have that collecting bug it never goes away!

[Kristin]

Wonderful post! Obviously you really "get" the joy of collecting in a way that many (like, say, a certain DEAR HUSBAND, haha) do not. As you say, "Haters can lick a warty slimey oozing toad." (that part made me laugh out loud)

Keep dreaming,
Kristin

[Chelsy]

I am an obsessive purger. I can't help it. Donating boxes of stuff is the best feeling in the world to me, and, I must admit, it's not because the donating part; it's just the getting rid of it part. I can't help it. It's probably just a serious condition as hoarding. I learned my lesson with my daughters' toys that they never play with- someday, they will wonder what happened to that toy and demand I go find it. Oops. My mom and sister are collectors, and I love- LOVE- admiring their treasures. I guess that's enough for me for now. Maybe when the babes are a little older and the heaps of plastic toys are all but gone, I will allow some beautiful clutter into my home. :-). By the way, I am not a clutter hater, I do appreciate the eclectic beautiful things in homes and shops. But in my home, things have a tendency to find there way into the donation box. They just seem happier there. :-)

[Linda Diane]

I so enjoyed seeing samplings of your treasures, Vanessa! My walls and shelves are full of things! I am definitely not a minimalist.

I love your talking about the elderly woman in a wheelchair who came to life before you through her collections.

I would sooooo love to see some of the jewelry you make! Would you ever so pretty please consider sharing some of it with us?

[Kim @ Bonne Nuit Designs]

I love to collect too! What fun! I've collected miniature things for dolls and dollhouses since I was a child. I'm especially drawn to doll kitchen things, because I love to cook. Now that I make dolls, I guess I collect them, too. I love cookbooks and human-size "toys" for cooking/baking, like vintage cake pans and pretty Pyrex dishes. Model trains and vintage car and toy trucks, doll making supplies (fabrics, lace, art supplies...), cozy soft thrift store sweaters, books for inspiration, vintage sewing things, seashells from Maine, pictures of flowers and faerie tale settings... I have a lovely wooden knitting needle collection from when I used to knit. When I had gardens, I loved to collect perennials. So fun to think about collections and what they mean to us! Flea markets rock!

[stacy]

This post is possibly my most favorite...ever.
My boys seem to want to live in an IKEA house, which is perfectly fine, but not me. They can't understand why they are the only people that have to look at a flying frog that hangs over the kitchen sink.
I gave in the other day and purged...big time...
It makes me sad that I gave in. I miss my treasures.

AND I'll be waiting patiently to hear the story about the person you were in the past.

[Ms Lori]

I suppose I am odd, to must, but to my lovely daughter, Miss Miranda, I am the funnest, coolest mom in the world. You see, we collect together, we collect stamps, postcards from every corner of the earth (thanks to postcrossing.com), costume jewelry, vintage clutches, funky-chunky yarn, anything Alice in Wonderland-ish, kitschy, cutesy, and steampunk. I think it's lots of fun!

[Carolee Clark]

Oh I adore collecting! Like that line from The Quiet Man: "Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of having my things about me." So true...

I collect teapots, the more whimsical the better. And children's Christmas books (for the illustrations). And small pieces of Halloween folk art, which adorn the shelves in my studio space. In the '80's I collected those little Lilliput Lane houses, which I still have, but am not so into anymore. And my new fascination is with pinkeeps. Just bought the most adorable little mushroom house pinkeep on Etsy (from hippywitch). Oh, and yarn of course, for knitting. But that's not really collecting, it's more like an obsession, hehe...

I would love to start collecting Alice in Wonderland too, and am often tempted to keep the Alice pieces I paint, but never have.

Delightful post, as always, and your collections are just wonderful!

♥ Carolee

[Sarah]

So much of what you say in this post is so familiar though I couldn't have put it so well it is exactly how I feel. I do remember some of my first starts of collections-a 50p pair of sparkly glass bead earrings from a little junk shop in my home town, and then another the following week-I still have both pairs. Then when I went to college there was a little tiny junk shop near my halls of residence that I used to go into every week. Then there was the market with great vintage and second hand clothes-and then I discovered charity shops properly... I still love the hunt-I am maybe more slow to buy but when I see something I love I know I must have it. I do the same as you-putting the things away that I no longer enjoy, and also going through current obsessions-the same as with the things I like to make-one obsession after another. My last little collecting obsession was gypsy type dolls, and a gypsy caravan as I have in mind to take photos of them-gypsy scenes-inspired partly by you I have to say! The next tea party if there is one may see gypsies arrivig from London. Ebay is a blessing and a curse!
I loved your list of collections-I have a list too and also like lots of different styles. I like things on display and also tiny little boxes filled with treasures-I have a butterfly tin that contains a collection of beautiful pinkish toned crab shells from a holiday in Scotland, and a little glass box filled with some special coral like substance from last year's holiday in Scotland. I have another wooden box made by my Dad with tiny shells and soft green moss-also from Scotland(I like Scotland!) which I occasionally open and sift through. Oh the joy of collecting is endless! xx

[Teresa Wendel]

When I displayed my first eclectic treasure, my daughter said, "You can't just show off one weird thing, Mom, 'cause that looks weird. You have to fill the whole house with weirdness." I was so happy that she gave me permission! Now my decor looks like something from a decorating column in Mad magazine.
I LOVE A Fanciful Twist! I keenly anticipate each new posting. Thanks for lightening (lightning!!) my day.

[Shell]

I feel some of the things we love are like ancestor memories coming through. Maybe long, long ago, one of your relatives baked the most delicious bread. The knowledge just came out of you in the moment you started to make the bread.
I am drooling over your crystals. Especially that pretty amethyst one. Love amethyst.
we have to be true to who we are and let it reflect in our lives.

[Chris]

Hi. I love you. I collect books mags journals. Very hard to resist. We used to hunt for rocks. We have such beautiful crystals. We went to quartzite and hunted and hunted. I have a hard time believing u can just do whati want and love and too bad if others don't like it. But I'm learning. I must go now. Nice to just read and read your blOg. Xox. Ps when I was little I went to the rock pile and picked thru so many and had a huge Rick collection and my friend and u would play school with our rocks!! Ha! So fun!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Ah man Chris, I wish I was digging in the crystals right now!! ;)

Vanessa
Valencia {A Fanciful Twist}

Website: www.VanessaValencia.Com
Blog: www.aFancifulTwist.Com

In a message dated 2/14/2012 12:51:03 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,

[A Fanciful Twist]

Teresa, I LOVE your daughters view! She sounds beyond awesome!
;) Weirdness unite!!! Plink plinkkkkkk!! ;)

[A Fanciful Twist]

Miss Lori, you are the bestest mom ever!!!!!!!

Vanessa
Valencia {A Fanciful Twist}

Website: www.VanessaValencia.Com
Blog: www.aFancifulTwist.Com

In a message dated 2/13/2012 7:45:54 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,

[A Fanciful Twist]

Carolee, I would Loooooove to see your collections. Oh, your art is so
amazing. beyond words. I would have such a hard time parting with it all
myself. One day I simply must own one of your pieces!! For my own
collections ;)))

Vanessa
Valencia {A Fanciful Twist}

Website: www.VanessaValencia.Com
Blog: www.aFancifulTwist.Com

In a message dated 2/13/2012 9:30:33 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,

[A Fanciful Twist]

KIM!!! I think I love to collect everything you do
tooooo! ;) Hahaaaa! Oh, collecting perennials,
yummms! Love that one extra much ;)

Vanessa
Valencia {A Fanciful Twist}

Website: www.VanessaValencia.Com
Blog: www.aFancifulTwist.Com

In a message dated 2/12/2012 9:11:43 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,

[LeAnne Iverson]

Sad story here....we moved three years ago and we did some purging.... that was ok but to this date I can not find my xmas tree ornaments. Mostly handmade by my entire family for my entire life....no where. My stomach hurts when Im even writing this. Maybe somewhere I keep saying to not become uncontrolably sad. I think there is nothing worse to loose really....nothing. Always trying to make new ones but have the attitude that "things dont matter". Across the board Im having a materialism crisis. It was good to read your post but after the fire of my childhood home including my "hope Chess" I have desensitized myself to not give things sooooo much value. Tricky conflict it is.

[A Fanciful Twist]

LeAnne, I agree. Oh my, hugely tricky conflict.

Not to seem morbid. But, I do this thing in my mind. I imagine
losing everything. A fire. A robbery. The robbery one hurts me
the most when I think about it. I try to imagine the steps - the
feelings. Almost like preparing myself for anything. Then I cringe
and block it out.

I dont think it is so much the things is it? But the feelings we
attach to them? Remember the volleyball in Castaway, was that the name of
the movie? Wilson, the volleyball!!! I cried when he lost Wilson so
much.....

It is sort of like - we project onto the, the definition of us in a
way? And then it hurts so much to lose them?

Even I felt my stomach flip flop when you talked about your
ornaments. It is like, the history of your family, was engrained into
them. I think I would feel like, it was my family, right there, living and
breathing in those ornaments. Memories alive in them. I can see why
it makes you so sad. I would feel the same way.

And you experienced a fire too? Oh my goodness, that is
intense.

Oh, we could chat about this for hours I think...

It is all so much deeper, than a brooch or a ring, isnt it?

Love, V

[pixie]

I collect things too. I have a little round tin on my desk with a pretty orange bottle cap, a few old stamps, tiny sparkly things that make me happy when I look at them. Nothing makes much sense or particularly mean anything but they are beautiful to me.

I also collect old Nancy Drew books...yes, I'm 39 years old but I love them. they always bring me back to being 12 years old or so and reading over the summer. I loved to climb the tree in my backyard, sit in the crook of one of the limbs and read away.

[Suzy Pierce]

Your posts always make me smile and your courage to be you is contagious! Collecting is like a heartbeat to me. I can feel my heart racing as I enter an antique or thrift shop. Always uncertain of what it is I am looking for. The thrill of the hunt, and of the excitement of finding that item that you can take home and mix into your already exceedingly useless collection! The smiles, the joy it gives me! Then, without notice, it is like something prods me to remix all my things and see how they work in different vignettes. Mixing styles, colors, textures and patterns. I love my creative life full of muchness!
xoxo, Suzy

[Annalee]

Mmmmm... I lovelovelove collecting things. I have ever since I was a wee kidlet (much to my parents' chagrin). I've gone through that rock phase too... My dad tells me I was able at one point to identify the type of any kind of rock he'd pick up & hand to me. It would be awesome if I could remember this... =D
My bedroom as a teenager resembled more of a gypsy fortune teller's wagon than that of your typical teen. ^-^
I loved all the tiny things, boxes, bottles, dried flowers, trinkets, that seemed to be tiny bits of myself that had coalesced into treasures left for me to find at thrift stores.
I lost almost all of these things, though, along with almost all my books when I lived with my partner's parents. I had stored them in the basement, but the outside kitties got into them... a few litters of kittens, cat pee, etc. later, they were mostly unsalvageable. I was the saddest about the books though. They had so long been my favorite form of escapism. ^-^
I've lived for almost 10 years now without collecting anything. I haven't really had a place to put things.
Slowly, though, over the past few months I've let myself start gathering things again. Things that inspire me, speak to me, things that fill in the cracks. I hung up shelves above my desk, have put things on windowsills. It's nice to once again have tiny bits of "me" scattered about our apartment.
I learned a valuable lesson from all this though. As much as I love these things, they're just stuff. I'm ME no matter where I live, or if I have things to surround myself with or if I have nothing. What makes me ME isn't anywhere outside of myself. I knew that in my head since I was small, but now I know it in my heart too. ^-^

XOXO