|
||||
|
My first real collection started when I was 15. My mother gave me a heart-shaped jewelry box for my birthday (I still have it). It became a "collection" when I realized that I had developed a fondness for heart-shaped objects, from brooches to barrettes, from pencil holders to plates, from jewelry to just-about-anything. I amassed a wall-full over several decades. Then there were mugs. I collected coffee mugs from all over. All colors, shapes, and sizes. I ran out of space so I hung them on hooks close to the ceiling moldings. We used plain beige ceramic mugs for our everyday coffee. As a matter of course, I started a growing collection of books -- something my son continues to feed and nurture. Smileys -- gosh, yellow smiley items all over the house! My bedroom slippers are yellow smileys (a present that a friend bought in Hongkong).  Among all the stuff I collect, my favorite is my bells. That one started with a heavy brass cow bell that an aunt brought home from Iran (came with an exotic Persian rug). I think I was 18. I fell in love with the raw roughness of the bell, which had a distinct harsh clang that I was sure drove its wearer crazy. My bell collection grew to include all sorts of dinner bells, with lovely handles and melodic rings. Souvenir bells have the names of places I visited. This collection has a log -- I try to jot down the origin of each piece, how I acquired it and when. My niece, who was just here for a short visit, bought stuff for her current collections. She bought a ton of refrigerator magnets and a special 2004 Disney mug to celebrate her first trip to Orlando. She said she also collects Snoopy items, for which she had a shelf built in her bathroom. My brother collects model cars, motorcycles, airplanes, warships, and trains. Also action figures. At least that's what I know, being half a world away. I remember seeing a photo of a small collection of miniature teapots; I wonder if he's into that, too. Some people will think we're pack rats amassing knick-knacks and doodads that don't really have resale value... stuff that merely gather dust and clutter our living space. I would rather adhere to a quote I read recently: surround yourself with things that make you feel good. Collections, whether they're vintage cars or bottle caps, make us feel good. Finding a collector's item and adding it to our own certainly gives us a sense of achievement and pride. What better way to wallow in simple joys! Pack rats? No. Happy collectors! |
||||
|
|