We surround ourselves with so many lovely things a.k.a. chatzkis, knick knacks, pretties, stuff, and collectibles. There are many schools of thought as to why people collect:
- The most prevalent reason seems to be they are trying to remember and relive the past
- To fulfill a childhood longing and yearning which they can, as adults, bring about a completion and ending.
- To show their individualism.
- To provide a reminder of a fond memory.
- For monetary gain, although in most cases, people will not sell a very valuable collection. This satisfies a basic need of having control (I know nothing about that need…LOL).
Image: The world’s largest collection of Barbies at
the ‘House of Barbie’ in Shanghai city,China.
Image: Hat collection at La Femme
Image: Principal Wei’s Weblog –
a digitabulist (thimble collector)
Learn about Wedgewood thimbles
Image: House of Ireland
Image: Golf ball collection
Image: Mitsubishi Model Car Collection
Image: Vintage banded watch
Image: World Record – a philatelists (stamp collector)
Image: Rolling Stone – vinyl album collection
Image: Tea cup Collection by Hugs From Helen
If I had to venture a guess as to why I like thimbles so much, it is probably because my mother has been a seamstress as far back as I can remember. She sewed all my clothes and I was by far the best dressed child ever. We were not rich and material was less expensive than purchasing your clothes, so for the same amount of money I had “gobs” of clothes. My teachers would always comment that I didn’t wear the same dress twice for a month and that they were so beautiful. A big thank you to my mom!!! {{{hugs}}} Obviously, I was loved. I remember as a young child being right by her side while she sat at the sewing machine and I was either pulling out the pins or playing with the thimble, measuring tape (I stay away from that now!), the thread or twirling my fingers in her “That Girl” flipped up hair. Oh my…getting rather sentimental tonight and I have brought my own self to tears. I guess you figured out that I love my mother and have so many good memories that there isn’t a blog big enough to hold them all.
Now that I have spilled my guts…I went and got a tissue to wipe my eyes…What do you collect and do you know why you collect it/them? Please feel free tell us and put a link to a photo of your “collection” so that we all can enjoy it.
You've inspired me start my own blog! We'll see how it goes…
I collect teacups because both my grandmothers did.
I collect anything that has to do with Lily of the Valley, teacups, hankerchiefs, vases, postcards, etc. because of my daughter Lily.
I collect books that have my kids names in the title or the main character is named after them just for fun!
I'm linking up!
I don't have a humongous collection but I do collect magnets. We have traveled north, south, east and west USA so I have one for every state I've been in. I'm missing about 5.
Great photographs *OMG* lovely watches!
I love that you collect thimbels.. I collect "just the right shoes".. they are little shoe figurines (about 4 inches)representing all times /eras in history.. I guess I started to collect them because they combine my two loves..shoes and history.. How many thimbles do you have already????
I have a collection of blue carnival glass…I was fascinated with the piece my grandparents had on top of their fridge during my childhood.
I collect Longaberger baskets…I love the way they look through my home.
Oh Sherry, this is my favorite blog post thus far since I collect a little of a lot of these things !lol….. I am going to check out each web sit!!! I am so proud of you. I get up, get my coke, take my med. for this old body and run to the computer to read your blog.lol. I love you and your sister, and oh my beautiful grand daughters , I love them so very much. Thank you and Audrey for them. Thank you for being the mom you are, and for being my mom in ways my mother never was. You are the best kind of daughter a mom could ever have. Have a great day. mom
PS;for give my spelling, I am not you, and I am the worst. I hope I do not bring you shame for my spelling ability. Between you and my husband correcting me, I feel sometimes like pulling YOURS and his hair out!LOL
I collect magnets and stickers. I've been doing this since I was little. I love the magnets to decorate my frig and the stickers are always so pretty. I use them in my journals and some I dare not use at all.
Wonderful post! I love it! My grandmother lived next door to us when we were growing up and she used to make a lot of our clothes when we were small. I remember the little tag in the back that she would put to show that she had made the garment. She was a wonderful seamstress.
I have several collections. It is kind of funny. For a very long time, I didn't collect anything. Then, the only thing I collected was teapots. I have close to 50. Several years ago, I finally told everyone to quit buying them for me unless they were very, very unique or antique because I just didn't have any place to put them anymore! Then, a few years ago, I started collecting Nutcrackers at Christmastime. I absolutely LOVE them!
I then started to collect red and white transferware after we moved into our new home in January 2008. More recently, my husband started my collection of white milk glass when he found some beautiful pieces in the mountains of North Carolina. He knew I wanted to start collecting this, so he surprised me when he got home. A collection that my MIL started for me is pink depression glass. She started giving me pieces of her beautiful pink depression glass on special occasions like my birthday, Christmas, etc. She will usually bring some type of dish for the occasion and then leave the piece of depression glass she brought it on for me to keep. This wasn't something I set out to collect but it is all truly beautiful!
I really LOVE to see and hear about other people's collections. It is really neat. Thanks again for the great post. I hope you have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Teresa <><
http://toomanyheartbeats.blogspot.com/
How cool! Luckily thimbles are relatively small to store and/or display as well 🙂 I've gotten rid of most of my collections over the years…
Found you through Harriet.
collect your award at:
http://diaryofanallpakistanigirl.blogspot.com/2009/08/another-awardfrom-girl-who-is.html
I collect earings!
LOve them! I have cheap ones, expensive ones, dangly ones, small ones!! Love em! I'll be posting in pictures soon! i'll let you know 🙂
sweet story about your mom!
i collect dust…seriously I do not collect anything…my hubby collects comic books tho
I collect cookie jars. It all started when I ran across a cookie jar at a yard sale that was an exact replica of my grandmother's.
I don't have many because I have a house full of boys. (Some people might say that I collect boys. LOL)
I don't collect anything. At one time I collected stuffed teddy bears, but I gave that up a long time ago.
My largest collection is keychains. I have a few hundred. Next is postcards, (preferaby used form antique stores. I like to read between the lines) and then I Have about 20 vintage/costume charm bracelets. I wear those and dont keep them in a box.
Duckies!
Penguin Christmas decorations 🙂
I've recently started collecting aprons!
Do shoes count?… Didn't think so!
I don't have a collection of anything and I so wish I did. My childhood best friend collected bells. I thought they were so great.
Okay, now you've inspired me to collect something. I'm thinking tea pots (I love tea). I'll keep you posted 🙂
I collect books. I didn't mean to start, I just have a hard time letting them go! I also love vintage dishes.
Great post with the perfect pics!
Penguins … started as a joke in HS and it's been going for almost 30 yrs now.
I love this post! 🙂
Since I collect A LOT of things, I'll start from the beginning… When I was a kid, I collected stickers, bunnies, and anything ballet related (I was in ballet for 11 years, and still do a workout occasionally). I really loved collecting nutcrackers, but now I'm picky… I only want the German-made nutcrackers since they're the best. 🙂 Since they're pricey, I haven't bought one in a while, but I love bringing out the ones I have to display at Christmastime.
Now, I collect "Cows on Parade", since I love cows. I collect Kokeshi dolls, and also blue & white china (I prefer old Blue Willow, but love anything blue and white). I think I love the blue and white stuff because my grandma had blue willow plates, and they remind me of her. The scientist side of me collects "Giant Microbes" just because I think they are so cute! I don't ever get rid of my books, so I guess I collect those as well. I also collect things that I think will go good in different rooms/themes of my home. I have chefs in my kitchen, ducks in one bathroom and sunflowers in another. I also have a large collection of rubber stamps, that get used for cards and scrapbooking. My mom thinks I'm crazy for collecting so much stuff! Maybe she's right…
A dear friend of the family collected thimbells. She lived to be 100. My mom gave me her collection, but I collect tea cups and old books. One of my favorite books series is The Little Colonel series written circa 1900. I also love fairy tale books! WOuld 5 sons constitute a collection? LOL
Do 6 Swarovski crystal flowers count as a collection?
That Barbie collection is crazy!!
Don't laugh, but I collect Happy Meal/Kid's Meal toys. I don't buy the meal, just the toy…usually $1. I have complete sets of LOTR, Lion King, Finding Nemo, and the Simpsons Halloween. I have over 500 pieces. They are in boxes right now… I haven't unpacked them since our move a year ago. I really should take them out and take pics!