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Skills, tools, "projects" which are in part what drove me to looking at simple living, and what I now look at, otherwise, as junk (getting rid of a bunch of stuff). Understanding what others have meant when they talked about collections being dust catchers, and freedom from stuff (after a friends house fire).
I don't collect anything that I can think of .... Maybe digital pics on my phone .... But then I often delete old ones.
Like Tammy, I don't collect anything at all. Don't own much either - including no books, cds, or dvds as I use the library for that (why buy when you can borrow them for free!!). I'm even using a Chromebook computer I borrowed from the library (and can take with me for 7 days) right now. I have given my sister all my Christmas ornaments, knick knacks, dishes, etc... from my married days that ex-dh didn't want, and so really have just the bare minimum of just stuff I use and like it like that. Makes cleaning easy! But I really love and enjoy looking at other people's collections.
Roseville pottery.
We started many years ago although stopped adding to the collection a few years back when it seemed that prices had begun to get out of hand.
Robert Bateman limited reproduction prints. I only have 5 now, but I love them and hope to have more.
I collect way too much other junk though.
I do have a large collection of Franciscan ware dishes, thanks to my grandma and my MIL.
DH has alot of old coins.
I do have a fair number of teapots too.........and wine glasses.
Wish I didn't collect so much!
So many gazingus pins, so little storage...
Art and craft supplies and books, clothing (mostly thrifted) and accessories (mostly not), bedding...
Many in my family collected antiques--especially glassware--and though I have great respect for the artistry involved, I've never had an impulse toward collecting pretty things for display. I enjoy them in other people's homes, but that's about it. Even if I had the impulse, I wouldn't want the responsibility.
On the other hand, I do keep files of art inspiration images from a wide array of disciplines-- metalwork, biology, felt work, paper art, quilts, geologic formations, embroidery, ceramics, cave paintings--the list is endless. I have literally thousands of these, most duplicated on CDs. So I guess that's how my "pretty things for display" gene played out.
Little sheep and bottle brush trees, both of which are only displayed during the holidays. Ironstone pitchers, bowls, serving pieces - but they have to be gifts or cost me under $10. Pewter pitchers, only if inexpensive. Advertizing, mostly antique, which either involves or features horses. Some old toy horses, but I'm really picky about them. Redware and salt glaze crocks. Bowls, pottery and wooden. Old sacking, ticking, sheeting, and related fabrics. I love wooden boxes and old suitcases, and have a lot, but I think of them as storage, not a collection. A lot of the stuff I collect is in use, it's not really just shelf sitting stuff!
DD collects old Nancy Drews, vintage christmas, clothing, shoes, handbags, and fabric. Ephemera. Mid-century modern and older stuff. Deco. Books. Odd souvenir items. I think it's genetic...
BarbieGirl - its a strange obsession that I don't like numbers on clocks or watches. Even the microwave and oven clocks bother me to no end and I had to order a coffee maker that didn't have a clock on it. I've got wood, pottery, metal, fiber, and glass clocks (all artist made) and not a one with a number.
happystuff - we have some jeweler friends and she always collected salt/pepper shakers. Her husband kept telling her she should open a museum....so she did! There is a little (3200 sq ft) salt and pepper shaker museum in Gatlinburg, TN all because her collection got too big for the house. http://www.thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com/Blog.aspx I see they've opened a 2nd museum in Spain.
I collect Cloisonne thimbles. They take up very little space and are quite beautiful.
I have been collecting the little shampoo and shower gel bottles they put in the hotel rooms for free for guests. My husband travels a lot and always brings his own stuff so he brings me different ones every time he has to go somewhere.
I started collecting those several years ago when we used to travel more. Those small bottles are all full and I really want to stop collecting but they are to cute to just use up and throw away.
They are from all over the world and sometimes it's just fun to look at them.
Sometimes I wish I could find someone who wants them all.
Yeah, crazy, mixed feelings about my crazy collection.