by Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley
Member since:
October 5, 2007

Tuesday Chat: Collectibles and collections

December 11, 2007 08:30 AM EST
views: 111 | rating: 10/10 (41 votes) | comments: 106

I have read that three primary sources of incredible wealth through investment are Real Estate, Stocks & Bonds and Collectibles. Of these three, the most portable and possibly the most fun is collectibles. Real Estate markets go up and down... if you're a landlord your tenants can damage your properties and cost you money so it requires vigilance. Stocks & Bonds have their obvious advantages and disadvantages. While you might keep a photo album of properties you own - and may even use more than one of them for vacations, business etc. there is nothing like the pleasure of enjoying your collection. No one ever gazes lovingly at their stock portfolio... at least, nobody whose company I'd be comfortable keeping!

Collectibles can range from tiny things such as gemstones or even smaller in some cases, up to classic cars or other larger and possibly difficult-to-house collections. Obviously collections of smaller items are much easier to enjoy frequently, but may also be at risk for thieves. Unfortunately, no matter what it is you own there will always be someone who hopes to take it from you. What a pity.

But, as usual, I digress. My point in all of this babbling is to ask you, dear readers, what it is that you collect. If you do not collect anything but it is primarily because you cannot afford to do so, what is it that you would collect if money were no object? If you could surround yourself with your heart's desire... what would that be?

While it might not be particularly valuable, as a child I collected horse statues. Over the years, alas, I did not keep them. I wish I had... particularly a very special one that was my mother's. Perhaps I'll write an article devoted solely to those statues and what I did with them - but for now I will close this article so I can enjoy your responses.

I am really looking forward to reading your responses. Yesterday's were wonderful!

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Comments: 106

Charlotte K. Dec 11, 2007, 8:35am EST
I collect angels..anything angels..cherubs..etc... I also collect beanie babies..I know a woman my age shouldn't collect things made for children, but some of those beanies are worth alot of money!!!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 8:37am EST
Charlotte, when it comes to collections age does not matter.
Kimber L. Dec 11, 2007, 8:37am EST
I collect books, and I have collected movies since I was ten years old. I love having hard to find ones. I also love finding books I need or movies I need or want for my collection online cheap. It is like a hobby, I list all the ones I want then Mattie and I look online to see who can find it the cheapest. We found several books I wanted for under a dollar (one of them we got for a dollar from one place was listing on an ebay auction as being up to bids of 80 some dollars.) WE also found a movie I wanted for 2 cents on ebay! It was crazy!!! I love it though. When my friends say "oh I wish I could read those books so and so wrote years ago," i can turn around and pull the whole series off my shelf and loan it to them to read. I am like a library and video rental place all in one!!!
Jaye S. Dec 11, 2007, 8:37am EST
I don't really collect anything besides postcards and shot glasses. I don't like to collect too many things because my house is pretty small and it ends up creating clutter.
Larry M. Dec 11, 2007, 8:37am EST
About the only thing I ever collected was comic books. I still have over 100 from the years 1948-1955 in a box somewhere. From a profit standpoint I liked the wrong comic types. I never went for the Superman or Batman or other violent ones. I liked things like Donald Duck and Little Lulu. This is one case were being different is not profitable because it's those violent ones that seem to fetch the higher prices. :-)
Kimber L. Dec 11, 2007, 8:38am EST
my daughter collects fairies, fairy statues, paintings, books, movies, dolls, etc. My friend even painted her a fairy mural on her wall it iis really cool.
JoAnne D. Dec 11, 2007, 8:39am EST
I like snow men. I have quite a few stuffed ones. My place is small now with not enough room for display these days.
Joyce C. Dec 11, 2007, 8:41am EST
Mainly books. :)
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 8:42am EST
Kimber, I have a friend I borrow books and movies from... but I gave all her books back the other day and won't borrow any more because some are getting so old and brittle the covers crack as soon as they're opened, or the pages want to come out. That is why I hope that old out-of-print books and such are being entered to be preserved online.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 8:43am EST
Ja'Nelle, postcards and shot glasses count!
: )
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 8:44am EST
Larry: did you collect them because you thought they'd one day be valuable, or did you collect them for your own enjoyment... because you LIKED them?
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 8:45am EST
Kimber, that fairy painting sounds nice. Any chance you'd snap a shot of it to share with us?
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 8:45am EST
JoAnne, I know what you mean. It's easy to fill up a small space!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 8:46am EST
Joyce, I'd bet a lot of Gatherites are book collectors.
; )
Danielle P. Dec 11, 2007, 8:46am EST
I don't really collect anything. I buy books and then when I've had enough of them I sell them on amazon.com.
Jessica I. Dec 11, 2007, 8:55am EST
I collect snowglobes for Christmas. Our family buys a new one every year, but they don't stay out all year.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 9:06am EST
That's okay, Danielle... not all people are compelledto collect anything.
; )
Harrel (Len) Phillips Dec 11, 2007, 9:06am EST
I collect DUST!!!........and lots of it. :-) Only problem is, it doesn't have any value. Also, I don't know how to display it attractively. When I do display it someone always comes in and runs their fingers through it and I have to start over............. Oh well, enuff of that nonsense.

I've tried collecting some things but I move around too much and they become a burden.
My best collection was die-cast cars and mainly trucks. I would stop at Texaco truck stops and they would always have a collectible and usually limited edition. Anyhow, I had around 100 trucks, commemorative trucks and others. Many increased in value, seems like overnight. The Texaco trucks were in a series and if you had the whole set you had some bargaining power. These trucks only come out periodically and it would take 2-3 years to complete the set.
I kept them in their original boxes stored in larger boxes and never had them on display. So, I decided to sell them at the flea market. One person bought the whole collection from me and I almost cried to see them go. I kept one of the die casts and actually have it on display, in Gather. It's my icon.
I've tried collecting money but it doesn't have much of a shelf life. Besides that's where I display my DUST mainly.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 9:06am EST
Holiday collections are nice, Jessica. I have a few... I have not gotten ANY of my decorations out yet. Just SO not into it this year!
Marianne R. Dec 11, 2007, 9:11am EST
I collect (or should I say keep) all my first edition hard cover books. I also collect DVDs and Geocoins. I have a select Penn State memorabilia collection and I still have thousands of beanie babies packed away in storage from when I used to collect those.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 9:12am EST
Harrel, you are a riot.

As for those die-cast cars... there is a restaurant near here where the owner has had plexiglass cases made to display his collection... so if you come visit me I'll have to take you there! I will take my son's camera and shoot a video if you nag me enough... LOL

Hopefully the person who bought your cars was a collector who will treasure them as much as you did.
: )

I used to work for a guy who built a website for these people who made little sexy babes to go with the die cast cars. Seems that the site is no longer in existence though...
Harrel (Len) Phillips Dec 11, 2007, 9:13am EST
Since I traveled a lot, I started collecting matchbooks, then ashtrays. But, like the trucks they were always a burden to move around and keep track of. So, out they went.

I would like to collect buttons. No, not the closure kind, the kind with images and comments on them. Then I could display them by wearing a different one each day. They would be great conversation starters, doncha think?
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 9:15am EST
Marianne! You are quite the collector! I had to look up geocoins to see what they were!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 9:16am EST
Harrel, I think collecting buttons would be cool. What I think would be even cooler is if you were to get them all from people online who give them to you.
; )
Marianne R. Dec 11, 2007, 9:18am EST
Oh, I also forgot about the fridge magnets. I get one every time I travel somwhere new.
Marianne R. Dec 11, 2007, 9:19am EST
Oh and $1 clay casino poker chips.
Marianne R. Dec 11, 2007, 9:19am EST
I think that's it, lol.
Harrel (Len) Phillips Dec 11, 2007, 9:22am EST
Hey Lydia, good idea. Now I've got to get serious about it. Since I'm settled down, (sounds better than tied down), I won't have to pack them up and move them anymore.
I think I will start by collecting presidential campaign buttons. These ought to increase in value greatly. Can you imagine what a button with Hillary (yuk) on it would be worth in a few years?
Larry M. Dec 11, 2007, 9:26am EST
I collected the comic books because I liked them. I read them over and over. I often thought how nice it would be to be able to remember which were the best and then forget everything else about them so could have that "reading for the first time" feeling again. Since I am something of a pack rat, I didn't throw them away when I started spending all my time reading library books instead of comic books. Then I started thinking that my children would like to read them so I kept them for that. But none of them were interested (they had T.V.) so I kept them figuring they might be worth something some day. If they were encased in plastic and in mint condition I am sure they would be worth something but I doubt they are worth much now because of their age.
Harrel (Len) Phillips Dec 11, 2007, 9:26am EST
Hey JoAnne, how do you keep them from melting?
Harrel (Len) Phillips Dec 11, 2007, 9:31am EST
Larry, do you have any comic books of Plastic Man?
He was the hero that was made of plastic and could take the shape of anything thrugh transformation.
Harrel (Len) Phillips Dec 11, 2007, 9:36am EST
Marianne. I was reading your profile and came across a word that threw me. Geocaching. I couldn't find it in the dictionary, whasat mean?
J. G. Weddle Dec 11, 2007, 9:42am EST
I have a small gun collection.(just a few I really like) I also collect baseball cards, but have not been really active at that for years.
Kimi L. Dec 11, 2007, 9:52am EST
I also collect those cute beanie babies, especially fond of the teddy bears. And I collect snowbabies. :)
juley g. Dec 11, 2007, 9:56am EST
My daughter collects snow globes, my son collects Pez dispensers. I collected porcelain dolls until I was an adult and found that THEY just collected dust.
Marilyn M. Dec 11, 2007, 10:14am EST
I collect elephants - figurines and stuffed ones. Baskets shaped like elephants. Anything elephant. My grandmother started the colletion, and when she died, I got most of them and started adding to the collection.

I have an elephant made out of a chunk of coal from PA. One made out of seashells from FL. Yes, homemade, not made in China. :-) I used to have a huge brass one and a huge wooden one, but when times were tough and I was moving, I had to sell them.
Sherrie H. Dec 11, 2007, 10:16am EST
I come from a long line of pack rats... I'm currently collecting anything with bluebells on it -- china, artwork, ect., as it fits with my business. I've collected beanie bears, miniatures displayed in house-shaped shadow boxes (a collection within a collection), cherubs, bunny rabbits, Barbie dolls, and old books. I'm lucky in that I have a huge old Victorian bed and breakfast where there's plenty of room to display the items and where a lot of people get to enjoy them.
Marilyn M. Dec 11, 2007, 10:17am EST
My husband collects (or used to - they're still here but not as attractive to him...) antique player pianos. He and his dad used to buy them and fix them up. We have a baby grand in our living room (no furniture, though, 'cause it's too big) and pianos all over our basement and garage and in storage.

Unfortunately, when new player pianos started coming out with CD's instead of paper rolls, these lost their value. The one in the living room was worth about $50,000 ten years ago. Now we can't sell it for $15,000.
Ishbel R. Dec 11, 2007, 10:21am EST
I used to collect sterling antique Sterling silver teaspoons - nothing after 1910 - but when I reached 200, I thought enough was enough!

I also collect other antique silver items, tankards, snuff boxes and other small items.
Lucky Stars Dec 11, 2007, 10:25am EST
I am such a collector. Not so much now as in younger years.

Let's see, as a child, I collected napkins from restaurants. Back then, most places had advertising on their napkins.
I started collecting dragons in my late teens. A couple years ago, I started giving them away to my teenage nephews.
I collect books but I've run out of room for anymore. Mostly, I collect anything garden specific and I"m always moving on to new interests. My newest one is ethnobotony.

I collect stones. I love rocks so whenever we go on vacation, I bring back a rock or pebble picked up from the place we visited.

I just started collecting sea glass on my last beach vacation. I walk the beach several times a day and it gives me something to do. I have a small stain glass box that holds my sea glass. When my 4 year old granddaughter comes, she loves to empty the box and feel the pieces of cool smooth glass and sort the colors.

I'm a bit of a hoarder, I guess. My husband would agree whole heartedly!

I'll stop there for now.
Anne N. Dec 11, 2007, 10:32am EST
I collect famiy bibles and have every generation back to the l700's,
Ii collect matchbox cars, and I collect angels too,
esteban g. Dec 11, 2007, 10:49am EST
Anything that you can't replace. But, I suppose that's why anyone collects things. But then when you do give it away, that creates a memory.

Friends are hard to beat.

Lovers are risky.

Pets are friends, but they don't live as long as we.

Stories.
J W. Dec 11, 2007, 11:28am EST
I collect Webkinz and Beanie Babies
Midnite Writer -- Kim Dec 11, 2007, 11:33am EST
Not a big collector, sorry.
M. Bradley McCauley McCauley Dec 11, 2007, 11:33am EST
I collect bluebird items. After my son died in the car accident in 05, I mentally asked him to send me a bluebird. The morning of his funeral I heard noises outside my bedroom window and there were two bluebirds, actually blue jays, which is what I was thinking of when I asked him to send one. He sent two. A few months later, after my granddaughter, his niece had asked him to send her one, she and my daughter were at a football game at the U of Fl, (Gatorland), where my son graduated. During half time of the game, two blue jays flew down in front of my niece and her mom, my daughter.

I also collect collectible cookie and candy tins which I give away at Christmas with a note telling people to hold onto them for the future when they will be valuable. Check out my images to see a couple of them.

Good question Lydia. Always enjoy your posts.

Blessings,
Mary Mc
Col. George W. Dec 11, 2007, 11:36am EST
I guess I collect Western Paperbacks since I have about 800 of them. I seem to have a lot of bald Eagles around the house too but I don't really collect them. I see one I want and buy it when I have the extra $$

Tried to collect money a time of two but the darn stuff is too slippery to hang onto. You grab just one and it slips right out of your hand.
Sandra T. Dec 11, 2007, 12:26pm EST
Teddy bears! I used to have over 200 now I think I may have about 50... I love them! I'd decorate the whole house if I could 8)
Landen Michaels Dec 11, 2007, 12:28pm EST
I have a collection of sports memorabilia: Autographed Sammy Sosa baseball, Joe Montana football, posters signed by several volleyball pros I played in a charity tourney. Also have a collection of STAR WARS comic and the original movie booklet handed out at the premiere of the first movie in 1977. (I have no idea what its worth... I haven't found any info on it!)

I also have two quirky collections: I save all of my FORTUNE COOKIE FORTUNES as well as all of my REJECTION SLIPS.

I like this idea. Mind if I use it with my readers?
Kitty Lone Hawk Dec 11, 2007, 12:43pm EST
I have collected everything under the sun, and when it became popular to collect those items I would sell them and start collecting somethign no one else was collecting at the time and again if it became popular there it went out the door - lets just say I like being different. Now I collect Cashe Boxes....the little figurine boxes with the gold clasp tied in a bow in the middle and you can open them and it will hold something for you [not much since they are very tiny] but I love to look at them and I find my best ones at yard sales, flea markets and Goodwill stores or thrift shops. They are so much fun, cheap and worth searching out to me....and I haven't heard anyone in my family collecting them yet....now watch after I wrote this they will....LOL

BUT-----if money were no object I would collect the Willow collection of figurines, I had a small angel with a rose and my cats broke it's head off......and I had a couple holding hands that my hubby bought me for our anniversery but the cats knocked it down and it broken in two......but if money were no object I would have a special curio lighted cabinet for them and have all the special pieces I love, especially the one of the little girl holding the cat----love, love, love that one.
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. Dec 11, 2007, 1:04pm EST
I love anything old I even have a old tobacco can I just love I guess others would call this stuff junk lol
Virginia V. Dec 11, 2007, 1:07pm EST
I collect tea pots, tea cups and porcelain dolls. The dolls can take a lot of space because most of them are from 19" to 24" high, but I just don't display them all at once.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 1:17pm EST
J. G. are all of your guns functional?
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 1:19pm EST
Sherrie, that really does sound wonderful. The idea of a B&B is growing ever more appealing...
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 1:20pm EST
Marilyn, that's too bad. Perhaps you could create a museum to get them all out of your way?
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 1:21pm EST
Duh... the PIANOS that is. But if you have enough elephants for a museum... don't let ME stop you!
CRYSTAL C. Dec 11, 2007, 1:26pm EST
I would love collecting old furniture, the real deal, all made of wood not pressed crap. Of course funds aren't what they could be so I haven't started yet.

I still have all my benie babies, I stoped buying them about 5 years ago. after I spent alot on the prince bear... I actually questioned my sanity after that.

I have my son's trunk full of Hot wheels and my mom's Barbi's, my other son's legos. I just don't have room for much more of my own..

I enjoied reading about everyone's collections and how much they love and enjoy thier own hobbies!!

thanks for sharring
Erin P. Dec 11, 2007, 1:34pm EST
Well, I have a collection of postage stamps (some foreign, but mostly US), but I don't actively collect them anymore. I'm just content to show them to the kids once in a while and hold onto them for the future. I also collect vintage / antique postcards, mostly that show places (city scapes, towns, etc. and people in period dress). I have some from the very early 1900's that impress my kids everytime we get them out. There are other things that I collect just from my own odd hoarding tendencies, such as office and scrapbooking supplies, but that's not with any expectation of profit in the future. :)
Ishbel R. Dec 11, 2007, 2:16pm EST
I have a lot of antique furniture, but only because it was handed down, we haven't bought any of it. Some of it is from the late 1600s and quite a bit from the Georgian period.
Margaret C. Dec 11, 2007, 2:20pm EST
I would collect butterfly's x
Tara R. Dec 11, 2007, 2:35pm EST
I collect wolf sculptures, figurines, plates...I have always loved wolves. I find them to be such majestic creatures. I have a curio cabinet that is just about full and a couple outside of it because they would not fit. Most of them have been gifts...and each year I get a new wolf calendar as well.
Debra C. Dec 11, 2007, 2:58pm EST
Books, for sure. I have both "collectable" (like complete set of Balzac) and reference books I use constantly. These books, occasionally, collect dust (homage Harrel P.). I also collect tribal masks and antique furniture. I also have family heirloom laces, china, etc.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:19pm EST
Antiques are cool, Isabel!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:48pm EST
Bobbi, I had to look up ethnobotany!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:48pm EST
Anne, those family bibles sound like a cool treasure!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:49pm EST
Interesting take, Esteban...
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:50pm EST
That's okay Kim, thanks for stopping by anyway!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:51pm EST
Mary! How neat about the birds!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:53pm EST
LOL George you can be so funny!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:54pm EST
Landen, by all means! Be my guest.
: )
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:57pm EST
Kitty, your cats sound rambunctious!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 3:59pm EST
Michael D... do you really think it will be as soon as next summer? Wow.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 11, 2007, 4:01pm EST
Tara, I'm the webmistress for Defend the Wolves if you would like to make a donation to help Jim with his rescue efforts, I'm sure it would be appreciated!
: )
Susan E. Dec 11, 2007, 4:50pm EST
I have quite a collection of books. Also many, many postcards from all over the world. I have a small collection of Menorahs--very small. Mostly I have books, but I've had to limit what I let myself buy in hardback, so it's not as much fun.
Elaine H. Dec 11, 2007, 6:11pm EST
books
Arielle K. Dec 11, 2007, 7:06pm EST
Handbags! I love handbags. I love the classics.
Jennifer N. Dec 11, 2007, 7:19pm EST
I collect Tea Rose animals (My grandmother started me on this collection - now that she's passed on, it's taken on a greater sentimental value to me.

I also collect Pandas, some beanie babiesMc Donald's Neopets plushies, Serendipity books, dragons (small collection), Anne Rice memorabilia, articles on my favored bands and actors (not so much lately).

I suppose I collect books (I have over 400) and candles as well.. just not in the sense where I see one and I have to have it just because of the collection, rather than because it looks or smells good.

I have videos and or photos posted of the Tea Rose animal, Panda, Beanie Baby, Neopet, and Serendipity Book collections.
Jennifer N. Dec 11, 2007, 7:30pm EST
Gideon (my son) collects books and Hot Wheels. He has over 100 Hot Wheels. There's a coupe videos up of half of his collection.
Tad Auty Dec 11, 2007, 7:31pm EST
I collect almost anything old or quirky. Collecting is common with Asperger people. (Just secretly, sometimes we do even care about our objects more than people :-) Our objects frequently represent emotions. It is easier to deal with & love grandmas vase than it is to deal with grandma sometimes. But by keeping the vase, it acknowledges that there is emotion connecting us, social & emotional situaltion can be difficult though.
So.... What do I collect?
Well from the time I could walk I collected rocks, stones, pebbles & gems.
Then when I was about 6 I started to collect sparkly shiny (Dorothy in Wizard of OZ) shoes. My mum works in a charity shop!
Then at about 9 I started on silver sandwhich trays & other silverware.
Then retro clothes; anything from the 70's & before.
Then books (medical & reference).
Suitcases....I had over 50 old suitcases ( gave them to a fellow collector after I exhibited them in a sculpture exhibition. I titled the piece "Case History". And it had a second title "Baggage".)
Holy statues and pictures...preferably old ones.
THEN I GOT DIAGNOSED with Aspergers & went "Oh!"
So I realised my compulsion WAS indeed a compulsion & have narrow it down now. I collect kitchenalia. Johnsonware 50's crockery, cutlery, coloured drinking glasses,japanese animal figurines, politically incorrect books from days gone by (to remind me that we have evolved a tiny bit as humans; one book about different cultures is called "Strange peoples"!!!)
I collect alot; but I hate anything new. I only collect old stuff. When my kids tell me off for filling the house with clutter, I say Im archiving for future generations. I also say, "well when I die you can get rid of it all, but you may be surprised to find that some of my 'junk' is actually valuable."
Do I collect for the value/investment? NO WAY! If I find a treasure, and it is worth money, thats just a added extra. I cllects because my things make me fell happy and like I belong. My things are my family. My things dont judge me. My things help fill up my cave so I feel cosier!
Oh I collect musical instruments too.
Tad Auty Dec 11, 2007, 7:33pm EST
OH and patent leather old handbags...........anything glomesh,oroton,whiting & davis, in silver or gold.
Lisa (I love loons) C. Dec 11, 2007, 7:49pm EST
I collect Loons. I have loon everything - throws, calendars, decoys, candy dishes, back scratchers, wind chimes, stuffed loons, statues, magnets, all sorts of loons.

I also collect magnets for the fridge from places we go. Its fun to collect them from different places and friends that live in different places and things that are a little quirky.

I also collect Cherished Teddy figurines. I haven't been adding to my collection for a few years but I have about 30 of them including a couple of plates and larger figurines.

I enjoyed reading about everyone's collections.
Lisa (I love loons) C. Dec 11, 2007, 7:49pm EST
Oh yeah - I also collect watches.
paul v. Dec 11, 2007, 8:03pm EST
I collect Miami Dolphin stuff
necee t. Dec 12, 2007, 12:18am EST
hi Lydia... i'm the crazy lady who collects teddy bears... hehe...
i just can't stop... even though they are eating me out of house and home... hehe

Merry Christmas to all of you and your families...

thanks for all your nice comments...
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 12, 2007, 5:44am EST
Michele, do you actually USE your cookie cutters?

Wow. 5000 is a lot of ANYTHING!
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 12, 2007, 5:46am EST
Jennifer, it sounds like collecting is becoming a tradition for your family!
: )
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 12, 2007, 5:50am EST
Tad, I'm not surprised to find that you have a collection of collections!
: )
vickey w Dec 12, 2007, 6:42am EST
I collect dolls and Boyd Bears. I also, have a tea set. I love to have toys around it, it keeps me young. lol
I have a couple of collections, hardback books and lighthouses.
Suze P. Dec 12, 2007, 1:10pm EST
I've started collections of soooo many things over the years.. Barbies, porcelain dolls, teddy bears, beanie babies, Boyd's Bears, refrigerator magnets, souvenir shot glasses, postcards from places I've been, key chains, tea pots, books, 45's (records), tins, bubble fairies, windchimes, pink pyrex, princess house crystal, coffee mugs, Happy Meal toys and other little collectible figurines. I have a little rubber clown figure that looks like Ronald Reagan with a clown face LOL I bought him at a discount store for $1 in the 80's sometime and I still have him. I wonder if he's worth any money?? LOL I never collect things because of value, and I doubt I have anything thats worth much. Most of the stuff I've collected over the years I dont have anymore. I'd give them away or sell them at some point, because I didn't have room for stuff or I had to move and got sick of lugging it all around.. I still have lots of stuff though, but its a waste because its all in boxes and sitting in storage, and i'll probably never have a place to display any of it. i keep saying I'm gonna get rid of it all. :O)
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 12, 2007, 5:01pm EST
Renda... are your lighthouses paintings, figurines, or something else entirely?

Suze... WOW! That's a lotta collecting! If you do decide to get rid of it... what would you part with first?
William M. Dec 12, 2007, 6:22pm EST
You give me something to think about.
Michelle C. Dec 12, 2007, 6:25pm EST
Well, I like most things that has memory? As I've been cleaning lately for my expecting little girl, I've noticed- I kept all family photos- so that must be a hit for collecting and saving those. Coupons was another....

Along the lines, I enjoy collecting, family photos, coupons, any kind of gadgets or saving the child things- that will eventually be remembered: Daddy's lil girl bib - we will have to must save after she gets older. We collect pooh stuff too for our new little girl on the way. I'm so excited! We're collecting coins too for her in her piggy bank! :D
Michelle C. Dec 12, 2007, 6:25pm EST
10~~~~~~ thanks again for sharing!!!
Lena Kovadlo Dec 12, 2007, 9:33pm EST
Me and my parents have really gotten into collecting Beanie Babies. Our collection is mostly of bears though we some others as well. We've a bit over 320 beanies, and that's huge. Our most expensive one cost us $60. Unfortunately not having room to store them, we've stopped buying them. On occasion we might buy one but it has to be really cute because we just have no room anymore.
john(nakedjazzman) resler Dec 13, 2007, 8:50pm EST
I collect good friends and knowledge what could be of more consistent growth in value than that?
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 13, 2007, 9:16pm EST
John... I like those. Neither one has to be dusted, LOL
Kelly E. Dec 14, 2007, 1:43pm EST
My Great Grandmother always wore aprons. I started collecting aprons for the nostalgia of it. I don't have a huge collection or anything, but I have a few with special meaning to me because they belonged to my Great Grandmother and I have some for my children as well. I have some that I embroidered and some that are just cute and fun. I use the aprons as well. I don't let them gather dust. My Great