Do you/ have you collected anything ?

I collected Swarovski Crystal for some years and have a small display cabinet without about two dozen pieces. We also inherited over 40 of the pocket dragons when my step daughter died. Don’t know what will happen to them when I go. Most of the dragons and the Crystal have their boxes as well so I suppose they could be sold.

I've collected all sorts of things, which I am working through getting rid of, before I leave the planet. Amongst them are buttons, rocks, polished stones, jewellery, crystals, dolls, books of all kinds, fabrics, wool, clothes, shoes, shells, sea glass, OS maps, china, glass including coloured, antiques - I could go on. Happily I gave passed on much of this to suitable homes and will continue to do so. I also inherited all my mother's and grandmothers collections of threads, patterns and fabrics which went to the Paisley Stitchers and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. I think they'd be pleased, but don't want to give my own children all this work!

I seem to be collecting excess weight...

My intentional collections are Lilliput Lane houses (quite an urban sprawl of them), and lacemaking bobbins.

The latter are fascinating, there are so many variations in form, materials they are made of, and traditions attached to them. I have all sorts, from modern ones, through to antique ones, and have a few made of sterling silver as well. I do use them - photo attached of some in use.

Book, 000s of them between us. We are planning to move within the next 12 months, so will have to do some serious culling.

Growing0ldDisgracefully

I seem to be collecting excess weight...

My intentional collections are Lilliput Lane houses (quite an urban sprawl of them), and lacemaking bobbins.

The latter are fascinating, there are so many variations in form, materials they are made of, and traditions attached to them. I have all sorts, from modern ones, through to antique ones, and have a few made of sterling silver as well. I do use them - photo attached of some in use.

?

Someone told me that everyone in their lifetime makes 5 plus or minus 2 collections!

I have collected Port Meirion 'Botanic Garden' china over the years but now use it every day as it seems silly to keep things for 'best' at my age.

I have collected Lilliput Lane models for many years. Most of them are snowy Christmas buildings and each Christmas I display them on a landscaped village layout with a train, lighting and tiny people. I look forward to putting it out each year and our GC love it. The rest of my collection are Victorian Village Shops which I arrange in a street scene on a self from Spring to Autumn, changing the trees as the seasons change.

I also have a growing collection of children's books especially pop-up books. Some are from my childhood, my mothers and grandmothers. It is usually the illustrations that appeal to me more than the stories themselves.

My small but beautiful collection of thimbles and sewing accoutrements were mostly inherited from my grandmother and include some gorgeous scissors, silver thimbles and needle cases. I even have reels of thread over 100 years old, and yes I do sew with it.

But my biggest collection is fabric! Mountains of it. I plan to use as much of it as I can next year in some scrappy and string quilts.

Kim19

I collected stamps and once owned a penny black.

My husband has a stamp collection started as a boy but rarely looked at now. There are 3 Penny Black stamps in it one of them has never been used or postmarked. I wonder if they have any value.

Cow creamers - I love my herd!

Hedgehog ornaments - hundreds of them!

I used to collect Baroque style cherubim/Putti figures and paintings, but I downsized and culled the collection

I collected Royal Albert China for years. Need to sell it now really as its never used anymore. It was used years ago before we bought a dishwasher and had big family meals but now only 2 of us

I collect unusual clocks. Takes me an age to change them twice a year when the clocks go back or forward.

I collect house plants in moderation.

I often wonder if people who form collections purely for investment purposes get as much pleasure from their collections as those f us whose budgets are limited. Its a pity to think of all those paintings locked away in air conditioned vaults.

Most of the things I sell on are used or worn in some way - in films or TV series or by re-enactors. I love it when buyers sent me pictures of them wearing or using a prop.

The OH and I collected eighteenth century china before the sprogs arrived in 1989 and 1991 and took up all the spare cash. It is very beautiful and still gives us immense pleasure.

Due to changes in fashion it is now worth no more than we paid for it - even though there are similar examples in the V and A.

That's really interesting

I collect taxidermy (victorian) and anything else old and odd (including DH)

I collect Christmas stamps in their presentation packs. I started with those issued from 2000 but now have every pack since they were first issued in 1966.

I used to collect Just the Right Shoes by Raine. I’ve loads of them in limited editions signed etc. they stopped selling them here in the U.K. but I think there still going in USA. Don’t want to throw them away as I’ve spent about £1000 on them but don’t know what to do with them now. won’t do that ever again collect anything.

Jess20

I guess I collect shoes, but only because I have very awkward bunions which have changed shape and made so many pairs unwearable. I keep them 'just in case' although I can't imagine ever accepting surgery for the bunions and anyway, unlikely to happen on the NHS these days... I should add, I'm size 43 so finding nice shoes isn't easy in the first place....

Me too! Not that I’ve been to many weddings but, when I do shoes have always been the biggest problem when deciding what to wear. And because it’s always been a nightmare to find them I can’t part with them even though my feet are getting worse. As for collecting other things I think I collect everything and can’t throw anything away. I suppose my latest collection is sea glass, which I find incredibly beautiful. Which I keep in glass jars which I also collect. I’m beyond help.

Grandmabatty The Chalet School books were written by Elinor M Brent-Dyer. I loved them as a child.
I used to collect Pocket Dragons but I am slowly disposing of them.

Growing0ldDisgracefully

I seem to be collecting excess weight...

My intentional collections are Lilliput Lane houses (quite an urban sprawl of them), and lacemaking bobbins.

The latter are fascinating, there are so many variations in form, materials they are made of, and traditions attached to them. I have all sorts, from modern ones, through to antique ones, and have a few made of sterling silver as well. I do use them - photo attached of some in use.

I find them beautiful, too. Plus, if they’re old, the thought of the person who used them and the beautiful lace they created.

I have a collection of Susie Cooper plates and other items of crockery, The plates were decorating my kitchen but, since we redecorated, are now in a kitchen cupboard. I have also collected some old toys, children's books, and the older figurines of Beatrix Potter characters.
I passed two of my daughter's (size 7yrs) Summer dresses on to her and have photos of my granddaughter wearing them
sometimes now that they fit her.
But I am slowly getting rid of a lot of old paperwork and maybe the time will soon come when I'll decide to dispose of
my small collection.
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