Are you a collector?

[Pam]

I am the opposite of a collector. I am a *thrower outer.* I think this is because my mom collected things. She wasn't a collector/hoarder like this thread talks about but she often bought things she didn't need and had no organizational skills. She'd put things away and forget where she'd put them, so she'd buy the same thing all over again. I am constantly throwing things out. I absolutely hate any kind of clutter.

[Sevaede]

For multiple reasons, I have a fondness for dragons and certain other "mythical" (in quotes cause I don't know how it should be described) creatures. We don't have a bunch of any particular item but we do have a little mini statue and some other little things.

[sirrahbed]

When I graduated from highschool, my grandmother gave me a fancy little box. I guess it was supposed to be a jewelry box. Anyway, it is red metallic with ornate decorations and a red velvet lining. I was intrigued by it because it was fancy, rather useless and because I don't recall any other gift from that grandmother.

Over the years I have bought and received as gifts - unique and interesting boxes. They range in size from thimble-sized to boxes that are about as big as a pack of cigarettes.

Each box has a story, too. I have boxes that represent the country they came from - like my porcelain boxes from Europe. Kaiser porcelain, Villeroy & Boch, Wedgewood. I have olivewood from the Holy Land, marble, soapstone, Austrian crystal, russian lacquered enamel, etc. A favorite is a leather box that my mom used to hold her rosary.

I have pretty boxes that my husband and children bought me over the years that represent holidays and things that they like or that I like. For example, hearts for valentines, pretty florals for mother's day, a box with my favorite flowers (tulips) or cats.

I have boxes from friends that are very special to me. I mentioned once before that I like boxes and a PT buddy sent me a pretty paper mache kitty box. A gift swap friend sent me two stained glass boxes. I have little boxes that contain little figuerines like my sewing basket box with tiny yarn ball and spools of thread. I have a pewter cat shaped box that contains a little mouse and slice of cheese. There is another box that looks like silver that is decorated with a pair of real earrings and a pendant & chain.

This is an interesting thread!

[sasvermont]

I must admit, of all of the things I collect, it all has started out with a gift from a friend.....and I liked it so much, I began to collect it. It is as though a trigger in my brain goes off, and I notice the object ... and then maybe the next year, I get another of the same from the same person.... and wammo. I am collecting it. I don't think I have ever started collecting things as an original thought. Hey, that sounds like I need a little time on "the couch".... Sounds as though I am being lead around by my ear.......or eyes..... but not making decisions on my own? Oh well, I happen to like what I have collected......so far........

I am sure there is a great deal of psychology to this habit......

Oh well.

SAs

[sirrahbed]

I must admit, of all of the things I collect, it all has started out with a gift from a friend.....and I liked it so much, I began to collect it. ........ Sounds as though I am being lead around by my ear.......or eyes..... but not making decisions on my own? Oh well, I happen to like what I have collected......so far........

I am sure there is a great deal of psychology to this habit......

Guess we both are the "accidental" collectors, SallyAnne. I also like what I have...so far. I suppose I will add a few more over the years but I want each item to be special and unique. Right now, I have some of my boxes displayed on a shelf in the livingroom and they look pretty and are fun to look at from time to time. I also validate my collection because little boxes can be useful and contain such things as baby teeth from my children, foreign coins and cat whiskers.

Uh-Oh it does sound a bit obsessive when I see that some little boxes contain these "mini-collections"

[Freedom]

For years there were these mobils of the solar system, and they included Pluto. Now that Pluto has been demoted and is no longer a planet, I suppose all those mobiles are collectibles?