Collecting Stuff

I loved Jody’s post a few weeks ago about the things she collects (especially since there were a lot of cat things and I love cats.) So I thought I’d be a copycat and share a few things I collect with you this week. As a kid, I remember collecting pretty paper napkins, the kind used for special birthday parties, wedding showers, or holidays. By the time I left for college, I had a large apple box full! When I got married, I gave my mom permission to throw my collection away. But since then, I’ve begun many more collections. Some of them have been on purpose, and some happy accidents.

Now, I’m not trying to one-up Jody (or 100-up her?) but I do have her mug collection beat with my 100+ mugs. But as I told her, I’m sure her house is WAY tidier than mine.

Another collection that goes along with my mugs is BEES. I guess because the name Deborah means “the bee” I’ve always been attracted to bee and honey things. I wonder if my mom had that in mind when she crafted this brown ceramic beehive honey pot? I found the yellow one at a garage sale a few years ago and my collection grew.

One of my very favorite collections is globes. This was one of those accidental collections. I found one at an estate sale and then another one, and before I knew it, I had a collection. Globes have become quite pricey, so I’m especially happy to have found several at very reasonable prices (most under $10). These bookcases in my office hold just a few of my favorites (and reflected in mirrors, which I also collect).

Another thing I collect is bowls. Cereal bowls, mixing bowls, snack bowls, serving bowls. I don’t know what it is that I like so much about the shape and function of bowls (well, except ICE CREAM!) but I just can’t seem to say “no” to a great bowl. I have them easily at hand on open shelving in our kitchen and a deep drawer to catch the overflow, and I use every one in my collection.

I also collect wooden measuring sticks of all kinds, especially those that have brass on them. I keep them in a pretty umbrella stand in the front entryway where I can easily access them. The smaller ones are on my desk in my office. I especially love the one upper right that has old proofreader marks on it and was likely used in a publishing house or printer’s office.

Of course, like many of you, I also collect books. Not as many as my husband has, but still, I have a nice library. I do believe books were made to be read, but I also love collecting them for their beautiful covers and especially old hardcover books with embossing. I have a small collection of antique books, a few dating to the 19th century, especially with red, green, or blue covers.

I collect a lot of other things (I’m definitely a maximalist when it comes to decorating!) and maybe I’ll share more another time, but if you didn’t already share your own favorite collections on Jody’s post, I’d love to hear about them now. And thank you for the idea, Jody! Hope you don’t mind me stealing it!