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Collectibles - What’s Your Passion by Bonnie P Carrier
A collection is anything involving three or more of the same thing or items that are related. People are passionate about their collections, and the desire to share their excitement just comes with the territory. When you consider the  wide variety and endless possibilities of things to collect, it’s not a wonder that people get so caught up in the hunt for new pieces.
Something even more fascinating can be the story behind why people have chosen their particular collections.
People collect all sorts of items for many reasons, maybe it starts with something you find that brings you back to your childhood, or someone special in your life has given you something and you expand on that one piece.
Many times though, it simply starts with you seeing something that you fall in love with immediately and just have to have more.
The following are a few (and I mean few) examples of things to collect:
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- Christmas Villages Plates
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- Ceramic & Porcelain Figures
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I’ll stop here before I get completely carried away, but I think you’ve gotten the idea, it can be absolutely anything that sparks something in you.
Displaying Your Collectibles
Now that you have these precious pieces the next question is what to do with them.Taking the time to first think about how to display your collectibles is important, after all you’ve taken the time to find just the right pieces therefore you’ll want to showcase them in a pleasing light.
Grouping in a variety of shapes and sizes creates interest; however remember to leave some of the surface open to avoid a cluttered chaotic look.
For example: I have a collection of cow figures and plates that I display in my kitchen. The following is an example of an arrangement done on top of eight cabinets that are in an L shape along one wall.
- Six plates – on stands – are placed in two groups of three, a bit of space has been left between each plate.
- A large artificial ivy plant in a clay pot sits in-between the grouped plates.
- I’ve place a grouping of cow figures at each end of the cabinets with several smaller ones randomly placed around the ivy plant.
By using two forms of the collection – plates and figures - a plants and space in-between the items, you notice the collection, it has interest and doesn’t appear crowed or cluttered looking. My other cabinets are treated the same way only on a smaller scale, as they do not have the length. Any surface you choose whether it’s bookcases, wall shelves, table and display cases can all be treated in the same manner.
If miniatures are your collectible choice, display them in shadow boxes or boxes with several cubbyholes. Because of their size they can become lost when displayed on a table or shelve. Grouping them together in this way not only provides interest, it give them importance.
Another important factor is to not overcrowd the room. Too many pieces become clutter, which then takes away from the collection.
The best remedy is to display just a few pieces at a time, with the rest safely packed away. For avid collectors this can be a hard thing to do – I’ve been there – but try to remember the reason for starting your collection, ENJOYMENT. Rotating pieces though out the year helps your enjoy your collection more, plus you get the added benefit of a fresh, new decorating look.
Another consideration is to keep your collections in rooms that make sense to that particular collection.
Here are a couple of examples; along with the cows, I also have a collection of apple items. These two collections are only displayed in the kitchen, as they don’t seem to fit in other rooms – and yes, I do rotate my pieces, other wise there wouldn’t be any clear surfaces to cook on.
I’m also a Folk Art fanatic – Warren Kimble prints and Heartwood Creek Santa’s are my downfall – the majority of prints are displayed in the living room and bedroom, however there are two cow related prints hung in the kitchen. My Santa collection is kept together in a wooden corner cabinet at the top of the stairs – of course as it grows I’ll have to get another cabinet.
One final comment, you’re not limited to just one type of collection, in fact having more than one really makes it fun. And as any loyal collector will tell you, you can never have to many collections.
So to every current and future collector out there, “Happy Hunting”
About The Author: Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating - The Information Center. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. www.savvy-home-decorating.com
This article is shareware. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article and author’s bio. is left intact including this notice . Copyright © 2007 bonnie carrier.
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