I don't do statuettes, ceramics or most knick knacks for decorating. My preference has always been baskets, tins and glass bottles. Baskets are my passion. From the teeny doll house sized ones smaller than a dime to giant laundry baskets, I love them all. Every room in my house has them stashed on top of bookcases, in little nooks on shelves and sitting beside chairs. There are baskets made of wicker, pine straw, yarn, fabric, plastic and more all through my house. Some I purchased, some I made. I actually have one carved from a peach pit by a former co-worker. It is one of my favorites.
I know most people have junk drawers but I prefer junk baskets. I have designated baskets in every room that get batteries, lighters, matches, pens & pencils, misc screws and nuts, and all those "what do I do with this" items. Got a loose part and you can't remember what it goes to? Put it in a basket. Finish a bookcase and have parts left-over? Toss them into a basket. Remote control missing a back? Hunt through the junk baskets.
I have been through several phases of mixing other items with my baskets. In the late 70's I split a booth at a craft show with friends that sold brass. They gave me wholesale prices and I stocked up. I loved the look but after a few years I realized that the constant polishing was a royal pain LOL. Little by little I gave the pieces away or tossed them into yard sale bins because my to do list is too long to need extra cleaning chores LOL.
On a smaller scale I love "tins". My favs are tiny tins, especially with hinged tops and vintage designs. My pride and joy for many years was a small palm sized tin that had a vintage cigarette ad on the front. It had a hinged top and I used it for a long time to carry my change and money at work. I gave it to my son when he started rolling his own cigarettes. It was perfect.
Sadly over the years I have had to toss some of the tins out because of rust. They were too much work to redo by the time I discovered the damage. However quite a few have survived and still hold tea bags, rock and jewelry collections and more.
My one other collectible is glass jars. I prefer larger ones with bale clasps like the antique mason jars but I have a variety stashed here and there. There are old ketchup and medicine bottles found on various digs. They are as much a reminder of the fun of the day with friends as they are valued for their history. There are some large bale jars found at yard sales that hold popcorn, rice and other food goodies. If they keep it $1 or less I will buy any bale jar at any flea market or yard sale LOL.
I do have two little shelves on my bedroom bookcase that are for gift items - tiny stuffed bears, mini statues saying I'm the best friend/mom in the world. These are my tiny treasures saved for my eyes only. Some days when I am sick and stuck in bed I can look up and see my little collection of "love tokens" to cheer me up.
So what do you collect? In all honesty, these are just my "accent" pieces. I collect books, movies, music, sewing fabric and notions, tons of stuff for crafts (one entire room full of stuff), and enough yarn to open a shop. I am in the process of getting rid of most of these items so I can move into a small studio apartment in town. All of the VHS movies (almost 1000) are gone - or transferred to one small basket of DVD's. I am currently working on books and music. Also I plan to hook up my knitting machine and use up some of the yarn making afghans this winter so my stashes are dwindling. The baskets, tins and glass are staying but everything else is going.
Hugs,
Linda B in TN:)
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