To Collect: The Art Of Gathering Things and Bringing Them Together

To Collect: The Art of Gathering Things and Bringing Them Together

By: Lani Czyzewski, owner of Lani's Antiques & Collectibles

As seen in The Antique Shoppe Newspaper, July 2006

Decorating with your collections is fun and easy and can give your home a distinct charm. A blend of old and new accessories adds interest to any decor and puts your collections out where you can enjoy them everyday.

"I don't really collect anything... however; I do have several dolls that belonged to my grandmother." Most antique dealers have heard statements like this over and over. It doesn't take much to start a "collection." In fact, many of us are collectors and do not even realize it. On the other hand, some people are collectors with a passion. Most of us are somewhere in between.

Often people specialize when they collect. Others just have a collection of various objects at which they just enjoy having. The popularity of some items comes and goes -- in the 60s there was a Salt and Pepper craze. In the 70's stamp and coin collecting became appealing. Hummel figurines have been in and out as desirable collectibles ever since the 1950s. Some people collect fishing tackle; others may collect clocks or old kitchen utensils. When you start a collection, you may want to select something before it is widely popular; prices will be lower and items more available. And... if it unexpectedly turns out to be "hot" item, your collection could become a valuable investment.

What provokes such enthusiasm among collectors? Is it the thrill of the hunt? Are they collecting with the intent of reselling at a profit? No matter the reason, it is an enjoyable hobby... and one that gets you out and about, meeting other people with similar interests. Talking with knowledgeable people is a great way to learn more about your area of interest.

Oriental objects are graceful and interesting to collect. They can be very, very old or almost new & they can be useful objects or purely ornamental, but they are always pleasing to the eyes.

Just browse through the Antiques and Collectible section of your favorite bookstore. You will find that the selection of books on collectibles is nearly limitless: jewelry, wedding cake toppers, postcards, watches, vintage jewelry, dolls, flow blue china, Depression glass... and more. There is a book or price guide for just about everything collectible.

If you want to join the millions of people who are now collecting, it is simple. Just decide on what you like and get out and start looking. The searching is the fun part. By deciding to collect cream pitchers, for example, and going to an antique store to put together an "instant" collection misses the point. Instead, add a creamer when you go on vacation, or the next time you pass by a flea market. Tell all of your friends what you have decided to collect, so when they are thinking of a holiday gift, they will know what to give you.

This collection of Art Nouveau metal boxes has just recently passed from being "collectible" to being "antique" since they are over 100 years old.

Collectibles can be useful, like baskets, jewelry, or kitchen utensils. In fact, it is great if you can use the items you collect. Eventually, you may have an overflowing quantity that will include items for display as well as ones you use for some purpose (like the cream pitchers).

One of the main rules about collecting is that there are no rules -- anything goes! The best part is that you can stop and start whenever you want. Recently, I decided I wanted to collect turkeys. This was in April - hardly the peak season for finding turkeys. After several yard sales, thrift stores, antique shops, and flea markets, the collection had grown to 14 turkeys (six were planters), a pair of salt and pepper shakers, four platters and a 1904 calendar plate. I said, "OK, I am done. No more turkeys for me." It took less than two months. Of course, I did find a great covered compote that was unlike any other turkey I had, so naturally, I added "just that one more." We'll see...

Dogs, cat, swans, chickens & all of these are animals and fowl that people like to collect. Here is a display of turkeys that is quite varied and sure to be a topic of conversation all year around, not just at Thanksgiving.

Collecting can also be as simple as posting your children's drawings on the refrigerator door. Collections certainly don't have to be expensive; found objects make great collections, for example, buttons. Not only are they easy to collect, they can be displayed in many decorative ways.

Many times a collection could start when you inherit an object from a relative. This may be a family heirloom, or just something from everyday life that the person treasured. It could be a teapot from your great aunt - small treasures from the past. Antique and vintage dolls are highly desirable items to collect, and often are hard to find. Dolls frequently get passed down from generation to generation within the family and have great sentimental value... as well as cash value.

Are you interested in restricting your collecting to antiques? Technically, to be considered an antique an object must be over 100 years old. That means anything created earlier than 1906 is now considered an antique. It is interesting to mix antique items with more recent objects that are considered "collectible." Often people are hesitant to collect antiques because they feel they don't have the knowledge, time, or money to have beautiful antiques. Almost anyone can have a small grouping of objects - two or three nice plates - and that can make their collection. The joy of living with beautiful (or fun) objects is within all of our reach.

Collections can be as simple as a few keepsakes that have come down in your family, and put on display in a simple little box. These are medals, medallions, and pearls from a love one.

Of course, the internet opens up a whole new venue for shopping. Most folks immediately think of eBay auctions, but there are many other sites that are groups of "virtual antique stores" that join together to provide lovely objects online. Some of my favorites are www.RubyLane.com, www.Tias.com, www.GoAntiques.com. It is easy to search for specialized items on these sites, and there are fixed prices without having to wait for an auction to end.

Nothing, however, can replace being able to see an item "in person" before you purchase it. That way, you are assured of the condition, color, and size of the item before you buy.

You should buy an object because you would enjoy living with it day in and day out. Buy what you love, and put it out where you can see it everyday. Decorate with your collections and enjoy them as conversation pieces.

To start a collection as an investment is fine, but not nearly as much fun as just starting it on an impulse, like after you inherit your Aunt's teapot. The next time you browse through an antique store or flea market, look for something unique and different, or beautiful and decorative, and let that object be the start of your new collection!

If you have any questions, you can Email us at antshoppe@aol.com

The Antique Shoppe
"Florida's Best Newspaper for Antiques and Collectibles
PO Box 2175, Keystone Heights, FL 32656-2175
Phone: (352)475-1679 Fax: (352)475-5326