For someone who hates clutter, I have a surprising affinity for collections.  There’s something fun about finding something you love and hunting it down mercilessly, followed by basking in the glow of your favorite items.  As usual, I think there’s nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with things you honestly value and enjoy.  One way to balance the dual passions of clutter-free living and curating a collection is to focus on things that have a true purpose.

From Dolls to Dishes

When I was in my early teens, I first starting to enjoy collecting.  It was a way of defining who I was, who I wasn’t, and building something that would last.  Like any other teen, I collected music.  Unlike any other teen, I also collected Elvis memorabilia, Cinderella paraphernalia, and vintage Barbie reproductions.  (If I sound like I was probably an annoying teen, it’s because I was probably a really annoying teen.)  There was no harm in it, my room looked awesome, and people always knew what they could get me for a gift.  But five years later, all of that Stuff was just sitting around, gathering dust.  I grew up out of the style and simply didn’t want Barbies cluttering up my dorm room.  They’re still sitting around, now taking up space in my parents’ garage. It’s not that I don’t like them.  I just don’t have any use for all of it.

Vintage Barbie Collection

Then, I made a smart decision.  I decided that when I was ready to buy real, grown-up dishes, I would get Fiestaware.  It’s affordable, it’s durable, and you can constantly switch out colors.  It fit my needs perfectly.  Once word spread that was “into” Fiesta (it’s like a cult, I swear), I starting receiving it all the time.  So instead of getting Elvis trading cards as a gift or cheap plastic Cinderella toys, I ended up with a fully stocked cabinet of everyday dishes.  The best part?  Just about every color in my cabinet comes with a happy memory or story. That’s another one of the fun parts of collecting; it truly is interactive, and your stuff comes with stories.

Five years later (actually quite a few more), I still use all of those gifts on a daily basis.  I’ve broken one Shamrock mug (hey, it had to happen sooner or later) and scratched the hell out of a Cobalt plate.  A collection that you use loses just a bit of its magic, but trust me, it’s worth it.  A living collection doesn’t take away from your life in the form of hours spent dusting, cleaning, displaying, and fretting.  It’s all of the fun, with none of the work or clutter.

Fiestaware collection

Not my dishes; mine are in the dishwasher...

So if you can’t resist the idea of collecting, consider creating a working collection, like:

Dishware

Glassware

Plants and flowers

Cigar boxes/fruit crates/etc (great storage!)

Quilts and blankets

Vintage clothing (that you actually wear, of course)

Recipes (looking for old handwritten recipes is so satisfying)

Music

Jewelry (quite possibly the best souvenir ever!)

Silverware (such a rush to find silver at thrift stores)

Antique furniture

Stationery

What else can you think of?

Before You Go Crazy Collecting…

Here’s one last kicker: you’ve got to actually use the items.  Justifying shelves of glass vases only flies if you use your collection.  Things to be looked at and not touched aren’t useful.  You may love them, keep them, and cherish them for life, but they’re never going to be much more than beautiful Stuff.  That’s not bad, but you may want to put serious thought into your decision before beginning a collection like that.

And remember that what you like is totally personal. If collecting coins, stamps, or Hello Kitty tiaras floats your boat, then enjoy your hobby by all means.  If the thought of having a collection that provides you with pleasure and use for years to come is more appealing, then consider more useful items that are likely to have long-term value.

Now I’d love to hear it.  Other people are way smarter than me: what collections have offered true value in your life?  Does collecting serve a purpose, or is it all just overvalued Stuff? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Photos courtesy of luisvilla and danagraves

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