Thursday, January 5, 2012

Collecting...Collections

col·lec·tion [kuh-lek-shuhn]  

noun
1.
the act of collecting.
2.
something that is collected;  a group of objects or an amount of material accumulated in one location, especially for some purpose or as a result of some process: a stamp collection; a collection of unclaimed hats in the checkroom; a collection of books on Churchill.
3.
the works of art constituting the holdings of an art museum: a history of the museum and of the collection.
4.
the gathered or exhibited works of a single painter, sculptor, etc.: an excellent Picasso collection.
5.
collections, the various holdings of an art museum organized by category, as painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, or film: the director of the collections.
 
I love the thought and act of collecting.  Whether it be paintings, jewelry pieces, books, or a mixed bag of what I would consider interesting and beautiful.  That is the joy and freedom of collecting - it is simply based on your own interests, perspective and attraction to a type of object.
  
It all starts in our childhood when we find our first interest in something worth having more than one of...rocks, blankets, stuffed animals and grows as we do; changing for many into different loves and craves.  I personally have a well collected group of (and this is very specific) 1940's and 1950's plastic mechanical novelty salt and pepper shakers.  I started to collect them because they made me laugh! :) They have monetary value but that was never the thought process for collecting them.  Surround yourself with items you love that have some significant meaning to you and trigger a personal feeling- laughing, crying, inspiring, encouraging.
 
What do you collect and why? I would love for you to share your collections with me.  As handmade artists I think the diversity should be pretty interesting!
 
Look forward to all your comments - :)
Dotti