Calling Collect

I've always been somewhat of a collector. And I come from good collector stock. My mother is the Queen collector. She has a collection of Fire King mugs numbering about a hundred and a half... carnival glass, lusterware, tin salt and peppers, antique kitchen tools, milk glass... you name it, she's collected it or thought about collecting it. She tells us not to consider her treasures junk some day... there's money in them thar collections she claims. Although she is currently looking for a new collector's item to add to our inheritance, she's getting a little more picky in her old age, and can't quite decide. I've made suggestions... even gone on e-bay to look for inspiration for her. I haven't been successful yet, however, a few years ago her collecting reminded me of my roots.

When I was a young girl, my cousin and I had a passion for horses (but then again what young girls don't) and I collected china verions since I knew my letters to Santa asking for the real thing would be ignored. I kept a few of my favourites over the years and gave the rest to my 'cowboy' nephew. I can't believe I'm admitting this but I even collected empty toilet paper rolls since I thought they'd be great for crafts - and no this wasn't last week... I believed I had a creative bone in my body even when I was in elementary school. They ended up decorating the garbage can instead.

I collected kids for a while... my own two, my nieces and nephews, my Brownie pack, my kids' friends. The more of them around, the more I liked it... I'm working on collecting grandchildren these days, even though it's a collection of one but there's hope for the future ;-)

Now I have two pseudo-collections. I say that because I've picked up Christmas Angels that have taken my fancy and I have quite a few now. I don't go hunting for them like a real collector so I can't say it's the real thing. Likewise with Lisa Almon one-of-a-kind bears. She's a bear crafter from Saint John who uses old fur coats to fashion her fabulous creatures. I buy one a year, one that captures my heart. She also creates personalities for each of them and it's fun to share the stories. I've adopted Pugsley who is a fluffy curly lamb, Paige who is a super-soft African seal and Esther who is raccoon fur. Since I don't go bear hunting except when Lisa comes to the craft sale at the exhibition grounds in the fall, I'm not sure this is strictly classified either.

I've inherited a lot of antique furniture which I love, but since I didn't search out and buy that, I can't call that a collection either (although people visiting my home have asked me if I've collected it all... I have to be honest.)

So Shelley encouraged me to blog... after all I am a writer by trade (but I have to admit I like her blogs better!) And now, I'm collecting comments. I only have hers to date. But I'm hunting... so I think that finally counts!