It’s Collecting, Not Shopping – The Committed Collector

It seems I’ve done quite a bit of shopping lately, especially for the past several months.

However, I’ve barely been to the grocery store once a week recently. I’ve simply been too busy. I haven’t made the time to go to a department store to replace the new sandals the dog chewed up. And I’ve been avoiding home improvement stores where I should be picking up a gallon or two of paint to be ready for some projects.

Still, I’ve brought home quite a few bags lately—and a few boxes, too. You see, I’ve been enjoying a bit of a collecting binge since the beginning of summer.

In May, there was the stamp show, so naturally I bought a whole stack of vintage postcards. At the end of the month, my husband went to a conference, so I went along. With no antiques shops anywhere nearby, I made do each day by checking out both thrift shops there.

That was a real extravagance for me, and seeing how their merchandise changed each day was a real lesson as well. Entire collections appeared on the shelves overnight; some of the oddest things disappeared quickly, and some of the better items lingered behind.

I wondered how those collectors felt about their longtime efforts becoming ready-made collections up for the taking. Hopefully, the collectors themselves made the decision to donate their things, rather than family just getting rid of them.

In June, a community organization held its yearly benefit sale, so I checked out its offerings and added to a few of our collections. One of our esteemed local museums also held its annual sale, and I had to make two trips to the car before I was finished. (Is it any wonder that I want to establish a museum dedicated to displaying large collections of this and that?)

Then, two suburban churches held their annual garage sales, and it’s a tradition that I go to them. It’s a tradition that I go to a local Fourth of July benefit sale, too, so I went there—and through the checkout three times. (If you’re wondering if I’m exaggerating, I’m not. It’s been a great summer.)

I felt a little guilty and short of funds after those hauls (and I was headed out of town anyway), so I skipped the July church sale that I absolutely love. On the trip, however, I made up for that earlier sacrifice and made out like a bandit at the local discount department store, thrift shop, and library book sale. If I bought anything practical, I’ve forgotten. I do remember, however, that I did need to borrow a suitcase to get all my treasures home.

Back in Rochester, another church held its annual garage sale in August, and it’s a tradition that I go to it, of course. The fact that I discovered an additional church sale just added to the fun—and a sale on next year’s calendar.

In between, a friend held an impressive moving sale, and I felt obligated to go, of course. I wouldn’t want to risk offending him (and I might just find something I couldn’t live without—I found a half dozen things, actually).

Feeling even greater guilt at that time and having considerably less cash, I again sacrificed going to another favorite church sale at the end of August. (If I wasn’t feeling guilty enough then, I certainly am now as I write this.)

I did give in to temptation and complied with my husband’s suggestion of a day trip, lunch on the town, and an hour or two at a favorite used bookstore, where I did, indeed, buy books—for my teatime collection, my literary library, and my kitchen. (I dust my cookbooks more often than I try their recipes.)

Labor Day weekend arrived and brought us some company, who just happened to want to check out as many thrift shops and antiques malls as we could get to, and I managed to find more teatime items, china, and glassware. Making the rounds of four shops and two malls in three days is hard work, but it’s also a labor of love.

Temporarily feeling the agonies of remorse and poverty again, I skipped a Labor Day sale that I love and redoubled my efforts to open my museum.

Soon after, however, the antiquarian book fair was held, and I bought some more vintage postcards, of course (and some books as gifts). This past weekend was the glass show, so I bought a vintage tablecloth, a piece of fine china, and four ceramic teapots, but no Depression Glass because I still don’t officially collect Depression Glass.

This coming weekend is another esteemed museum sale; then there will be the glass pumpkin sale, and at the end of October is the local postcard club show. I know I shouldn’t even be considering any of them, but that’s what we committed collectors do, isn’t it?

I also assume the department stores are already stocked with their autumnal wares, and I’m really trying to resist being tempted by additional Halloween decorations and more turkey platters. I mean, how many does one really need, right?

However, we certifiable collectors never have enough because there’s always something new—or something old—to be found. There’s always another size or style or variation to discover. There’s always something else equally beautiful, creative, or ingenious to admire.

Although it may look like we’re shopping, and we’re certainly buying things, we’re actually just doing what we love most: collecting, building our collections, completing earlier ones, and starting new ones. It’s what we collectors do best.

Enjoy the hunt!

Patti
The Committed Collector

How about you? Are you crazy about collecting too? If so, leave a comment and let us know where you like to go shopping, or, rather, collecting.