Happy Friday, Collectors!

I’ve been writing about collecting since mid-June, and writing about collecting keeps me thinking about collecting more than ever—which means I’ve been thinking about garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores, and antiques malls more often than before—especially as the weekend rolls around.

However, without the time to actually go out antiquing or junking—or the space for any more treasures—I’ve had to content myself with other ways of experiencing the fun and adventure of collecting.

One way is by sharing what I’ve learned with you. Another is asking for guest posts, so we all can learn from the experts in the Rochester area. Yet another is by finding out what people elsewhere say about our favorite pastime.

Now that I have three ways of vicarious collecting—and we all know once you have three of something, you’re on your way to a collection—I thought I’d share my first set of quotes about collecting with you.

Whether the collectibles are old or new, handmade or mass-produced, practical or decorative, whatever people collect is always fascinating to me, and to hear or read why they collect is always intriguing, too.

Thanks to the website BrainyQuote, here are some comments about the various things celebrities collect, in their own words:

• “Collecting records is, for many, beyond a hobby.”
  —Henry Rollins, musician, actor, and radio host

• “I have a lot of mermaid stuff. I did start collecting a lot before I had children because I didn’t know if I would have a boy or a girl. So I saved everything.”
  —Jodi Benson, actress and singer

• “I collect crystals and gemstones, and I’ve been collecting them since I was a little girl. They give me positive energy and strength. They make me feel connected to the earth. I cherish them.”
  —Isabel Lucas, actress and model

• “I’ve been collecting art for much of my adult life. I started around 1960. And my wife and I really enjoy art a great deal. We don’t have a lot of money, so we have works on paper, but we enjoy them a great deal.”
  —Eric Kandel, neuroscientist and Nobel Prize winner

• “The man that got me into collecting sneakers in the first place was the man they call Michael Jordan. He was the one who kind of exposed me to the sneaker world – he was my favorite basketball player, and he had the best shoes.”
  —Macklemore, singer and songwriter

• “I became fascinated with the concept of speak no, see no, hear no evil…and the actual depiction of three wise monkeys. And I began collecting it over the years. And I kind of figured that I might be…the fourth monkey, the feel no evil monkey.”
  —Mackenzie Phillips, actress and singer

• “I think the best thing that I collect is memories. I love traveling; I love remembering stuff, my family, my daughter, my wife. I just love collecting memories of my trips, my experiences. And I think that’s it. I’m not very glued to material stuff.”
  —Jaime Camil, actor, singer and TV personality

As the committed collector, I can’t possibly fathom the concept of not being attached to material things; however, I have to agree with Camil’s comment that collecting memories of our life experiences is the absolute best. It’s the people, occasions, and accomplishments in our lives that should truly mean the most to us.

If we collectors happen to pick up a memento or a souvenir while we’re spending time with our loved ones and enjoying special moments, well, so much the better.

Patti
The Committed Collector

As always, we’re interested in what you collect and how you feel about your collections. Please leave a comment and tell us about your favorite collections and why they interest you.

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