DIY Network

Tips on Collecting

Crafter Michele Beschen, creator of the B Original series, gives pointers on starting and maintaining a collection.

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	Stamp collecting has been an old hobby for years. There are so many different stamps to be collected as the years go on.
	When going flea market shopping, be sure to pack all the necessary items you will need for your venture.
	Old jewelry can be a collectors item or used to dress up any outfit.

Hobbies are what you make of them

By Michele Beschen

Feb. 26, 2007 — Collections are as diverse as the people behind them. And how and why they get started is just as varied.

For some, it's a hobby started by default. Maybe Grandma left a unique piece of china behind, maybe we want something to help recollect the "good ol' days," or there's some particular item that we've always been drawn to and can't get enough of. Other times, it's a hobby or personal interest that dictates the collection.

Whatever the reason, maintaining a collection provides for an extremely satisfying journey. The whole process is enjoyable — everything from the thrill of the hunt to the display itself. It keeps thing interesting, adds personality to our surroundings, and it's a never-ending educational process.

What do I like to collect, you ask? I do hobnail; vintage jewelry, clothing and accessories; handmade pottery; kitschy artwork by unknown artists, '50s-inspired pieces and pretty much anything else that strikes my fancy! For me, it's all about the search, the shopping adventures that take us from yard sale to yard sale, thrift shop to thrift shop, auction to auction and flea market to flea market. The thrill of the unexpected find, the possibility of an unbelievable bargain; that is the kind of shopping experience that generates one grand memory after another.

And it is an adventure that I encourage each and every one of you to embark upon. You don't need oodles of cash; you just need an appreciation for "stuff" and a yearning to explore.

Whether you're looking to start a collection or add to an existing one, the flea market is a personal favorite of mine. Give me a weekend at a flea market over a weekend in the tropics any day! If you decide to venture out on this unique shopping expedition, here are a few tips to ensure a fruitful outing.

• Get there early.

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you won't mind getting dirty.

• Free your hands from having to carry a wallet or purse. Wear a backpack instead.

• Take cash, (smaller bills) and your checkbook.

• Write out a list of things you're looking for. Have everyone you're shopping with share their lists because it's just as much fun to help others build their collection as it is your own.

• Take along two-way radios or cellphones if you're with a group of friends.

• Instead of making numerous trips to the car, sometimes people go back and gather up the larger things at the end of the day, so bring pen and paper to jot down what aisle, booth or building from which you have purchased things.

• Take along the following: collapsible rolling cart, tool kit (some pieces can be disassembled to allow for easier packing), hand wipes, gloves, sunscreen / hat, bottled water, plastic tote (stored in your vehicle, to keep all your smaller items together), tie-downs or bungee cords and old rugs, towels or moving blankets.

Don't be afraid to negotiate price. It helps to have an idea of what things generally go for, but I believe that something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. You be the judge. My collections aren't motivated by what they're worth financially, but rather by a love for the object, the beauty or the function it adds to my life.

No matter what you collect, try to learn any interesting story behind it.

Finally, once you get those pieces home, unpack them right away, clean them up and show them to their own little room.

A few display tips:

• Keep your collection together. Groupings of like items make a larger impact than having them sprinkled all about.

• Don't pack your collection away in a cupboard or drawer. Display them proudly, incorporating them into your everyday life.

If you don't have a collection, start one. If you have one, keep it nurtured and growing.

(Michele Beschen is creator of the B Original series for the DIY Network. Contact her at www.couragetocreate.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)

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