They are all lovely. I enjoy the shapes, textures and colors of them. I had these ones from last year so why did I need to collect more? I wasn't even appreciating the ones I had. They were just in a bag in a closet.If I see a piece of blue and white china and it is cheap I'll buy it even though I have more than enough. If you're a quilter you know what I mean because you have a stash somewhere.
So my question is- why do we collect stuff?
Hope you have a great day.
Rhondi xo
I think the little bits and pieces of stuff we gather and display makes us feel cozy and comfortable. I have been cleaning out closets and giving alot away lately, but I don't think I could ever live in a house that was sparse....
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
whilst on the beach during the week I was so tempted to pick up a stone and a shell and then I thought to myself, like you, I've got loads at home that end up being scattered around the garden and in plant pots because I don't know what else to do with them. To answer your question I suppose we want a tangible memory of a happy occasion to hold on to. Judith
ReplyDeleteI agree with the warm and cozy feeling of why we collect stuff. I have many shells also and one day I will make a wreath or picture frame or something. It's fun to have things on my "to do" list. There'a always a fun, exciting project waiting for me to pick it up and make it beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteYou can never have enough sea shells! I pick them up everytime we go to the beach.
ReplyDeleteI think collections just make us happy.
Have a great day Rhondi.
Hugs,
Donna
I will keep checking back to see what the answer is.hee hee. I wish I knew...then maybe I could stop the madness.lol. Laurie
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmm - I think we're always nesting, Rhondi. Is it in our nature as women? One doesn't see men (or as many men) collecting china or shells or linens. I just believe that we're hard wired to feather the nest!
ReplyDeleteMaybe its because we are artist and think we can make something from what we collect - fabric, shells, paper etc. It makes for a life of cleaning and giving away! I am not sure I would change - I love all my little bits of stuff.
ReplyDeletehmmm...I don't know, but sometimes I wonder if it is the adult version of "The one with the most toys wins."
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would like to think it has more meaning than that, like wanting to 'solidify' a memory by possessing something tangible associated with an experience, but I wonder.
It seems to be a part of the human condition for most people in some form or other.
Thought-provoking question as I look at all the 'stuff' I have gathered around me.
Rhondi,
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised! Some of us what is called the 'C' gene....that's the collecting gene...it covers everything...blue and white as well as any dish (especially plates), old silver, pewter, linens (vintage),fabrics, rugs(Oriental), wicker, lamps, wooden boxes, bunnies,frames, chairs, and on and on and on....
I have this gene and I'm passing it along to my daughters and granddaughters....I think it's possible to 'catch' it just by association also....
Keep up the good work....collecting....Betty
My home is pretty organized, but I am a bit of a "nester" for lack of better words. When I was a little girl, I would find something and save it as a treasure. It could be a penny or a sea shell like you have. For me personally, I think I am wired that way. :o) I tend to "purge" what I can no longer use and pass it along, so that helps any kind of build up of stuff. :o)
ReplyDeleteSincerely ~ Tricia Anne
It is probably the "nesting" instinct, like birds collecting twigs and feathers, etc. to make their nest, we do it in our human way. I do think different personalities tend to do this differently, those of us who are creative and sentimental care more for "collecting."
ReplyDeleteKatherine
Me again, Rhondi. I have something for you...come see me!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Donna
wouldn't we all be a little boring without all our "stuff"??
ReplyDeleteI also have a collection - not large - of shells I have picked up on beaches over many years. They are in a clear glass bowl in my living room. I love the look and feel of them and they always remind me of fun times, warm weather and lovely sunsets.
ReplyDeleteHello Rhondi,
ReplyDeleteWell, I think we simply love things of beauty, don't you think? For me it has something to do with that.
This weekend I hope to finish my giveaway for you. I am sorry it took so long, but I have some neck problems and making stitches wasn't easy the last months. I will tell about it later on my blog. I hope you don't mind!!! It is nearly ready now. When I will post it I will tell you.
Have a great weekend and those shells are beautiful, by the way!
Hugs, Carolien
I wonder the same thing. I think it has to do with wanting to surround ourselves with beauty. Stuff makes us feel good momentarily. I guess what it takes is control of stuff.
ReplyDeleteIts just so irresistible to collect pretty things that make us smile...its part the thrill of the hunt, part the fun of creating new ways to display our treasures, hmmm...its a really good question to ponder! I think your seashells look so beautiful against the shade of blue in your plate, a match made in Heaven. :-)
ReplyDeletethanks so much for visiting my blog, rhondi, and your very sweet words about my art!!
ReplyDeletemy son has a theory that we collect things because we descended from hunters and gatherers. we no longer need to hunt and gather for sustenance but the need to hunt/gather is ingrained in us. i find that thought most intriguing!
btw, i love shells and come home from our florida vacation every april with another bag. the joy is in the gathering!
you have a lovely blog!
I think we are really collecting memories. Somewhere deep inside all the things we collect touch something in our hearts from something loved long ago.
ReplyDeleteBoy, my husband could write a thesis on this one! I, like some of your other commenters, think it is because with the "stuff" we have something we can see, smell, touch, hear...remember the feeling we had when we had the first experience of that item...a vacation, a gift, an heirloom...
ReplyDeleteI collect prints from where I visit...I have no wall to display them...this I know, but I still buy the print. Memories.
That is my guess....so, do you really think you can quit collecting those special shells next time...Nope, I don't think so!
I do the same thing. If it's a deal I buy it. Do I need it? Not really. Luckily I have daughters who like the same stuff and help themselves. Mimi
ReplyDeleteI have no answer to your question. I've always been a collector. I find great comfort in collecting little bits of things, odd shaped stones, sea glass, shells . . . do you think it is a throw back to our hunter/gatherer ancestry?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shells, we have none like this on our local beach. I have collections boxed up in the loft, including shells! I collect items because I like them, and as an investment. x
ReplyDeleteIf you figure out the answer to this question, please let me know! Maybe it would help me to stop collecting! Your shells are beautiful. I always feel that you can't go to the beach without bring home some shells, no matter how many you already have. And, blue and white china is a special weakness of mine too. laurie
ReplyDeleteI love my stuff...and I want more stuff. Not neccesarily expensive stuff....Pieces of fabric, lovely paper, special notepads, I, too think it is a nesting thing. Happy PS Hugs, Kathleen
ReplyDeletethe need to nest... perhaps..... I just want more..... buttons, shells, glitter.... just more.... lace, fabric, prisms, china, more... then I want to keep it.... Yep I diffidently have a problem....
ReplyDeleteHUgs
Linda
I love sea shells. Happy Pink Saturday.
ReplyDeleteWe are all guilty of the collecting bug. However, I do appreciate that you are sharing your gorgeous collection. If you have blue things, come to my Blue Mondays and have some more fun sharing. Happy Pink Saturday.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful shells! I can see how difficult it would be not to take these beauties home even if you already have many already. :)
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say something profound but it seems everbody has made sense of it all. I believe it is in all of of us to want to connect to the past to appreciate our future, Antiques anyone? Seashells are the history for all of us who are lucky enough to gather them. Thanks for a great post :-)
ReplyDeleteJane