Collecting collections.

collect 1 |kəˈlekt|
verb [ trans. ]
1 bring or gather together (things, typically when scattered or widespread
• accumulate and store over a period of time
• systematically seek and acquire (items of a particular kind) as a hobby
• [ intrans. ] come together and form a group or mass

collection
noun
1 a collection of stolen items: hoard, pile, heap, stack, stock, store, stockpile; accumulation, reserve, supply, bank, pool, fund, mine, reservoir.
2 a collection of shoppers: group, crowd, body, assemblage, gathering, throng; knot, cluster; multitude, bevy, party, band, horde, pack, flock, swarm, mob; informal gang, load, gaggle.
3 a collection of Victorian dolls: set, series; array, assortment.
4 a collection of short stories: anthology, selection, compendium, treasury, compilation, miscellany, potpourri.
5 a collection for the poor: donations, contributions, gifts, subscription(s); historical alms.
6 a church collection: offering, offertory, tithe.

I am a collector; I'm mere steps from hoarder, really, if you ask Daniel.  I enjoy things.  Small curiosities: tiny works of art, old photographs and tin types, vintage postcards and cabinet cards, crystals and mineral specimens, porcelain salters and eggcups, anything jadite, Carnival Glass, odd plants, useless parts of lamps that I've taken apart ...  Yes, I collect it all.

Above is a snapshot of my glass and porcelain salter and small dish collection.  A few of these pieces are FireKing/Anchor Hocking, Fenton and Akro Agate.  Others are new, some are hand painted gifts from Turkey, while many are unmarked and unknown mysteries. 

Vintage bunny bead and stamps lovingly arranged withing a shadow box.

Here is part of my FireKing by Anchor Hocking collection. Most are jadite in color and the pattern is 'shell' (not 'swirl,' note the scalloped edges - these are often confused).  Also I've a few chili bowls in jadite and pasta 'shell' bowls in and peach luster, various platters and a mixing bowl.  Additionally my demitasse collection in peach luster.  A good place to look for your own depression-ware pieces is Jadite Kate. 

A variety of "air plants," epiphytes, in vintage French jadite egg cups, sea urchin & glass container.  Epiphytes are amazing because they require no soil to live, only the moisture and nutrients in the air (you must mist them when they live in your home).

One of my many, many containers of succulent specimens.  This particular plant is in bloom, producing a ten inch stalk with a cluster of blossoms that will last for weeks and even months.

 

I create these picture frame clusters all over the house.  This particular one is in the guest bath next to the vanity.  My favorite part about these arrangements is that as they may start small, but as you acquire new art and new frames, they are easy to grow and easy to rearrange.  The frames are manageable in size and inexpensive.  I've found most at second-hand stores, craft stores or discount shops.  I enjoy the haphazard yet collective feel of the arrangements and they allow you to bring together many different types of works.  Included here: Anthropologie wallpaper samples (free!), Yellena artwork, antique postcards, tin print, and Matou en Peluche artwork.