Displaying My Collections!

It's funny how we seem to accumulate 'things' while traveling along the path of our lives.  A trinket we pick up at a thrift store, a gift from a dear friend, a memento left to us by a beloved relative....somehow 'things' just seem to move into our lives and pile up.  Then before we realize it we are swamped with loads of stuff.  In order to justify our 'stuff'' we sometimes call ourselves "collectors".  Makes us seems less messy and maybe just a teeny bit more important. However, at times our collections can get out of hand and we all need to find a way to take stock...you know clear out the clutter, get rid of the not so great pieces.  I always try to be as imaginative as possible when displaying my collections.  This means sorting through, repairing, cleaning  and selecting the finest items in them.  I know it is work but well worth the effort.  Respecting each and every piece is a part of respecting yourself and your past....it just all somehow seems to go together.  Well, that is just what I recently did!  Ahhh, I just love the time retirement allows me.

The first thing that I dealt with was my collection of vintage "mothers pins".  My son has always given me a vintage "mothers pin" on Mothers Day and I had a sizable collection just sitting in my jewelry box.  I thought there must be a better way to display them so I could enjoy them on a daily basis.  The thought came to me that pinning them on to a pillow might just be the way to do it.....and I was correct!  It was simple to do - yet the effect was fantastic.  Once I did that I was really inspired.....so onward and upward!

Next I dug out my Christmas pin collection - pinned them on to an old heart shaped pillow that I had!  Cute, cute, cute!   There was no stopping me!

Last, but certainly not least, was my  "rhinestone brooch" collection.  The only difference was - I asked my very talented sister-in-law, Karen, to sew up a black velvet pillow to display this pin collection.  She is super talented on the sewing machine , whereas I can barely sew a button on.  The effect was stunning!  Much better than my picture shows. Now all three pillows are in my studio where I can see them  every day.  When the sun hits them the glitz and glam just bedazzles the eye and makes me very, very happy!

For any beginner collectors out there check out my brooches and pins on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/your/listings?ref=si_acc.  I am sure you will find something to interest you and at a affordable price.