Collections

Davoid · Post by **Davoid** » Fri May 12, 2006 1:12 pm

In another post, I confessed to collecting funny names (http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=12870). In that vein, I've also been "collecting" funny/stupid vanity license plates, like the one on the old truck in my neighborhood that says "STEAK UM." Okay, so driving in So. Cal. gets a little boring.

I also collect all the cat claws that I find, and I stick 'em in a little plastic coin bag. After several years, that bag has plenty of room left, but it's still a plump lil' pillow o' claws, weird to behold. People think I'm a wackjob, and I guess that's the point.

I doubt I'll be disappointed to learn what the rest of you freaks collect.

RingO'Fire · Post by **RingO'Fire** » Fri May 12, 2006 1:24 pm

I collect women's scarves.

I love the bright colors, the unusual designs (I'm very picky about my scarves and will only buy one if I really, really like it). I get them at thift stores, mostly. Since I'm a fiber artist myself, I appreciate the art and feel (aka, "the hand") of the fabric.

I especially like unique retro scarves with funky oddball patterns.

I use them for wall hangings and little table cloths.

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:01 pm

Well, I don't actually collect anything intersting. Just not into it all that much. I guess props is the biggest collection I have, for caco gigs and such. Oh wait. Hats. High quality hats. I just don't consider it "collecting". Too much of a base word for such a noble endevour. No baseball caps (unless they are really, really unique/tacy). English derby, top hat, fedora, etc.

I just wanted to chime in with a couple names at work that you might like.

Diane Dickoff (or Di Dickoff for short)
Gaylord Pounder (a vendor tech guy- great guy, but what the hell were his parents thinking?)

nogganoodle · Post by **nogganoodle** » Sat May 13, 2006 3:11 am

For me it HAS to be fridge magnets. But not just any old fridge magnet. Oh no. It has to be the cheesiest, tackiest, most offensively bad magnet you have ever seen.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Sat May 13, 2006 7:00 am

Small pictorial rugs- JFK, Last Supper, Dogs Playing Poker...

And, since I'm an "aluminum artist", ANYTHING aluminum. Lots of Jell-o molds, cake pans, cannister sets, tumblers, coffeepots, icecube trays, strainers, bowls...and miles of flexible electrical conduit scrap, powerline, street signs, assorted hardware, old Thermoses and coolers. And anything else. The best part is going to thrift stores, flea markets and anywhere else to collect "the good stuff". Never pass a dumpster without looking in!

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Sat May 13, 2006 4:49 pm

I collect antique fireworks, American and Chinese. Hard to find but really beautiful artwork on the really old Chinese labels. The labels were done in gold leaf on the really early examples. Living in the SF Bay area is a big plus for my collection.

Post by **mdmf007** » Sat May 13, 2006 8:59 pm

rocks from around the world do it for me. cheap, memorable and full of history.

wildilocks · Post by **wildilocks** » Sat May 13, 2006 10:26 pm

I collect clown fish. I loved them well before Finding Nemo came out, but when it did I was so excited because I knew there'd be all these clown fish EVERYWHERE. And there was. My pride and joy is a giant Nemo plushie which makes a great cushion, or a fun ride for small children...

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:31 pm

Magikal · Post by **Magikal** » Sun May 14, 2006 5:39 pm

Specta, that's terrible!

...tho I did laugh like a motherfucker...

Well, aside from good porn ('70's porn was the best!), I would have to say it's takeoffs of "American Gothic", you know, that painting of the two stern-faced Amish-looking people posed in front of a farmhouse, I'm assuming husband and wife. I've seen one from a nudists' guidebook where they were naked (but regrettably didn't snag it), one where they were making bizarre faces (but it was stuck to a door so I couldn't take it), a postcard where it's Bill 'n Hill (Bill is the woman, of course), a cover from a computer flyer, really just anywhere I find them.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon May 15, 2006 9:17 am

Oh dear me, I'm a collection addict.

My home resembles a thift store/antique mall. Cluttered as hell, every surface and wall crammed with bits and pieces and lovely little things. I love lovely little things. I acquire things everywhere I go, plus I'm addicted to ebay, and since mom passed away I have lots of her lovely little things too.

If any grouping of three or more becomes a collection, shit I'm in trouble.

Asian masks, wood block prints, persian carpets, vaseline glass, depression slag, Akro Agate, bad B- movies, Lladro Belleek Noritake Fenton Swarovski, lucky cats, netsuke rats, swords and sharp things, teapots, miniatures, miniature teapots, teapots and spice jars shaped like houses, blue willow, cobalt glass, tea cannisters, jadeite, stone spheres and paperweights, skulls, stone skulls, bloodstone, my brother's porcelain marbles, vortex marbles, japanese dolls, shot glasses, glass in general, pewter fantasy figurines, Middle Eastern copper and brass, and an entire hollow glass lamp stuffed with Steiff animals. That's just what I have out!

Granted, the swords are mostly Larry's thing. His nickname is pacrat and he collects tools and leather and stuff which may be useful someday. My family called me Magpie as a child and it really, really, really stuck.

Well, you asked.

Davoid · Post by **Davoid** » Mon May 15, 2006 7:31 pm

Hey, Rob, thanks for the names. Duly filed.

And the rest of you aren't as freakish as I thought, but you're still freaks. Freaks.

jupiter9 · Post by **jupiter9** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:46 pm

pez dispensers

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:29 pm

Dustdevil wrote:I collect antique fireworks, American and Chinese. Hard to find but really beautiful artwork on the really old Chinese labels. The labels were done in gold leaf on the really early examples. Living in the SF Bay area is a big plus for my collection.

I worked at a fireworks (contemporary) stand for a coupla years, and started saving panels from the cartons for artistic inspiration...Lots of the designs have been unchanged since Deco Times, and the names are WONDERFUL- "Whisting Moon Travelers With Report", "Opening Flower And Happy Bird", "Bountiful Gardens", and so on. Many have become both inspiration AND title for artworks.

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Thu May 18, 2006 8:18 am

AntiM - ASIAN MASKS!!!! We just bought a collection of them at an estate sale. Have you any idea what these are usually worth? I'm sure that many in my purchase are very old. Some are wood carved, some paper with lots of gold, some with silk backs.

For me, sadly, I collect old british cars. (None of my tenants get to keep their garages).

Post by **AntiM** » Thu May 18, 2006 8:33 am

Asian masks can range in price from the low hundreds to several thousand. New ones can be lower than that of course. I doubt mine are worth more than a grand total at best, but I love them and they represent places I've been and gifts from larry and friends. My faves are a snarling Bali Wolf and a fearsome black Kali from Thailand.

My aunt's late fiancee left her his british car collection; she's sold most of it by now to other collectors.

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Thu May 18, 2006 8:54 am

I'm really glad to hear that - I think I paid $400 for a group of about 10. I'll get a photo - I would love to hear what you think about them.

Any good british cars left? I can always find ONE MORE parking space.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Thu May 18, 2006 9:44 am

I'm collecting mannequins.

It didn't start out that way, but it's strangely addicting.

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:47 pm

First Printing English paperbacks of Douglas Adams books.

M*A*S*H Paraphanalia.

Jokes.