I come by my collecting genes very legitimately as my Dad's side of the family all have collections of some sort (often many sorts). Plus, somewhere along the line my Mom was "bitten by the bug" as well. Thus, not counting my Mom's vast cat figurine collection, angel collection, Indiana pottery and reamers or my Dad's mustache cup and saucer collection or pen / pencil collections, plus his farm implement "toys" that fill her home, I too have a large assortment of collections that fill my home from top to bottom (a large two story farm house). Ironically (tragically) we still have many items in storage as well.

Hmmmm...."My name is Teri and I am a collection addict!"

Below are the collections I currently have.

Rocks - (1969 - Current) My first collection began at the age of 1-1/2 when pretty rocks would catch my eye and this "compulsion" has continued on through to this day. My rock consists mainly of the common "garden variety" of rocks (thus no monetary value) but those that are large enough live in our rock garden and the rest live on a shelf in my bedroom. Interestingly enough, the collecting gene has been successfully passed on to my grandson who also began collecting pretty rocks at the age of 1-1/2 and now at the age of 3 often finds rocks especially for Nana!

Jewelry (1976 - Current) My jewelry collection began a little later in life when my Aunt Ruth gave me several pieces that I admired when I was around 10 years old (mid 1970's). When she passed away in 2000, I inherited the rest of her collection which has filled my jewelry armoire to the hilt. I also acquired many other pieces and sets from auctions which I attend when money and time permit.

Lamps - (1994 - 2000) My oil lamp collection began with a few EAPG (Early American Pressed Glass) lamps given to me by my Aunt Ruth in the mid-1990's. However, the only pieces I have added to this were some miniatures or new ones that I liked.

Pitcher & Bowl - (1988 - 2000) The same holds true for my pitcher and bowl collection. Aunt Ruth gave me the two she had in the late 1980's but cost has limited me from adding to that collection other than with some cute miniatures I have found at sales and auctions along the way.

Coffee Cups - (1980 - 1998) Then there are my coffee cups. I believe I have enough to start my own coffee shop and still not have to wash any for at least a couple of days! A few are vintage, but most are just your regular ceramic "cutsie sayings" ones. Some of these adorn the top of my kitchen cabinets that span two walls of a 15' x 15' kitchen, but many are in storage.

Bells - (1980 - 1993) This is a collection that I lost over three quarters of during a move due to an unscrupulous landlord or neighbor entering our home while we were transporting our things and "pilfering" through our boxes. Fortunately the ones that had sentimental value had already been moved. However, it became bitter-sweet to continue seeking them out, thus my collection now consists of those I managed to "save" along with those inherited from my Aunt Ruth and Grandma Burr and those that have been given to me as gifts.

Lighthouses (1993 - Current) Yet another eclectic little collection that consists of figurines, plates, pictures, cups, shakers, etc. My children have created their own one-of-a-kind items to add to my collection.

Cobalt Blue (1996 - Current) A few vintage bottles (medicine and decanter) as well two John Shelton blown glass pitchers (purchased here on Ebay) are surrounded by a variety of new and newer cobalt items that catch my eye. From a huge marguerita glass to square blocks that look like ice-cubes (these look great in a clear glass with a cobalt bottom) and a lot of things in between my cobalt is my current favorite collection right up there with my dragonflies!

Dragonflies (2004 - Current) When it comes to dragonflies I am really picky. First and foremost they must be pretty! (There are a LOT of UGLY dragonfly items out there!) As this is a relatively new collection it mainly consists of brooches / pins (my current pride and joy is the "KJL Made for Avon" purchased right here on Ebay that is shown as my picture), necklaces, a ring, wind chimes and some other small miscellaneous items. Like I said, along with my cobalt this is my favorite collection.

Glass (2000 - Current) I wouldn't be part of a family of collectors if we didn't have a collection of EAPG (Early American Pressed Glass), cut glass, engraved glass, depression glass, Prussia, etc. This seemingly billion box collection was inherited by my mother when my Aunt Ruth passed. Currently it is all in storage, but we are in the process of going through it and deciding what we really love and absolutely can't part with (ergo finding a place for it) and then figuring out what the rest is so we can try to sell it. The fun part is matching the patterns together the not so fun part is trying to figure out what the patterns are. If only it were all Banded Portland my life would be so much easier! But opening each box is like Christmas in that we don't know what we are going to find and of course seeing that ugly yellow/green color under black light denoting EAPG gives added excitement to our discoveries.

Reamers (1976 - Current) Again crediting Aunt Ruth for this "bug that bit" I was the only kid I knew who actually called "orange juice squeezers" by their "real" name. My brother and I spent weekends at her house while we were growing up, earning spending money by helping her clean her 400+ reamer collection. My mother and I inherited these when she passed in 2000 so in addition to the ones that we purchased along the way (mainly new / newer ones) we now had an extensive collection. Again, most are still in storage awaiting their turn at being unwrapped and found a new home (either in one of our china cabinets of someone else's).

Whew! Did I mention that I have an addiction for which there is no cure!

I WILL GET MY COLLECTING UNDER CONTROL! I WILL GET MY COLLECTING UNDER CONTROL!

Wait! I just saw the most beautiful (fill in the blank) and it's only (fill in the blank) I bet if I bid on it I will win it! I can find room for it SOMEWHERE!

See you at the auctions!