]" A mistake is always forgivable, rarely excusable and always unacceptable." Robert Fripp
$50,000. Because that's how far I got. It took years and years. A collection of glorious, wonderful miniatures and I SOLD THEM. That would be the mistake. Great. Big. Huge.
No, I did not have money to burn. It's just that I was not buying expensive handbags and shoes. I was collecting 1:12 scale miniature collectibles. Little by little, year after year. Something wonderful here, something magical there...
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| Still life by Paul Salterelli - I had several of his early, and in my opinion, superior works. One is better than none. |
It started at a flea market where I was thrilled to discover a table selling miniature bliss. It brought me right back to a happy childhood playing with tiny tea sets, rearranging diminutive furniture in a doll house and then later dressing Barbie in her shoes and handbags.
(If you are not familiar with miniatures, sadly for you, there is a whole tiny world of things reduced to miniature that might make you believe you could just put them in your house and use them yourself, they are so perfect as to deceive. Thus my reason for photographing them with 'big' things.)
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| Hand Painted Charger by Le Chateau Interiors - this was originally mine and I bought it again. |
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| Brass Bird Cage and Hexagonal Rosewood Stand by David Krucker - found again on eBay |
"Stupidity is a talent for misconception." ~ Edgar Allan Poe
I had new babies, needed money and figured, hey, I am never going to be able to collect miniatures again. Who has the time when there are diapers to be changed and college funds to think about? Duh. Babies grow up.
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| Ruby Glass Decanter Set by Francis Whitmore, Sterling Tray by Gugliemo Cini |
Anyway, I am now on the lookout for things I gave up. In truth some of them really did not matter so who cares now? BUT...there are those perfect, thrilling, masterful creations that just haunt my soul. From time to time I come across one and do my best to make it mine AGAIN. Pictured here are some of my lost then founds.
"Just think how happy you would be if you lost everything you have right now, and then got it back again." Frances Rodman
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| Lute by Ken Manning. Ebay. |
In the end we just can't take this stuff with us. But letting it go is just not an option. Not for me. Not again. A word to the wise...
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| Chair by Barbara Logan - found again in a miniature shop |
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| Samurai Sword by Cliff Fleltrope - my original was black with a dragon head. This will have to do. |
I sincerely hope you have spared yourself my agony. And learned from my mistake. I hope you'll share your thoughts below. (Oh, and if $50,000 is shocking to you, get out your receipts and just add them up.)
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." Catherine Aird
I tried to comment before but it disappeared... all I really said was---coming from someone who parts with nothing, I cannot imagine! Your post is both sad and kinda funny *** (Oh, and if $50,000 is shocking to you, get out your receipts and just add them up.) *** hahaha
ReplyDeleteLOL. I know you don't part with anything. You are a very wise woman.
DeleteThanks for the warning, Patricia! I can see why you wanted them all back, the painting is stunning.
ReplyDeleteTo this day I still can't believe I did that...
DeleteThanks, Elga.
That is so wonderful you are able to share that you miss your treasures. I have always found that every time I just clear out odds and ends I think I don't need, I miss them..my mind gets the most creative with what it feels are losses..I can think of more things to do with them after they are gone than when I had them (I have heard that this is how the mind seems to work). Hugs, Jean
ReplyDeleteI did that once...I sold my dollhouse and nearly all of it's contents for $50 at a garage sale...OUCH! This was before the world of Ebay really came into my life, so it was a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteOuch is right. I feel ya, Mad.
DeleteIt was a sad story with a happy ending. I am so glad you have found so many of those pieces again. They are ALL gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteReceipts... Oh no! I never save those because it might scare the H*LL out of me. :-)
LOL !!!
DeleteHoy he descubierto tu blog, me ha encantado. Un abrazo
ReplyDeletehttp://miniaturasarantza.blogspot.com
Gracias. Y abrazos atrás a usted. :)
ReplyDeleteUnas piezas impresionantes, felices pascuas:)
ReplyDeleteIn 1997 my husband and I moved from Las Vegas where I grew up to Butte Mt. We left with what fit into 2 bags. I left all my miniatures I had made and collected for 30 years and brought with us my mental health. For over 2 years I sat and cried. I morned for my art and miniatures. My husband, Riley was so wonderful. He was by my side and held me when I cried. He told me "Peaches I promise you I will make sure you get your things back before I die." He took me to the mental health center and they were just going to send me home with some pills. He was raised in Butte and told them he would have the sheriff send me to Harm Springs. They finally put me in a safe haven where they watch you so you don't harm yourself. And a new journey began. I did not just get better all at once,but over a five year journey I slowly began to get better. I started working at the thrift store and found I was able to get many of my books and patterns back. I was so very excited and began to feel happiness inside. I started making my miniatures again. I got $15.00 a month to spend and was elated. I would plan for weeks what I would buy. I got to know people that worked in the stores and they would save things for me. Plus my boss at my store was really great about the cost of things I wanted. Riley passed in 2007 and I miss him so very much. He was true to his word because even though I did not get everything back I got so much more. I could not put a price on my miniature collection. What I got in the hunt for the world we left in Vegas was Me. I learned to cope with my mental illness and and know I needed help. I went to our day treatment center and made lots of friends. I walked and walked all over town. Then the sadness was replace with joy. Joy in life, joy in finding with loss comes newness. Now I will feel a sadness because Riley is not here and then I know he is... in my thoughts, in my creations and in my heart. He was my greatest fan...and there is no price on that. So even though we loose, we can always gain. By looking at things differently. By letting go and hanging on...by choosing to live. That is the greatest gift of all.
ReplyDeleteNow my son and grand children are here with me. I am trying to look at things differently each day. Some I do pretty good, and some I don't measure up. But isn't that life? We always need to try to do better. I am trying to be a better me and learn to collect different things in life. A bit of happiness each day with my family. I still miss my miniatures at times but I like to think they found a good home. I did.
I´ve just discovered your blog!!!!, amazing !!!
ReplyDeleteHugs from Spain
Eli
I just stumbled on this (not sure if you'll read this as it's so long ago, but...)
ReplyDeleteI've been collecting for a long (long) time myself. In fact, I have one of your Noah's arks from years back. I would never part with anything but my regets are things I did not buy. Why did I pass up those Francis Whitmore vases (which now go for outrageous amounts of money of e-bay.) And why, why, WHY did I have my complete set of Obidiah Fisher silverware displayed on a self where most of it got knocked to the floor,never to be seen again. No way I can afford to repurchase that.
But my one major regret. Way, way back in 1981 at the Yankee Miniature in Darien, Connecticutt Linda Laroche was seliing a hand carved rocking horse for $500. I fell in love with the piece but I was 25 years old and that was jsy way more than I could afford or justify. I should have bought it anyway and lived on canned soup for a month.
Interesting! I have some items made by Barbara Logan in a collection that I just purchased. They are incredible. Now to research pricing......... :-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I have some items made by Barbara Logan in a collection that I just purchased. They are incredible. Now to research pricing......... :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad, just go forward. I did the same thing several years ago, 25 years of my collection. It was more than 50,000 dollars worth but now I am collecting again. It's a slow process and sometimes I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I look at the auctions.........
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compassion, Buddababy. Yes, sometimes it still hurts. Had to find stuff when the artisans are long gone.
DeleteYes, it is hard to find stuff that I can even compare to my old collection. I found one of my Salterelli paintings on Ebay and lost the bid and some of my other paintings have shown up on dealer websites, same with Stuart McCabe, Obadiah's and Gordon Blacklock's silver. Those items I will never see again. I think it's my chair collection that I auctioned that gives me such a bad feeling.......those artisans are long retired and to this day I have not seen in particular Hepplewhite and English Chippendale ribbonback chairs (oh gosh those real carved not resin John J Hodgson chairs).........As one dealer who urged me not to sell my collection says to me now- don't look back, just move forward. But he also reminds me, " I told you not to sell your collection". Sigh.
DeleteI had a bunch of Salerelli paintings too and things from Obadiah. Even Gordon Blacklock - found in UK at a show there.
DeleteYour dealer is right, no point in looking back. There are still wonderful artisans out there.
Your Paul Saltarelli painting is wonderful. I collected his works as well. I have over 75 of his originals, purchased directly from him and treasure each one.
ReplyDeleteYou are very lucky! He was amazing. I have a few more than this one, but I am sorry he retired.
ReplyDelete