If you are a lifelong collector, there will come a point in time where you will need to choose between two figurines. Whether the decision is which figurine to buy, which one to display, or which figurine to sell to a new home, you will eventually (whether on purpose or without realizing it) develop criteria for your collection. Some choose to collect based on a particular manufacturer. Others base their collection upon particular pieces which appealed to them throughout their life. However it happens, your collection will also say something about you and what you value.

I'm reminded this as I read two articles this week. The first was about an Assistant Professor at Indiana State University who collects dolls and figurines that represent minority cultures in a positive light. You can read the article on the Indiana State University website here. The second was about an artist creating robot figures called Adoptabots out of discarded items and selling them on Etsy. You can find photos of some of the creations here.

Whether you collect figurines about diversity, history, fashion, love, christmas, or the environment, your figurine collection says something about you. If you haven't taken a moment to think about the broader purpose behind your collection, take some time to do so soon. Then, the next time that you have to choose between two figurines, you'll be able to evaluate how each one fits into your collection. And in the end, you will have more than a bunch of boxes of stuff. You will have a collection that tells a story about you!