The Mother of Pack Rat Pearl

I've been hitting a lot of auctions and flea markets lately, finding some wonderful treasures to appease my need to hoard. This incredible stash of mother-of-pearl buttons came from an auction last week and today I hit the mother load at a flea market. I'm telling you, this place was a found-object-multimedia-artist's nirvana! Bits of brass and beads, ribbons and baubles... I had to remind myself to breathe now and then as I had been holding my breath in awe over every bit of "my precious" I uncovered. In my last post Marie asked the question about my inventory and whether or not I have most of my materials on hand when I start a new project. Well, the answer is yes, I tend to have everything on hand. This is due to the fact that I haven't thrown anything away since the late 70s (except for my ex-husband, ha!). Anyone who enters my house can see my sickness all over the place - I am a pack rat to the extreme. I warn people of this if they have never been to my house before (L, that means you;) since they are libel to sustain a jaw injury as it hits the floor in disbelief.

But I am happy floating around in my sea of stuff. It makes me giddy to know that I have everything on hand needed to make anything at any given time. If you need a giant ball of chartreuse wool yarn, look no further! If it's miniature plastic shoes you need (and really, who doesn't?), I have a whole collection! Looking for embroidery patterns from the 1930s? Well, look no further! And if fabric is your passion... I'll build you a house out of the stuff! (Incidentally, I haven't sewn in years but I can't get myself to whittle down the fabric collection. I may need an intervention in this instance.)

Every now and then I get down on myself for being such a cluttered mess. I wonder how "normal" people are able to live clean and organized lives and wonder if they are happy doing it. I'll be the first to admit that I do need to straighten up a bit, but in the end I am happiest surrounded by my things. They inspire me. They are familiar. They are my Prozac. :)

Thanks so much to everyone who has signed up for the giveaway! There is plenty of time to participate so be sure to jump on board! :)

Comments

Silver Parrot said…
LOL! Sounds like we have simliar "housekeeping" styles. I'm thinking of forming a new religion: The Church of Creative Clutter. And, I have an answer about so-called "normal" people - they do housework INSTEAD of creative projects (or else they hire a maid). My mother's house is neat as a pin and she has NO hobbies whatsoever which I find kind of sad. I'd rather be creative and cluttered.
Round Rabbit said…
Amen to that! Clutter over clean! Clutter over clean!
SummersStudio said…
I love 'stuff.' There is nothing wrong with having lots of stuff. Those who are overly organized, keep it to the minimum could possibly use a lesson in keeping stuff around. You just never know when you might need a chartreuse ball of yarn. Wouldn't it be just awful if you'd thrown it out? Keep your stuff. It is good. It is healthy.
Lorelei Eurto said…
If I'm the L you were speaking to, the only sustained injury that day will be yours due to a bunch of missing buttons, cuz I'll be stealing em!
Nice collection!! I'm jealous!
Rosanne said…
It's such a blessing to know that all of us like minded creative people do the same things. We aren't different, its the other ones that are different...the ones with clean houses, no clutter, no hoarding, no piles. I MUST keep all my stuff, because it never fails I want it back shortly after its gone. The greatest pleasure I get is to go looking for something and finding forgotten treasures!
Dani said…
I think every true artist is a hoarder and a messy marvin. I for one am both and my husband can give proof of that!!

I love having my treasures around also...we are two of a kind!!
Gallery32 said…
I am not a neat freak. I like a little clutter :)
chARiTy elise said…
hi. my name is charity and i am also a clutterholic.

maybe some day we could all have a little weekend get together where we bring some of our piles of stuff with us and trade with each other! a clutter-swap! i'd be happy to host. you could all stay here (though i would have to organize some of my clutter to make room)

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