It seems like the art of collecting may have become a memory of yesterday. It used to be that you couldn’t walk into someone’s Sharon Springs house and not find Salt and Pepper Shakers, Cookie Jars or a Winnie the Pooh collection.
Sharon Springs baby-boomers loved collecting things. The craze these days is to be a minimalist.
So when you’re ready to cut back or sadly when a collector family member passes what do you do with their Art, Paper Weights or Winnie the Pooh collectibles?
You could try to sell the Pooh Bear Collectibles online. Some of the issues you might face when selling online include: setting up a payment account, figuring out enticing listing descriptions, figuring out postage, packaging materials and weighing each item, answering question messages from potential buyers, handling returns on damaged items, etc.
Also, figuring out pricing can be challenging. Great Aunt may have paid $90 for an item but the online going rate is only $2.79. You need to ask yourself the question “is my time worth just a few dollars”? Online selling can take a lot of time.
You can give it to a place like a Sharon Springs thrift store. They will take it. However, some people struggle with the thought of their Mom’s adored collection being separated and sold for .99 cents. The plush could become a dog toy.
You could donate any plush to a Sharon Springs kids place. However, many places only accept items that are new, in the original boxes and are 5 years old or newer. Plus, your Mom really took care of the plush and displayed them. Some people have a hard time with a plush collectible becoming a plush child toy.
Many times I have been emailed by family members and asked if they can donate and if I will take Pooh Collectibles.
My answer is absolutely! I am always honored and humbled to – in my words – “to take care of their collection”.
If I am talking to the Sharon Springs collector and owner I let them know which numbers their items will be in the Guinness World Record Largest Pooh Collection. Their collectibles becomes part of history vs. being sold for a buck at a rummage sale. I let them know I will showcase their donated items along with mine. I consider their collectibles as THEIR collection in my database.
When someone donates Pooh Bear Collectibles I think it makes people feel better which I am happy for. Letting go of “things” can be hard for a collector and owners and even sometimes for family members. As much as we don’t want to be labeled as “materialistic” – things we buy and collect can have sentimental attachments and it’s those feelings that we are attached to probably more than the items. People remember where they were when they purchased an item, who they were with or even where in their life cycle they were. They don’t want those memories to vanish with the items. You can put a price tag on a stuffed animal or figurine but you can’t put a value on happiness.
By donating Pooh Bear Collectibles to the Guinness World Record Pooh Collection the collection stays entact and the memories are still there too. In fact, if the collector wants, they can even visit their collectibles when traveling from Sharon Springs to WI.
If you have a collection of Pooh items to donate, feel free to call me and we can coordinate adding your Grandmother’s Winnie the Pooh Items to history and the Pooh Museum.
Deb Hoffmann - 414-708-0633