A Passion For Collecting!

I was watching the news recently and they were talking about how many people have a real passion for collecting. All kinds of items were mentioned from the tiny to the huge (such as collecting cars). One lady emailed in during the program to say she had 400 cheese dishes!

We are no strangers to the compulsion to horde, whoops I meant collect! I’ve talked before about Anne collecting old glass jelly moulds. I’ve been known to collect various things from Teddy Bears (as a child) to Film Memorabilia. I seem to have a fairly short attention span and regularly move onto a new collection, but isn’t that part of the joy, the ever changing interest and expanding of knowledge? Although if you choose a large item it can take over your house with ease.

Anne also collects anything tea related, luckily she has several shelves that have managed to house the collection. Ringtons and Tetley would seem to be the favourites, but perhaps they are just the most prolific producers of tea related memorabilia.

At the moment though she has been buying up old baking cutters, not to use with food. But several have been utilised in sewing projects of all things, you’d be surprised just how creative she is!

Of course that is one of the side benefits of collecting, it seems to baulk at the idea of a throw away society. When one person can love an item whatever it’s age or in some cases condition, it breathes new life where others may have seen only junk.

Here’s a few items from the Angel Eden Store made from collected bits and bobs.

 

I like Jelly!

Actually I don’t, in fact I find it odd and slightly disconcerting the way it wobbles and shakes. But like most children mine don’t share my dislike. So we have recently came to a comfortable compromise. They can make and eat the Jelly if they make it using genuine old jelly moulds. For one thing they are infinitely more attractive sat on a dresser than their modern plastic or rubber cousins. For another they actually work! If you’ve ever tried and failed using a contemporary jelly mould then I strongly suggest you try your hand with one of these. You often see them in antique shops or on eBay.

Tip. If your jelly will not immediately quit the mould, fill a bowl with warm water and place the mould in for a few seconds.

I may not like the texture or taste, but even I have to admit that jellies made in these moulds do look wonderful and harbour a certain kind of charm. So at future parties the adults can admire the artistry while the children admire the taste, what more could you want 🙂