I've thought about doing this from time to time but thankfully haven't. For me it would be an all or nothing deal. I'd have to purge every possesion I own and go pick fruit in a jungle or something to be happy. On the flip I look at many of the things I've collected as time capsules of certain periods of my life. If I sell some of them it usually goes to the next thing. What remains is usually too dear to me or went through such effort to get that I can't part with it. I often think about when I die hopefully I will have done something meaningful and all these items will be some great mystery for someone to try and figure out!
Collecting also puts other things in perspective. It was my mom's 60th bday today, and the party + gift ended up costing a lot more than I thought. I was getting depressed but I thought "Hey, that's about how much I spent in toys in the last month. Mom loved it all. All good." No complaints.
I don't even consider it collecting anymore. It's more of something that keeps me excited about doing art. I don't even know what would keep me excited about doing art if it wasn't for toys. I'm still looking for a Gorilla Ju to really get the creative juices flowing this month
I have a small apartment too. Do you have detolfs? Get a few. You'd be amazed at how little floor space they take up. Shove them in a corner. Stacking your toys will save you a lot of display room. Have I thought about quitting? I think about not buying, but it never happens. If I did quit though, I'd probably keep a chunk of toys that I'd be buried with. I do think about leaving Skullbrain though, but that's another story for another thread.
I've been thinking about this and I think you hit the nail on the head Joel. Its not even collecting anymore its just normal life. Toys are for me exactly what they are to you, the inspiration for me artistically. From when I get up its all about them, from sculpting to painting to designing headers to finding that next great toy that will inspire me. Its just a cycle and not something I even think about anymore. It really just comes down to moderation and only buying what you can afford and not going crazy. When you stay within your means you really see just how affordable this is. I sell occasionally but don't think I would ever stop 100% no matter what happens. I also love that if it wasn't for these toys I wouldn't have meet so many great people. Its more than just collecting its a community that inspires some really amazing creations.
YES! If I wasn't collection these toys I would be collecting something else. ABC= Always Be Collecting!
The tougher part for me is the limitations. There's so much "collect what you like" but that just doesn't work. "Collect what you like WITHIN REASON!" is the real sentiment. Putting the limitations up is the toughest part. "Only this sculpt" or "only this company" but man, that gets BORING! It's tough. I try a cyclical approach. "Only this company...for NOW!" then "Ok, done for a bit there, moving on, only this sculpt" and so on. I don't really think about it that much or make it as complicated as all that sounds, but just saying. Another tough part for me right now is everything's just sitting in a box, I haven't unpacked and set up yet since moving. So it's less real in a sense. Once I get them all out and ready for display I'll either freak and sell a ton because I'll say "shit, it's cool, but I don't need it" or I'll freak and want MORE! I dunno, we'll see.
I just experienced this as well. My move was pending for around 5 months as I searched for condos, only to have them fall through for whatever reasons. So that was 5 months of boxes piling up, and 5 months of "toy money" being deducted from my bank account without the pay-off of actually displaying and handling all of my toys. During this period I definitely questioned my spending and collecting a few times... but only really halfway seriously As I finally become stationary, it certainly becomes apparent to me all over again why I do what I do. These toys interest me and make me happy. Even when I encounter a boring or stagnant day, my kaiju toss some color into it (except for the clear vinyl ). If I lost interest in them, I'd stop collecting... but that's the only reason I can imagine. And I can't realistically imagine that happening. If finances were the issue, I'd enforce more strict limitations on what I'm actively buying or set a toy allowance more applicable to my budget. If space was the issue, likewise, I'd tighten the focus on what I'm accumulating. But as I see it, lack of interest is the only reason for flat out quitting, in my opinion, of course.
I think about quitting every time i log onto paypal. I think my collecting stems from wanting all the star wars figures on the end cap at Toy's r us and my Mom telling me no! (i mean all those different figures were sitting on the pegs for a reason? right? It wasn't just 100 luke skywalkers.. I am still upset over this. )
I 100% agree with this as well. I never thought toys would introduce me to so many awesome people. I actually have a Billy bookcase and a detolf. most of my figures are on the big side, and the dokugan's wing span make them a PITA to display. regardless, i don't think i could ever honestly give up collecting, but i'm seriously in the mind state of minimal pieces
I limit myself to 1 detolf. As it starts over-flowing I sale/trade stuff. This also gives me the chance to add new stuff as my funds are always tight. Doing this allows my collection to reflect my ever changing tastes.
i fear that if it wasn't toys, it would be another obsession / blog / photographs. Probably one that is even more expensive....
I've sold half my collection over the last couple years, only picking up the occasional toy when it was a must have. It feels good, it was getting too much trying to grab everything that caught my eye.
Get into vintage. That way, you won't be able to afford more than a few toys a year, there will be no wasteful turnover due to "scene" influence, no competition to be Mr. Trendy Hotshot, and everyone will respect you.
My wife is really cool about it and also likes the SB stuff! With that said she wouldn't be cool with it if I didn't have some control and if I spent a ton of money on it.
No joke! Hell, even my wife has two Deltofs full of toys and art. I've lost count, but I think we are up to about eight total in the house. I dread to think about moving those monsters. That's just a guarantee for me getting stitches.
