Every year I fall into the same pattern beginning in November and carrying through to mid-December. I either buy vintage quilts or old worn bears. This year it's bears. My doctor told me I'm very insightful on my motives for doing things. I do analyze myself more than I should. The reason I've written my two memoirs. Writing helps me figure out what I'm doing. It's a healing process but at times it points to my neurotic side. Mostly my purchasing of quilts and bears at Christmas.
This is what I know. I buy things around the holidays that remind me of my younger years. When I had my husband and my mother. Happy times when I sold on eBay, too. And as an antique dealer for so many years, buying for resale. It's a hard habit to stop, buying for resale when you no longer do shows or have a booth. I forget that. The thrill of my purchase, that special find, so comforting and exciting.
Bears remind me of my mother especially. She collected newer bears and they filled a cupboard in her living room. For me, the bears had to be antique. Worn mohair to the point of baldness, shoe button or glass eyes that hung loosely, and joints in as bad shape as my own joints. I've gone overboard this year with bears, way too many purchased, but as a former antique dealer, I sought out those on eBay that were underpriced. Twenty to sixty dollars for old as dirt teddy bears, where others were several hundred dollars. With the money I spent, I could have bought a most awesome bear for big bucks, but that is not what I do. Many bears, the more the merrier, at affordable prices. That way, if I need to sell a few, I can move them quickly. Chances are they will all stay with me as I'm very fond of each and have given them names and stories.
By January I'll shake my head and mumble "What was I thinking?" But for now, I'll share some photos of my stash. As I told a dear friend recently, buying bears is better than large cupboards (another big passion of mine) and to make those around me happier, I'm holding off on adopting another dog. (for now, no promises for later),
I'd like to say living alone all these years has made me a little odd, but if I look back, I've always loved old things (except old men, but that's another story for another day). My buying habits quirky, but money spent on recapturing memories and still have things I can sell on days I need more cash.
Could you pass up these sweet bears if you were on a shopping spree? It's not just about the bears, but all the memoires they bring with them.
