Plush Soft Stuffed Toy Collecting

We all like collecting. It's something in our nature, maybe it comes from childhood and buying things with weekly pocket money - maybe it goes back much further than that.

Perhaps like squirrels storing nuts, whatever - the collecting habit exists strongly within a lot of people.

Stuffed toy hobbyists, or plush collectors - whatever fancy name soft toy collecting might be given - fulfils a basic need inside us.  From earlier times the essential food gathering for the long winter ahead or more likely nowadays a desire to gain some control in this crazy world.

Collecting soft toys is a rewarding and pleasurable occupation. It can be as occasional or time consuming as you want. It can cost as much or as little as you feel inclined.

And best of all, it's something just for you - a much needed treat and distraction from the more normal chores of everday living.

The easiest place is probably Amazon.  One click shopping, quick delivery, reliable - job done.  But there are plenty of other places to go looking.

Ebay is fun - if you can bear the stress of bidding and waiting, especially if it's a soft toy you really desire.  Plus there is a real danger of getting into bid mania and paying far more than you should.

Other places are car boot sales, garage clearances, collectors meetings.  Even the occasional charity shop find.

Initially it can start with a single item. Might be something you picked up or maybe a present.

I can't believe many people think "I'm going to start collecting something" - it just sort of happens.

Without any effort at all - we have amassed a huge collection of dog ornaments. Why? Because people bought one or two as presents, and then other people see them and think that would make a nice present and... on it goes.

Same with plushes. If people know you collect then they have an ideal gift to buy you again and again.

If you get two the same - don't worry. They can be twins. Three is triplets. Four is quads - but that may be pushing it a bit.

You can get books on the subject which will give you a very rough idea of how much your collection is worth.

To really know the value of something means selling it.

What is it worth to someone? The price they paid you.

Sometimes items on Ebay go for a great deal of money, but that might be different next year. Or maybe next year, the item you picked up for nothing at the local sale is suddenly in great demand.

Supply and demand. That's where the real valuation happens.

I like this question. It's easy to answer. Anything you want of course.

There are so many toys, and so many types to choose from. Some people just go random and buy what they like the look of. Others choose a collecting theme which presents more of a challenge.

For me, I like plush possums. No particular reason - it's just the way it is. Means I have to hunt down the latest one and get it - in a nice way of course.

Others go for horses or dragons, cartoon characters - big, small - it's entirely up to the collector.

Themed collecting is fun though - it's nice to have a series of related stuffed toys and sometimes a bit of a challenge to find the right next addition.

Maybe a Noahs Ark theme would be good - then you get loads of choice but a nice angle on collecting as well.

Here's my favourite theme...

These are my favourites.

...

To me, a plush possum is the ideal addition to my collection.  You'd be surprised just how many there are out there!

Maybe not to everyone's taste but never mock someone else's collection. We're all into different things...

If you have a bit of time to fill, and an idea or two - then making your own could be a great way to build a truly unique collection.

Then you own a plush that is your creation alone and can enjoy the satisfaction of having made something personal and original.

A bit of practice at this might also make those occasional repairs to secondhand plushies easier to tackle.

This page is a bit of work in progress - as I think of more ideas to do with collecting.. I'll add them.

If I come across any particularly interesting or even bizarre collections - I'll add those too. Some people collect the strangest things.

And finally, if you find you have collected more than you have space for - I wrote a page on storage ideas for plushes...

Thanks for reading!

I hadn't noticed these cute little dress ups before.

Hmmm.  That's got me thinking. 

An army of possums dressed in cheerleader outfits...