The art of collecting is highly addictive once you target your next obsession. Whether it's vintage fabrics or porcelain owls, having a particular object in mind takes shopping to a whole new level -- A more exciting one! If you often exit stores and flea markets feeling overwhelmed from aimless browsing or worse, with a bag of items you purchased because they were on sale, a clerk pressured you, or a friend talked you into it, then this post should help make future shopping trips more enjoyable. How? Start a collection.

Mug collection of Moxie Girl.

How do you start a collection when you don't even know what you are interested in?

• What did you collect as a child? Dolls? Barbie now releases special editions geared more towards the adult collector, their Kate Spade doll is my favorite. Remember the big-eyed Blythe from the early 1970's? She has a mass following today with new dolls being released constantly (check eBay and you'll see what I mean). Perhaps you loved to read and followed a particular series or an author (Judy Blume comes to mind). You can start a collection of your favorite childhood books. Write down a list of the titles you once owned and start searching the web and sites like eBay for originals. Looking back to your childhood can often help you unearth your future treasure.

• Examine your home and see what you have duplicates of. Maybe your answer is right in front of you. Retro coffee mugs, white ceramic animals, wooden or metal letters, small paintings... You may not have noticed it before because items may be placed in various spots throughout your home but if you gather them together you just may have the foundation of a lovely collection to build on.

• Spend several hours alone at a flea market or antiques mall. It may sound intense or silly but I highly suggest a little alone time just this once because you do not need an outside opinion as you embark on your quest to find your future addiction. This mission is all about Y-O-U! Visit as many booths as you can and look over everything. See what you are naturally drawn towards, what emotionally clicks with you. Ask the vendor about the object. After your history lesson, inquire about price and see if your budget allows you to collect it. I was recently at a flea market and found the best McCoy cookie jar in the world, but when the vendors revealed that his cookie jars ranged in price from $250 - $1,200, I instantly scratched McCoy cookie jars off of my list.

• Do you want to collect for investment purposes or for fun? Like art, I think you should purchase what speaks to you first. If it brings you joy that is worth more than any dollar amount. If you  want to build a collection that may someday be of value, do plenty of research and learn your subject well. Take a few classes at your local art school. Buy books on the subject. Another important branch of research to conduct for the serious collector: how to spoke a fake.
  

• Browse decorating magazines and file images of objects that call to you. If you notice a particular collection of things and you simply like the arrangement more than the objects, save that for future reference too. Once you have your collection such visual aids may be a tremendous resource for pulling them all together.

• Look to the web for inspiration. Visit the following Flickr groups/pools for inspiration: Camilla Engman's Collections, Creative Collections, Organized Collection, and Lisa Congdon's Collections. Search your favorite blogs to see if they have any posts on the subject. Canadian design blogger Poppytalk started posting about collections this year with posts dating back to January showcasing collections artfully arranged in the home. Click here to view them all.

Related reading: Collections We Love 'Em, More Collections We Love 'Em, and Creative Collections,  Source: decor8.

Do you currently have a collection or are you about to start one? What do you collect?