Monday, September 07, 2009

Eyeball Deep...

I am eyeball deep in sorting through, unpacking, and organizing in preparation for the BIG SALE! Who knew I had so much stuff? I just found a huge box of fabric-bound, blank, rice paper books. They're really great, but really... do I need 24 of them? I also found a (really cool) never-been-worn limited edition Kiki Smith Gap shirt, more vintage Avon bottles, and of course more beads and buttons! One of the more unusual finds were three sets of three vintage barrel-shaped mini-mug shot glasses (one set in green and two in brown). I ask myself why I have these... and a vague notion of a Wild West themed party comes to mind. Either that or the desire to make mini-A&W Root Beer Floats Charlie Brown style.

I also found boxes tucked away that laid in wait like land mines. The contents of the boxes were filled with mementoes, old photographs, and sentimental trophies of yonder year. I am torn between chucking the old concert tickets and movie stubs, and shuffling through the shoeboxes and keeping them another year. I try to convince myself that I don't need these things anymore, but then I come across something that jars a memory half-forgotten and I am filled with reluctance at getting rid of a physical touchstone to my past. I guess all that I can promise is that I'll evaluate things case by case.

5 comments:

Liquidambar Studio said...

It seems like in this life someone said, "the person with the most, wins". It is hard to remember that things are just things. But, I do think it is good to keep items that bring back good memories. Maybe you should incorporate your ticket stubs and such into a painting. Even just a snip of something will bring it all back.

Azure Accessories said...

I was smiling when I read this post...in my day you would be called a "pack rat" for keeping "stuff" forever!!! :0)

But you know I think keeping items that bring back memories is a good thing...don't feel as though you should through them out, maybe do as Kitty suggested find some way to incorporate them into your life!!!!!

Cheers

TesoriTrovati said...

I am a horder of sorts so I can feel your pain...but I am trying to remember what is really important and it isn't that ticket stub, my friend. I think that with this impending change of scenery you are getting in touch with what really matters for you.
Your BIG SALE is going to be a phenomenon, I just know it!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Andrew Thornton said...

I am not even half way through photographing everything! Eek!

I have in the past incorporated little bits of nostalgia into paintings. That's actually one of my major processes. I keep every scrap of paper, in that it might end up, one day, in one of my collages. This is a dangerous thing... especially when you're working with limited space!

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

Don't think about it as getting rid of a memory, but as making room for another memory. What could you put in its place that means more to you right now? That's how I look at things when I "purge". Just like your personality profile changes, so does your need for an item or knick-knack.