Jane's treasures gotta go!

When my dad and I bought a house together in 2002, we combined two households full of antiques and collectibles into a 1,600 SF house, 3BR/2BA with a two car garage. After Dad's passing in 2007, I opened 19 boxes (for the first time in six years) of beautiful collectibles stored in our garage. I put the silverplate in Dad's bedroom for research and photographing, the china in our dining room and the pressed glass on the kitchen table. A couple of antique dealers came by and bought a few pieces. Most I sold in multiple garage sales.

Moving on, I now live in a 1,000 SF condo with a single car garage. Although I've consistently donated and had three big garage sales over the past six years, I seem to be adding to my inventory on a regular basis! Retail therapy I guess. I'm clearly from a family of collectors and pack rats. And proudly so. My collectibles do spark joy as Marie Kondo says and I love every piece.

Downsizing is bittersweet and easy to put off. My mother was born in 1910 and was very East Coast and British old school in her style. Think Downton Abbey! In today's world of IKEA, Pier 1, Living Spaces and Wayfair, there is only a niche market for these vintage treasures.

My personal collections are mostly what I would call ceramics (think Fiestaware era and knockoffs) and cat collectibles - ceramics, knick-knacks, accessories, jewelry and books. I am a lifelong cat lover and guardian, but at 70, with some health issues to manage, I'm not able to adopt another cat at this time.

Deciding what to let go and what to keep is excruciating and has influenced me in keeping these lovely things which fill the surfaces of my home and are boxed up on top shelves and in my tiny garage.

This blog is to help me make another big push to release some of these treasures to the Universe. Local (San Diego) collectors, cat lovers, consignment retailers, home stagers and decorators are all invited to contact me with any questions.

Individual pictures and prices will be posted soon. I need to get into sorting and staging mode, and much of this is breakable and I have very little space to spread it out. Please check back and thanks!