I almost gave away half my collection of vintage suitcases this week. I even offered my six vintage Samsonite overnight cases to my daughter, to use for storage. She said no.
And I was secretly relieved.
I’m glad I kept them.
Remember when I described my altered art/paper collage projects as “vacations” from my regular artwork in the last essay?
Well, I’ve stowed all the materials in my suitcases. I stacked them on one of my
rolling steel shelving units from Sam’s Club. (Thanks again for the great tip on these, Bonnie Blandford!)
I can grab a suitcase, make a funny pink drink with a little umbrella in it, and enjoy myself thoroughly. Just like a real vacation!
They look really, really, cool, too.
I agree, sometimes it’s okay to keep stuff! Whenever I come across something I think I SHOULD get rid of but the idea is too heartwrenching, I give myself permission to keep it for a while longer. I can always get rid of it in the next purge. Purging doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing! There’s always another round.
Oh, I love those vintage suitcases, too!
My parents had the cream set in my childhood, and I have just brought back the smallest of those from my Mom’s… I had bought the large and medium ones in a local thrift store a few years back…
I admit that I actually USE my suitcases whenever I travel, heavy as they are… they just make me so happy!
I’m glad you kept yours, Luann… little treats for the soul.
I have an old set of rolling suitcases that I could not do without. I use them to deliver my pottery work to galleries, and to tote work to my craft show booths. I store bubble wrap in them when empty, ready for the next shipment delivery or show. I’m so glad I never threw them away. But then again, I never throw anything away. Bad habit.