JOY Magazine--Spring 2020

Photo by Nancy Fields/Big Dreamz Creative

FIELD(S) NOTES: Thoughts from Consummate Collectors

BY TOMMY AND NANCY FIELDS

We have been collectors for years and as such, we’re always on the hunt for treasures to add to our troves, be they classic cameras, vintage pottery or whimsical, decorative Jim Beam decanters. But the allure lies not just in acquiring another trophy. It’s also about locating it. It’s like stalking your quarry through the woods or the jungle, only to see it appear in front of you when you least expect it. The best part? You don’t need a weapon, and camouflage isn’t necessary to maintain the element of surprise.

You do need patience. You can’t proceed too quickly. One fast glance is never enough to take in all that a spot may have to offer, especially if it’s not displayed in an orderly fashion. A lot of the time, you have to step in, take a slow look around and possibly move something else out of the way to find the needle in a sometimes junk-filled haystack. Of course, knowing what you’re looking for can help sharpen your focus and tune out distractions. That’s where having a plan—or at least an idea of what you’d like to take home with you—can really come in handy.

The mystery of what lies around the next corner (or in the next display case or in the next cluttered booth) is almost addictive. Especially when, like us, you’ve happened up on a trove of items that are on your “gotta find it” list in what you thought would be a very unlikely place.

This brings up another bit of advice: Stay open minded, especially if the space you’re hunting in is new to you. Every vendor is different and spaces are, more often than not, an eclectic mix of items that probably have no connection to each other at all. Even places you have visited before can change as new vendors replace older ones, or established vendors update

their inventory. Case in point: There are several stores that we frequent that have been fountains of finds time and time again. The key is to give them time to restock, all the while keeping an eye on their social media posts for signs that it’s time to head back in.

As exciting as this all may sound, for us, the whole process is extremely relaxing. Deliberately slowing your pace and taking the time to look things over forces you to take things down a notch or two. Uncovering interesting items from a different time period that you may not be familiar with can turn into a fun “What the heck is this thing?” game. (And trust me, the correct answer isn’t always the most obvious.) It’s also a chance to learn something new. So, put on your walking shoes and happy hunting!