Collections don’t have to be serious, long term commitments. They can be made up of a small number of objects that somehow belong together, with a theme that connects them. The objects above were collected on a recent trip to France. Each one has its own story, and will remind me of my time there. But collections don’t have to be holiday inspired. They can be the result of a walk in the woods, objects saved over the summer which tell the story of how you spent your time, or things inspired by a book you loved.
Presenting the objects in an open box is a wonderful way to display them. I found mine in a store called Winners. The really nice, old wooden display cases can be found in antique shops and flea markets. Craft/hobby shops like Michaels also have newer designs. Even dollar stores have shadow boxes you can use. If you decide to hang up the collection, make sure to use a strong glue to secure heavier things like stones.
If part of the collection involves paper, you can consider using Mod Podge to attach it to a piece of wood or a stone. This is what I did with a small section of the Paris metro map.
Finally, this idea began with an image taken by photographer Daryl Benson, who displayed his natural history collection so beautifully.
Daryl Benson’s Natural History Collection
ArtClubBlog 
I really love this!
Thank you!
Looks lovely, thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks for visiting!
I like that!
Thanks Michele!
Really fantastic! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Someday Crafts. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-11.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Thanks Kathryn! I would love to join your party 🙂
That is so incredibly cute!
The map rock is my favorite!!!
Thanks! So glad you liked it 🙂
this is so cute..in fact a lovely idea 🙂
I love this idea. Thanks so much for sharing. I found you on Tater Tots and Jello. Feel free to stop by.
Kimberly @ mypinterestreality.com
Thank you Kimberly. I did stop by, and really enjoyed exploring your blog and reading about your journey. Good luck with all those projects!
This is BEAUTIFUL!!! I need something like this to display Gabrielle’s little jewelry boxes!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
Thank you! I’m hoping to find more boxes like these. They’re great for displaying so many things.
Loved this. I’m going to look for something simlar for the kids to make collections in. Love the rock map!
Thanks Connie!
It is beautiful, I need to get a few of these, love how you can display your treasures there. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!
Wow, I love this idea! What a great way to display vacation memories. I always collect little knick knacks on vacation and this is perfect for them.
So glad you liked it Michele. Thanks for dropping by!
Great collections. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party last week. This weeks Link Party is opened at http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/08/free-bee-sweet-hat-pattern-crocheted.html
Hope to see you there.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
love it! My girls would love this… we love celebrating classy craft at our place: http://www.partycraftsecrets.com
Best wishes,
Linda!
Thanks Linda!
What a great idea and a beautiful way to display them!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!