How to Start a Spoon Collection

There are a million different trinkets that you could collect; however, some of the most fun and fascinating are spoons. My grandma had a spoon collection and as a little girl I remember looking through them being fascinated by the different shapes, styles and sizes. Some of the spoons were ornate, some were plain and some were just plain unusual. One in particular that I remember was a sea shell that was somehow attached to a fancy metal handle.

Collecting spoons is a great hobby for a lot of reasons. First, there are a lot of different types of spoons out there so it is relatively easy and rewarding to grow your collection. Second, most spoons are relatively inexpensive so you don't need a lot of money to get started. Finally, spoons are pretty small so they won't take up a lot of space in your home.

Here are some tips to get you started with your spoon collection.

What Type of Spoons to Collect?

First things first, decide what type of spoons you want to collect. Do you want a general collection with all different shapes, styles and sizes of spoons? Or would you prefer to focus your collection more tightly? For instance, you might choose to collect spoons from the time of the Civil War. A broad collection will give you more buying opportunities and can be a lot of fun, while focusing in on a particular time period or style can give you a more cohesive collection. The choice is really yours.

How do You Plan to Display Them?

It's a good idea to think through how you are going to display your spoons so you have a place ready for them as you find them. Spoon racks that hang on the wall are a wonderful option since they keep them up out of the way but still allow people to see your collection.

Learn About Spoons

Learn all you can about spoons. Try hitting the library and checking out some books on antiques or collecting. You'll be able to get an idea of what seals or marks you should looks for, what styles are available and what you should look for in recognizing a valuable piece. Having a good knowledge base will make your hunting much more productive when you start shopping.

Go Shopping!

Now that you know what you are looking for and you have a place to put your treasures, it's time to get out and start looking for spoons to add to your collection. Try hitting flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, antique malls or thrift stores to find spoons to add to your collection. Online shopping can also be beneficial. Auction sites like eBay can be a treasure trove of old spoons. If you are lucky sometimes you can even find some in your local classified ads or on a classified site like Craigslist. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll start to see spoons everywhere.

Finally, enjoy your collection and display it with pride.