As I write this, I still can’t believe what has happened to me over the last few months. To say my life has turned around would be an understatement!
Regular readers of our little blog will know that Baz and myself have been collecting toys since our early years. In fact, hitting the keyboard on the cusp of another birthday, I will become an expert at never growing up for 45 years!
Collecting has been my life; but It has never been an obsession.
I just love collecting toys, diecasts, figures or anything related that catches my eye.
There have been times that I have fallen out with collecting, and time’s that it has provided a release, an escape. There’s been times when I felt like throwing everything away; and times when my passion has been a life saver.
I have been extremely lucky in that I have shared my passion with my Dad. Losing him nearly three years ago took me on a journey into some really dark and depressing places. All part of grief for the loss of a loved one I know, but a difficult journey, nevertheless.
When Dad passed away, I decided to downsize and change the course of the collection. Low and behold, it became an income provider – I was far happy buying and selling diecast and toys than I ever was in my ‘proper profession’ of marketing. At least I was chatting with people who shared a common interest – toys and not B******t!
And it was during such a chat that my life changed.
I took some models to a local auction house who hold a valuation and collection service once a month at a local venue. Low and behold I got chatting to a lady who turned out to be one of the owners / auctioneers. Just by chance she told me about someone who had just been along with several vintage computer games. I mentioned how good they were and just happened to say what I thought they were worth. I was surprised when the lady echoed the same thought as I did.
I was so pleased to be reverberating the sentiments of an auctioneer.
It was like watching the Antiques Roadshow and you’ve already said out loud what you think that old worn chair is worth before the expert casts his opinion to the flabbergasted owner!
So, I joking asked if there were any vacancies at the auction house?
“Funny you should ask, but yes” came the reply!
Low and behold, the following week I started working at the auction house as a cataloguer and valuer!
My hobby is my job! I never ever thought I would be able to say that.
Every day I get the chance look at, to hold, to value, to describe, toys, games, diecast, trains, action figures, Lego, games etc etc.
Every day, I get to meet people who share the same interest, and every day I get the chance to learn new things about the hobby that has been part of my life since I stared collecting aged seven, 45 years ago.
Now I know what it means when people say, “Do something you love and you’ll never work again”.
How lucky am I??
VERY!!!
I wish I could tell my Dad about it. Though I somehow think, he already knows!
Have you turned your hobby into your job? How was it? Share any thoughts, advice or experiences with us in the box at the bottom of the page!