"Us" is just me! I've been in collectibles for about 30 years now, since I started collecting Precious Moments even before they were made into figurines, ornaments, etc. I went through the "Beanie Baby" craze along with everyone else, and have dabbled in a lot of collectibles over the years, but I've really always focused on Precious Moments.
During the course of my "collectibles career," I published a hobby magazine for 10 years, called "Precious Insights" magazine. At the same time, I worked as the historian for the GREENBOOK GUIDE to the Enesco Precious Moments collection through the 1998 book. I've spent many hours at the trade shows, starting with South Bend, Indiana (the GOOD old days, when Winnie Watson and her club had the show), to White Plains, New York - Secaucus, New Jersey - Long Beach, California - and, of course Rosemont, Illinois.
I've had the privilege of speaking to Precious Moments Collectors clubs around the country, and have been a guest speaker at seminars for the Local Club Chapter of the Precious Moments Collectors Club and also some events at the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri. In fact, I've even held three small conventions at the Chapel in the past, as well.
My friendship with artist Sam Butcher has been a very special part of my life, and from it, the "Hug One Another" figurine was designed (it's Sam and me sharing our very first hug at the Ordway Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota in about 1984). He has to be one of my favorite people on earth, and I felt connected to him long before I ever met him, simply through his artwork - particularly the posters from the Jonathan & David era of his business. Sam is retired now, and lives quietly in the Philippines, but we do keep in touch a bit, even after all these years.
So that's a bit about me and my "collecibles history." I could write a book - but I won't - at least right now. I used to tease Sam that I was going to write a book about him - he laughed and said that I'd have to file it under "fiction," because nobody would believe a word of it! Probably true about my story, as well - but I'm sure his would be much more entertaining than mine.
Again, thanks for taking a peek at my new store here on buyitsellit! I'm delighted to be here, and hope you'll come by and visit often. I'm hoping at some time soon to get a chat board going - so check back on that, as well. Enthusiastic collectors are really fun to chat with - even if we may never meet eye-to-eye!
Happy collecting!
Sheryl
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