A nagging dilemma which won't go away.
I've posted this on my other main forum: for model makers and kit builders - now to run it past you all.
I have a lot of finished embroideries at home, and a stash of unstarted charts,fabric and threads, plus a collection of finished models and miniatures, and an even larger hoard of unstarted kits and projects.
I'm 72, have no children or close relatives - apart from DW of course, and am wondering what's going to happen to all this stuff when I pop my clogs? Will anyone want it, or will it all end up as landfill?
Thoughts please.
WIP: Van Gogh "Fishing Boats", Another Bayeux scene
This is a question at the back of any stitcher's (or other hobbyist's) mind, I fear. The best way of making sure things go to a good home is to try and identify a worthy and willing recipient in advance!
For example, if you join a craft group there may be younger members who would be grateful for the stash as and when the sad event occurs. If you are a member of a local church or hobby group or charity group or whatever, ask around and you may find people with the same hobby as you. You could even put an add in the local paper or the post office to see if there are others around with whom you could share your hobby - after all, you may as well get to know like-minded souls while you are still around to enjoy their company
If nothing else springs to mind, or the above doesn't appeal, you could contact the local Women's Institute or Townswomen's Guild and they're bound to be able to use it either themselves or know of a charity that could use things.
Hope that helps, and may it be a longtime before you actually need the advice!
Thank you, Mabel, wise words, as ever.
Ha, who would believe it - the replies I had on the other forum - all men, needless to say, given the subject matter, though of course there are many extremely good female modelmakers - mostly said, " sell it all at auction/ebay".
Of course the charity shop route is really the only way to go, books and clothes after the event would be destined for the RSPCA shop anyway.
And no doubt the locals here would raise funds to create a special museum for all the embroidery and modelmaking stuff
But, as in the stitch-along thread, I've got too much ahead to think about going anywhere at the moment!
WIP: Van Gogh "Fishing Boats", Another Bayeux scene
Occasionally I think that I should add a "stash executrix" to my last will and testament! And I'm only partially joking, because, like you, I would hate to see the really good stuff I've collected over the years -- the books, the silk, etc. -- literally being junked. The only way to guarantee this wouldn't happen is to ask someone beforehand if they would be kind enough to do the needful. My DH is a gem, but would be out of his depth dealing with stash. I would add to Mabel's list of possible recipients your local branch of the Embroiderers' Guild, who usually also support young embroiderers either through their Young Embroiderers outreach programmes or via other youth organisations. Also branches of the Association of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers -- a national organisation, too.
Having said that, and if its on your mind, now might be a good time to be ruthless and find good homes for the things you know you will never do. Let someone else have the pleasure of completing them or starting something new. Christmas is coming, after all...
Again, good advice - many thanks. I'm not obsessing about it, but occasionally I walk into my "indoor shed" (spare bedroom), and feel overwhelmed by it all. I have actually had interest on the modemaking forum for one of my major unstarted loco kits, I really must cut down on the number of things on the stash list, and concentrate on 2 or 3.....
In fact on the other forum someone suggested making a list of stuff and it's preferred destination as an addition to the will...
WIP: Van Gogh "Fishing Boats", Another Bayeux scene
With the models, it may be worth selling some of the ones you are less attached to. There is a market for completed models, especially if expertly completed. The models you are attached to (and, to be honest, having made the thing, how could you not be attached to each & every one?), my suggestion is to gift them to someone who would appreciate them.
I have seen a number of similar discussions on the Model Engineer magazine web site for working models. Now, live steam models do have a significant value, and it is sometimes an eye-opener to find how much people are willing to pay for such models. However, the general consensus on the ME site is that the models are yours & you should enjoy them for as long as you are able. Once that time is past, if DW would find it a burden to have & dispose of them, then pass them on to a nominated victim/recipient who would take care of & cherish them. It may be the case you'd need to go to clubs to get to know reliable & trustworthy people before putting them in your will as recipients, but it is a good way of making sure the models are cherished once you're gone.
In some ways, I think the stitching is easier to make a decision about. The price people are prepared to pay for stitched items is so low that selling them is barely more financially rewarding than gifting them, so you might as well gift them to someone who will appreciate the pieces and remember you because of them.
In my case, given that I have kids, I'm certainly not going to follow my advice above, particularly with my model railway bits. I know that my HO & OO scale railway models are going to be with me as long as I have my marbles. They have been stored in boxes since 1985, but one day, one day [honest], I hope to be able to get a model railway up & running again. Then my kids will have to dispose of them. Not my problem, heh, heh, heh. I may give advice to them as to what may/may not be worth something, but it won't be my problem, so I don't want to worry about it much.
With my 'collection' [if I over-dignify the accumulation] of fountain pens I have, I am going to leave them to my wife if she out-lives me (she collects a few herself) and my younger daughter if my wife doesn't. My eldest daughter uses ball point pens & so is the spawn of the devil & doesn't know what a good pen is. My youngest only uses fountain pens, and appreciates a good one and will try to tweak a bad one to make it better, definitely approved behaviour. Not that my pens are worth anything much, they're just lovely to use.
