I just love seeing what folks are collecting. I guess I feel it tells us just a little bit about what inspires them, what they love, and what they choose to surround themselves with in their homes. Today, I’m delighted to present the next in an ongoing series here on the Etsy Blog: The Collectors. First published on my own little blog, the rikrak studio, it’s 11 and a half quick questions with a wonderful artist on what they’re collecting (apart from their art supplies!).
Alrighty! Let’s see a show of hands: who’s ready for summer? I sure am! All that warm summer light filling our days and nights with vivid, explosive colour is just my thing.
Today’s collection celebrates and captures the beauty of that sunshine and the magic of bold summertime colors: it’s Gulf Coast Cottage PDF’s fabulous glass paperweights.
Who (are you): Jen G. of GulfCoastCottagePDF
What (are you collecting): Glass paperweights.
When (did you start): I was about 14.
How (many do you have): I now have about 19.
Where (do you find them): Thrift / Antique Stores — or gifts.
Where (do you keep them): In a window between my kitchen and dining room to catch the light!
What (‘s an interesting story behind one): My first paperweight was given to me by a close family friend, who is no longer with us. It came from her personal collection.
What (piece would you like to add): Interesting or unique paperweights, different from those I have.
Why (do you love them): The colors — they’re eye candy!
Which (one is your favorite) & why: My hourglass shaped one — the one that started it all.
What (else do you collect): Vintage mermaids, salt and pepper shakers and vintage elves.
Wonderful, thanks so much Jen! Be sure to visit the lovely Gulf Coast Cottage PDF shop filled with colorful and crafty ideas to inspire endless summer handmaking fun all year round.
Now let’s open a window and let that sunshine in. Or better yet — see you outside!
How about you? What do you collect? I’d love to hear, please post in the comments below.
The Collectors Series | Glass Paperweights
94 comments
Sign in to add your ownErinBradleyDesigns says:
Very nice!
1 year ago
worksofwhimsy says:
What a great collection. My husband and I collect art glass fish. There's just something about glass...
1 year ago
martice says:
those sunglasses are too colol!
1 year ago
adrienneaudrey says:
really pretty. neat collection!
1 year ago
polkadotmagpie says:
How beautiful. My mother sold them and collected them. I have a lovely one that says "mother". If you ever get to the Art institute of Chicago: they have a fabulous collection. Glass is a medium like no other.
1 year ago
vintagehomerecycled says:
Pretty collection, I love seeing what people collect and how they display it.
1 year ago
Ayca says:
Lovely shop!
1 year ago
vintagehomerecycled says:
There's a book with color illustrations called Old Glass Paperweights, by Evangeline Bergstrom, it's from the 1940s that paperweight aficionados might enjoy. Long out of print, but your friendly neighborhood librarian should be able to inter-library loan a copy.
1 year ago
StringsnTings says:
Very nice, love all the vibrant colors in the glass!
1 year ago
spiritcleanslate says:
I too collect these type of paperweights, your collection is beautiful. I got my first one when I was 15 years old, thank you.
1 year ago
thelittlemarket says:
What a colorful collection! Great Shop...Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
pamwares says:
what a great little collectible! They are all so bright and cheerful!
1 year ago
evihan says:
woww sooo interestinggggg
1 year ago
unepromesse says:
The shelf display is beautiful! It's so interesting getting different shapes formed in glass. As I always say, the brighter the colors, the better. =)
1 year ago
TimeAndTideSeaGlass says:
The paperweights look amazing grouped together on that shelf! Love all the color! I also collect vintage ceramic elves. I have a couple that are quite unusual. I can't find anything on their origin. We should talk!
1 year ago
GreenRoomStudios says:
Beautiful collection. As a glass artist (fused glass jewelry), I totally understand that there's just something special about glass. Nothing plays with light quite like glass does. I'm sure this collection is even more gorgeous in person, it's just so difficult to show the true beauty of light and colored glass in person! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
NaturalAmber says:
WOW! I am so impressed by glass makers. I remember when one of my best friends who was from Ukraine went home over Spring Break. She felt so bad about missing my birthday she had her uncle who she was visiting in Ukraine make me a rose flower glass keychain. Inside there was swirls of blue and red encassing a beautiful rose. I was 13 at the time and I still have that beautiful keychain 13 years later.
1 year ago
SimpleJoysPaperie says:
Beautiful collection ~ I love all the colors!
1 year ago
taylorseclectic says:
I love colorful paperweights! What a beautiful collection, and wonderful display!
1 year ago
KatDesignsNYC says:
Very cool!
1 year ago
whitehaus says:
i've been obsessed with glass paperweights since i was a little girl. my grandmother's table was covered in them! to this day they're like instant happiness. glad to know i'm not alone!
1 year ago
Yarns says:
I love these! I used to have a couple when I was little, i may have to have a little look and start a new collection!
1 year ago
kissadesign says:
Thanks for sharing your lovely collection! My mom has a collection too, and I have fond memories from childhood of the vivid colors inside each orb.
1 year ago
SSSJ says:
Beautiful colletion of paperweights! I recently started collectiong Westmoreland Glass Robin in Nests. You shoule look it up-their pretty and unique. Great job on the feature.
1 year ago
recycledwares says:
i remember glass paperweights in my grandmothers home. she had at least 5-6, not as many as you.
1 year ago
LIDOSkincare says:
thats really cool! thanks for sharing :)
1 year ago
SpareBedroomStudio says:
I've always LOVED the look of beautiful paper weights, but never really knew what to do with them...I don't exactly have piles of papers lying around needing to be weighted down. This piece has given me new vision for the paper weight. I should enjoy the beauty that is and simply display them artfully!
1 year ago
whimsytwo says:
Beautiful collection you have. I'm a paperweight collector too! Love them.
1 year ago
BeadedTreasurebySue says:
They are beautiful. Nice collection.
1 year ago
BeadedTreasurebySue says:
I love the way the light goes through them. Very beautiful.
1 year ago
VintageEyeFashion says:
I love hearing about what people are hoarding...I mean collecting! :)
1 year ago
dadadreams says:
Awesome paperweight collection!
1 year ago
Pearlk2 says:
so cool
1 year ago
paramountvintage says:
the blown glass paperwights are amazing. what a beautiful and fun item to collect!
1 year ago
sarahknightdesign says:
They're so cool & colorful! I love it-- I collect all different kinds of drinking glasses. It's fun and once people know that you collect something they start giving you things... it can get out of control;) but still fun!
1 year ago
baltica says:
Wonderful collections! I just started a mariposa collector series of one-of-a-kind jewelry in my shop. Love collecting butterflies!
1 year ago
ArtisticIntentions says:
Very cool!! Glass is an amazing medium!
1 year ago
GulfCoastCottagePDF says:
Thank you for all the great compliments- and to Rikrak and Etsy for sharing my collection!!!
1 year ago
vadjutka says:
oooh, so beautiful collection - I love colorful glass!
1 year ago
shellcottagegallery says:
I am a painter, and use my collection of *paperweights as paperweights when painting. I have various sizes and shapes that I have collected over many years, and they work so well when you are a watercolorist. I love painting outdoors, and the occasional breeze, while it might be lovely, wreaks havoc with art paper. Hey, "Form follows function" and all that, right? Tip: I also sew long skinny fabric "tubes" filled with aquarium rocks to hold down larger sheets of paper. Shell *The fact that they are all gorgeously beautiful is a bonus.
1 year ago
EGVintage says:
When I was little my mom suggested I collect glass paper weights. Of course I didn't listen. This has become one of my little life regrets. I recently started collecting shot glasses that look like thimbles! They have wonderful sayings like..."just a thimble full".
1 year ago
candacejean says:
I *love* the "The Collectors" series!
1 year ago
LoveButtons says:
Wonderful collection! My brother collects paperweights too.
1 year ago
6catsVintage says:
Glass paperweights are beautiful and fasinating. I have only come across one in my garage sailing (and snapped it up right away). I love mine.
1 year ago
CatchTheEye says:
She's right, those paperweights are definitely eye candy!
1 year ago
lovelygifts says:
Love those colorful glass paperweights!!
1 year ago
bbbennyandthejet says:
Yahoo!! What great shots.. those paperweights are gorgeous. My grandmother used to have a huge glass paperweights collection.. and now I have a handmade glass marble collection in her memory.. ;D Tons of great Etsy marble makers!
1 year ago
BlushEnvy says:
I love the collector series and hope you all will keep featuring more, more, more! I have to keep myself controlled or I'm afraid my collections will spill over into hoarding-but for now it's all good! Thanks again for sharing a beautiful collection with all of us!!!
1 year ago
Ebrown2503 says:
This is the perfect article for a rainy summer day. I love the color so much!
1 year ago
opendoorstudio says:
great finds and such a pretty collection! love it!
1 year ago
Tiffabulous says:
Nice! I never knew paperweights could be so pretty!
1 year ago
Minxshop says:
I collect things I find around my house. Feathers, dead bugs, animal bones and skulls, snakeskins, pressed flowers, and other unusual botanical delights. We have a big field next to our house that I wander about in every day. Thats where I find most off it. I try to find something new everyday.
1 year ago
AnnTig says:
Beautiful Shop! What a colorful collection!
1 year ago
KathyGDesigns says:
Nice collection! The colors are so vibrant!
1 year ago
kristimcmurry says:
I've got lots of little collections, but I'd love to start a larger, ongoing collection. Right now I have vintage cameras (mostly from my late grandfather), glasses/sunglasses, and fun record covers. The glass paperweights are GORGEOUS! What a lovely collection.
1 year ago
jcisco112 says:
SSOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Colorful! Love them!!
1 year ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
I love where Jen has her paperweight collection displayed! What a perfect spot! I collect clip-on glass bird Christmas ornaments. My goal is to be able to completely cover an entire Christmas tree with my bird collection. Right now I can cover a small tree!!
1 year ago
akcArt says:
Beautiful paperweights! They bring a smile to your face, don't they!!!!!
1 year ago
GoodGriefGlass says:
Gorgeous! I have a few paperweights too and just love them.
1 year ago
maggiemaevintage says:
great paperweight collection!
1 year ago
helenapuck says:
I love glass paper weights. When I left for collage, I thought about getting a fish but I was worried about the tiny dorm, the changing temporary of a heater and an AC that I didn't control, and possible commutes home. I decided on getting a fish paper weight instead for that dorm room aquarium look. I was happy with the decision. No fish died on my watch anyway and I still have the beautiful paper weight.
1 year ago
WhereLittleThingsAre says:
Nice! I have a real flower antique paperweight with a magnifying top from antiquing as a child. I mostly collect water globes and keychains of all kinds, and rocks/stones/gems and shells in the natural category. Otherwise, I love clothing, costumes (including many different colors and styles of wigs), jewelry and costuming/photo props to use for modeling and conventions. Many things catch my eye here at Etsy. :)
1 year ago
melodieperfumes says:
Those are beautiful. Nice story Rikrak!
1 year ago
Chariot90 says:
WOW! Beautiful! Thanks
1 year ago
infiniteglassworks says:
Thank you so much for including my orange murrine paperweight. I LOVE reading about people's love of glass paperweights... I have a beautiful collection myself!
1 year ago
CityChicCountryMouse says:
Love the bright colors in your collection! Beautiful!
1 year ago
SpackleTheGap says:
I love the way pretty things can inspire you... Beautiful glass. My fav collection is def my vinyl record collection. Not only is the classic music SO INSPIRING but I love the artwork on the sleeves. Thanks for sharing :)
1 year ago
gretchenmist says:
wow, i didn't realise paperweights could be so beautiful :)
1 year ago
FerntreeFlowers says:
The paperweights are gorgeous. I collect pitchers. I just picked up an adorable new one at a thrift shop in a tiny house in a small town in Australia. :) It has an antique victorian form with hand painted flowers and a white cracked glaze. Love it!
1 year ago
jewellerytreasures says:
what a great place to put all those beautiful paperweights on the windowsill where the light will show all those lovely colours
1 year ago
barrofsoap says:
beautiful! love the paperweights!!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Great paperweights I love the colours you get in them so beautiful. I always wondered how they're made though.
1 year ago
davisdesignsau says:
Gosh... i am also mad about glass... love her collection!
1 year ago
trinityrocks says:
Wicked!
1 year ago
VelvetBitchOriginals says:
Blown glass is awesome! Beautiful collection.
1 year ago
Redpeonycreations says:
What a great way to celebrate all the beautiful light you get there. Lovely collection.
1 year ago
BeachGlassGems says:
Beautiful...and I love where you place them so you can see the light through them! I collect beach glass.
1 year ago
Mizdragonfly says:
Great post. I collect glass paperweights too! My most precious ones are gifts from my mom and my husband. I also collect vintage lamps. Can't get enough of them!
1 year ago
GardenAngels says:
I'd like to see the vintage mermaids!!
1 year ago
thepuddingstorevint says:
Thank you so much Jen for including us....and thank you SOoooo SOoooo much for all your kind messages........you rock! Love!
1 year ago
Route4glass says:
Beautiful collection!Lovely colours. Thank you for sharing.
1 year ago
RomanceCatsAndWhimsy says:
Love the paperweight collection and all the colors. They really make a statement when presented together.
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Beautiful collection of paperweights!
1 year ago
pilotdesign says:
Stunning and vivid. My clock is in great company here. Thanks for including me.
1 year ago
solcreator says:
I don't collect any one particular thing. I like to collect anything unique and different. From art to vases to plants to jewelry, clothing. But if I had to chose one thing it would be unusual looking plants, to add to my backyard.
1 year ago
sunbasilgarden says:
They are all so beautiful! Love the display too. Thanks for including my soaps here too.
1 year ago
bayanhippo says:
Thanks so much for the including my bag, soo beautifull collection of the nice colors and items!!!
1 year ago
yoshibearstudio says:
Ahhh the glass paperweights bring me back to my childhood as I used to be an avid collector of them as well. Now Mom back in Canada has inherited them all (wahhh!). Beautiful, colorful, inspiring!
1 year ago
3squares says:
the paperweights are so lovely! my daughter collects snow globes, each a little reminder of a special trip. i'm a big collector of cookbooks, i think it's about 150 total now. everything i do seems to be tied to food...
1 year ago
vintagebyalexkeller says:
i love your collector series, k! i didn't think i was a collector, but then, hmmm, i noticed a growing chair problem.... and a little bit of an affection for little friendship dolls.
1 year ago
sherbetwithsprinkles says:
How beautiful! I used to collect these when I was little!
1 year ago
ilikeitiloveit says:
What fun to see what others collect. I have heard it said if you have more than 3 of anything you have a collection. Oh my then I collect everything! But my main focus has been chickens since I was about 20. As time went by I began to focus on "Hens On Nest" (covered dishes). Over 100 of all sizes I think. But no telling how many of all kinds of chicken decorations around the house.
1 year ago
gardengypsy1 says:
I love your glasswork! Your paperweights are fabulous!!! Love all of the colors and designs! It is such artform, glass blowing. I have a friend who does it as well. I would love to learn myself. Good luck!
1 year ago
knottyandnyce says:
Beautiful collection! Glass is such fun. So many possibilities. I collect glass pendants and beads for my work. Pieces can have such depth and life. There are so many ways to make it unique and special.
1 year ago