Stasher or Collector?

I've been thinking about this for a couple of weeks, off and on. Am I a stasher or collector? Who cares? Does it make a difference?

I've decided that a stasher has the intent of using some of the items s/he acquires one day and often feels guilty when the stash grows beyond a certain personal limit, while a collector could really care less if the stuff is ever used, because appreciating the beauty of it in the moment is all important. 

In thinking about this, I realized that I have some true stash, some guilty stash and some collection...

Since I have a thing about having 'no guilt' in my life, I decided to work through the categories to see what was what and maybe clean house a little, so to speak.

For years and years, I've purchased yarns and fibers that I love, with the idea that one day I will make something wonderful out of them. These are items that have a beauty that is indisputable... everyone who sees them feels that intrinsic 'Ohhhhhhhahhhhhh' (you know what I'm talking about, right?). They stand on their own, no project needed. I never get to have enough time to make something out of most of them... truth be told, I rarely find a project worthy of their beauty. They sit on shelves and in cabinets and bins, lovingly fondled from time to time and they always give pleasure to all who partake of them in those flitting moments. These will be with me, remain with me until I find a worthy project or they outlive me. There is no doubt in my mind that I will collect much more in this category over my lifetime.

I've, also, purchased yarns that I found on sale or bargain or other enticement, where the mass excitement of the deal performed it's magic and pulled me into it's web of project possibilities with the idea that I could 'make the yarn work' and transform it into gold, just like Rapunzel. Dang, I always know that the project will never materialize, once I leave the scene of the crime, and I may as well just turn the stuff over to someone who sees it as a beauty to behold, as in my first example. I've purchased tons of yarn in this category... probably thousands of dollars' worth over my lifetime just so far! (Interestingly, I can't think of a single unspun fiber that I have that falls into this category. wondering why...) This yarn just needs to leave my personal living space. Pronto!!

Finally, I've purchased and 'stashed' yarns that I use regularly... I call these 'utility yarns'. those staples that I know I will always need... weaving cottons and wools/blends, linens and blends, and a few oddball things, like mohair boucle. I sit at night and plan projects sometimes, and go to my 'stash of staples' and just am able to get started with something I know will work and I'll be happy with because it's exactly what is required... No guilt, no remorse, just my personal store. Is that a stash? I guess it is, in the truest sense.

So, there I have it...

• I collect and admire beautiful yarns and fibers that stand on their own... for me, they can stay thay way forever, being their final state, without any guilt, just pleasure in fondling them at will
• I stash junk... the gods know I need to stop this and get rid of what I have... (junk being only in the eye of the beholder, as it may be beautiful and admired in it's own right by someone else, or at least viewed as utilitarian)
• I stash utility yarns, those that are workhorse staples... I stash them, then remove them from stash for projects. They are like my personal store of things like salt and pepper. I know I'll use them, just not all at once. My stash rotates.

When I look at who I am, overall, I'm a collector. I will get rid of those yarns I've 'stashed' but can't imagine using in real life, but feel no guilt acquiring my utility yarns or my beauteous array of yarns on which I love and fondle and qet exquisite pleasure in the textures, taking in the colors and harmonies and loving the feel. It feels liberating to be clear so I can get rid of all my 'non-utility stash'.

Are you a stasher or a collector?