I think there are very few differences between collecting Beanie babies and Renoirs. There seem to be two sets of differences. One is the nature of the object. Some objects are fairly neutral. But most objects are clearly feminine or masculine.
People tend to collect the objects associated with their gender in society.
So the wrench collection in the exhibit is a man's collection used in their work. The peppershaker collection, a domestic item, is more feminine. The second difference is much more subtle and more interesting. Historically women tended to collect things for aesthetic reasons. They would collect things that are pretty or that had sentimental attachment.