While shopping at an African crafts market, she found a hardwood paperweight carved in the shape of a hippo. Breathlessly she bargained for it, bought it and rushed it home where it became the 457th hippo-shaped item decorating her condo. Be honest, because you'll probably be surrounded with whatever you choose for quite a while. Collecting can cost plenty, but it doesn't have to. Stones and seashells are free.
Thrift stores abound in pennywise pleasers.
At gift-giving time, your collection can really expand. So as the holidays approach, politely let everyone know about your yen for Elvis effigies. Before you start, make sure you'll have adequate space to store and enjoy your treasures. It's easy to fool a fledgling collector, so beware. What passes for historic is often just fake.