I come from a family of collectors. As a child it was a pretty much a weekly occurrence to visit antique or collectors fairs with my parents. I grew up with an appreciation of what it was 'to collect'.
I have been admiring Claire's beautiful home on Instagram for some time now and am planning to do a little tour and interview in the near future, but as soon as I saw Claires caravan collection i just had to find out more and share.
Claire was kind enough to answer some questions about her collection....
Hello! My name is Claire I'm 35 and I live in Strasbourg France with my Husband Simon, Son Lucas, Step-Son Colin, and our two cats Holly and Tom. I'm currently a stay at home Mum and I'm originally from London in the UK. I moved to Strasbourg to be with my now Husband who I met online. I've been here just over 6 years. Previous to that I spent 3.5 years living in Melbourne, Australia, so I've moved around quite a bit!
What made you start collecting caravans?
I first started collecting caravans just over a year ago, after noticing the collection of a fellow instagrammer (@junkshopvenus) which I really admired! I then spotted one at a charity shop and that was it! I've been searching them out ever since.
Did you holiday in caravans as a child so do they have a nostalgic value for you?
My grandparents had a caravan when I was very small, but I think for me, it’s just a nostalgia for anything in the past. I'm a bit obsessed with collecting anything from the 50's/60's/70's.
Do you have a caravan of your own?
No...But I really, really wish that I did!! Perhaps one day....
Where do you buy them from?
The majority of mine have been found at charity shops, Car boot sales, vide greniers ect, though I have found a couple on ebay, One was gifted to me from the Instagram friend whose collection I mentioned above, that kick-started me to begin collecting them myself, which was really lovely!
Is there a wish list caravan?
Not especially, as instead of searching for particular models, I prefer to see what I come across when hunting charity shops and car boot sales. That said, I would really like some of the Dinky models that I don't have in my collection, which don't really turn up often in France. For me, the thrill is finding one 'in the wild' that I don't already have. Even if it’s the same, but in a different colourway to one already in my collection. Different colour - Different caravan!
What is the most you have paid for one?
I think the most I paid was £5 on Ebay, for one that I really wanted. But usually I pay between 50 cents and 3 euros. Mine is not an expensive collection!
Do you have any other collections?
Do I? Ha-ha! I have so many collections that it would take too long to list them all here ;)
Among other things, I collect West German plant pots, Vintage bride and groom wedding cake toppers, Kitsch Spanish holiday souvenirs from the 70's, vintage tights/stockings in their original packaging, anything tiny that I display in old print drawers, retro/vintage kitchen items, Anything religious, creepy vintage plastic squeak toys and basically anything vintage/kitsch/curious that catches my attention. Most of my collections have happened by accident, where I have found one of the items, loved it, and then spotted others out and about. Once I've found three of something, it’s officially a collection! All of my things have been found cheaply in charity shops or at car boot sales.
A massive thank you to fellow mama Claire, I know how precious time is when you have a little one xx
If any of you have a collection you would like to share please email me at moontomoon@live.co.uk
