From Goebel Hummel to Jim Shore to Willow Tree, from whimsical to reverent to nostalgic, people love collectable figurines. We purchase them for ourselves, give them as gifts to special others in our lives, and pass them down through generations of our families. What is our fascination with something that could be described as nothing more than a little three dimensional still life?

The answer is as varied as the individual who buys, gives, or receives collectable figurines. For some it's all about sentimental value. For others it may be an appreciation of the artistic quality, or indulging in the simple pleasure of having beautiful objects around us to enjoy, whatever our idea of beauty may be.

Still others may be interested only in buying and selling collectibles for profit. The purist collector might think that seems a bit mercenary, but wouldn't dealing in these little charmers be more fun than trading in stocks and bonds?

The truth is that many collectable figurines do grow in value over time. For those interested in the investment aspect, dozens of books and websites offer pricing guides for the various lines of collectibles. Online forums also provide a great place to inquire about collectible values or even to obtain help in identifying a specific figurine.

For most of us though, Collectable Figurines touch our emotions. They symbolize caring and sharing. They are often given for the purpose of saying "I love this and I want you to love it with me." The very sight of these figurines can remind us of tender moments, or happy times or loved ones no longer among us. A little wooden carving of a woman holding a baby close can melt the heart of every mother who ever held her own baby close.

It's the impulse to share that compels the artists who create Collectable Figurines. Their love of what they do speaks to us and we are inspired. Jim Shore says on his website that he has been given a tremendous gift that he thanks God for every day, and not only does he love what he does, he loves getting to share it with people all over the world. Susan Lordi says that what she tries to convey in her Willow Tree Figurines is to offer people ways to express feelings that go beyond words.

And the untimely death of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, artist of the original drawings from which the famous Hummel figurines are created, inspired this obituary: "A person's work is the result of his inner being and personality. The works of Sister Innocentia were so strong, so real because behind them stood a person who strove with her whole being toward completeness, a person to whom art was the expression of devotion to the eternal beauty of God and at the same time the outpouring of love for the people with whom she freely shared her inner riches." (St. Anthony Messenger, Aug. 1977)

Therein lies at least one answer to why we treasure collectable figurines. Each creation is born of the artist's love for the gift and passion for sharing it with others, a work of art that is, truly, a gift from an artist's heart. How fortunate we are to be the recipients of such giving spirits.

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Read more about the fascinating life and work of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel at Susan's Collectable Figurines.

Don't miss our exquisite selection of nativity figurines - our specialty, and our favorites!