OT: Cat's Meow

[swilshire]

OK. I'm hooked. I don't need anything else to dust, but it looks like I've started a new collection.

I've always loved the Cat's Meow buildings. If you're not familiar with them, they are flatish wooden buildings that are very intricately painted. Each of them has a little black cat in the design somewhere.

I've admired these for years and couldn't ever afford any of them as they run from about $8.95 on up to outrageous amounts. On our recent vacation, we went to a yard sale and found a few of those specific to Nantucket Island. I grabbed them immediately. Last weekend, a yard sale ad listed Cat's Meow items. I bought a whole box full. About 35 pieces. Now I find myself scouring eBay and also wishing that I had picked up a couple from the gifts shops when we were in Bar Harbor Maine and Boston. It would be neat to get one from every vacation spot through the years.

I can see this is going to cost me! Are there any collectors here? Have you found any good sources for discounted pieces? Is there an outlet store anywhere?

Sheila

 

[liznboys]

My mom collects them, she has a HUGE collection, hundreds! I don't collect them, but she gives me a Halloween themed one each year and I display my group just in October. Have you looked at ebay?

 

[swilshire]

Have you looked at ebay?

Ebay has a ton of listings for them, but mostly they are fairly expensive once you factor in shipping. Unless I see something I especially like, I try not to bid.

How does your Mom display hers? The lady who sold me the ones Saturday has some narrow shelves that she had hanging in her kitchen. So far, I just have a few lined up on my computer. I have a long window ledge that would work, but it gets a lot of sun and I'm afraid the paint on them would fade.

Sheila

 

[lisajl]

I have been a collector. I started waaayyy back when.
I have some of her first pieces. Have you been to Wooster to see how things are made? It's not too far from me.
You may want to try resale shops. I went into one and found several newer pieces, did not buy them, don't need anymore.

Lisa

 

[liznboys]

Let's see if I can remember all the places she has them... In the kitchen above the cabinets, on the top of the kitchen counter backsplash, above door frames, on chair rail, above powder room mirror, top of tall furniture, above couch on display shelf... Most of hers are in her kitchen/nook area. She doesn't have them ALL out all the time, and some of them are seasonal so obviously those aren't out all year.

I can see your point about ebay...as with anything on there, the shipping can make the deal, not such a deal anymore!

Oh and I forgot to say that when I put my Halloween ones out, I put them either on a display shelf above our couch or on our fireplace mantle. I add some artificial fall leaves and tiny pumpkins and it looks really cute. Ok, now I'm excited about fall coming! lol

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Since I am from Mt. Desert Island, ME, I collect their series. Love them!!

 

[Julia M]

I don't collect them, but do like them. About 5 or 7 years ago, I saw a Civil war set (about 10 buildings), somehwere on clearance. I paid about $20 for all the buildings, for youngest ds to use with his civil war soldiers! I had no idea they were so collectible.

Julia