The Effects of Your Cel Collecting

One week I keept getting so many packages, that my dad asked what in the world are you buying? I showed him a cel, he tought I was crazy...They occacionaly ask why I buy them, I tell him, he thinks I'm nuts, and my mom doesn't care...

Here's a tip, if someone asks you why you collect cels and if you know that they collect:wine bottles, model cars, baseball cards, games, coins, statues or anything else, ask them why the collect that. Believe me, EVERYONE collects something...

My addiction to cels has hit hard on my wallet, started this year. My Dad thought I was crazy when I bought my first animation piece, a Cats Don't Dance clean-up drawing for $500 from WB. It just meant more to me than anything else I could spend the money on. And much better than on computer hardware that's worth crap in a year.

One thing I don't understand is having so much of one character or show, actually a bit easier to understand with Anime as it's affordable. But when is enough enough? Plus, I like to have what I buy framed and not in storage, so I only have so much wall space.

So I look for the pefect cel and pay big bucks. Basically, I save up for one really great cel than pay less for many so so cels.

I take this concept with Anime too, which is why I have none yet as when ever I see a great cel of Ryoko, for example, it's such a find that it costs $300+, so I put it off as I have many american animation cels on my list first.

Oh, I just showed a custom sketch of Brisby by Don Bluth at work and they were impressed with it, but then comment that they think the sketch is much cooler to have than cels. Since it's drawn by someone more important and not seen as often, which is kind of true.

Anime cel and art collecting was GREAT for me and I'll always be proud of what I accomplished, the good friends that I've made, the deals that I've had, and the anime films and OVA's that I've seen.

Also, all of the majestic anime cels and artwork from other collectors and dealers that I've seen has been truly inspirational. Don't worry about family and friends disapproval too much unless it is truly hurting your relationships, it might be better to just "keep it in the closet".

It is like trying to explain a great trip that you've had to Tibet, Tahiti, or some special place. No one will really understand unless they've been there. So, don't take the indifference personally from others close to you, they've never been on a "plastic high" before =)

Some people have skeletons in their closet so, a little plastic shouldn't be all that bad.

My family and friends (who know about it) are fine with it as long as I don't go overboard. In fact I bought some Tenshi ni Narumon cels for a friend last Christmas and she was thrilled!

I'm so new at this though I don't have much experience to speak of in this area :p

I mostly handle it by getting other people addicted. ;-) Three other Rubbersluggers found their way into the hobby through me. >.> I feel like a pusher.