Collector's Corner: Michelle Arocho

Meeting people through Instagram and Facebook can be a lot of fun.  There are so many people out there sharing in their passion.  One such person I enjoy following is @queenofallhallowseve31.  I’m sure you can guess that as her name states, she is the Queen of Halloween!  Her Instagram is filled with pumpkins, Rae Dunn Halloween, Johanna Parker Halloween Mugs, and her family. 

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got to be a collector.

Hi, my name is Michelle @queenofallhallowseve31 on Instagram. I am a mother of 2 beautiful daughters and I started collecting a few years ago. Rae Dunn and Johanna Parker Designs were my most hunted down prized possessions, little by little I gathered many vintage pieces and was instantly in love with each and every one.

What is your favorite holiday?  Do you have some favorite stories from your childhood that makes this your favorite holiday?

Halloween and Christmas are my favorite holidays. When I was about 10 years old, I dressed as Casper the friendly ghost. Back in the 80's the costumes were one piece, now they are vintage sought after and hard to find. It was so much fun trick or treating, still at my age I would love to go back in time and relive it. I have loved Christmas all my life because it brings all the family together and love and peace.

How did you start your collection and what are some of the favorite items or artists that you collect?

Johanna Parker released four-piece mugs that were Halloween themed, back when she first started creating her pieces of art.  I would love to one day own every single piece as her variety of holidays and creativity expand.

Can you share some of your favorite pieces and tell us a bit about them?

Please don't make me choose! hahaha every piece is its own unique and different piece of art.

I can tell why Michelle won't chose a favorite.  She has a cabinet full of black cats, pumpkins, and ghosts.  Every Halloween lover’s dream.

If you could sit down and talk to the artists, what would you want to see more of?

More black and white art, more vintage pieces.

We agree.  The black and white Johanna Parker Halloween originals were a hit!  I’m hopeful that Johanna Parker, with Bethany Lowe, will continue to create the vintage pieces like Ghostie Stew and all of the Jack-O-Weens and Spooks Jars!

How do you envision your current collection growing?  Do you think you’ll keep expanding with the same artists or do you think you’ll want to see more artists in your collection?

I see my collection expanding with more of Bethany Lowe and Johanna Parker, their look and designs are different than many other creators and that is what makes them stand out.

What other things do you collect (if any) or do for fun (around your collections)?

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Rae Dunn, as well as Universal Monsters.

Do you have another holiday that you like to decorate?  Tell me about it!

I decorate for every holiday; each one has their own look and color combinations. I have fun decorating my house and front yard all year round. Decorating is so exciting to me because I know the holiday is near. Let the countdown begin!

Michelle, like many collectors, enjoys a variety of artists and color combinations.  Her enthusiasm for Halloween definitely shows all year, but come Christmas, you'll see that pop of red coming through in her displays of Johanna Parker Christmas Mugs complimenting Rae Dunn.  The whimsical smiles and Johanna Parker Nostalgic Santa and Snowman will start to come out get a little love.

We enjoy talking to all collectors of all artists and really appreciate the time taken when people share their passion.  If you enjoy collecting, I'm sure you will find inspiration when seeing all the fun Holiday displays are shown.  Then, if you want to add to your collection and you can't find what you are looking for, reach out...we'll be more than happy to help in any way we can.  We love helping people find what brings them joy!