My Herend Figurine Collection
tiny, colorful comforts are scattered all throughout my home
Hello, hi!!
I can’t thank you all enough for how you responded to the first post in this little collection series! It made me so so happy to see how many of you love collecting too (or are curious about starting!) How FUN! In case you missed it: you can see a glimpse of my Nantucket lightship basket collection here, or read the full stories behind them in this longer post:
I could talk at length about how much collecting means to me. Collections truly become little time capsules of places we've been, people we love, and the beauty in all of it. Reading your comments and messages reminded me just how many of us find joy in this! I’m excited to keep this series going!
Today I’m sharing my Herend figurines. These are just as sentimental as my Nantucket baskets, but a bit more whimsical. Each one makes me smile and some even bring me a bit of comfort every time I walk past them. (Some even sit next to my baskets, which I love! Great collections always compliment each other.)
Inside my Herend figurine collection.
I started a Herend figurine collection before I even realized I was starting a Herend figurine collection. Similar to the Nantucket lightship baskets, I was gifted my first Herend figurines from my mom, who is a serious collector. Once she started giving them to me, the collection was born, and now I have taken it on from there!
The way I think about collecting Herend figurines is very seasonal and holiday-focused. Herend does a wonderful job of releasing things around milestones, monuments, and holidays. They always do Christmas, Easter, etc. This has made it super easy to build my own little collections for the various holidays. In the spirit of July 4th just passing us by, I have to feature one of the newest ones in my collection - this Patriotic Star for America’s 250th birthday.
July is also a perfect time to share a few that I love specifically because they remind me of summertime. My seashells are an obvious favorite for that! I love the blue and white for the summer, so I have stayed in that color lane with all of my shells. I have my Herend figurines interspersed all over my house - on bookshelves, on windowsills, on my bedside table. They’re all just so lovely, but the summer ones are especially cute.
Next up, I have my bumblebees. My sister-in-law actually gave me the small green bumblebee (see photo below!) after I had my third son. The heart behind her gift was rooted in the way bees spread their pollen all around to grow beautiful gardens. She said to me, “You are growing a beautiful garden with your family, with your three boys.” When I see my bee figurines, I always think of that sweet sentiment, and of her!
I love love love the bunnies too - a Herend classic! I really enjoy playing tennis, which my tennis bunny represents. We took our kids on our first big family ski trip this year, and we got the skiing bunny on the trip to commemorate that. Lastly, because I’m a big reader, I had to have a bunny who’s reading too!
My Herend figurines are scattered all throughout my house. Some people like to keep their collections in a single spot, like one big display. I prefer to spread mine out! When I place meaningful items around my home, I find myself thinking of the people and things that I love throughout the day. It makes me feel more intentional as I live daily life. (Plus, it’s a fun way for me to share all my stories with my boys!)
In my bedroom, I keep a couple that are extra personal to me. One is a rainbow from my mom, and the other is an angel from my mom’s best friend, Pam, who’s like another mother to me.
A few years back, they were together on a trip in Palm Beach while I was at home. During that week, I had my third miscarriage. They both (unknowingly!) got me something to carry me through the experience. Pam got me the angel, which I keep on my bedside table or somewhere inside my room. It always makes me feel like someone is watching over me, especially my three little angels in heaven. My mom got me the rainbow because after you have a miscarriage, if you’re fortunate enough to have a baby afterwards, it’s called a “rainbow baby”. This figurine from my mom was a message to me that I would, in fact, have that third child that we were hoping for. To this day, I’m extremely touched by my mom and Pam’s comfort to me during that time! It continues to carry me through hard days when I spot these small reminders of their thoughtfulness toward me.
Looking back through this collection, I realize these little figurines have become so much more than pretty objects to scatter around our home. They mark everything from birthdays and holidays to family trips and favorite hobbies. Even the heartaches too, which might just be my favorite thing about them - the tiny comforts I can hold in my hands. In so many ways, they really do tell the story of my life and my family and the people who have loved us the best through the years.
Thank you for reading! It has been so much fun to share these meaningful corners of our home with you. I’d love to know: are you a Herend collector too?! Do you prefer to collect things that represent big life milestones or smaller things like your hobbies? (Or both, because same!) Is there another collection that has uplifted you in a hard moment? Tell me all your thoughts in the comments - I am always inspired by what you share!
Until the next one!!
xx Jillian
P.S. To see these all up close, check out this video!
Also, this is the yummy cotton dress I’m wearing in this post. :)
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Your collection is fabulous! I know just what you mean about not even realizing you were starting a collection ! Mine include Bunnykins china, milkglass, salt sellers and butter pats, small wedgewood items, and hard to find antique "pancake" plates (the little hole in the lid is to let steam escape because you wouldn't want soggy pancakes !
love! so so special 🧡