Collect What You Love: Lessons from Lucy Seiler’s Collection

What the late Lucy Seiler Can Teach Us About Miniatures—and Ourselves

As I continue unpacking the Lucy Ungerman Seiler collection, one thing has become abundantly clear to me: Lucy didn’t collect by rules. She didn’t collect by price.She didn’t collect to impress. She didn’t collect to stay within a single lane or aesthetic. She collected what she loved. And in doing so, she built a collection that feels...ALIVE!.

An Eclectic Eye—and a Fearless Approach

There is a wonderful unpredictability to Lucy’s collection - you'll find fine artisan miniatures alongside whimsical pieces, beautifully crafted furniture next to something playful or unexpected. Carefully executed workshop pieces alongside objects that, one can tell, simply made her smile. At first glance, it might feel eclectic. And while most would consider this an ececltic collection, the more time I spend with it, the more I realize—it’s not random at all. It's personal.

It appears as though Lucy bought what felt right in the moment. What spoke to her. What sparked an idea or fit into a project she was working on—or one she imagined she might explore someday. There’s something incredibly refreshing about that.

She Collected for Herself

What I admire most is how unapologetic her collecting was. Lucy wasn’t chasing trends.She wasn’t worried about what something might be worth later. She wasn’t limiting herself to what she already knew she liked. She was collecting for herself. For her projects. For her curiosity.For her joy. And that gave her the freedom to say yes to things that were a little different… a little unexpected… even a little “out there.” And those are often the pieces that now feel the most exciting.

Expanding the Edges of a Collection

Lucy didn’t just build a collection—she expanded it constantly. She added to what she loved, yes—but she also stretched beyond it. She explored new materials, new makers and new themes. New ideas! She allowed her collection to evolve. And in doing so, she created a body of work that reflects not just taste—but growth. That’s something I think many of us can learn from.

An Invitation to Look Differently

As I begin offering pieces from Lucy’s collection in my auctions, I find myself thinking about how we all approach collecting. It's easy to stay within our comfort zones and to look for the same styles, the same makers, the same categories we already know. But what if we didn’t?

What if, just for a moment, we approached collecting the way Lucy did? With curiosity. With openness. With a willingness to explore something new.

From Lucy’s Collection to Yours

There is something in this collection for everyone. You'll find pieces that will fit beautifully into what you already have—and others that might push you just a little further. Those are the ones I hope you pay attention to. Because sometimes the piece that doesn’t quite “match” is the one that opens up a whole new direction. A new project. A new direction with a new story of creation. A new way of seeing your collection and bringing new miniatures in your world

Collect What You Love

If there is one thing I take away from Lucy Seiler’s collection, it’s this:

Collect what you love. Not what you think you should love. Not what others tell you is important. Not what feels safe. But look for things that brings you joy. What sparks your imagination. What makes you want to build something new. Lucy did that—again and again.

And now, as her collection begins to find new homes, I hope a little bit of that spirit goes with it.

Ready to Explore?

I invite you to take a look at the collection now coming to auction. See what speaks to you. See what surprises you. See what might take your collection somewhere new. Because the best collections aren’t built by following rules. They’re built by following your heart. Learn more about Lucy, take a look at the latest auction gallery and bid now on items in Lucy's collection:

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