For the Avid Tarot Collector.....

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 May 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

MaryElTarotFan	11 May 2005
How do you all store, care for, or proudly display your Tarot Card collections. The more decks I obtain, the more just putting them away in a bottom drawer feels not so satisfying to me. MaryElTarotFan

Eco74	11 May 2005
I've been trying to plan a way of having all my decks easily accessible and the options sofar have been; 1) A nice looking cabinet or chest where the decks can be placed with easy access for any deck I feel like working with or looking at. The chest-idea has been abandoned since that would place the decks in piles and I'd have to remember where each deck is to not have to take them all out before finding the one I want to use. A cabinet with not-too-deep shelves could still do the trick. 2) Narrow shelves on the wall (the kind used for placing paintings on) where I could have the "decks of choice" neatly placed and readily accessible. 3) A bookshelf with shelves that are not too deep so that I can get an easy overview of the decks without having to feel like only a third of the available space is being used. Sure, behind the decks is a great hidingplace for odds and ends but I have no odds or ends to hide so it would still be a waste of the potentially useful space. The way it looks now, I'll probably be getting some sort of narrow shelf where I can keep the "most in use" decks and keep the rest safely in the two drawers they take up in my bookshelf.

Fudugazi	11 May 2005
At the moment they are in a top drawer, with notebooks and deck-specific books in the drawer next to it. But Like Eco and MaryEl, I am not satisfied with this arrangement. Eco, your idea of a cabinet sounds interesting. When I read that , I thought -glass cabinet, or glass-fronted bookcase. I'd like one that goes on the wall and can contain tarot books, books on symbolism, numbers, etc. and decks. I need to investigate. Good discussion!

WolfSpirit	11 May 2005
I have my decks in baskets, a small basket that houses the decks I use the most, and a large basket with all my collectables. All my decks also get a bag, not because they need one but I enjoy making them. I can recognize most decks by their bags so I can find them fairly quickly. If I had more space I would consider a way to display cabinet. I like the idea but the baskets take up less space.

Xarokys	11 May 2005
If the shelves are deep, maybe you can use some risers like the ones that are used for canned goods. They look like little stair steps. An average size shelf could probably fit three levels. Or even make some out of boxes. Becky

arcanalefait	11 May 2005
I have a small cabinet that was used to store VCR tapes. It stores my 50+ collection of decks, but the books are in a separate location in a bookshelf.

Emily	11 May 2005
I have a display unit with glass fronted bookcases. I keep my tarot decks and books in one of these glass fronted bookcases - I call see all my decks and books in a glance but it keeps them out of the way of prying eyes and sticky fingers. :) (My 8 year old son :D )

mythos	11 May 2005
I've always been a box and container collector. One even has my son's baby teeth (he's now thirty LOL). So many had nothing in them, so I became to use them for decks. Needless to say, as my deck collection grew, I just had to buy more boxes LOL. I search out op shops and antique stores, markets and so on, and brought a heap home from India. I even tried my hand at decoupage ... now that was a disaster ... from the actual production point of view, but I had lots of inexpensive small colourful prints of Indian gods and goddesses that I used ... so it has become kind of special - decks I love with memories of six wonderful months in India in '99. I have wooden boxes, boxes I've painted, china boxes and so on. I also got into beading bags for a while there ... but the novelty worn off, as did many of the beads hehehehe! I've crocheted and knitted bags. I've collected small antique evening bags as well, for them. I would like to use my glass fronted bookshelf as well, but that has my collection of girl's boarding school stories from 1900- 1940. Most of the boxes are scattered on bookshelf tops, and odd places around the house. The bags all hang from a hat stand. Still, I can never find specific decks. I keep my main reading deck in carved wooden box next to my computer ... and then there are cards that end up as book marks in tarot books. I always have to count my cards before I read ... just in case! mythos

annik	11 May 2005
I have an furniture that I used to put a printer a long time ago, in my teenager bedroom. It was a big and old printer matched with my old computer. Now, both of them are out of my life. But the piece of furniture had stayed. And I use it to store my deck collection. I have two row shelves full. Two remain empty for now. I don't have a clue of what I will do after the remaining shelves will be full. But I still have a bit of time to think about it!

Emeraldgirl	11 May 2005
I have a big box/chest I made but I am sor of over it now as Eco74 said I have to remember where the decks are so I am not really sure what I will do once the box is full.

FaintlyMacabre	12 May 2005
It wasn't a cheap solution but I found a slant front desk with a secretary top (shelves with doors that close). They also make one that has drawers in the base part. I still can't get everything in there and the small decks are in double rows, but it's much better than the rubbermaid tub system. I have a row of tarot and deck books too. I am thinking about getting another Ikea LEKSVIK cd cabinet - this doesn't take up a lot of space and should hold quite a few small decks, even if they do have to be doubled. It says the shelves are adjustable, but I think it might be too shallow for a box set. It's been great for me to get my decks where I can see them and perhaps use some of them enough to see if I should even keep them. Diana

The For the Avid Tarot Collector..... thread was originally posted on 11 May 2005 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.