Collector Spotlight: Marisa Sopel

If you're like me, I am fascinated about Collectors and their collection. I want to introduce a variety of full time collectors that are very active in this community. Also, from their answers will help give you a more clearer idea on who we are as Collectors. We're normal, but with a purpose in life. We are dedicated to our passion in life. We just choose this brand: Sanrio/Hello Kitty.

If you have been around the Hello Kitty community for a period of time, then you will probably recognize this spectacular collector. 

I would like to introduce the first Collector on this special feature...

Spotlight: Marisa Sopel
IG: hello_kitty_chic
Country: USA

Source IG

Source IG

1.  Which character is your ultimate favorite?

Hello Kitty, of course.

2.  List your TOP 5 Sanrio Characters in numerical order.

Dear Daniel

Charmmy Kitty

My Melody

Chococat

Little Twin Stars

3.  Do you collect other Sanrio characters beside your ultimate Fave?

I don’t have enough apartment space in my house for any other characters

4.  How did you first start collecting? 

When I was 4 years old, there was a little Sanrio store across the street from my house, my mom would always take me in there and get me a little gift and its stuck ever since.

5.  Have you ever stopped collecting for a short to long periods of time?

NEVER. It's only gotten worse as I’ve gotten older.

6.  What type of Collector are you?

Full Time Collector 

7.  Would you describe yourself as a Hoarder? If someone called you a hoarder, would you be okay with it or try to defend your collector status? If so, what would you say to them?

Usually hoarder to me means, a mass pile of chaos, my collection is very very well organized, and on display. So, I have never had anyone in 28 years say that to me

8.  As a collector, do you depend on your social media to display your collection? Do you think that is key to maintaining your obsession?

I don’t depend on social media to display my collection, but it sure helps in sharing the joy and happiness with other collectors. I’ve been obsessed long before social media was so prominent in our society, but it does help you get in touch with other fans, and products that may be hard to acquire otherwise.

9.  Ever since you joined the Sanrio Community, has it changed your life? Has being a Collector been beneficial to you? Please give details.

Yes, BIG time. I usually do a hello kitty trip once a year, and being part of the Sanrio community on Instagram, has given me the opportunity to meet collectors all over the word, they are also willing to help you acquire items that they don’t sell in your country.

10.  Does any of your collection set you apart from other collectors? Or is yours the same like the rest?

I was very lucky to get my hands on a hello kitty popcorn display cart recently. I would say it’s a VERY hard to get item. That sets my collection apart from others.

11.  What type of things do you collect? If everything, then answer: Everything. Or if it’s specific, here’s a list of examples: plushes, dolls, figurines, statues, coin banks, stationery supplies, pens and pencils, erasers, trinkets, pencil cases, cases, purses, clothes, etc

I’ve switch focus on more limited edition items or hard to find items: Figurines, plushes, kitchenware, and vintage items, too. I use to hate plushes, but now they have overtaken my apartment and I love them.

12.  What is your ULTIMATE #1 type that you cannot pass up to get:

Figurines

13.  As collectors, we all have favorite pieces. What is your ULTIMATE favorite piece in your collection? Does it have a story behind it? How did it come about?

Probably my little Hello Kitty coin purse wristlet. I have had it ever since I can remember. When I was 19-- my house burnt down in a forest fire and I lost everything, except a small box of random things. The vintage wristlet survived. So, now it has so much special meaning for me.

14.  Do you have any regrets in spending so much on Sanrio? If you weren’t a Collector, do you think you would be obsessing over something else? If so, what?

Money is something that is always coming and going, I work to enjoy life and hello kitty, she makes me happy, isn’t that what life is about?  No regrets.  

15.  How many years have you been a collector?

Since I was 4 – going on 28 years now 

16.  Can you give any advice to new collectors starting out?

Never let anyone tell you its stupid or convince you to stop collecting. If it makes you happy, do it.

17.  How would you describe yourself as a Collector?

Crazy Cat Lady 

18.  Can you share any experiences that someone insulted or insinuated something negative over your obsession personally to you? How do you deal with it? 

Some guys think I'm crazy, been called immature for it-- but I just shrug my shoulders. I've always been pretty solid in knowing who I am. I know when people don’t really understand because they act in a negative way, and that’s okay-- I try to not let it affect me. In the long run it's my life. 

19.  Objectively, can you see yourself still collecting Sanrio when you’re elderly? Full time or casually? 

Yes, I plan on it. Full time, of course. I feel like Hello Kitty is something that is with you for life.

20.  Do you have a storage area for your extra Sanrio merchandise? Is it for a future home or just a storage area?

Yes, I have a large storage closet and a huge deck (they are both full of bin on bin on bin). Until I move into my dream home and can have a huge display area. 

What Does Being a Collector Mean to You

Recently, I have told a few of my co-workers that I am a Collector. I often get a mixed variety of reactions from other sane people. Haven't you heard? We, Collectors, are not sensible people. ;p

Most of the reactions range from amazement to "I didn't expect you to be Eccentric or crazy!"

More likely the latter when they hear how much I have spent on my pristine collection.

It may look like just an ordinary hobby for some, but being a Sanrio Collector is my passion in life. No matter if other people dismiss my passion for Sanrio, I will keep loving these characters for all my life.

It's not a phase for me. I have come to this realization at a particular point in my life, even when my life has taken a turn unexpectedly. For the past year, I have put some serious thought as to why I collect. Yeah, some part of collecting helps bring control and purpose in life, where I seem to have no control over certain things. 

Collecting is not a replacement for comfort food. I collect these characters because they are real to me. They have become part of my life. I fell in love with these lovable characters when I was a child and that love transferred over to when I turned into an adult. 

Each Sanrio character comes with a background story and has their own individual characteristics that you can't help but relate to the character in your own way. It further makes them more real when you see your characters come to life on paper and through cartoon films. 

People may think of us as crazy and I'm fine with that because I know there are others like me out there. I have found a community who can relate to me. 

Whether you collect Sanrio or not, we may not be the norm in the States, but we're growing as one. Look at how fast the pop funko figure collector community is growing!

Source: IG

Like my co-worker just said to me recently. Yeah, I live and breathe in my obsession for Sanrio. I'll always love these characters. One day in the far future, I may have a Hello Kitty and a Lala robot as companions. Why not? Use your imagination to create some of the finest quality work ever. Being close minded does not get you some of the greatest perks in life. Just saying.