This avid Winnie the Pooh collector has revealed how years of buying everything from clothing to homeware, has now added up to a collection worth over $10,000 (£7,900).
Ruth Ramirez told how her collection started small with vintage Winnie the Pooh T-shirts on eBay, but it quickly started filling up her house, with every item she saw being impossible not to buy.
The mega fan from San Diego, California, USA, has even started to collect pieces for her future children, which started as a few items and has currently turned into a full crate.
She said: “I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of my Pooh collection as I plan on holding on to it to pass it down to my children at some point.
“The first time we bought something baby related we were at the mall, and I found a Pooh baby onesie and we thought should we get it.
“My husband said let’s just save it since we don’t know if we’d ever see that item again.”
Ruth, who has adored the lovable bear since she was a little girl, has accumulated an impressive stash of Pooh-related treasures, from rare vintage finds to the latest releases.
She admits that some purchases have been on the more expensive end, including a vintage leather Pooh jacket that cost her $300 and a $180 Winnie the Pooh dog bed, not including shipping from Japan.
While vintage items make up the majority of her collection, which is she tells is worth around $10,000, Ruth has also collected newer releases.
There’s no intention of slowing down or selling up, showing that her childhood love has lasted longer than she ever expected.
However, she told how a family member once questioned how an adult could love a character so much that they’d collect everything associated with them.
Despite the negative comments, Ruth explained that her collection spreads across the entire house in both subtle and extravagant ways.
Her kitchen features a cupboard dedicated to Pooh items, though they remain hidden behind closed doors.
She keeps a Pooh kitchen mat, towels, and fridge magnets on display but keeps it simple out of consideration for her husband.
In the living room, seasonal Pooh blankets and decor make an appearance, but the majority of her collection is housed in her bedroom and closet.
Over time, she has learned to be more selective about her purchases, avoiding buying everything just because it features Pooh – though she admits it’s a challenge.
The collector told how having children has always been part of her plan and the first baby-related item she and her husband bought was a Pooh baby onesie they found at the mall.
Having experienced previous miscarriages, Ruth hopes that one day, when she and her husband welcome their miracle baby, they will already have a collection of adorable Pooh-themed items ready for them.
Ruth said: “I try not to buy everything just because it’s Pooh, but it is very hard.
“The most money I’ve spent on anything would be $300 on a vintage leather Pooh jacket.
“The leather jacket that I have is red and black leather and there’s not many of them.”
Ruth admitted that her favourite item in her collection has to be the tiny Pooh stuffed bear from her childhood.
She added: “It’s just a sentimental keepsake.
“I keep a kitchen mat out that’s Pooh and kitchen towels and some fridge magnets and that’s about it.
“In my living room there’s always seasonal Pooh blankets and Pooh decor but I try to keep it simple for the sake of my husband!
“Our room however definitely holds the majority of my collection but it also consists of a lot of clothes, so it goes into the closet.”