A woman who picked out a pretty mug that caught her eye in a local thrift store quickly realized she had hit the "jackpot." Lisa Davies, from Northampton, England, is a proud mom of two 9-year-old twin boys. Her passion for thrifting can be traced back to Christmas 2024. "That's when I was having a tough time mentally, and I found that a rummage in a charity shop was so good for me," she told Newsweek.
"It became my biggest hobby." Davies is not alone in turning to collecting as a source of mental comfort. Writing in Psychology Today, neuroscientist Shirley M. Mueller suggested collecting has the capacity to improve mental health by reducing stress, promoting focused attention, enhancing cognitive function, increasing social connections, and providing a sense of purpose and achievement.
Davies certainly achieved something special during a trip to the local thrift store she frequents. "I try to go in around once a week as it's close to me, and I love it there," she said. "The staff are amazing." It all started when a mug on one of the shelves caught Davies' eye.
She immediately knew it was something special. "I saw one of the mugs first and couldn't believe my eyes, then it was like a dream, piece after piece kept appearing before me," she said. Davies had stumbled upon a recently donated collection of Emma Bridgewater pottery.
There were 11 pieces in total. She immediately knew she had hit the "jackpot." Emma Bridgewater pottery is highly collectible because each piece is handmade and hand-decorated in Stoke-on-Trent, England, using traditional pottery techniques. The brand is known for its distinctive patterns, such as Polka Dot and Pink Hearts, as well as limited-edition and commemorative designs that can become particularly sought-after by collectors.
"I spent £13.75 [around $18]," Davies said. "If I were to resell it, I think I would get £150-£200 [roughly $200-$270]. Buying it brand new would be much more, a few hundred pounds.
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