Linda Abernathy loves collecting but had no space for more than the basics until she moved into her Martinez townhouse 11 years ago.

"In other places that I've lived, like New York City and Boston, I was always living in small spaces. So, when I came here and moved into a space that is almost 2,000 square feet, I didn't have that much furniture," she said. "So, I had to go shopping."

While out looking for bargains and unique items, she discovered that many of the things she bought were antiques. Soon, she was on her way to collecting antiques as a hobby and as a way to decorate her home.

"I'm now an antique dealer on the side in addition to my job as an accountant," Ms. Abernathy said.

Included in her collection are Japanese transferware, paperweights, milk glass, toile pieces, vintage pottery and needlepoint embroidery.

She has also expanded her collecting beyond antiques.

In her sunroom, she has a shelf full of well-used cookbooks.

"When I was in school, I won the Betty Crocker award," she said. "I really love to cook."

She and her friends also enjoy creating their own bulletin boards, so they collect wine corks to make the boards.

One of her favorite things about collecting is that she gets to share the hobby with her family.

"My sister and I like to go to different places together in search for new antique items," she said.

"We find a lot of stuff we like, and to make room for them we sell some of what we have. We are always redecorating. It keeps the home looking different and new."

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.