Good Luck Charms

I recently brought my mother's antique writing desk up to my bedroom and have been using it as my workplace. In the past I have worked at my kitchen table, in my living room at a TV tray, at a rolling desk to follow the sunbeam through my house (like a dog).

Something happened when I started working at an actual desk, though. Little treasures accumulated: A beautiful Robert Sabuda pop-up Christmas card from my friend Erin, a picture of my kids, a framed Gwen Frostic poem that used to be Debbie's, an enormous conch seashell from my childhood. There is an encouraging card from my mother, with congratulations for a small publication. A favorite handpainted china saucer is used as a coaster. I have a clay figurine molded by one of my kids when they were very young. It's supposed to be a dog, but resembles something more alligator-like. There is also some junk in the drawers that needs cleaning out, and some clutter in the little side bins, too.

I never thought of these things as particularly or deliberately inspiring, but I realize now how nice it is to have my own little corner with trinkets and things to look at while I work. They are sort of the opposite of distracting, which is what you call inspiration I suppose.

This question was on Kirby Larson's blog: What are the things you keep on your shelves or on your walls that celebrate your writing self? That comfort you? That inspire you?

Let's make that our question this week. Tell us what it looks like where you are working. :o)