Dumbos, figurines, salt and peppers, Disney Classics, Teddy bears, character beer steins, Hamm's bear items and of course cookie jars -- these are some of the collections of Mike & Barbara Schwarz... Is it any wonder why they opened a store?

1986 was a big year for Mike and Barbara, they got married and started their business. After working at their collectibles business for about four years on a weekend only basis, they both quit their jobs, moved to Vacaville and opened their store about seven or eight years ago. Past and Presents sells Precious Moments, Cherished Teddies, Boyds Disney Classics, Christmas Ornaments, teddy bears and our favorite Cookie Jars.

The very first cookie jar they bought was at a flea market, a "Dumbo Turnabout" to add to Barbara's Dumbo collection. Next a couple of advertising jars found a way into their kitchen decorated in advertising characters (another collection!). Then a few jars were needed to match some salt and peppers sets and of course some Disney jars were needed for their Disney collection. But like all new addicts they denied their addiction. It took fellow collector Keith Lytle visiting their new home, looking at the jars lining their counters, to finally convince them to say "Yes, we collect cookie jars".

Although they have a very large collection, 300 on display, and who knows how many in the garage, they both have a personal favorite. Barbara loves her Hagen Reneker Dumbo and Mike loves the new Buzz Lightyear jar. In fact he loves it so much, that the next time you talk to him -- ask him what he wants Barbara to do should he meet an untimely demise!

The past few years their business is continually getting bigger and better. The decision to become active in the cookie jar mail order business, to write columns newsletters and the recent addition of a very nice web site have all helped Barbara and Mike become very well known and popular throughout the cookie jar community. In fact, they were recently voted the Favorite Dealer in the Collectors Choice Awards sponsored by Cookie Jar Express.

Visit their large website to find the latest in collectibles and cookie jars at www.pastnpresents.com