Why not consider collecting art?

There are some very convenient forms of art to collect, and very affordable.

Check under Dolls, dollhouses, for miniatures, artists offerings for original paintings - usually search under 'paintings' in that category for 1/12th scale artworks. These can be framed for walls - ornate frames, or simple ones with float mounting (ask your framer - this involves 'floating' the art up off of the backing - 3d - and framing it inside a larger mat/frame), or incorporated into miniature displays - dollhouses, room boxes, or 3d wall frames/shadow boxes, or simply frame in small frames and display on furniture tops. As a collection, displayed together, this can make a very attractive and eye catching display, and a wonderful type of collection for those with perhaps limited room/space. Perhaps vary your display by adding miniature objects? Usually miniature is known as 'minute', rather than just something tiny or small. Art done in miniature is done to minute scale, and usually necessitates the use of a magnifier - so that, to appreciate the tiny details you may need to view under magnification. In some countries 'miniatures' can run to large sized artworks - but are called such due to the minute details, done under magnification.
In art societies, the size of artwork seems to be kept to being no bigger than 25 square inches, with the subject being no bigger than 1/6th of life-size. Miniatures can also be found under the traditional 'art' category, too. There is no doubt that vintage miniatures can command quite high prices. One sold in 2003, realized a cool 1.3 million dollars!

Small format art (search 'SFA' under art) is art no bigger than 14" on any one side. It can include 3d objects. This term is used outside of eBay and can range to larger sizes, but this term has been in use on eBay since mid 2005 and limited to the 14" rule. As it includes anything under 14" it can also include miniatures, ATC and ACEO art cards. Again, these can be collected and displayed in attractive groupings. Framing can match or vary for each piece, even leaving some unframed. Personally I have a lot of SFA, and when displayed on my walls in a variety of styles, I find it becomes a conversation piece, with people noticing immediately. Your choice of art when displayed in multiples can refelect your personality. As it's small you can collect many works, at smaller costs, and from various artists. To me that is the fun part! Also great for gift-giving. So please don't overlook SFA!

Then there are ACEOs. These tiny treasures are all 2.5x3.5" ALWAYS. There is no 'smaller, or bigger' when it comes to this art form. They are derived from art cards which evolved over centuries, but more specifically from ATC (Art/Artist Trading Cards) which emerged in the mid 1990s. Briefly, ATCs are meant to be traded, never sold, as decreed by the artist that started this popular art form following an exhibition in Switzerland. Due to this size fitting easily into card albums and other standard framing displays, the popularity spread world-wide. Not everyone has the time to create, wants to create, or wants to trade/swap. Late 2004, on eBay, the urge to sell this art form burst forth, allowing all be able to purchase and enjoy this art form without creating/swapping. By poll, the name was changed to ACEO (art cards, editions and originals). This form of art exploded onto the eBay art scene, and now is enjoyed throughout the world and in many circles. It's as simple as searching for 'ACEO'. Many buyers are dedicated collectors, collecting by favored themes or artist. Popular themes are various animals, birds, fantasy fairies and mermaids - and some sell in the hundreds of dollars range, but you can also pick them up for a few dollars or so. A great way to start your collection. Many renown artists and illustrators enjoy this art form, so it is not uncommon to see some known names as the artists creating these. The mediums are not limited - art paintings, drawings, photography, collage, fabrics, paper, sculptures, glass, woodburning, are just some of the popular mediums. The size is fixed though, at 2.5x3.5", but can be slightly 3d - a sculpture 10" tall on a 2.5x3.5" base would not be an ACEO, for instance.

Methods for displaying ACEOs are easy to find, as they trading card size, but also known as 'wallet size'. Put into magnet 'pockets' they can be displayed on any magnetic surface. You can even buy magnetic paint, to paint a surface in order to set up your own creative display. You can also create a decorative display with objects, perhaps silk flowers, onto a metal surface, and display your ACEO within. Others create altered books or albums to slip these tiny treasures into. They are easy to give as gifts. Just use photo corners to attach to the front of a gift card for an everlasting keepsake. Perhaps you might start someone else collecting? For someone sick in hospital or under prolonged home confinement, collecting and displaying these art cards can bring delight, and be shared with those that come to visit.

Why not try creating and/or collecting them yourself? Just a quick search can bring up a delightful feast of these wonderful artworks.