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This is the gorgeous Rachel, owner of MouseVox, a vintage clothing online boutique. She is my FIRST featured “lovely person” here on the JNP blog. A new segment I’m going to call: “Catching Up With The Lovely —-”. I choose Rachel first because I’ve known her online for over five years, before I even got into photography. She has created an amazing niche business by selling vintage clothing and accessories on eBay and Etsy. It was my pleasure to ask a few questions about this multi-talented lady and she does not disappoint. Enjoy!
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Rachel Combs and I’m a vintage clothing retailer who sells via Etsy and eBay. I’ve also been known to do some freelance wardrobe styling and I like to take photographs and bake in my spare time. I’m currently learning to embroider.
Tell us your story, when and how did you start your business?
I had been working a job that I wasn’t completely satisfied with and was feeling very complacent. I’ve had a love for vintage clothes since I was a teen and had accumulated quite a few pieces. The guest bedroom in the house I was living in at the time was home to a huge pile of vintage wares that I planned on altering one day, but never found the time. I decided to downsize my personal collection by getting rid of a few pieces on eBay and realized that it could potentially be a lucrative field for me to dive into.
Did you have a particular moment when you realized you wanted to do this for a living?
Subconsciously, I’m gonna say that that huge pile of ‘to alter’ pieces pushed me into things and it was when I actually saw money being made that made me realize this was something I could do full time and feel satisfied.
How long have you been collecting vintage wears?
My vintage collecting days started when I was in high school, so roughly about 10-15 years.
Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping?
This is super top secret information! I love estate sales and yard sales as well as flea markets and swap meets. I go thrifting a few times a week at thrift stores locally and travel a few times a year to other towns to thrift as well.
What is your favorite vintage era?
This is a tough one. My own personal style usually reflects that of the 70′s or 60′s, but I love the style of the 20′s as well. There’s really something to be admired in each decade, I think.
What was your ultimate vintage find?
I found this beautiful Emilio Pucci negligee at a thrift store once that is so pretty it almost made me cry tears of joy when I found it! It’s made of a semi-sheer mint green nylon material with the prettiest antique lace details; really nothing you would picture in your mind when thinking ‘Pucci’. It doesn’t have the bold prints that Pucci typically uses (which I also love), making it a bit more romantic.
What attracts you to a vintage piece? Do you have a style in mind or are you led by instinct?
I’m attracted to pieces that I find to be wearable, that can be styled in more modern ways and are of good quality. I joke that my 6th sense is that of textile, meaning that I can actually feel pieces out when searching for needles in the haystacks, but really I’m just sometimes too lazy to look at everything on the racks!
Who are some of your favorite style icons?
I’ve always loved Jane Berkin for being so effortlessly beautiful, but I personally draw more inspiration from street style and fashion blogs.
Do you collect any other types of collectibles?
I am a collector of many things – vintage kitchen ware, cameras, books are my largest collections right now.
What are your top 3 vintage/thrift store tips for us?
Go early in the morning, avoid days where major sales are happening and look at everything!
Is this your full time job? If not, how do you balance the day job with your passion for vintage?
This has been my full time job for nearly 4 years. When I first started, I had to balance it all with a day job and worked 18 hour days for over 6 months. It was totally worth every effort and all of the time put into it, though!
What is the last book you read?
The last book I read is The Tao of Willie by Willie Nelson. Currently, I’m reading Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn. My highest recommendations to both!
Where can we find you on the internet?
I am all over the world wide web!
eBay: www.stores.ebay.com/mousevoxvintage
Etsy: mousevox.etsy.com
Blogger: mousevoxvintage.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/mousevoxvintage
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/MouseVox-Vintage/244707255093
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mousevoxvintage
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/mousevoxvintage
Thanks Rachel, that was great. If you have any additional questions feel free to ask in the comments and Rachel will respond.
Here are just some of the adorable and utlra fab things she has in her store. But most stuff doesn’t last long, so get on over there to grab one of a kind vintage pieces.
I also wanted to include some of Rachel’s self portraits that I found inspiring and intriguing. Love this hat!
FILM! ** from her blog: Self-portrait, Canon AE-1, Cross-processed Agfa Slide Film
FILM! ** from her blog: Spooky self-portrait | Canon AE-1 + Ilford Delta 400 + Hand printed | Inspired by Man Ray
If you would like to see a particular artist, small business owner, or fabulous person in general, please send me an email or comment below.
♥ Juliet
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i love Rachel! great little interview!
Love Rachel! One of my favorite people and SO talented at everything she does! Everyone should shop with her, you will not be disappointed with your purchase.