Addicted To :: JessJamesJake

If you frequent Etsy with any regularity, you’ve no doubt seen the distinctive photos of today’s Addicted To shop. Jessjamesjake is an Etsy staple, but there’s a lot about this superstar that you probably don’t know. Read on to learn more about Jess from jessjamesjake.

Q: Tell our lovely readers a bit about yourself. Is buying and selling vintage your full-time gig or a hobby? How and when did you get started in this business?

A: Hey friends! I’m Jess, of jessjamesjake. James is my fabulous husband, and vintage-loving partner. He’s a huge help to the shop . . . while Jake, on the other hand, is not. Jake is my adorable, and slightly senior, dachshund who is really not that committed to vintage shopping : )

Etsy is part-time, in both income and interest. I’m a violinist, so my full-time career is balancing two of my biggest passions: Violin & Vintage! Actually, they work seamlessly together: I’m at home during the day, practicing, teaching a few private lessons, listing on Etsy, and have the freedom to run off to a thrift store, walk up to the post office, chat on twitter, or do a blog post. I spend a good amount of time alternating my practicing (for concerts or auditions) and listing on Etsy. It’s the best! Concerts tend to be on weekends, so my shop doesn’t usually get much attention from Friday-Sunday! My husband is a full-time PhD student, so he’s home a lot too, writing papers, reading and preparing lectures. We do the shipping together, and we definitely shop together, but when you convo me asking if this 38″ dress with fit your bust, rest assured that I’m the only one logged into Etsy and answering your questions!

I was introduced to Etsy almost 2 years ago through my best friend, Anne (of Thrush Vintage). We used to live in the same town, and thrift together all the time, but James and I moved away from Denver for school, so now we find ourselves in New York State! Anne and I talk every day, and roadtrip out to different areas of the US, thrifing in towns and cities along the way. We did the midwest this summer, hitting up much of Wisconsin. Last spring we roadtrip-thrifted all through Pennsylvania, which was also amazing! We have another trip planned in April, but I cannot reveal the destination . . . muahahaha!

Q: Do you have any favorite, never-let-you-down, treasure hunting spots? Would you like to share, or are they top-secret?

A: Honestly, I find my best vintage at estate sales. Once a piece hits a thrift store floor, you never know what type of condition you’ll be dealing with. Items at estate sales are still in the homes and closets of the people who once loved them, and therefore are usually in superior condition. As for local thrifting, we love buying from stores where the money raised goes to a specific cause. One of my local favorites is The Treasure Chest in Albany, where all of the proceeds go to help people living with HIV/AIDS. It’s tiny, downtown, and always has a few gems that I cannot resist. I love saving items from landfills and wearing clothing that has unsurpassed style and quality.

Q: Is there a certain aesthetic you look for when you’re thrifting? How do you decide what to pick up, or just pass on? Do you wait for an item to speak to you?

A: I usually walk into any shop situation with an agenda. That’s not to say that I don’t get distracted by vintage amazingness sitting on a shelf . . . but usually I know what my shop needs and try to find those things. I try to pass on items in poor condition. Sometimes I think I can save a piece, even beyond what’s its worth . . . for example, I found this amazing 1950′s cotton day dress that was completely stained on the skirt, missing the buttons on the bust, and was very faded. I remember thinking, “Ok, the fading will brighten up with an oxiclean bath … the skirt can be shortened, which will cut away any stained areas … and I can replace the buttons with a modern set!” At what point do you give up and leave it? I rarely reach that point, as I have a soft spot for rescuing pieces like that. I’m trying to be more strict with myself . . .

Q: Be honest, do you keep many of your finds, or is it strictly business? And do you have any personal collections that you have built over time through thrifting?

Oh yes, we keep a bunch of our finds! Our kitchen table is 1950′s cherry red metal with chrome legs, we have 2 olive green mid century modern chairs, and a teak Eames Era couch (one of our best finds to date). Our living room wall has a huge starburst clock, a bookcase full of LPs, and we both own vintage cruiser bikes (mine is a Schwinn, James has a Rollfast). We both wear vintage constantly, and you should see my personal dress collection! It’s pretty great . . . if I do say so myself. We have a huge collection of pre-1950′s land cameras, and James collects Super 8 film cameras.

Q: Are there any items you’ve regretted selling and wish you would have kept for yourself?

A: I do regret letting this beauty go. I’ve had more inquiries about this hat than any other, and it was stunning!

Q: Pick one and tell us about it: Weirdest, most valuable, or most satisfying find?

A: Most unique: Hand Tooled Leather Bird Purse. I’ve never found another, and I sold it for way too little! What can I say, at that point I’d only been in business for a couple months!

Weirdest: I have to mention this find, as I’m still in love with it, even though it sold over 6 months ago! Big Horn Sheep Faux Taxidermy.

Thanks, Jess, for the fun look into your life! Readers, be sure to visit jessjamesjake on Etsy to score some Merry-Christmas-To-Me gifts this holiday season!

Robin Eastwood is a treasure hunter and vintage fanatic. Visit The Fancy Lamb on Etsy to drool over some of her latest finds, and follow Robin on Twitter to hear about her latest thrifting adventures.