Meet STE Member Rachel Rech of WreckinRachel on Etsy

Lightning bugs are zapping the air with the coming of Summer as creative juices are flowing at STE! Let us give a thunderous welcome to new team blood and creatrix extraordinaire, WreckinRachel

Tell us a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.

My name is Rachel Rech. I'm an aspiring Costume Designer going to Point Park University, and will graduate with a BFA in Costume Design next year. I live in the Swissvale section of Pittsburgh with my boyfriend Anton, at Trundle Manor, a museum/house of oddities Wunderkammer. We have a collection of creepy curiosities including dead things in jars, vintage taxidermy, disturbing old medical tools, coffins, steampunk sculptures and various artworks! We are open for tours by appointment only, and the website is www.thessoa.com. I'm also affiliated with The Drifters Car Club of Pittsburgh, of which Anton is President. We have a car show every year, The Steeltown Shakedown, which will be held on Sept. 11 this year at the Twin Hi-Way Drive in. There will be pre-65 hot rods, DIY and vintage vendors, live bands, a pin-up contest, in-person tattoo artist and pinstriper, and a vintage movie on the big screen at night! The website is www.SteeltownShakedown.com.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Besides going to school for costume design, I love to give tours of the museum, watch old horror movies, bake, paint, cruise in our 31 Ford, and dress up like a glamorous villain from the movies! Oh, and when autumn comes, I also love to frighten children at Kennywood Fright Nights.


What first made you want to become an artist?
I've always been weird, and I've known since I was little that art in one form or another was what I was meant to do. I've been obsessed with designing costumes and clothing since I can remember.

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.

As far as my aprons and things go, I have a stock of colorful fabric that is constantly giving me ideas. Most of what I have is scrap or found material, so most of what I make is one of a kind. I always have several projects going at once, although many of them are for myself!


Name your top five places to be in the Pittsburgh area, books/authors, movies/TV shows, songs/musical groups, and web sites besides Etsy.

My biggest TV influences include The It's Alive! Show, The Addams Family, The Twilight Zone, Pee Wee's Playhouse. My biggest Movie influences: Ed Wood, Cry-Baby, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

How do you promote your work?

That's something I could improve on, actually. I try to put myself out there mainly through Etsy, Facebook and word of mouth. It's all in who you know!

What advice would you give to artists who are new to the Pittsburgh craft scene?

Be original and create what makes you happy. Don't jump on a trendy bandwagon or steal someone else's ideas! If you want recognition, you have to stand out!