I’ve been busy carving and printing all kinds of cats on paper and textiles. Also, I’m having a moment with blue ink. I waited months for this tube of Prussian Blue and I intend to use it!
Season 3 of Happy Valley. This, and Shetland are up there in my top two British crime dramas. While they are both crime shows they are more about the grief and healing of the main character. Available on AcornTV and AMC+
These Pride Risograph greeting cards by Bromstad Printing Please check out her website. Her cards are all so wonderful… especially if cats are your jam.
This album by Sierra Ferrell is on constant repeat around our house these days. “Bells of Every Chapel” makes me so happy.
Remind me to try this dandelion garland next year. It’s so beautiful!
Talena Rasmussen is the mastermind and creative force behind sowing and cultivating a handful of most popular and successful vintage retail stores in Austin. She is the owner of the soon to be one -year-old Newbo Vintage on Main Street in historic downtown Elgin.
1. Why did you move to Central Texas?
I moved to Central Texas, New Braunfels to be specific, from Kansas when I was 15 to live with my dad in an attempt to experience a better home life. Lesson learned- you can’t run away from your problems.
2. What compelled you to start a business in Elgin?
I opened Newbo in Elgin because the only local competition (other than online) is The Lion’s Club thrift store, Wal-Mart and Tractor Supply; downtown Elgin is super cute; I live 25 minutes from the shop (which is a big deal after commuting to Austin every day from Webberville for the last 10 years); and Austin is so expensive you cannot take risks with the products you choose to sell, you have to cater to the majority and that just isn’t fulfilling. I prefer having a store that can afford to be hyper inclusive and cater to all styles, sizes, preferences etc. I don’t tell people how they should want to dress; I provide enough options so you can try things and figure out what feels right to you.
3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.
1. Never be a part of a 50/50 partnership. Someone has to hold the majority especially if only two people are involved.
2. I don’t hate all bacon; uncured bacon is delicious.
3. Country birds are superior to city birds.
4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?
I am currently reading 1960’s/70’s sci-fi short stories in preparation for a personal project.
5. Cake or Pie?
Cake only because I feel like I have to choose but really it’s a tie. I love them both.
Alyse Mervosh owns Curio Mrvosa Books and Vintage in Taylor alongside her husband, Alex Cuervo. They opened the shop in summer 2021, after Alyse was struck with the idea during the pandemic. A lifelong thrifter and avid reader, originally from the D.C. area, Alyse moved to Austin to play drums and was a member of several garage punk bands, after earning her degree in journalism at Wisconsin. She moved to Taylor in 2016 with her husband and their two cats.
While this may qualify this as a Six Question Interview, I had to ask…
Bean & Noodle: “Can you somehow spell out how to pronounce your store name? I see by your last name that it might be a play on that?
Alyse: “Mrvosa” (pronounced mer-vo-sa) is indeed a play on my last name. Two letters were added to my family’s name when they arrived in the U.S. from Serbia over a hundred years ago. It was originally spelled Mrvos (now Mervosh). I always wanted to use that original name somehow, and when Alex suggested adding the a, that was it! To me it has a nice, somewhat mysterious, ring to it.
1. Why did you move to Taylor?
After living in Austin and playing in punk bands for 15 years, my husband and I were looking for a change of pace. Taylor’s architecture first caught our eye, and the welcoming, creative nature of the folks here made us feel at home right away.
2. What compelled you to start a business in Taylor?
I’ve worked at a variety of small businesses over the years and wanted to contribute to our town’s eclectic vibe. My aim is to curate an inspiring space that encourages creativity and curiosity.
3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.
1. I’ve learned the importance of slowing down, though I’m still working on putting this into everyday practice. I keep a postcard (pictured above) by the artist Hiller Goodspeed nearby as a reminder, it reads:
you can’t waste time it’s impossible you’re doing what you’re doing and that’s just what’s happening baby
2. Coming from the city and being more of an introverted person, I learned to embrace small-town life. I’m so grateful for our tight-knit community. It inspires and encourages me. Through good times and bad, we’re really here for one another.
3. Both with music and the bookstore, I’ve learned to do what feels right for me, to trust my gut. Whatever comes, I’m more content, and I’ve found my people along the way.
4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?
Making music with Eerie Family, we’re a gloom-pop duo, just my husband and me. Recently finished reading White Horse by Erika T. Wurth, The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, and Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. Watching Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. Listening to El Michels Affair, Charlie Magira, and Courtney Barnett.
5. Cake or Pie?
Tough question. I choose pie for breakfast and cake for dessert!
Links
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Bean & Noodle 