ONLINE BUSINESS — Sheila Murchie offers two online stores for buyers. She stepped out of time and opened the Hippie Chic Boutique, which is accessed through Facebook, along with 64 GTO Girls Collectibles on eBay.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
If Sheila Murchie could time travel, she would hop back four decades. Life was simpler, fashion trendy, exposing plenty of color and design.
“I was born in a time warp,” she said. “I should have been a teenager in the ‘60s. I always liked the hippy style. I like the whole hippy theme … the colors … just to be free … for people to be who they want to be.”
Murchie opened an online business in January called Hippie Chic’s Boutique, which features none other than the 1960s style of clothing and accessories, as its main attraction.
“Growing up in the ‘70s, you hated those clothes,” Murchie said with a laugh. “Now, when I find it, every piece that I find, I get excited.”
BACK IN TIME — This a prairie dress that is for purchase at Hippie Chic Boutique.
She also carries children’s, women’s and men’s clothing, along with graphic T-shirts, other outfits, and of course, shoes — nearly 400 new ones.
“If I feel [an item] is something someone would have an interest in I will buy it,” said Murchie. “But, the 1960-70 style is a definite.”
What started as a unique hobby has now become a very vibrant side business.
“I have about 165 customers,” said Murchie. “It has been going well. It is actually pretty time consuming.”
Most of the Hippie Chic’s Boutique customers are County-based. They order online and Murchie sets up a local meeting point to deliver the goods.
“The challenge with delivering is sometimes connecting with the people,” said Murchie. That is why she accepts PayPal. For customers out-of-state, she will ship as reasonably as possible.
Murchie’s site has 700 items and “I have boxes I haven’t even gotten to yet,” she said. “In my spare time, I love hitting the thrift stores. I take note of what people like, their sizes and those types of things so I know when I am shopping what to get specifically.”
The most costly items at Hippie Chic’s Boutique are two vintage leather coats that are priced at $20 each. Every other item ranges between $5 to $6.
“I am not getting rich,” she said with a smile. “But, I sure enjoy it.”
To access Hippie Chic’s Boutique go to Facebook and enter the title in the search bar. The site will pop up. For those who do not want to scroll through all of the pages, a gallery of photos featuring the items can be clicked on and opened.
Also on Hippie Chic’s Boutique, other items from Murchie’s eBay store called 64 GTO Girls Collectibles are available.
“I been collecting things since I was a teenager,” she said. “My husband, Keith, and I restore a lot of classic cars and we are also into motorcycles. I sell car and bike parts on eBay, along with clothing and other collectibles.”
Contributed photo
SUMMER IS COMING — Hippie Chic Boutique is getting ready for summer with no ordinary pair of flip-flops, above, and outfits like the one below.
Murchie has operated the eBay site for 10 years.
Murchie and her husband rebuilt a 1938 Chevy Streetrod truck last summer and they are going to try to restore a 1965 Chevy van this summer.
“Most of the summer is spent in the garage or cruisin’,” she smiled.
Instead of going to the mall, Murchie prefers a junk yard. A few months ago, she went twice to one yard and saw a 1940 Plymouth nose. She hesitated buying the vintage piece.
“Before I went the third time, I knew what I was going to do with it,” she said.
Murchie made the piece into a wall lamp with a 1972 license plate and model car on its shelf.
“We build a lot of things out of car parts,” she said. “Of course, I like tin, chrome and rust. It’s my addiction.”
She bought a Volkswagen beetle bug hood and is thinking of something she can craft.
“I am not totally sure yet,” she said, “I am thinking maybe a canopy over an Adirondack chair, with revolving lights and surround sound.”
The Murchies redid a little camper last summer and completed it using the ‘60s theme inside, including shag.
“It is awesome,” she said. “We get lots of compliments. When you are driving down the interstate, hauling the camper with the GTO, people are passing you and taking pictures.”
Murchie is hoping the word spreads about her Hippie Chic Boutique, along with her 64 GTO Girls Collectibles site.
“I am hoping it continues to grow,” she said. “It has been amazing. I am working on some jewelry now. In the ‘70s people made stuff from paper clips and contact paper, with funky designs. I guess I have a problem with throwing away anything that is good. I just can’t do it.”
To learn more about Hippie Chic’s Boutique visit Facebook and to find out more information on 64 GTO Girls Collectibles go onto eBay. To reach Murchie, call 538-8605 or send an email to shmurchie1968@gmail.com.
