After taking an extended medical leave of absence from work, I began selling pre-owned and vintage items about 6 years ago to help with bills and to keep me somewhat busy while recovering.

I really enjoy passing on unique and high quality items at reasonable prices to motivated buyers.

I believe firmly that in order to save this beautiful planet of ours, we need to strongly commit to recycling, reusing, and renewing our "stuff" instead of throwing it out and buying new.

Working as a photo stylist in Chicago in the 1990s and living in Wicker Park really helped bolster my knowledge of different styles and is where I began my love of vintage pieces. I try to include pieces that are unique, well made, and that will never go out of style. Not only do I choose items that I would wear and use but also pieces that are interesting, perfectly exemplify a certain style, or are just plain too cool to pass up!

My goal is to make sure the client is more than just satisfied with their purchase but enjoyed the actual experience as well.

Oh and I love the animals in my life and could not live without them.

I was so thrilled when about a year ago Michael Mauney signed on to start selling some of his premium photographs at Mocha's Corner. Michael got his start in photography working on his college yearbook at Northwestern University. After graduation he moved back to his home state of North Carolina and worked at The Charlotte Observer, first as darkroom man for a year and for then for five years as staff photographer.

He moved back to Chicago and worked for Life Magazine as both contract and staff photographer. During the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s he worked for Life, People and Fortune Magazines and began doing corporate work for many of the country’s largest corporations.

Today he lives and works in Asheville, North Carolina.

The thrill of the darkroom has never diminished. The vintage prints for sale here were all printed by Michael in the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.

His experience and knowledge has been invaluable in helping choose high quality vintage cameras and photographic equipment to list on Mocha's Corner as well as the beautiful pieces of art he chooses to sell.

For more information on Michael and to see more of his work you can visit his website http://michaelmauney.com/.