She’ll pick through your junk for hidden treasures, don a sexy outfit on stage for a burlesque routine and strap on her roller skates for a derby session… all in the same day. You’re probably familiar with the inked-up gal behind the counter on History Channel’s American Pickers, but do you really know Danielle Colby ? Inked Magazine had a chance to sit down with the long-time picker and actually pick her brain for a change.

Inked Magazine: We are in the midst of season 4 of American Pickers on the History Channel, what has the season been like so far?

Colby: It's crazy how quickly American Pickers has progressed. Even just a few months ago, it seems like it's kind of exploded. I guess in season 4 we are trying out a few new things but still heading in the same direction; our focus is still on the people we pick from and the items that we pick. The focus is at the heart and soul of what we do and that's what keeps people so intrigued and excited about the show. It’s not really about us, it's about our audience.

Inked: You and fellow "American Picker" Mike Wolfe have been friends for a little while now, how did you two meet?

Mike and I met at a yard sale and we both actually wanted the same item. I didn't have enough money for it and he did, so I put it down and he picked it up and went and bought it. And I said "I was looking at that," and he said "yeah well you should have bought it then." And that's kind of how our friendship started.

Inked: And your friendship continued.

Colby: Yes, I had a little punk inspired DIY shop along Maine St. and he would come down and ask me to repair things that he had picked up off the road. Because I have a little bit of a technical mind, I can take things apart and put them back together really well. So to design clothes, he would bring in articles of vintage and antique clothing. So that's kind of how it all started.

Inked: And how did you become part of the show?

Colby: Well, Mike came up to me one day and asked me if I would go to coffee with him, which was not abnormal because we spent quite a bit of time together in the morning. So we sat down at a Coffee Shop and discussed all the details of him wanting to make the show. And I know enough about Mike to know that he is not a bullshitter. If he says that he is going to do something, he is gonna do it. So he asked me if I could help him out in the shop because he is going to be gone a lot. He kept getting turned down by television network after television network, which was pretty disheartening. The idea was finally picked up and he came over and I had already planned on moving back to Chicago. I had an apartment there. I had a job. But he came up to me like you can't move, the show got picked up and you can't leave because I am going to need you at the shop. And it just all happened from there. I was not originally supposed to be on the show as far as I know. And he just kept pushing for it and pushing for it. They didn't necessarily want to see tattooed chick running around on the History Channel but he just kept really rallying for me. And History learned to love the idea of who I am and they embrace me now. It's pretty neat.