Am I Kitsch Enough?

We joined Team Kitsch a few days ago on Etsy. Although my house is fairly kitschy, my shop is not. Anyone who truly enjoys kitschy items, tends to hoard them for fear of never finding them again. It said in the group that they would decide if we were kitsch enough. The thing is, inanimate objects themselves aren't necessarily kitschy, it is all in how you use them.

I did post one super kitschy unicorn, but it sold so fast no one from that group would even be aware of it. Who judges what is kitschy anyway? Everyone likes to feel unique, everyone wants to think they themselves and their things are special and one of a kind.  Did you ever stop and think how many people have the same possessions as you? Here's my thought, I, myself, am kitschy, unfortunately weird, and slightly awkward.  Therefore, I must belong with the people selling things that are of that same nature. If I find kitsch that I have no intention of using, it will be on here in a flash and probably gone just as fast.

Just for your viewing pleasure I will post a little of my kitsch that surrounds my family pictures in my hall.....

 I also have a "Smile" sign in this lovely yellow from the same company. That sign hangs in my kitchen while this guy hangs with the family pictures. My mom finds that slightly ironic.

 These are two of the baby pink elephants out of the three. They are scattered throughout the collage. Mama elephant is at the very top. These little guys hang right about our thermostat and right below a Indian Fighting Kite I chopped down to an 8x10. Still can't figure out why an Indian Fighting Kite had a pink Samurai on it.

My Miller Studio Cat waves good-bye to us as we head to bed.

Even when there was a group for off-kilter items, I still questioned my belonging. Here's to everyone who feels a little out of place. Here's to those who have decide to say the hell with it and just letting your freak flag fly.

I am feeling under the weather, but will attempt to post a new item today.  

Wishing you all wicked weirdness!

~Mighty Myrtle

Next time on our blog......More than likely there will be some handmade for Christmas! 

Etsy Math

When we started Etsy we were aware of some fees and not others. I surprised after the first sale, Etsy ended up with almost 10% of our asking price. I know, that doesn't sound like a big deal, but we included shipping in our price. After a shipping surprise that I already discussed we ended up with a very little profit and a heck of a lot of work.

We are now going to put this in perspective for everyone:

Yesterday's Post

Sheer Vivid Blue Scarf $5--Free Shipping

So, this is how it all breaks down, if it is sold.

Listing Fee:      $.20 (For four months of listing)

Selling Fee (3.5%):      $.18

Processing Fee For Using Direct Checkout:   $.25

Percentage For Using Direct Checkout (3%):    $.15

Total Taken by Etsy:                                             $.78

It took me approximately 45 minutes to get this post ready. I pressed the scarf and found the best way to photograph it.  Now I have $4.22 left to cover the cost of the item and shipping. This item fits in a standard envelope. I'll be kind and figure it will take just one first class stamp ($.49) to get it to its destination. After mailing this item, if I don't have to relist it in four months, $3.73.

$3.73 to cover cost of item, time spent looking for item, time cleaning the item, and time posting to Etsy.  

I'm not complaining, I just went in blind and want the information available to others. You have the option to use PayPal instead of Etsy's checkout, but either way you have charges.  We will try to keep our prices reasonable and fair. It really makes you appreciate all the work of the vintage ladies on the site when you begin your own shop.

Wishing you all happy junking until tomorrow!

~Mighty Myrtle

Next Post Topic.....Am I Kitschy Enough?

"Oh That's So Cute, I've Never Seen That Before!'

I guess you could say, this is a case of buyer beware. Maybe seller beware would be more appropriate. When starting this new business, I promised myself I would purchase nothing I wouldn't use myself. After 12 years of business, we are well aware you are never certain what will sell and what will sit in the store for ages waiting for the perfect buyer.

I was out with my husband on a trip to Missouri and decided to hit a flea before coming home.  While there, I bought a few things for myself and a couple to put online that I thought were unusual. One of the items bought for resale was a great California Pottery Chip and Dip with Lid. I was ecstatic! I own several pieces of California Pottery in Pink/Blue glaze, this one was green. I knew I would keep it and use it if it didn't sell. I looked online, I was right, there wasn't one like it anywhere. So, I stuck it in my living room to be cleaned and photographed in the morning. The next morning upon re-inspection, this is what I found:

A Chip!! OMG A Chip!! 

Now, remember, being a huge fan of this pottery, I check it over with a fine tooth comb. I flipped it over, looked at all the edges, and checked every petal. Luckily, Derek was there with me and confirmed that there was no chip when we took it up to the cashier for purchase. Obviously, the cashier chipped the dish when wrapping it to go home.  I was so disappointed. Now, I am unable to put it up for market. It will be used at our table this winter for chips and dips and live a happy life among my grandmother's well loved chipped bowls. So, here she is in all her glory:

"Sigh"

Now onto the true reason I am writing this.......

Chalk Dog Eyeglass Holder

I love chalkware. It decorates my walls, my shelves, and any other place I can find for it. My mom started collecting chalk fruit in the 1990's, I was her hunting buddy. Along the way, I realized I liked the funky weird chalk that was of different things: owls, flowers, tea pots, etc. In the last couple years I have moved up to Carnival Chalk which was won as a game prize. My pride and joy is a Carnival Prize Snow White. I traded for her at an antique show 2 years ago and I'm still in love.  

So, when I found this funky little chalk guy, I knew he must go home with me. I thought I would stick him on Etsy before making the decision to keep him. I was sure he was unusual, In all my years of junking, I had never ran across one. I did a search and realized something, obviously, I need to get out more.  There are 11, count them, 11 of these fellows on Etsy alone. So, he is not unusual. This dog was turned into ceramic and made over and over and over again.  The only thing that could work in my favor is that he is chalk. Of course, that also works against me on shipping. Looks like this little feller will be wearing my glasses from this day forward.

Getting ready to put a new item on Etsy this afternoon. Wishing everyone a day of funky junking!

~Mighty Myrtle

Next time on Mighty Myrtle.....Oh Those Hidden Fees

Oopsies & Uh-ohs

Hello to all!!! We are so excited to announce our new business venture Mighty Myrtle. Anyone who knows us, knows our love of vintage.  Mighty Myrtle is a place where we can let our vintage freak flag fly. You will find fun vintage, one of a kind items, and some funky redos in our shop. Please bare with us as we venture in the world of Etsy and online sales.  We appreciate your patience and patronage. Along the way we will share our trials and tribulations.  At the bottom of each blog we will leave a clue to what is to come for the next post. First on our list of business, the horrible world of shipping.

Trying Etsy for the first time as a vintage shop has been quite an eye opener. I am not an online shopper, so figuring my shipping was the first adventure in this process. My husband is a mailman, so, I thought it'd be a snap. My first four listings in my shop I either guesstamated the shipping or included it in the price.

My first item sold Friday night, I was thrilled. I had figured $3.50 into my asking price for shipping.

Sold Friday for $15

I thought the shipping might even be cheaper due to the fact that the delivery destination was only 15 miles from my house.  I shipped it out this morning and much to my surprise, $5.95.   Now, I understand why something on Etsy is listed as $5.00 with $6.10 in shipping.  Lesson learned.  Sorry to all you gals I figured were overestimating shipping to line your pockets.

I will now be charging shipping on items, unless under 13 oz. Why my husband didn't mention the 13 oz rule to me before now is beyond me.

Here are the items currently available in our Etsy shop:

Today's Addition

1960's Red Paper Masterpiece Hinged Box

$5.00

$6.00 Shipping

Bernard Studios California Pottery Rabbit

$12.00 Free Shipping

Town & Country Patent Leather Heels 7 1/2

$15.00 Free Shipping

Danish Modern Lamp Pair

$28.00 Free Shipping

Mid-Century Fiberglass Light Cover

$40.00

$12.00 Shipping

A reminder, if you are local and willing to meet us, we will take shipping fees off and reduce the price of the items with free shipping.  Come by often and check out our blog and visit our shop.

~ Mighty Myrtle

Next Time on Our Blog........I had no idea these even existed! OMG there are a million of them on Etsy!!!