Michael Ely

I have been living with my partner, Spider, for over 40 years. We were part of the first wave of young gay couples living together openly shortly after Stonewall. We are originally from Los Angeles, but we have been living here in Tucson for the past 17 years. We are both musicians. Back in the day, we performed together in alternative rock bands, whereas today we record soundscape CDs (mixing different music genres ranging from rock to ambient to world to jazz to film score) which we release independently (in other words, we have no label support). We live in a pueblo style track house and our inside decor is an eclectic mix of cowboy and Indian, Hindu, nautical, Alice in Wonderland and, of course, lots and lots of kitsch! I am so happy to have discovered this great site, a place where I can share my love of kitsch with others, a site created by the wonderful, talented and charming Allee Willis.

Submissions


Kitsch Booties

Recently our friends had a baby girl named Abigail and my partner’s sister (Diane) crocheted some kitschy booties for her. One is a pa...

Mysterious Wonder Mouse

This is my Mysterious Wonder Mouse originally sold at carnivals and in front of shopping stores in the 1950’s. I bought this one from...

Streisand Suitcase

Hello Gorgeous! Who wouldn’t want to travel in style using this vintage suitcase featuring a fantastic collage of the one and only ...

Vintage Easter Basket

This is a vintage Easter basket filled with vintage goodies including two colorful handmade German paper mache eggs, a large plastic chick i...

Dutch Boy Planter

This little Dutch boy planter was made in Japan (probably in the 1960’s). He stands about four and a half inches high and he’s...

Chief Paint Thinner Can

This is a large one gallon can of Chief paint and varnish thinner featuring a Native American chief in full war bonnet headdress. The colors...

Vintage Arab Records

This is my collection of Arab 78 rpm import records produced in the 1940’s. It is impossible for me to even begin describe the music ...

Slippery When Wet

I came upon this sign one night while driving in a rainstorm. Even tho it was pouring rain, I had to stop and get out to take a picture. Obv...

Chuck Wagon Dog Toy

This is a vintage chuck wagon vinyl squeak dog toy made by the Ralston Purina Company in 1975. The gimmick for Chuck Wagon dog food is that ...

Alter

This is my alter. The alter cabinet was built by an artist friend (Lane Patterson) out old old barn and fence wood that he picked up while t...

Cowboy Silhouette

This is a rather large silhouette picture (10 x 16 inches). The image is reverse painted on glass and the background is crushed foil (whic...

El Rancho Plate

In the past, I have shared some of my other Western / restaurant china. This pattern is called “El Rancho” and it was produced b...