I am just swimming over my friend Bret and Charissa's chalkware fish collection. They have the cutest retro 1950's pink bathroom decorated with fun fifties chalkware fish and Floridiana collectibles.

The Kane's home was featured in Atomic Ranch magazine

Bret says, "Chalkware were cheap souvenir type gifts from the 40's thru the 50's. A perfect thing to take home after a snowbirds trip to tropical Florida."

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Chalkware is made of gypsum (a mineral consisting of hydrated calcium sulfate) and is quite delicate. They can crack easily. It is surprising that any of these inexpensive items have survived the test of time. You can still find them for quite cheap, either on ebay under keywords chalkware fish, chalk fish, or Miller Studios. They can also be found at thrift stores, antique stores or flea markets. Bret says, "We picked them up fairly cheap about 15 bucks for a fish or two plus some matching bubbles."

all photos courtesy of Bret and Charissa Kane