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fish sticks

July 21, 2012 By Linda 38 Comments

I need your help.

Serious help.

Can someone please tell me why I walked out of the thrift store …

… and, no, I didn’t shoplift; I paid my $4.00 …
… with these two fish on sticks?

fish_sculpture_on_a_dowel

I wasn’t looking for fish on sticks when I entered.  It most certainly wasn’t on the list.  But I threw that list to the wind and scooped up two of the world’s ugliest fish …

… two of the world’s ugliest fish on sticks swimming in air …

fish_painted_and_mounted_on_dowel

It’s not like I’m some fish fan.

Quite the opposite.

I don’t want to swim with them (and I don’t mean the cement boot kind of swimming — though I wouldn’t like that either) but if I’m in the water and something brushes up against me?  Yeah, I high tail it out of there …

I don’t really like to eat fish … and shrimp doesn’t count … but when I do I make sure to order fish that doesn’t taste fishy.  Like Mahi Mahi.  Which is like two taste buds away chicken …

I think I may have picked up those fish on sticks because I’m cracking under the pressure.

fish_on_dowel_and_painted

First, there’s the master bedroom redesign pressure. It needs to move forward.  And it needs some “stuff” … you know, accessory “stuff” …

… and this is where I fall flat in decorating; getting the “stuff” right …

 

… but when I saw those fish on sticks I thought perhaps they could serve as “stuff” in the master bedroom.

fish_from_thrift_store

Though you can be sure they WILL NOT be placed on the beside table.  I mean, who wants to roll over and open their eyes in the morning to see this …

fish_painted_wooden_fish_on_stick

… staring back at them.

And I absolutely won’t use them as is.  I was thinking of painting them a fun, high-gloss color, like the painted-a-fun-high-gloss-color faux animals I pinned here …
And speaking of color:  that’s pressure cooker #2 …

fish_wooden_painted

You see, the Mission Possible gals and I have our next link party on July 31.  And this month’s theme is “Crazy for Color” …

… so painting those fish on sticks a crazy color could kill two birds with one stone.  Or two fish with one … umm …  hook?
fish_on_a_stick
But the jury’s still out …

And I still need to pick a fun, bold color to paint those fish on sticks …
fish_sculpture_from_thrift_store

A color that would be a fun ‘pop’ in my planned blue-and-brown room design …

Red?  Lime green?  Bright orange?

And who knows …

fish_sticks_swimming_away

… in the end I may just throw those two fish on sticks back into the fish stick sea.

P.S.  The fish on sticks are creeping the kids out too … and I have to say, I can’t blame them.

If my fish sticks haven’t fully creeped you out, let’s keep in touch …

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Comments

  1. Kirby Dunton Carespodi says

    July 21, 2012 at 10:47 am

    I saw who brought those in to the thrift place. It was the Gorton’s guy. He came in with Mrs. T., who brought her pierogies on a stick. Sorry you missed those; they were scoffed right up.

    Reply
  2. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    July 21, 2012 at 10:56 am

    oh i think they are fun! on a summer mantle they would be perfect and you can paint htem a solid color so the faces don’t scare you with their fish eyes.

    Reply
  3. Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says

    July 21, 2012 at 11:25 am

    How funny! Wish I had a dime for every time I walked out of the thrift store with something crazy! I would be tempted to paint them orange…ombre style!

    Reply
  4. Erin @ His and Hers says

    July 21, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    I passed up on a thrifted fish yesterday. It was one of those plastic ones that springs off the wall and talks to you. Your fish aren’t nearly as classy. 😉

    No seriously–they will be awesome painted a bright glossy color! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Natalie @ NorthShore Days says

    July 21, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Oooh I like them Linda – but I would paint them charcoal or even brown first then a coat of white and distress them down the the grey or brown…..Or teal or turquoise……Good luck xxx Nat

    Reply
  6. Bliss says

    July 21, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    So this is not a tale of the one that got away. I rather like them, so I vote bright orange. Or maybe you can remove them from their sticks and dip them in ketchup. I see possibilities.

    ~Bliss~

    Reply
  7. Jean @ www.thebackyardbungalow.com says

    July 21, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Hmmm…slightly creepy, but I say red…we all know I like RED!

    Reply
  8. Peggy says

    July 21, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    Yes it is now clearly evident I spent far too many of my young adult formative years as a preschool teacher… all I think of is ….. One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish! i know, i know….

    And I can see that Amy-while wearing heels and I share the same sense of humor… (read head down, shaking from side to side…)

    Reply
  9. Lynn @ UpCountry Olio says

    July 21, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    I think they are kinda cute! Although I’m not sure I’d turn my back on them for any length of time. Maybe after you paint them a solid color you could do a “Herringbone” design?

    Reply
  10. Rita@thissortaoldlife says

    July 21, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    Hmmm…I’m thinking the problem is the sticks. Sticks and fish were just never meant to be together. The sticks are all modern-minimalist and the fish themselves are all rustic cabin. Maybe they just need to be released from the sticks?

    Reply
  11. Jennifer@heylittlemother.com says

    July 21, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    I like them the way they are! But then again, I live in the Adirondacks of New York, and the “rustic chic” look gets pushed around here. I can’t wait to see what you do with your fish sticks!

    Reply
  12. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says

    July 21, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    I LOVE them and I don’t have a single “fishy” thing in my home but I may have grabbed them as well. I wouldn’t paint them — they go perfectly with MY living room so if you change your mind, let me know! LOL

    Reply
  13. Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes says

    July 21, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    I agree with Jennifer, they are nice just the way they are except I agree with Rita that the sticks need to go. What about attaching a piece of fish net to them and hang them on the wall? I bought a striped wooden cat once that was black and a golden color and my family thought I was nuts but the quirkyness of it apealed to me.—– Shannon

    Reply
  14. Jaye @ Just Tryin' to Make Cents of it All says

    July 21, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    I think they are AWESOME! Just live with them for awhile as they are. What to do to them will come to you over time. What a great conversation piece!

    Reply
  15. My Little Home and Garden says

    July 21, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    It must be the ex-teacher in me, but I can see the sticks gone and fish hanging from the classroom ceiling, swimming (or a least swinging) merrily about.

    Reply
  16. Corn in my Coffee-Pot says

    July 21, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Oh the night mares… I’ve had a few of those myself..with FISH. Even.

    YOU SAID: If my fish sticks haven’t fully creeped you out, let’s keep in touch …

    this is me…keeping in touch. Helping a girl out. letting you know you’re not alone in your crazy fish stories!

    FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT…3 LINKS! (IF YOU DARE)

    http://corninmycoffee-pot.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-think-im-onto-something.html

    http://corninmycoffee-pot.blogspot.com/2011/01/fishing-for-inspiration.html

    http://corninmycoffee-pot.blogspot.com/2011/02/mms-copy-cat-challenge.html

    …living with the fishy- Pat

    Reply
  17. Revi says

    July 21, 2012 at 6:07 pm

    Gotta love it. I once heard everything is better on a stick, but they may have been talking about fair food. So I guess it doesn’t count.

    I’ll bet you can make them fun!

    -Revi

    Reply
  18. Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap says

    July 21, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    I used to have a fish bathroom when I was in college! I can send you some fish vinyl, fish towels, fish soap…for the kids bathroom 😉 I am sure a little paint can do miracle!

    Reply
  19. mary says

    July 22, 2012 at 2:18 am

    If you want to get rid of the fish….I want them!!!! I love the fish. Seriously, can I have them?

    Reply
  20. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    July 22, 2012 at 2:25 am

    Ditto what everyone else said. I like ’em!

    Reply
  21. Susan @ homeroad.net says

    July 22, 2012 at 2:32 am

    Linda I love those fish! I always say that I think I was a fish in a past life. Something about the shape of a fish intrigues me… I love all kinds of fish and I love yours!
    Susan

    Reply
  22. Kerry Rossow says

    July 22, 2012 at 2:37 am

    Oh, my hilarious! These will be great conversation pieces for years to come!

    Reply
  23. Merri Jo says

    July 22, 2012 at 4:44 am

    I love those fish just the way they are!!! They are ADORABLE! I want to know what thrift store you go to. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Curt says

    July 22, 2012 at 7:38 am

    i think you should finish them so they look like FISH STICKS. kids might get a kick out of them then.

    Reply
  25. Homa Style says

    July 22, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    I wouldn’t let them be…they need paint! I would go with a bright color of turquoise. I do like them but wouldn’t want to awake up next to them. Set them across the room.

    Reply
  26. Diane says

    July 22, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    I happen to like your fish sticks Linda! But since you’re going to paint them over I would vote for the lime green or orange.

    Reply
  27. Lucy May says

    July 22, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    Keep! AS IS! They are awesome!
    I would have snapped those up myself for my sun porch table centerpiece!

    Reply
  28. Dawn F says

    July 22, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    You bought them to remind you to “just keep swimming”!!!

    Reply
  29. Joyce says

    July 22, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    These turned out great! the color is awesome~

    keep in touch 🙂
    -Joyce

    Do you like beauty products?
    We’re holding a giveaway @ carouselstreet.com

    Reply
  30. Anne says

    July 22, 2012 at 10:53 pm

    Um I actually like them as is… don’t have a clue what I’d do with them. Why don’t you try them in your porch? on the floor maybe. in a corner. out of sight… j/k! No I do like them!

    xox

    Reply
  31. Claudia at Lashes and Beard says

    July 23, 2012 at 1:47 am

    Lol! Great post! I’m a big Mahi Mahi fan, too, and for the same reason.

    I think these fish have a lot of design potential. If you’re trying to make them more sleek and sophisticated to go with the green and brown bedroom, I’d suggest the lime green pop of color you mentioned.

    Another option would be to get really funky with them. You could glue rhinestones or jewels on them, for example. I’ve seen some interesting ones where people wrap them in slightly creased/wrinkled tinfoil which gives a cool effect. If you wanted to be cheeky, you could get a picture of farmland and decoupage it onto the fish (get it? Fish on a farm or in a field? Ironic, yes?).

    Either way, excited to see what you come up with! Following back from the blog hop. 🙂

    Reply
  32. pam {simple details} says

    July 23, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    I DO like them, but my suggestion isn’t much help for the Crazy Color party – I’d do metallic gold or distressed white. 🙂

    Reply
  33. Amy@BuffaloRoam says

    July 23, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    Hahaha… I happen to like your fish on sticks! As they are!

    Reply
  34. Kelly @ View Along the Way says

    July 23, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    I love these fish sticks! Do you think anyone has EVER gone to the thrift store looking for fish on sticks? And if you did, the chances of you finding them would be NIL. But I’m glad you did, and I LOVE the idea to paint them something fun and bright!

    Reply
  35. JOY 2 JOURNEY says

    July 23, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    Hmmm, I happen to love these fish! Great find 🙂
    Hugs,
    Bj

    Reply
  36. kelly lautenbach says

    July 29, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    I’d leave them as is… and find a perfect spot in my fun eclectic house. Wanna send them over?!?!? 🙂

    Reply
  37. Our Little Orphanage C says

    July 30, 2012 at 5:31 am

    Oh they are way too cute for real! At least if you put them on your nightstand you could wake up to those smiles every morning;) What a way to start the day. They really are cute and I tend to stay on the safe side so I would suggest blue or silver rub&buff but I also think the lime green would look great too. I can’t wait to see what you do with them:)

    Regina

    Reply
  38. Sheila @sZinteriors says

    July 30, 2012 at 10:36 pm

    I’m with Natalie @ NorthShoreDays… charcoal, a coat of white and distressing them down would be awesome, but for that pop of colour you mentioned, turquoise came to my mind, too. Even a cobalt blue with metallic accents… I’m late to this post, so maybe you’ve already sent the fish swimming back up stream! 😉

    Reply

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