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Home / What to Collect / reader open threads

Reader Giveaway: Chalkware mermaids from Cats Like Us

pam kueber - Updated: November 1, 2011

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

Update: Comments/Entries now closed. Congratulations to winner Cheryl in TX, whose number was chosen by Random Number Generator. Blondes won! Thanks, everyone for playing!
What self-respecting Retro Renovator could be without a set of chalkware sea creatures in their pastel-colored bathroom? The folks at Cats Like Us — serious purveyors of rockabilly wear and kitschy collectibles — are providing this week’s giveaway: A set of reproduction chalkware mermaids. Thanks, Cats! I show the pink, but if you win, you can choose from six different styles. And, no Made in China here! These are all hand-made by Barbie K, who lives near Cats Like Us in Tonawanda, New York:

Chalkware—both kitschy & cool—is Barbie K’s passion. When the price of vintage chalkware sky rocketed and it was no longer affordable, she decided to take matters into her own hands—literally! Barbie K has created her own line of “retro-reinterpreted” chalkware including mermaids, hula girls and pin-up girls. She uses a Freeman McFarlan reproduction vintage mold for each piece and decorates them with pearls. The hand poured, hand painted mermaids with the pouty red lips are her best seller.

Pretty cool! How to win:

Win a set of Cats Like Us / Barbie K
Chalkware Mermaids

The rules:

  • Winner gets to choose their mermaid — check them out, there are 6 different sets, 3 haircolors. So to enter the contest, Comment and answer the Important Mermaid Question: Blonde? Brunette? Redhead?
  • I’ll choose the winner by Random Number Generator Tues. morning-ish, Nov. 1.
  • You must reply to my email within 7 days or else I move on to the next in line. I’m not chasing you. Make sure your email is correct.
  • You may choose from Cats Like Us’ in-stock collection (no special orders).
  • Ships USPS 3-day — U.S. only.

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224 comments

Comments

  1. Hellectra says

    October 30, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    Blondes have more fun!

    I am a wanna be blonde, but Alas! I can never be with my dark brown curly frizzy hair. I would like the blonde mermaid with the metallic blue tail! My bathroom theme is by the sea!

  2. ray says

    October 30, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    real mermaids are brunettes. brunette for authenticity.

  3. Michelle Savell says

    October 30, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Definitely the Brunette! 🙂 Love them ALL though!!!

  4. Lisa Malott says

    October 30, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Definitely a blue-eyed blonde just like my daughter since they’d be for her retro green bathroom! So cute, I was looking for some mermaids just like this!

  5. Linda Gergosian says

    October 30, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Blonde all the way:):):)

  6. Kirsten says

    October 30, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    Redhead!!

  7. nikki h says

    October 30, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    these are so cute!!!
    brunette please!

  8. David Colle says

    October 30, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    I would have to go with Brunette. My late Mother was a Brunette, even though I’m a natural Blonde, lol!

  9. Amy Salmon says

    October 30, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    LOVE THESE!!! I’ve been looking for something like this, and DID notice them on Ebay. I would love one of the blonde sets, though i’m a brunette myself. Thanks for this contest, and GREAT WORK on re-creating these! 🙂

  10. Elaine says

    October 30, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    Been searching for the perfect accent to my never-been-changed 1951 bathroom and here she is. (Straight out of my childhood, too.) I say blonde with the blue tail that matches my blue tile!

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