Scrap metal sculptor specializes in 'peace fish'
Hauler sells 'fish’ on Fridays at the Treasure Island Open Air Market
By TOM GERMOND
| Article published on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 |
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| Mike Ewashenko of Treasure Island makes “peace fish” from scrap metal. |
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TREASURE ISLAND – People unload filing cabinets, dryers and other appliances in Mike Ewashenko’s yard.
And that makes him happy.
He uses the discarded metal to make metal sculptures that he sells at the Treasure Island Open Air Market Friday and two other similar markets.
About five years ago Ewashenko sold a peace sign that he made from scrap metal to a woman who said 30 people asked her where she got it.
After selling about 10 peace signs, Ewashenko, a scrap metal hauler by trade, decided to diversify and make fish.
“They were made from pieces of peace signs so I called them peace fish,” said the South Pasadena resident.
Ewashenko, who has been hauling scrap metal for 30 years, said his primary tools are an acetylene torch and crayons. He finishes his products with a Polyurethane clear coat.
After selling five peace fishes at St. Petersburg events, he realized he was on to something.
He makes all types of fishes – shark, snook, swordfish – using old fishing charts and other illustrations to help him replicate them.
He’s made turtles from satellite dishes and will do custom work.
“I had somebody ask me to make her a bat,” Ewashenko said. “So I made her a bat.”
He recycles the discarded metal.
Ewashenko enjoys meeting people at the open air market, which is every Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Community Center, 1 Park Place and 106th Avenue.
“It’s great that people take my card and call me. One guy showed up with a truck full of filing cabinets. He wanted me to make him a gold fish,” Ewashenko said.
Ewashenko also sells his products at markets in downtown St. Petersburg on Saturdays and at Ulmer Park in Largo on Thursdays. He relies on his wife, Shelley, and Ray Graff, to assist him.
More than two dozen vendors were on hand for the first open air market of the year, attracting a crowd.
“I think next week it will be twice as much as this,” Ewashenko said.
Suffice it to say, Ewashenko stays busy.
I’m a frustrated fisherman,” he said. “I don’t have time to fish, but I can make them.”
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Article published on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008
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