Hold very still...

Good Girl...

Stay...

Sit, Good Girl....

Okay...you can get down...

Waiting in the wings…

I have mentioned Julie Sotomura of PhotoMura Images in past blogs.  Julie is responsible for the beautiful product shots on joeyscoat.com, as well as several of the images in the slideshow.  Because of her talent, her services are in high demand.  In the meantime, my brilliant friend and master tailor, Dana Lazare has continued to create more than 40 of the most exceptional, one of a kind JoeysCoats, that have been patiently awaiting their debut before the world.  On Monday night, Mike Urban, Island artist, sculptor and photographer, will provide me with a tutorial on set up and lighting.  I will endeavor to recreate what Julie began; the bar is elevated dauntingly high.  Challenge myself I must…in the meantime, a few modest shots to leave you wanting more…

Hand-woven cotton tweed (up-cycled jacket donated to JoeysCoat by a dear friend of Dana's) with hand-made silk satin binding (remnants of what must have been the most elegant evening gown), hand-made lace, linen damask belt (the trim from an antique mantle scarf), extraordinary Mother of Pearl buckle, Bakelite and Hard Plastic buttons...beautiful...

Melton wool, Chinese frogs and braid (a bartar from a friend and Island artist - there is a matching tassel at the tail of this coat!), vintage embroidered motif (also bartared), Mother of Pearl buckle and Bakelite buttons…genius…

Wool plaid from a vintage blanket, intricate antique beaded motif (from Seattle’s own Frederick & Nelson’s department store, now Nordstrom’s premier downtown store), Antique Obi belt (found in San Francisco’s JapanTown), Bakelite buckle and buttons…so fun…

And last, but certainly not least, vintage French Grainsack, hand-made crochet trim (donated by a friend from her extensive collection of antique and vintage trims and lace), soutache braid, Mother of Pearl buckle and button, Bakelite button…voila!

Wish me luck…

December at the Heron's Nest....

JoeysCoat was honored with the invitation to remain in the Heron’s Nest Gallery for the month of December!  I chose some of Dana’s newest, inspired designs for the display.  The coats are placed throughout the Gallery; atop the main counter, beneath Joey’s original framed coat, next to other beautiful Island Artist-made textiles.  As it was a well-attended First Friday I was only able to get a couple quick shots…I plan to return to the Gallery today to photograph the others. 

Traditional Joey in medium weight red and black tartan wool coat.  

Black velvet belt and tab.

Handmade lace embellishment.  

Bakelite buckle.  

Glass button, molded two-tone button.

Couture Joey in lightweight wool-blend crepe with Point de Venise coat, belt and tab.

Antique tatting on belt-loops.

Pearl embellishment.

Imitation tortoise buckle.

Imitation tortoise metal embellished Bakelite button.

Bakelite with layered pearl button.

Carpetbagger Joey in pastel celery, taupe, apricot and teal cotton tapestry coat and tab.

Antique Rag Obi belt.

Soutache and handmade tatting embellishments.

Hard Plastic two-tone pattern buckle.

Bakelite two-tone buttons.

Many thanks to George and the Heron's Nest...

Fiona rockin' the '60's...

It’s December 1^st in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and the sun is shining…time for a quick snap of Fiona in her custom “sixties” JoeysCoat…

Exquisite coat by Dana Lazare

Fabric - thanks goes out to Sara;

Buttons - thanks goes out to Anita;

Gold Braid - thanks goes to Kate’s grandmother’s collection;

Lurex Vintage Obi found in JapanTown

…with very special thanks to Fiona, for remaining momentarily still…

"Beauty Shots"

I recently met Julie Sotomura of PhotoMura Images, at Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle.  My friends, their pups and mine, and the lovely legs of my little sister-in-law, entertained the masses as we wrangled five dogs for the photo shoot.  Julie captured their personalities as they modeled Dana’s creations…a good time was had by all.

Thank you all for a very fun afternoon…

Hey...that's not your chair...

Sassy in Vintage French Grain Sack...

Fall on Vashon Island...

I just returned from a week in Southern California where I spent time with my family.  As luck would have it, my visit coincided with the Rose Bowl Flea Market.  My big brother and I made the trip up from San Diego to Pasadena on a perfect California day in search of JoeysCoat treasures.  Back at home this morning, the sun was brilliant while I was preparing to Blog about the spoils...with treasures and camera in hand, I looked out the French doors, within a matter of minutes the sunshine had turned to rain.  I found a tiny rectangle of sunlight beaming on the edge of my piano and quickly took advantage of it...

Bakelite and Mother of Pearl and Vegetable Ivory, oh my...

Opening Night at the Heron's Nest Gallery...

A grand success...

Thank you, Dana, for sharing your masterful talent with JoeysCoat...

Vashon Allied Arts - "Enriching Island lives since 1966"

Vashon Allied Arts was formed in 1966 as a non-profit arts organization.

Over the years, VAA has continued to develop a comprehensive array of programs and services, including a gallery, performance program, class program, Artists in Schools program, the Heron's Nest art and craft gallery and Island View, a monthly publication of community arts events. VAA owes much of its success to the hundreds of volunteers who donate thousands of hours out of their love for the arts and the community.

The above statement comes directly from the Home page of the website for Vashon Allied Arts.  

In addition to the programs and services supported by VAA is a monthly Gallery Cruise which begins the first Friday of each month.  Tonight, JoeysCoat is honored to grace the front window of the Heron's Nest Gallery.  

Dana Lazare's masterful designs, Mike Urban's creative coat stands, Kari Davidson's photo of Joey, Joey's original coat - my cup runneth over...

joeyscoat.com Goes Live...

After a very long and determined two years, joeyscoat.com is now Live...it would not be possible without the creative help and unbending support of so many...the final days have been spent learning the eCommerce tool for the store...an accomplishment that would have been hard won without the expertise and patience of my oldest son, Sam, and his talented wife, Sara. They have made themselves available to my questions at every twist and turn while managing their own on-line ventures: et derive, their on-line fashion magazine (http://issuu.com/etderive/docs/et_d_rive_issue_1) and their on-line store, Ghostown é Boutique (www.etsy.com/shop/GhostownBoutique).  

Sam's background has always been in the Art world, however since partnering with Sara he has learned much about the fashion industry. Sara has not only owned her own business in New York, she has provided Styling, Marketing and PR for a number of Independent Designers as well as working with Barney's Co-Op.  Together they share a gift for recognizing important Designer works and their personal collection is to be envied.

Sam, Sara...without you, none of this would look the same...gratefully yours...

If you haven't already...please take a look at joeyscoat.com for a sneak preview of what is to come... 

Meet Bub from Montana...

My dear friend, Gigi, learned of JoeysCoat and contacted me on behalf of Bub.  Bub is a Boston Terrier who is the best friend of Gigi's beautiful boy, Kirby.  Bub, the little American Gentleman, suffered a stroke last year but has recovered well.  He needs a coat for the Montana winters - Gigi chose the perfect colors to bring out his handsome self.

"Bub" the Co-Pilot

Gigi's Beautiful Boy "Kirby" gazing out at the Big Sky Country

The American Gentleman looking blissful in Gigi's arms...

"Bub" in his JoeysCoat with Susan, his human who loves him, "Mom"...

Bub honors JoeysCoat as the distinguished first customer...I am humbled...

Thank you...

Vashon Island Pet Protectors...

Vashon Island Pet Protectors, also known as VIPP, is a non-profit organization on the Island.  Established in 1984, it is run by volunteers providing food, shelter and medical care, including spay/neuter and microchip placement, for fostered and adopted out animals. VIPP has a robust Lost and Found program to help reunite animals with their owners in addition to working closely with the Island emergency preparedness group, planning mitigation efforts for animals impacted by a natural disaster.

Amongst the many VIPP Fundraisers is an annual Fur Ball, which includes a silent auction.  This year, JoeysCoat is honored to donate a coat to VIPP.  Dana was asked to create something really special for the event; she put her heart and soul into the design. JoeysCoat is proud to support VIPP and the important work they do...

Photograph by Julie Sotomura of PhotoMura Images - Coat Stand designed and built by Mike Urban.

Grady amongst the Dandelions...

Thrifting has been a way of life for me since my junior high school days...after high school, my son's Dad and I would haunt the plethora of Thrift Stores housed in the downtown corridor of San Diego in the early 1970's.  Still in our teens, he would search for men's shirts and jackets circa the 1940's.  I would look for women's clothing that none of my contemporaries would consider wearing; styles dating from the 1940's to the 1960's.  It was great fun, and, made it easy and affordable for us to don the "starving student" look that matched our lifestyle.

Some of the wool for JoeysCoat has come from my own closet...not one to discard anything, my collecting in the past has taken on new life...

"Grady", the patriarchal resident canine at Lost @ Found...an Island business filled with "eclectic art, furniture, clothing and conversation"...in my vintage wool Pendleton jacket, now a MacLean Tartan JoeysCoat with antique velvet belt and tab.




Thanks for being such a good sport, Grady!

Fibonacci!

I have shared before how fortunate I am to live on Vashon Island.  This week I made an impromptu stop at KRONOS, a wonderful shop in the heart of town filled with art and antiques, clothing, jewelry, and an eclectic collection of hard to resist "must haves"...the resident Poodle, Fibonacci, was agreeable to pose in JoeysCoat; he is stunning in a red, grey and blue wool plaid with antique woven Nagoya Obi belt and tab...

There are no words...

A reluctant "Sophie" in vintage French grainsack...

More JoeysCoat treasures from Antiques By The Bay...

Bountiful inspiration...

 

The three-day-weekend spent with friends - old and new...

I spent this past weekend with friends in the Bay Area.  My visit coincided with the monthly Antiques By The Bay event; an incredible Flea Market with more than 800 vendors offering up all things vintage for sale.  I have been to this Flea before in my search for inspiration for Joeys Coat. 

My favorite booth to visit is owned by Daniela and Eric Davis of Patine - a vintage home decor shop in Selva Beach, California.  They sell a wide variety of antique French linens, including grainsacks, at their booth - the selection this past weekend was brilliant. 

Dana will design one of a kind treasures from the aged hemp and cotton, thoughtfully incorporating the colorful stripes to add distinct personality to each coat she creates.

Thank you Daniela and Eric - I look forward to my next visit!

French grainsacks in the dappled sunlight at home on Vashon Island...

Yard Sale Treasures...

Yard sales on the Island are abundant in the summertime...this past Saturday was no exception.  My typical Saturday morning ritual includes waking early, enjoying coffee with the pups, dressing according to the weather and mapping out the route.   At the end of my search I happened upon a sale tucked back at the end of a private drive.  As it was late in the day,  most items I scan for were already gone.  As I was leaving with some lovely French ribbon circa 1930, the owner asked if I was looking for anything in particular.  I told her my focus is buttons and buckles.  She asked what I used them for and I told her about JoeysCoat.  She turned, went into her house and brought out a large glass vase filled with Bakelite, Mother of Pearl, vintage plastic, and bone buttons and buckles...each unique and extraordinary.  We sifted through the tiny treasures together...we shared the same appreciation for their beauty and history...and it became apparent we also shared the same love for our dogs.

Thank you, Anita...I am grateful our paths crossed...

Joey finds his way to You Tube...

You know how life takes you down a particular path and you are unaware of the significance of something until years later?

My youngest son and daughter-in-law just celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.  They exchanged vows in our meadow beneath the cherry trees.  Tom and Kate are the owners of Bridgman Landscape and Stone in Seattle.  For nearly a year they spent every off day transforming a blank canvas into a beautiful garden setting.  At the end of each day, I would arrive home from work and take in the view of the fruits of their labor.  They performed all the work while keeping five dogs and two very busy puppies occupied; no small feat.

One of the days, while taking a well deserved break from laying the stonework for our spectacular fire ring, they made a short film using the video function on their digital camera.  Kate expertly edited the film and set it to music; Teenage Wasteland by The Who - the perfect soundtrack for a puppy wasteland.

Recently, while endeavoring to create more space for JoeysCoat in our little Island home, we stumbled across the video and watched it again.  There was Joey...in the background...shy, quirky, a reluctant puppy mentor, far more interested in chasing his brother.

This past Friday night, our friend and filmmaker, Richard Montague made it You Tube ready.

Something created six years ago for fun, now takes on new meaning...

The bride and groom...

Our brilliant fire ring...



The kitchen garden entrance to the home of JoeysCoat...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjZgZuAKfVs



We are so close...

The process is ramping up at light speed...the web design and store is in the final stages, the brilliant "mannequins" are completed, the coats are receiving added couture touches, JoeysCoat and all that it is, is coming to fruition.  From most profound tragedy to joy and celebration...it speaks to the duality of life.  There is no joy without sorrow, no failure without success, no loss without love...thank you Joey for taking me on this amazing journey...

Hanging out...

Discarded blankets, shirts, trousers, skirts...all given a new purpose in life...

Gratitude...

Today, while contemplating how to begin my next post, I decided to check the Stats tab on the menu bar.  This is not something I have made a habit of since beginning the JoeysCoat blog, therefore I was not prepared for what I found.  In addition to the United States, Joey's story is being read in Germany, Canada, The U.K., Malaysia, The Philippines, Australia, Denmark and France. 

I am humbled by the far-reaching audience.  You honor me and my boy...thank you.

The last photo of "Joey" taken the day before we said good-bye...

The Jr. Cowboy...

About a year ago, our dear friends Tami and Rob Renno found a 1904 farmhouse with a view of Quartermaster Harbor on the portion of the Island known as Dockton.  The house came with an old rusty bus tucked away in a back corner of the garden and the Rusty Bus Farm came to be.

Tami is a collector and seller of all things vintage.  Her grandmother's settee along with a chandelier and the rusty bus made for perfect props for a JoeysCoat photo shoot.  Between the two of us we managed to wrangle her Boston Terriers, Lola and Bo with Sass and Fiona long enough to get some wonderful images of the four of them in coats. 

"Bo" exhausted, "Sass" ballet toes turned out, "Lola" channeling Garbo and "Fiona" looking for trouble!

Dana designed a very special glen plaid coat using an old remnant of braid embroidered with the words "Jr. Cowboy".  Originally she had chosen leather buttons for the tab, however I remembered a set of pewter buttons shaped like Sheriff's stars I'd come across in a grab-bag button purchase.  The leather buttons quickly came off and the Sheriff's stars were sewn in their place.  It was serendipitous.  Now the coat truly is a Jr. Cowboy.

"Bo" resting in Jr. Cowboy.  The belt is a wee bit long for his frame so we're off to Dana's studio for a custom fitting.  That's "Sass" in the background in a lightweight wool plaid paired with a dark green antique velvet belt.  The belt loops are made of gold braid that Dana found in a flea market in Paris forty years ago!

Stay tuned for more from The Rusty Bus Farm...

Photo Day Finale!

It's been nearly a month since I last posted.  What began as a common cold, quickly turned to pneumonia and I indulged in much needed rest.  The only challenge that comes with rest is the time it took away from my "day job" and the daunting catch-up work that followed.  All the while only wanting to think about JoeysCoat.

I am back, healthy, invigorated and ready to resume where I left off!  Fortunately, Dana's creativity and productivity never wained.  Additionally, Island Artist Mike Urban completed the prototype for the coat stands that will serve as "mannequins" to display the coats for the eCommerce site.  The stands are on their own, beautiful works of art.  The coats, tiny treasures.  It doesn't get any better.

Before the unveiling of the most current photos of the coats, I feel compelled to complete the photo shoot images my friend and Island Photographer Kari Davidson shot back in June.  The final two Island dogs are fixtures at their respective businesses.

Sophie and her humans, Sylvia Matlock and Ross Johnson are the creative owners of DIG, Vashon Island's destination nursery.  On any given day, one can view Sophie lounging on a garden settee upon entering into the magical garden that is DIG.

Marty has just celebrated his first year at Treasure Island, a unique store with an eclectic mix of all things vintage.  I visit the store and it's owner Marci often, forever in search of something special for JoeysCoat.  Rarely do I leave empty handed.

"Sophie" playing on the lawn at DIG

"Marty" and Marci at Treasure Island

Thank you to everyone for a brilliant day of photos!

Photo Day!...Fiona Meets Her Match

"Look strange lady, you're not
 the boss of me".

"If this big lug thinks he's gonna upstage me,

 he can think again!"

  Thank you to Orson

and the humans who love him...