Emma and Milo...

When Emma, the Australian Shepherd met Milo, the Terrier-Pom mix, it was as if they had been comrades forever...add in some warm sunshine to balance the cold temps and awesome JoeysCoat designs to bring out the beauty in the beast so to speak, we had all the makings for a successful day for photographs of JoeysCoat in action...

Emma's size Small is Carpetbagger Joey #13 made of cotton chenille in a neutral African pattern.  The coat is lined with silk organza and bound with silk from a vintage necktie.  The cotton belt and tab is a block print pattern.  The belt loops and trim are vintage Petersham.  The buttonhole is hand-stitched.  The buckle and buttons, secured with back buttons, are made of Hard Plastic designed to resemble stone.

Milo's size Extra Small is Couture Joey #42 made of the softest handwoven Mohair.  The belt and tab are wool tweed.  The belt loops and trim are hand-crochet braid from a Rhode Island antique textile collector.  The unique shape buckle is layered Bakelite.   The buttonhole is hand-stitched. The swirl design buttons are Hard Plastic and secured with back buttons.

The action starts here...  

I didn't say a lot of action...

The Grand Marketplace...

Grand Marketplace in Portland, Oregon is a new shopping venue for those whose lifestyle includes a mix of antique, industrial and architectural expression.  That's the short version.  The description on the website reads:

 Grand Marketplace is a curated group of talented collectors that will take vintage shopping to the next level. A breathtaking venue that will inspire the daring, mild, and traditional desires of a discerning culture. Ever evolving inventory and tasteful selections of materials and textures, Grand Marketplace is an inspiration board for all who walk its avenues.

I first met Andrea Jones, owner of Seek the Unique, over a year ago.  I was in Portland with my friend Tami in search of JoeysCoat treasure.  Tami was there to sell vintage furnishings found in Seattle to her Portland clients.  We left Vashon early on a Saturday to allow for stopping at estate sales and thrift stores along the drive down.  Once in Portland, we made our way to the industrial section of the city to hit a couple flea markets we had heard about.  Then a stop at Seek the Unique for Tami to make her delivery.  Andrea was there with her two golden-doodles Amber and Cotton.  I wandered the store while Tami and Andrea met.  Once they had completed their business, Tami introduced me to Andrea.  We talked about her dogs, my dogs, and JoeysCoat.  Three weeks ago I received a call from Andrea Jones.  She told me Seek the Unique had moved to a new 18,000 square foot location called Grand Marketplace and asked if JoeysCoat would be part of the grand opening celebration.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Two weeks later, Andrea drove up to Vashon Island to see the JoeysCoat collection.  We poured over the coats for a couple of hours.  I described the history of each design element in the coats - she shared her love of textiles and vast knowledge of antique and vintage fabrics.  Andrea selected twenty-six coats to take with her to Portland.  I saved the date for the grand opening celebration.                

Andrea Jones with Amber and Cotton

JoeysCoat's all in a row...

JoeysCoat in size Medium cleverly displayed on vintage leather luggage...

JoeysCoat treaures...

Fiona wearing her Carpetbagger Joey getting chin scratches...

If you find yourself in Portland, be sure to include Grand Marketplace on your list of things to see and do...it's not to be missed!  

Finding Milo...

I have become obsessed with guessing dog sizes.  Prior to beginning the JoeysCoat project I never paid that much attention.  That's not entirely true.  My family and friends would likely say that I pay far more attention to the four-legged than the mere two.  However, now I would say my focus has gone from an interested gaze to intense scrutiny - visualizing where the buttons will meet, the belt will encircle the chest, the slight scallop frame the tail on the furry beloved who has happened to cross my path.  This is how I found Milo.  I was behind the camera, pup models in coats that harmonized, shoes chosen to add a touch of wit, and then Milo appeared.  He was out for his morning walk.  His owner, proprietor and landlord of a number of buildings along Opera Alley in old Tacoma brings him to work with her, and we happened to be in the right place at the right time.  It took only a second for me to see that Milo was a perfect JoeysCoat Extra Small.  And less than a second to recognize that Milo had all the makings of a JoeysCoat Superstar!  

I wish I could take credit for the clever styling of his photos.  Milo is the creative director, I am merely the mechanic!