The Dog Show...

JoeysCoat is honored to join 14 Vashon Artists

in this month's Vashon Allied Arts Gallery Show 

celebrating "the Dog".

 Join us at the Opening Reception, 

Friday, January 10, 6 - 9 pm, 

for a first glimpse of the JoeysCoat designs Dana has created for this special Show.

Norman is modeling "Seal" -

made from a vintage "sealskin" patterned velour women's overcoat found at a Seattle thrift store. The coat is lined with windowpane plaid cotton flannel and bound with a poly/metallic brocade vintage necktie. The belt and tab are printed velvet with ultra-suede and cotton flannel liners.  The belt loops and trim are antique metal Gimp discovered at a flea market.  The generous Abalone belt buckle is another flea market find.  The beautiful see-thru "horn" plastic with gold metal filigree buttons are recycled from a mink coat and attached with back buttons to allow for movement.  The buttonhole is hand-stitched with silk thread.  The coat is finished with a "gem cut" gold metal button on the top.

"Seal" is one of five inspired new JoeysCoat designs that will be on display at The Dog Show.

See you there!   

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!   

How To Breathe New Life Into An Old Mattress...

Carpetbagger Joey #17

Small

Cotton mattress ticking with flannel backing coat, belt and tab

Natural linen braid belt loops and trim

Vintage Plastic buckle

Hand-stitched buttonhole

Carved and layered Celluloid buttons secured with back buttons

It's that simple.

The End.

Fiona Does Steampunk...

When looking for answers, I found many have weighed in on what Steampunk fashion consists of...having sifted through a multitude of opinions I have come up with my own take on it...forgive me if you find my interpretation lacking!

From what I have surmised, Steampunk fashion has no set guidelines, but rather is a synthesis of modern styles influenced by those styles made popular in the Victorian era. Often representative of clothing found in steampunk literature (A Clockwork Orange), it's portrayed in modern day books, film and in the game-world as an artful combination of Victorian, American West, Alternative World, Fantasy and Horror all rolled into one intriguing look. It's that simple, or perhaps, it's that complex - dress Victorian and then add whatever.  

Steampunk is about creating an outfit that delights the senses, entertains the wearer and engages the viewer.  It would seem there is no color code or rules against combining with other styles....it's really up to the imagination of the wearer.  How great is that?  Fiona seems to like it...

Couture Joey #33

Extra Small

Sparkle rayon velvet bound with silk challis necktie

Silk taffeta belt and tab

Crochet snap-tape belt loops and trim

Mother of Pearl buckle

Hand-stitched buttonhole

Metal mismatched buttons secured with back buttons

With special thanks to Glenna's Clothing for sharing those fabulous green shoes with us! They are the perfect match to the belt and tab on Fi's Steampunk JoeysCoat!

From Deauville to Paris...

Fiona, growing weary of an afternoon of modeling..

She is, however, always willing to pose for a close-up...

Couture Joey #53

Extra Small

Wool blend tweed coat and tab

Silk ribbon belt

Silk ribbon belt loops with picot edging

Silk Charmeuse binding

Fabulous black and white Bakelite buckle

Hand-stitched buttonhole

Black and white Bakelite and Celluloid buttons secured with back buttons

Inspired by...