Thursday, March 11, 2010

corner view - miniature world

These miniature garments were made by artist Jon Coffelt. I am seriously considering having a vintage cocktail coat miniaturized that I found years ago in San Francisco. (really love to have my wedding dress miniaturized too) Jon makes these tender miniatures by hand, fashioned to mimic the original garment. The miniature world travels for viewing. I had the great pleasure of speaking to Jon and the spirit and joy in his voice spoke to my artist heart. I so appreciate other artists finding passion in their work.

Granny Mae had a lady make her clothes because she has a slight hump in her back. When she bought something from a store it never fit correctly. She gave me this dress in 1970, years after she had it made. I told her at the time if I ever made a dress for her I would put darts in the back at the shoulder area as to accommodate her hump.”
—Jon Coffelt
There is something so charming about having a miniature garment to treasure. One is never too old to play dolls, I always loved the tiny garments, the tiny accessories and the miniature world. What treasured garment would you have transformed into a miniature? If you do decide to have Jon miniaturize a garment, please send a miniature hello from pve.

23 comments:

Debra said...

The concentration and patience that Jon must have. I would have a green holiday cocktail dress made- it was my Mother's. A beautiful shade of hunter green velvet with antique gold buttons in the back. I am intrigued by miniature objects. For years I had an old printer's tray filled with miniatures collected from travels, as gifts-Fun, but horrible to dust. Now a little, tiny cocktail dress- that would be well suited for a lovely dresser-don't you think?

pve design said...

Debra,
I would want to house it in a little lucite box.
I think I need a new green holiday dress. Your Mother's dress sounds so divine. Perfect for your dresser.
pve

Joyce said...

Beautiful small designs with a BIG passion.
I have a baptismal dress that was crochet by my great-grandma for my mom. My mom, aunts, uncle, my sisters, me, my nieces, and nephews have worn it for our baptismal. It now is displayed in a frame.
Thanks for sharing my friend. xo

Southern Lady said...

It must take much skill to make such beautiful tiny creations.
Carla

Acanthus and Acorn said...

These are amazing! And, I love your idea about putting all the favs in a lucite box!!!

Kwana said...

Now that is cool. I always loved doll clothes. It was the first thing I designed. Sewing my Barbie's clothes by hand sitting on Nana's floor with whatever scraps I could find. Jon's work is fascinating. I'd love my wedding dress done too.

TSL said...

Your LUCITE box idea for displaying these tiny little treasures is fabulous!

Unknown said...

I am so pleased that you have taken an interest in Jon's work, Patricia. His work is amazing and he is one of my most favorite people.

If anyone is in the
Southeastern region, please come to Milledgeville, GA on April 1 and celebrate the opening of Jon's Miniature Clothing Project exhibition "A Gathering," at the GCSU Museum.

Michelle said...

Love it! Like those great little chairs you get in Europe!

Great find! I'm not asking for much, but can he shrink me from a 16 to a 6? lol.

Best,
Michelle

yvonne said...

These are lovely! And I love the idea of having a wedding dress miniaturized. What a beautiful memento that would be.

Catherine said...

They're so lovely. And his story about his Granny was so sweet. I think I'd choose my wedding dress. It's been in storage (at my Mom's house) so I never see it. Trina

JMW said...

How wonderful! And what talent!

LindsB said...

That is such a great idea- I love the thought of having a mini wedding dress that could actually be kept out to see all the time. What a talent this guy has!

Deidra said...

That's a cute idea!

Sandra said...

Oh, I love these. I so appreciate this as a seamstress! What would I have miniaturized? I'll have to think about that!! xoxo

Kelley said...

It could be a difficult task, but I think I'd like to have a miniature of my wedding dress made. Then I could hang it up somewhere and look at it every day!

ralph and martha said...

so amazing! reminds me of the video I watched learning about the artist that knitted the sweaters for Coraline - with sewing needles in place of knitting needles. These artisans are truly amazing!

pve design said...

Thanks to each of you for your comments, yes Jon has such a gift for bringing order in his own miniature style, not to mention the patience of a Saint.
pve

Emily said...

That was so sweet of dear Jon to consider his grandmother and her garment issues. As a person with a bit of a curvy body, I would love to have someone design some clothes to fit better!! I'll have to check out his miniature clothes. So cute.

North of 25A said...

The joy of art is that something terrific can be found almost anywhere. I would love to have minatures of my children's best outfits from when they were todders - those wonderful dresses and a little grey flannel suit my son had with short pants. And then imagaine if you did a grouping with pictures and the miniature outfits that the children were wearing in shadow boxes?

Marnie said...

my friends and i knitted miniature sweaters, capes, hats, mittens to decorate a Christmas wreath for a fundraiser auction - it was fun and creative and so rewarding - never knit a sweater so fast!

Unknown said...

wow, what talent and patience. These are so charming.. I can think of a few things I would love shrunk! xo

JonCoffelt said...

If you guys want me to do a miniature for you and need additional information please let me know.
joncoffeltart@mail.com

Your piece will be an exact replica of your cherished keepsake. Debra's hunter green velvet cocktail dress sounds awesome and so does Joyce's baptismal gown. I do wedding dresses and I have even made a few sweaters the latest being a sweater that was once worn by Catherine Wright the daughter of Frank Lloyd Wright who was also the mother of award winning actress Anne Baxter. This sweater was originally hand knitted in cashmere and was sent to me with the original pearl beads. The replica was totally reworked to include all aspects of the original down to the real pearl beading work.

I assure you that you will be well satisfied when your cherished keepsake becomes a piece of art.