Have you seen the movie The Lovely Bones? Since I'm not going to the movie theaters I'm waiting for the video release. I love "ghostly suspense" (and get to the story in a moment), but what's also featured in this film...
... are the masterfully crafted ships in bottles by Jim Goodwin.
Similar to David Fink's Driftwood Boxes that were used for the movie Nights in Rodanthe, Jim Goodwin was contracted by Dreamworks Production to provide ships in bottles for their adaption of Alice Sebold's 2002 Novel.
The Lovely Bones (2009), directed by Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings films), centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family – and her killer – from heaven; and she must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal. And there is a video clip of this father daughter scene that you can watch here. Also check out this beautiful quote: Afterlife in Lovely Bones
It gives you a close look of the ship in the bottle. Here the sails of the ship are still collapsed that's how it got into the bottle. Or in Jim's word's, "The main secret in how a ship goes in is collapsing the mast."
Then when the string is pulled...
... the masts stand up.
In a previous life Jim Goodwin was a geologist and an educator. Now he devotes his time to preserving this maritime art form.
You can find a large selection of his ships in bottles @ Village Craftsmen here.
And check out Jim Goodwin's Lighthouses in Bottles too!
I leave you with this short clip of one of Jim's presentations. I love the part when he says, people who knew him in the past would say, "Eventually Jim's going to end up in a bottle."
17 comments:
I have often wondered how these are done and love that it is being preserved. Great post!
I can just imagine sailors at sea patiently carving and assembling these little ships - wonderful that they are still being made, and the old craft kept alive.
In Denmark we have a bottleship museum on an Island called Aeroe. It was and old mann which was collegting them. Today it is a museum called Bottle Peters museum.
I have always been totally fascinated with this art form.
I just love miniatures of any kind and this is such an art form.
Love it
T
Hi Maya
My brother used to make these when we were young.. I've always wanted one myself.. will have to be sure to see this movie now... have a great week xx Julie
Aren't they cool? My dad made one of these once...I wonder if he still has it.
Hello Maya,
I saw the film, and admired the collection of ships in bottles. My husband used to make these, so I know the care and skill required in constructing them.
Nice Post!
Marjorie
Cool post Maya, these bottled ships have always fascinated me!
Such a wonderful and timeless craft!! xOxO
Read the book and am dying to see the movie..it look fabulous xOxO
How interesting!!
They have always intrigued me:)
That's so cool how you went behind the scenes to show us the work of these artisans that shows up on the big screen. It's a shame about the driftwood box artisan that had not been given credit though. And thanks to you, now I know the "secret" to how they do the ship in the bottle! Great post. ~Lili
wow.. so this is how these beauties are created. I have often wondered how this craft is done. Beautiful... Thanks for sharing.
Hi Maya,
Nice article on Jim. FYI- We also represent Jim and have a large selection of his ships and lighthouses in the bottle. Jim creates specific models (with regional interest) for our gallery.
www.skipjacknauticalwares.com
I have always wondered how people create this art form! Great post ~~
xoxo Laura
Totally fascinating form of art. Cool post Maya!
-marie
Your ships in bottles are very wonderful!!! My Ships in bottles are simpler. Thanks for your clip. You are very professional about that. Let visit my website http://shipinbottle.net and give me some of your feeling, thanks ^^.
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