The faces on Pat's dolls are expressive, their arms and legs move, and they're dressed in the finest clothes,.

But these dolls are different - They're miniatures. They're so tiny that you squint when you try to take in all the intricate details of a delicately painted face or a lace-trimmed dress.

Pat, who has lived for years on Okaloosa Island (Fort Walton Beach) with her husband Jerry and their 4 children, has always enjoyed crafts, sewing and putting special decorator touches into their home. Now she's receiving recognition across the country for her creations and in 1994 was recognized as an IGMA Artisan (International Guild of Miniature Artisans).

Many of her creations have been featured in various Miniature publications. In the fall 1990 issue of "Miniature Showcase", a quarterly issue, one of her baby cribs and babies were shown to illustrate a story titled, "Bring Your Victorian Dollhouse to Life". The September 1997 "Miniature Collector" included several of Pat's dolls on the cover and inside the story, "Nanette Finger's Collection."

Little girls would love these dolls and nursery and children items; however, Pat stresses that they really are not for children.

One reason is that they are very expensive because of the time and labor involved in turning out these miniatures to resemble life-sized people and objects. While durable, most would not stand up to a child's rough handling, though one might make a nice gift for a little girl mature enough to treat it as an ornament or decoration, not a toy.

"These are for little girls who have never grown up. They (women) love it. It's a big hobby all over the country now." She said. "People plan vacations around the miniature shows. It's an expensive hobby but you can get into it on any level. You can go to the shows and see all this beautiful stuff. It's very addictive." And Pat admits she's hooked. "I went to my first national show in Atlanta and saw a miniature bird cage on a miniature table. It blew my mind - all the details at such a small size."

Pat works a lot at night when things are quiet. He husband usually refers to their home as "Pat's Workshop" since evidence of her work and collections can be seen throughout their home. "I've been to a few shows with her, and just can't get over the small, intricate, details involved in Pats work and in others including church furniture, flowers, vases, animals - anything in life size is duplicated in miniatures," he said.

Pat used to work with a modeling clay type substance, molding each doll with her hands. "It's called Femo, and it comes out more like a plastic. It's pliable and the parts move," she said.

Now she works in the real thing - porcelain, which must be taken through a series of molding and finishing steps - pouring, cleaning, painting, firing. After each application of paint, the part must be refired. "I find that porcelain lasts longer and looks more natural", she said.

Pat can do fairy tale characters as well as just plain babies and children. Her Little Red Riding Hood, Little Bo Peep and Little Miss Muffet can be displayed beside a regular girl doll, as if the fairy tale characters and the little girl are all miniature playmates.

On many occasions Pat has fashioned creations, particularly at the request of grandmothers from pictures depicting something from the child's real life experiences. She did the John Kennedy children, two violin-playing brothers, and several others. All she needs is a photograph and she can select a mold closely resembling the real child and then apply proper eye color, hair color and style, and then recreate the clothing or costume to match the photograph.

Her figures can populate a dollhouse; be placed around a miniature Christmas tree for a dining table centerpiece; bring to life

a room box; or be placed under a dome. She can do boys as well as girls; infants or children. Pat continues to hand model some articles such as a tiny animal figure (rabbit or bear) on a tiny lamp with a tiny bulb that really works.

She decorates cribs, changing tables, chests, rocking chairs, cribs, rocking horses, clothing items, any many others that can be seen during the various shows she attends throughout the year.

"Even though I feel all her creations are outstanding," husband Jerry said, "I think her old fashioned wicker carriage illustrates her variety of talents. She weaves the entire carriage from scratch. With her babies and children, I continue to be amazed at how she can finish each one with individual expressions, having no two looking alike."

What does it take to purchase one of Pat's creations. It depends upon the amount of time and detail required to finish the item and her babies can range from $85 to $110; children $145 to $155; Cribs , cradles and bassinets, $85 to $110; changing tables, $75; lamp or clothes poles with rabbit or bear, $35. special creations such as nursery rhymes (Red Ridding Hood, Little Miss Muffet, etc) ready to display begin at $185. The wicker carriage starts at $295 and usually available only by special order.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Pat moved to Miami Beach at a very early age. Her mother, Ann, later became the Social Director for the newly opened Eden Roc Hotel there. She attended the University of Miami seeking a degree in Interior Design, and then moved to New York in 1962 for a five-year stay.

Pat's next move was to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where she found a permanent home, a satisfying hobby and a business.

She may be reached at 840 Santa Rosa Court, Fort Walton Beach, Fl 32548; telephone 850-242-3739; fax 850-243-3228, e-mail pat@patmelvin.com or www.patmelvin.com.