Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
Here is a couple of photos of the new horse. It is made up of mostly recycled and scrap wood. If I am lucky enough to find time from work, I intend to put it to work on some bow staves and spoons later this fall.
The horse is made of pine and fir dimensional lumber. The working portions are red oak, white oak, hickory, and popular. The large bolts are salvaged from an old Ford spare tire holder.
Another modern trailer vardo underway at “Vardo-a-go-go“. It looks to be built to slide into a cargo flatbed and will apparently be used as a recreation vehicle. The design is a modified “American Vardo” from Timothy Lemke. I think the greatest benefit of this plan is its extreme light-weightness and relatively simple construction. Good luck Libby and show us more photos!
Another take on the modern Gypsy Wagon. I suspect it is very heavy but looks to be very large and accommodating as well. Lots of decorative details.
http://www.wanderingbookartists.blogspot.com/
They are also fine craftsmen and artists. Check out their site.
N55 is a group of artists and designers who have some interesting ideas. I have been interested in the Walkinghouse since I first saw it. Here is a link to its “manual” and here is a video of it walking in Copenhagen. I selfishly wish they were doing this somewhere closer to me. While on this website, its worth checking out some of their other ideas. They are broken up into “manuals” and they also have a book you can download.
I like much of their design and hope to continue to see more as they progress.
My only real problem with this design is the lack of an easy-entry door. I couldn’t imagine climbing in while holding anything (like a sack of groceries). I do find the combination of solar-electric, hydraulic drive, and wood heat to be intriguing.
Some new yucca fiber sandals. One narrow leaf yucca, after processing, will easily yield one large pair of sandals and straps. Ethnographically and archaeologically, we know this type was worn in northern Mexico, the American southwest, and California. After wearing these and the plaited style, I think the loose fiber provides more padding for rough terrain and better protection against most thorns.
I still prefer my bison rawhide sandals for running and walking. They provide more protection against sharp rocks and thorns. However, the yucca are extremely quiet, especially on hard ground, and much easier to procure than bison.
This is a link to other shoes and sandals I have experimented with. I will get more up in time.
This was our trial run of the nearly finished vardo. I had to stop tinkering long enough to pack it up and get ready to head out.
Packed for camping and ready to leave.
I should find a way to better secure the steps as the steep mountain grades caused some movement.
Taller tires have now made the wagon sit a little tilted. I shall need to fix this with a drop down hitch.
First RV style campground… ever. I was actually very impressed with the facility.
The little vardo drew quite a bit of attention here amidst the $100,000+ RVs.
Third try is the best. After trying two other solutions for the table front, this is what I decided upon. Oak with a simple brass sash pull. Not very exciting I know, but still an important detail.
The two visible screw heads will be plugged to hide them better. I just haven’t made it that far yet.
There are more small fixes and additions that have been made, just waiting to be posted here.
I finally put the final layer of roof on the vardo. I suspect this will really help keep it cool in the sun.
I still have quite a ways to go with paint and other exterior trim but my next focus is to finish installing the stove. The plan is made, most of it has been “dry fitted”, now it just needs some cutting to plumb the chimney pipe.
I wasn’t fully satisfied with the door so I rebuilt it. It isn’t quite done but it is functional. Hardware is being added, the front window nearly finished, and interior is underway. More come. The complete Vardo picture page is here for anyone interested in more.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 