Tag: вардо

Photographer – Nukshi Alice

~ George Crawford ~ 1 Comment

NukshiAliceFrom her ABOUT Page:  Nukshi is a documentary and portrait photographer and an artist living and working in Nottinghamshire.
Her sensitivity to situations, culture and people, has allowed her to adapt well to new challenges and environments.  She captures her images by getting involved with people, their culture and lifestyle, which motivates her to preserve those times and moments.  Knowledge and empathy with her subjects is the key to her image success, especially when intimate portraits are involved.

With an open mind and a quest to explore extreme situations, places, cultures, people and learn from that interaction. She intend to travel more, in doing so broaden her abilities. Often able to impart new skills to individuals in an exchange for their confidence in her, which has allowed her to bond with them easily.

VardoWhen a friend sent a link to her website I was, of course, immediately interested in the vardo.  Looking beyond the structure, there is wonderful documentation of life on the road.  An exterior wash stand tripod, pragmatic stairs, cooking tripod, and the ubiquitous tea kettle extend the home.

fullinteriorA homey interior, with an eye for beauty is shown in this “typical” vardo.

CookingA rare site where I live.  Nomads and Travellers are not often welcome in the modern world.  I’m glad this couple can live as they wish.

interior

More details are documented on her website.  I picked a few of my favorites for this post.

GeorgeAnd let’s not forget the people who keep this tradition alive.  It’s all well to look at the staged “gypsy” wagons across the web, but it’s important to remember that these are truly home, made complete by their inhabitants.

grinderA way to make a living. I still remember the knife grinder who made his way around the city in St. Louis many years ago.  His was not quite this flashy but had the housewives scurrying out with handfuls of knives and scissors when he came around.  I suspect that’s a rare job in America today.

Many more images from this series and others are viewable on Nukshi’s website.  Have a look and read the little story that accompanies the photos.

Images from “Gipsy Life” by George Coalville

~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

From a book published in 1880 about the Roma and some thoughts on how to “improve” their condition in Britain.  He traces their history in Britain from their first recorded arrival in Scotland in 1514 and is an interesting and somewhat sympathetic read.  Here are some images and a couple snatches of the writing.

bendertentSeveral types and qualities of bender tents are illustrated and show a realistic view of camp life.

smallwaggonmakeshift

“For the dance no music can be better than that of a Gipsy band; there is life and animation in it which carries you away.  If you have danced to it yourself, especially in a czardas, then to hear the stirring tones without involuntarily springing up is, I assert, an absolute impossibility.”  Poor, deluded mortals, I am afraid they will find—

“Nothing but leaves!
Sad memory weaves
No veil to hide the past;
And as we trace our weary way,
Counting each lost and misspent day,
Sadly we find at last,
Nothing but leaves!”

familytentI was for the first ten minutes fully occupied in trying to keep a respectable distance from a number of dogs of all sizes and breeds, which had the usual appetite for fresh meat and tweed trowsering, and, at the same time, endeavouring in vain to find solid ground upon which to stand, for the place at the entrance and all round the tents was one regular mass of deep “slush.”  It soon became known that my p. 228pockets were plentifully supplied with half-ounces of tobacco and sweets.  These I soon disposed off, especially the latter, for there seemed no end to the little bare-footed children that could walk, and those that couldn’t were brought in turn by their sisters or brothers.  I was invited to visit all the tents, but I could gain but little information beyond an account of the severe winter, bad state of trade, your visit in one of the black, dense fogs, &c.

vardowccampfireandpipefancyvardoTo be quite honest, I’m mostly into this one for the images but for those interested, the book can be found online HERE.

Adding Windows

~ George Crawford ~ 5 Comments

Finally, I’m getting around to adding side windows to the Vardo.  I’ve wavered for a long time as to whether this was what I wanted.  In the end, the ventilation and view won out.  Many decisions needed to be made.  What kind of opening, size, materials, etc.  In the end, I chose reclaimed oak as it is very stable, strong, easy to work with, and looks good.

window03This isn’t a high-tech, double-glazed thermal window.  It is a simple square frame of oak around a Lexan pane with a simple, chromed piano hinge and a nice brass casement window mechanism.

window02The discolored oak is visible here as I didn’t bother to remove the patina from the parts that will be invisible once installed.

I am sometimes criticized here for not giving enough of the remedial steps when building something new… So here it goes:

How to install a window into your Vardo.

window04First, choose where the window will be placed.  I have kept this spot in mind from the beginning and have kept it free of shelves and cubbies.   I decided to center the window on the structural stud.

A blank wall makes exact placement difficult.
A blank wall makes exact placement difficult.
A drill hole will mark the center of the window.
A drill hole will mark the center of the window.

I knew where the window needed to be located on the inside, but finding the exact placement on the outside wall can be difficult.  In order to find the point on the outside wall, I drilled a small hole where the top center of the window should be.  Why did I need to do this?  Because the cutting from the outside smooth wall is far easier and less messy (keeping the sawdust mostly on the outside).

Marker hole visible.
Marker hole visible.
Measuring down to locate top of window.
Measuring down to locate top of window.

Using the hole as a marker, a line was created to layout the opening.

window09
window10

A framing square was used to square up the other three sides of the opening.  The circular saw was used, making a plunge cut (using two hands) as deep as possible, following the guide lines.

Plunge cuts made.
Plunge cuts made.
Trusty panel saw makes easy work of it.
Trusty panel saw makes easy work of it.

The nature of the circular blade prevents the saw from cutting into the corner so a hand-saw was used to finish up.

window15After a dry fitting to check the size, silicone caulk was applied to seal out water and the window was inserted.

window14Having a look at the new window.

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window18
window17
window16

Checking the functionality.  Interior framing is not yet complete here.

Next step… making the shutter.

Revisiting the Enchanted Bike Wagon

~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

I have mentioned this unique little wagon before but it is worth revisiting as a near perfect mini traveller’s wagon.  Günther Lorenz, a maker from Bayern designed and built this bike-towed caravan without a plan or significant financial outlay.
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It makes me happy to know that this was built, fueled by beer and a dream, in three weeks worth of evenings.  It weighs in at 55 kilograms empty (120 pounds) so it isn’t exactly light-weight but provides the comforts of a dry bedroom while on the road.

0035The body is 2 meters long by 1.04 meters wide (79 by 41 inches).  The frame is constructed from 20 mm square steel tubing welded together and the 5 bows are made from 8 mm tubing covered with garden hose.  The whole thing runs on 28″ wheels.

0008If you’re looking to build something like this, head over to Günther’s web page for a more complete photo-set.  They’re thumbnailed on his page but can be downloaded and viewed at higher resolution.

Ich
Click the image to view the rest of the images.  His website is in German but the photos speak for themselves. 

Bear the Tinker

~ George Crawford ~ 1 Comment

Bear the TinkerHere’s a man making his way in the modern world but likes being stuck in the late 18th century.  Farrier, blacksmith, storyteller, and musician living in his bowtop.

BearTinkerVidAbove is a short interview with the man himself from a few years back (opens in a new window).

Small LedgeLiving in the 21st century, he even maintains a Facebook presence, of sorts.  Click on his new little Ledge Wagon above to see what he’s up to.

Update from the vault: Vardo and Sheepherder Links

~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

After several requests for information, here is my short list of inspirational sites found on the web.  Culling the web for Vardo style so you don’t have to.  I will try to morph this into it’s own page soon as a place to add more links as they become available.

Romany and Traditional Style

GypsyWaggons
Great Historical Resource
Roth
Gypsy Vans by Roth. Beautiful traditional waggons with loads of information about types and styles. Amazing stuff here.
Nice, garden variety caravans. These make wonderful retreats and getaway spaces.
Nice, garden variety caravans. These make wonderful retreats and getaway spaces.
Solid, permanent and towable vardos from Windy Smithy.
Solid, permanent and towable vardos from Windy Smithy.
Ingham & Fallon, restoration, new and used. The images alone make this one worthwhile.
Ingham & Fallon, restoration, new and used. The images alone make this page worthwhile.

Sheepherder Wagons

Plan to spend some time on this website. Anvil Wagon Works in Livingston, Montana makes all types of traditional Chuckwagons, Sheepwagons, and Buggys. Lot's of great photos.
Plan to spend some time on this website. Anvil Wagon Works in Livingston, Montana makes all types of traditional Chuckwagons, Sheepwagons, and Buggies. Lot’s of great photos inside and out.

 

This image links to their Sheepwagon page but there is so much more here. Serious craftsmen of all things traditional Wagon and Wheel related.
This image links to their Sheep wagon page but there is so much more here. Serious craftsmen of all things traditional Wagon and Wheel related.
The Lazy AA Guest Ranch and Builders of towable Woolywagons.
The Lazy AA Guest Ranch and Builders of towable Woolywagons.
Idaho Sheep Camp. You can't be more authentic than this. I want one! Pages of images to inspire the builder of tiny homes.
Idaho Sheep Camp. This is the interior of just one of their many featured wagons.  You can’t be more authentic than this. I want one! Pages of images to inspire the builder of tiny homes.
Old Western Wagons are builders of Sheep Wagons, Vardos, Freight Wagons, and other horse drawn vehicles. Located in Seattle, Washington.
Old Western Wagons are builders of Sheep Wagons, Vardos, Freight Wagons, and other horse-drawn vehicles. Located in Seattle, Washington.
Engel's Coach Shop Joliet, Montana. Master Wheelwright and makers of horse drawn vehicles.
Engel’s Coach Shop Joliet, Montana. Master Wheelwright and makers of horse-drawn vehicles.
Plankbridge Shepherd Huts from Dorset, England. Traditional huts, not for long distance travel but fine for short moves. Nice designs.
Plankbridge Shepherd Huts from Dorset, England. Traditional huts, not for long distance travel but fine for short moves. Nice designs.
bshtrippictransnoshadow850
Blackdown Shepherd Huts. Handcrafted in Somerset, England. Posh and spiffy little cabins with lots of style.
Shepherd
Everything you need to know about historic Shepherd Huts.
Ranch Willow Wagon Co. builds and restores wagons to the highest quality standards. Company owner Lynn Sedar has been in the wagon business for over 20 years and is also an acclaimed artist, design consultant and furniture designer. Wagons designed by Ranch Willow Wagon Co. are the ultimate blend of history and art.

French Style

ImageTitreIndex

In French. The website contains some good old images as well as information about various types of travelers’ wagons (a.k.a. Roulottes).

An Interesting mix of Hippie vehicles from Britain and Europe:

travellerhomes-head

MORE TO COME

Eight Foot Terrapin

~ George Crawford ~ 3 Comments

CTLogoNot terribly far from the Paleotool secret lair there toils a designer and builder of unique, hand-built, small campers.  Inspired by the lack of uniqueness and beauty in mass-produced campers, Peter Pavlowich put his Wood Construction and Design degree to work to create beautiful, minimalist campers for small pick-up trucks under the name Casual Turtle.  These are real works of craftsmanship and simplicity and are reasonably priced for those who cannot or do not want to build their own.  I particularly like the compound curves of his roof designs.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA“Casual Turtle Campers was founded on the belief that wood is good, small can be comfortable, and that there is still room for simplicity in this increasingly complex world.”  Peter Pavlowich, owner-designer-builder, Casual Turtle Campers.

Building on his past successes, Peter has now branched out into trailer-caravan design using the same principles as his truck mounted campers.

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Meet the new Terrapin from Casual Turtle.

The new design packs a lot thought and detail into a small package.  The new Terrapin is about 8’2″ long by 6’9″ wide (nearly identical in dimensions to the vardo known as the Snail).  First of all, I love the roof design and have decided that if and when I build my next vardo, it will have compound curved roof like this.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA“Tiny and simple” is the mot juste of this design, containing all the space you absolutely need and not a scrap more.  Like the Snail, this beauty could easily accommodate two adults on an extended journey.

T9Taking inspiration from early twentieth-century design, the interior is a simple kitchenette that converts to a bed.  A rich, wood interior keeps it classy and abundant windows provide light and views.

T16There is plenty of room for customization and in my opinion, maybe even a heat source.

Here are the spec’s from Casual Turtle’s website:

  • 1,360 lbs
  • 5’x8′ custom trailer frame from Sport Trail (Loveland, CO)Professionally-sprayed Reflex truck bedliner undercoating
    • Rockwell American 3,500lb axle
    • 15″ wheels and trailer rated tires
    • A-Frame tongue with jack and custom storage box
  • Fully insulated floor, walls, and roof
  • 15 amp shore power inlet – two interior outlets
  • LED crown moulding lighting
  • Full size memory foam bed (75.5″x54″)

Dimensions:

  • Width: 6’9″
  • Height: 8′ (at peak)
  • Length: 8’2″ (cabin), 12′ overall
  • Interior Height: 5’11” (at peak)

All coming in at $11,800.  Not too shabby.

Head on over to Casual Turtle to see more today!

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