Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
A LITTLE CARAVANNING HISTORY At the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, the young artist Frances Jennings became a semi-invalid and was advised by her doctor to spend as much time as she could in the open air. Being a Victorian lady at loose ends, the obvious choice was to take to … Continue reading Happiness in Simplicity
Today, it's sheep camps from Wyoming from the Wyoming Tales and Trails webpage. Great photos and some good information about Western history. Note the important things; wood stove, wash pan hanging on the door, the big tub sitting outside, and a fiddle for company. I could spend a good chunk of my life like this! Another … Continue reading Wyoming Sheepherders
(from the Paleotool vault) Sheep camps from Wyoming from the Wyoming Tales and Trails webpage. Great photos and some good information concerning everything "western." A self-contained base camp in a sheep wagon provides a cozy home on the prairie. A beautiful culmination of cultures a innovations created this iconic American living arrangement. We can learn a … Continue reading Wyoming Sheepherders Again
Here are a couple final Alfred Munnings images of Romani caravans in an English countryside. As a keen observer, he definitely caught the important details of each type of caravan and the essentials of camp life. The watercolor above is somewhat unusual for Munnings as it shows no animals, people, or campfire. Above is a … Continue reading More Historic Caravans in Art
These images might whet the appetite for summer days, picnics, an caravanning off into the great unknown; or it might just be a bunch of pretty pictures if the former isn't your cup of tea. Anyway, these are generally labelled and classed as Gypsy images although we know that this is often seen as an … Continue reading Historic Romani Caravan Paintings
Here are a few classic Sheep Camps from the Wyoming Tales and Trails webpage. There are some great photos and some good information on their web page. I personally took a lot of inspiration from these resourceful and low-cost housing solutions. There's a lot of other information and photos of western history here too. Have a … Continue reading Sheepherders’ Camps
A little something for Wagon Wednesday. A simple bow-top accommodation. Very little of the wagon is seen in the image but we can rest assured that it was painted green at one time. Hedley picked up some fine details here including bolts, boards, the tarp attachment, and a very nice little driving lamp. Last in … Continue reading An Open Lot Accommodation
Here's a great design from the late nineteenth century. I could not find an associated photo for the finished caravan but there are a couple of innovations I will want to include in the future. I believe this wagon was about 12 feet long overall and is a nice setup for 1-2 people. The flap … Continue reading Lightweight Touring Caravan Design from the 19th Century
A LITTLE CARAVANNING HISTORY At the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, the young artist Frances Jennings became a semi-invalid and was advised by her doctor to spend as much time as she could in the open air. Being a Victorian lady at loose ends, the obvious choice was to take to … Continue reading Happiness in Simplicity
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 … Continue reading Adding Windows
Here'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. Above is a short interview with the man himself from a few years back (opens in a new window). Living in the 21st century, he even maintains … Continue reading Bear the Tinker
A couple modern bowtops by the wayside in Britain. Great colors.
What a great wagon. I wish my creativity could approach this level of beauty.
Here's a nice open lot from Ireland. Beautiful...all of it.
Derek Diedricksen at Relaxshacks.com is always good for some inspirational offbeat home ideas. Here's a shot of the interior of a sheep wagon with a promise of more to come. Click the photo for the original post.
Another good sheep camp image. I'd like to see more inside. The original link is here: http://www.talkingtree.org/2011/03/31/welcome-to-the-sheepherders-home/
A nice bowtop wagon from Traveller Dave's website. There are many "real" living wagons and rolling homes there in case you are in need of inspiration. I like the window but the builder in me sees it as a sure source of leaks.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 